Chapter 374

"Fine." Serena exhaled sharply as the weight of anxiety lifted from her shoulders. The voice on the other end had that effect - equal parts terrifying and reassuring.

"Ten tonight. Our usual place," the caller commanded abruptly.

Serena's grip tightened around her phone. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "After everything I've suffered, you still—"

"Enough!" The sharp interruption made her flinch. "Drop the act, Serena. Cooperate or face the consequences. You know my temper. Don't be late." The line went dead with a final click.

Her teeth sank into her lower lip hard enough to draw blood. The metallic taste grounded her. A knock at the door startled her - she'd forgotten Dylan was still waiting outside.

"Come in," she called, hastily composing herself.

Dylan entered, closing the hospital door softly behind him. His observant gaze immediately caught her pallor. "Serena? What's wrong?" Concern laced his voice as he stepped closer.

"Nothing," she lied smoothly. "Just... worried Nathan might hate me after this."

Dylan chuckled, shaking his head. "Impossible. Nathan doesn't abandon people he cares about." He leaned against the windowsill. "Why would he start with you?"

Serena looked down, fingers twisting the hospital blanket. "His reaction today... it didn't feel like concern." The words tasted bitter.

Dylan hesitated. Privately, he shared her doubts, but his role demanded reassurance. "You're overthinking. This opportunity won't come again - we must seize it." He changed tactics smoothly. "Tomorrow's banquet preparations?"

"Ready." Serena's eyes flashed with determination. "Everything's arranged. The show will go perfectly."

"Excellent." Dylan's smile didn't reach his eyes.

The clock ticked past ten. Nathan still hadn't returned.

Evelyn tossed restlessly in the oversized bed, the silence pressing down like a physical weight. Each passing minute stretched longer than the last.

Finally, she grabbed her phone. Olivia answered on the second ring.

"Evelyn? It's nearly midnight." Olivia's voice held equal parts sleep and concern.

"I can't sleep." Evelyn's admission came out smaller than intended.

A knowing pause. "Thinking about tomorrow? About... Nathan?"

Evelyn sighed heavily. Tomorrow was Leonard's birthday celebration. And afterward, as planned, she and Nathan would finalize their divorce.

The thought lodged in her throat like a stone.