When Serena descended the stairs, Cedric Lancaster was sitting with Rancy at the dinner table. The little girl was animatedly telling her "daddy" about her day at preschool, her tiny hands gesturing enthusiastically as she spoke. Despite his attentive nods, Cedric’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, tension evident in the set of his shoulders.

Serena slid into her chair without giving it much thought. After such a hectic day, hunger gnawed at her stomach. She needed to eat quickly—there was still an online meeting to attend afterward, and punctuality was non-negotiable in her business.

Cedric kept glancing her way, clearly wanting to speak but holding back. It wasn’t until Rancy finished her meal and the housekeeper gently led the sleepy toddler away that he finally broke the silence.

"I hear you’re planning to thank the Blackwood CEO personally," he said, his tone carefully measured despite the jealousy churning inside him. "Even purchased a special gift?"

Serena murmured a distracted "Mmm" as her phone chimed with work notifications. She glanced at the screen, immediately setting down her utensils when she saw the message.

"Finish your dinner," she said, already rising from her chair. "I need to handle something."

"Serena, wait—" Cedric began, but she was already heading for the stairs, her mind already shifting to work mode.

Left alone at the table, Cedric exhaled slowly, a shadow crossing his handsome features. The thought hammered in his mind: They absolutely cannot meet.

Hours later, Cedric still lingered in the living room, waiting for Serena to emerge from her home office. The light from beneath her door remained stubbornly lit. Elegant Realm studio was just gaining momentum, and Serena’s dedication was understandable—but sometimes Cedric wondered if she was deliberately avoiding his company.

Since they’d begun living together again, their relationship had improved visibly, though they maintained separate bedrooms. Rancy served as the perfect bridge between them, her innocent love drawing them together like magnets. If only the child were truly his...

Needing space, Cedric stepped into the garden and lit a cigarette. Smoke curled around him as he sighed deeply, contemplating how three years could pass so quickly.

He’d devoted himself to remaining by Serena’s side, but the painful truth was becoming clearer each day: you cannot force someone to love you, no matter how hard you try. Standing beneath the night sky, he looked up at the window of Serena’s office, still illuminated despite the late hour.

"Damn it!" Cedric hissed as the cigarette burned down to his fingers. He flicked away the butt, watching the last ember die against the stone path as his expression darkened with resolve.

He had worked too hard to give up now. The effort it had taken to spirit Serena away, to keep her hidden under a new identity all these years—all to keep her from Ryan’s reach. If tomorrow’s meeting proceeded as planned, Ryan would undoubtedly recognize her. He would move heaven and earth to reclaim her, and the truth Cedric had buried would inevitably surface.

When that happened, not only would he lose Serena forever, but the Lancaster family would face Ryan’s unchecked wrath. The man was dangerous when crossed, capable of destroying everything Cedric held dear.

His expression hardened with determination as a plan formed in his mind.

After working through most of the night, Serena finally completed her design revisions. The next morning, she could barely stifle her yawns as she finished her morning routine.

"Good morning, Mrs. Lancaster. Breakfast is ready," the housekeeper announced cheerfully.

"Thank you," Serena replied, glancing around. "Where’s Rancy? She’s not still sleeping, is she? It’s getting late."

"Mr. Lancaster already took Miss Rancy to preschool," the housekeeper explained. "He said you should rest a little longer since you were working so late last night."

Serena rolled her neck, trying to ease the stiffness. At least she didn’t need to rush now that Cedric had handled the morning routine with Rancy.

"Would you like me to massage your neck, ma’am? You look uncomfortable."

Serena nodded gratefully. The housekeeper’s skilled fingers quickly worked out the knots, bringing welcome relief.

"Thank you," Serena said with genuine appreciation. "You can go back to your duties now."

Sitting alone at the elegantly set table, Serena finally felt her appetite return. After finishing her breakfast, she gathered her things, making sure to bring Ryan’s gift before heading out.

When she arrived at the design studio, Sally greeted her with a concerned look.

"Those are impressive dark circles, Serena. Late night?"

"Very," Serena confirmed. "But I finished all the revisions."

"I got them this morning," Sally nodded. "Though you could have done them during the day, you know. There was time."

Serena shook her head. "I have that meeting this afternoon, remember? Couldn’t risk leaving it unfinished."

Sally didn’t press further, simply nodding before returning to her own tasks.

At precisely two o’clock, Serena arrived at the upscale restaurant for her meeting. Her phone rang as she stepped out of her car, but buried in her handbag, she missed the sound.

With the wine bottle carefully cradled in her arms, she closed the car door and approached the restaurant entrance. Through the window, she caught sight of a familiar profile—a man seated at one of the tables near the back.

The moment froze as her breath caught. Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through her head, bringing with it a cascade of fragmented images that flashed too quickly to grasp.

This strange sense of recognition—she’d experienced it before. Her knees weakened, and she had to steady herself against the doorframe as waves of dizziness threatened to overwhelm her.

Her eyes returned to that familiar silhouette, and something stirred deep within her—a feeling she couldn’t name but that resonated through her entire being. Her legs felt leaden, refusing to carry her forward despite her mind’s command.

Taking several deep breaths, Serena finally gathered herself and reached for the door handle, determined to discover why this stranger affected her so powerfully.

"Serena!"

The sharp call of her name startled her as Cedric appeared seemingly from nowhere, pulling her against his chest with urgency.

"You need to come with me right now," he said, his voice tight with worry. "Rancy’s sick."

Serena’s head snapped up, maternal fear instantly overriding everything else. "What? What’s wrong with her?"

"I’ll explain in the car," Cedric insisted, already guiding her away from the restaurant entrance. "We need to hurry."

"But I have a meeting—" Serena protested weakly, her gaze darting back toward the window.

Cedric didn’t wait for her to finish, his grip firm as he led her away from the restaurant—and away from the man whose mere profile had inexplicably shaken her to her core.