Chapter 7
1266 Words
Kate sat in her plush apartment, her fingers drumming impatiently on the armrest of her chair.
Across from her sat a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor, a briefcase resting on his lap.
He was the private investigator she had hired, and he was finally here with answers.
“Well?” Kate demanded, her tone sharp. “What did you find?”
The man opened his briefcase, pulling out a folder thick with papers and photographs.
He spread a few pictures on the table before her, one catching Kate’s immediate attention.
It was Ryan, standing outside a modest house with a woman.
“This,” the investigator began, pointing to the photo, “ This is Serena. She’s been running her own company since the divorce, and it seems Ryan has been visiting her regularly.”
Kate’s jaw tightened.
Her gaze lingered on the image of Serena, her teeth grinding audibly.
“Serena,” she hissed. “Of course, it’s her. He’s going back to his ex-wife?”
The investigator cleared his throat, sensing her rising anger. “It doesn’t stop there, Ms. Kate. Serena has a child.”
Kate’s eyes widened.
She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “A child?”
“Yes,” he confirmed, sliding another photo across the table.
This one showed Serena holding the hand of a little girl. The girl’s features were strikingly familiar.
“It’s unclear, but there’s a strong possibility the child is Ryan’s.”
The room seemed to tilt as Kate stared at the photograph.
Her fingers curled into fists as she fought to contain the fury building inside her.
“He has a child with her?” she spat, her voice trembling with rage. “After everything? After their divorce?”
“It appears so,” the investigator replied cautiously.
“She’s been keeping a low profile, but she’s doing quite well for herself. Serena owns a thriving company—”
“A company?” Kate interrupted, her lips curving into a bitter smile.
“She’s been living the good life, hasn’t she? While I’ve been here, doing everything to keep Ryan by my side.”
The investigator hesitated before continuing.
“Yes, she’s doing well. But from my observation, she doesn’t seem to have any public ties to Ryan, apart from his visits.”
Kate snatched the photo of Serena and her daughter, glaring at it as though it had personally insulted her.
“She’s not going to take him from me again,” she vowed, her voice icy. “Not this time. She stole him from me once, but I won’t let it happen again.”
The investigator nodded, unsure how to respond.
Kate’s eyes darkened, her lips curling into a malicious grin.
“I’ll destroy her,” she whispered, more to herself than to the man in front of her.
“I’ll ruin everything she’s worked for. Her company, her life, everything. If she thinks she can waltz back into Ryan’s life with her perfect little daughter, she’s dead wrong.”
“Ms. Kate,” the investigator interjected cautiously, “what do you want me to do next?”
Kate leaned back, the wheels of her mind turning rapidly.
“Keep watching her. I want every detail—her routines, her business dealings, and especially any meetings with Ryan. I’ll decide my next move soon.”
The investigator nodded and began packing his things. “Understood. I’ll keep you updated.”
Kate stood, clutching the photo in her hand, her nails digging into the paper.
“You’ve done well. But this is just the beginning.”
As the investigator left, Kate stared at the photo of Serena and her daughter, her mind racing with plans.
“She thinks she’s won,” she murmured, her voice venomous. “But she has no idea what’s coming.”
Meanwhile, at Serena’s office, Ryan sat in the waiting area, tapping his foot impatiently.
He glanced at his watch for the third time, then at the receptionist.
“Are you sure she won’t be long?” he asked, his voice smooth but laced with impatience.
“She’s in a board meeting, sir,” the receptionist replied politely. “It shouldn’t be much longer.”
Ryan sighed and leaned back in his chair, his thoughts drifting to Serena.
He couldn’t stop replaying the night they’d spent together in his mind.
The way she had looked, the way she had felt in his arms—it was intoxicating.
The sound of heels clicking against the tiled floor snapped him out of his thoughts.
He looked up to see Serena walking toward him, her expression calm and composed.
She wore a fitted black blazer over a pencil skirt, her confidence radiating with every step.
Ryan stood, his eyes drinking her in. “Serena,” he greeted, his voice softer than he intended.
Serena’s gaze briefly flicked over him before she walked past, heading straight into her office.
“Come in,” she said curtly, her tone all business.
Ryan followed her, closing the door behind him. Serena moved to her desk, setting down a stack of papers.
She didn’t look at him as she took her seat.
“What are you doing here, Ryan?” she asked, her tone cool and professional.
Ryan smirked, stepping closer to her desk. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to see you.”
Serena’s eyes finally met his, her expression unreadable.
“For what purpose? I’m busy, Ryan. If this isn’t important, I’d rather we not waste time.”
Ryan leaned against her desk, his eyes never leaving hers.
“You look even more beautiful this morning,” he said, his voice dropping to a flirty tone.
Serena stiffened, her hands tightening around the pen she was holding. “Ryan,” she said firmly, “if you’re here to play games—”
“I’m not playing games,” he interrupted, leaning closer. His breath fanned her neck as he added, “I feel like tasting every inch of your body with the tip of my tongue, right here and right now.”
Serena’s breath hitched. She felt her resolve slipping as his words sent a shiver down her spine. “Ryan,” she whispered, her voice betraying her.
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Tell me to stop,” he murmured, his lips dangerously close to hers. “If you don’t want this, just say the word.”
Serena didn’t say anything. Her body betrayed her, leaning slightly into his touch.
He took it as an invitation, his lips trailing down her neck. Her mind screamed at her to push him away, but her body refused to cooperate.
Just as the tension reached its peak, the door to the office burst open.
“Ms. Serena!” her assistant Emma exclaimed, then froze upon seeing the scene before her.
“Oh! I’m so sorry! I’ll come back later!” She quickly shut the door, leaving Serena and Ryan in stunned silence.
Serena’s face flushed as reality came crashing back.
She pushed Ryan away, standing abruptly.
“This is inappropriate,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “You need to leave.”
Ryan smirked, unbothered by her sudden change in demeanor.
“You didn’t seem to mind a moment ago.”
Serena shot him a glare. “Get out, Ryan. Now.”
He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, I’ll go. But this isn’t over.”
Without another word, he turned and left, leaving Serena to sink into her chair, her heart pounding.
- Writer
