CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54 THE SECRET MARRIAGE WAS EXPOSED

Serena’s POV

I stood there, bracing myself for Ryan’s reaction.

After that dramatic slap I’d delivered to Ivy’s face, I expected anger, disapproval, or even public censure. What I didn’t expect was his concerned gaze falling on my hand.

"Did you hurt yourself?" he asked quietly, reaching for my reddened palm.

The question caught me completely off-guard. After everything that had just happened, he was worried about my hand? The unexpected gentleness in his voice made something flutter dangerously in my chest.

Before I could respond, Ivy let out an indignant gasp, her mascara-streaked face contorting with disbelief.

"Are you serious right now?" she shrieked, gesturing wildly between us. "She just assaulted me in front of everyone, and you’re asking if SHE’S hurt?!"

Ryan barely glanced her way, his patience visibly thinning. "Enough, Ivy. You’ve caused enough of a scene."

"I caused a scene?" Her voice rose to an eardrum-piercing pitch. "She’s the one who slapped me!"

"Ivy," Ryan said coldly, his eyes narrowing. "I see through your little games. Enough. This gala is important to the Blackwoods, and your theatrics are getting tiresome."

I couldn’t help but feel a spark of vindication. For once, Ryan wasn’t automatically taking Ivy’s side. Maybe he’d finally seen through her tactics.

Ryan gestured to Simon, who had appeared discreetly at his side. "Please escort Ms. Hart out. She needs to compose herself."

Simon stepped forward efficiently, but before he could reach her, Ivy did something that left everyone in the room speechless.

She dropped dramatically to her knees and clutched Ryan’s leg like a drowning woman clinging to a life raft.

"Ryan, please!" she wailed, tears flowing freely now. "You can’t do this to me! You’ve found someone new and you’re just throwing me away? How can you be so heartless?"

The hushed gasps that echoed around us told me exactly how her words were being received.

The implication of "someone new" versus her being the "someone old" created an instant scandal. I could practically see the society gossip columns writing themselves.

People exchanged knowing glances, and I spotted at least three phones surreptitiously recording the unfolding drama. Of course they would.

Ryan Blackwood, notorious for keeping his personal life private, never had women hanging around him or tabloid stories about his love life. This was prime gossip material.

Ryan’s face darkened with anger. "What are you talking about? Let go of me!" He tried to step back, but Ivy clung even tighter.

I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. So this was her master plan all along—to create a dramatic scene that would link us romantically, making it seem like I’d achieved success through Ryan’s influence rather than my own talent and hard work.

Classic Ivy.

"Excuse me," I said coolly, trying to push through the growing crowd. "Your personal drama isn’t my concern."

I was just about to leave when Kane rolled smoothly into my path.

His smile was sharp, malicious, and aimed straight at me.

“Leaving so soon, Mrs. Blackwood?” he asked, loud enough for everyone in the lounge to hear.

The air froze. That title—Mrs. Blackwood—hit the space like a bomb.

My stomach dropped. I hadn’t expected him to announce my secret three-year marriage to Ryan in front of all these people—what was he trying to do? And we’d long been divorced.

Kane’s grin widened, cruel and deliberate, clearly enjoying my reaction.

“Oh, my mistake,” he said, his voice dripping with fake concern. “I almost forgot—you’re Ryan’s ex-wife now, aren’t you? I completely understand why you left him. Who could tolerate such a two-faced husband?”

I kept my expression neutral. Confirming anything—or adding to the drama—would only make it worse. Ryan could deal with this PR disaster himself.

Kane, clearly enjoying our silence, decided to fan the flames further.

“You know what I find truly sad?” he said, addressing the room more than me. “That her husband was obsessed with a dead woman throughout their entire marriage.”

My chest tightened at the mention of Sophie. Even now, knowing her place in Ryan’s life, it still hurt.

“That’s enough!” Ryan’s voice snapped across the room. “Kane, shut your mouth right now.”

Kane raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended. “Is that how you speak to your elders, nephew?”

The tension was thick enough to cut. Guests suddenly found reasons to leave, murmuring hurried goodbyes as the gala devolved into a family spectacle.

I scanned the room. Evelyn Blackwood wasn’t here. At least Kane had spared her the shame of witnessing this.

Maya and Julian finally reached my side, concern written all over their faces. Before they could speak, Julian took my hand.

“It’s getting late,” he said firmly. “We should go.”

I nodded gratefully, desperate to escape. The revelation about our secret marriage and divorce was Ryan’s problem, not mine.

I’d signed the papers, walked away, and built my own life. Whatever fallout came next wasn’t my responsibility.

“Serena, stop right there,” Ryan said, his gaze fixed on my hand in Julian’s.

Julian didn’t even slow down, guiding me toward the exit.

“Come on, Serena,” he said softly.

I hesitated for just a moment, feeling Ryan’s gaze burn into my back. Three years ago, I would have turned immediately, stayed to fix things.

But that Serena no longer existed—the one who thought love meant self-sacrifice for someone blind to it.

I kept walking, letting Julian’s steady presence guide me toward the exit.

As we reached the door, I caught a glimpse of Ryan’s face. He looked so hurt, like a puppy that had been abandoned.

A sharp little sting hit my chest, but I immediately shook it off. I shouldn’t let his emotions affect me—I wasn’t going to let anyone pull me back into the past.