Chapter 220: The Serena Case

Reese “The Serena Case.” Those three words hit me like a punch to the ribs—sharp, unexpected, meant to hurt. Even after Roman stopped talking, they echoed in my head, circling, taunting, refusing to let me breathe. I tried to keep my face neutral, casual even, because that’s what I do when shit gets bad. I joke. I pretend. I deny. But inside, my chest tightened until the pressure clawed up my throat. Most people go through life thinking they’ve got problems — bills, breakups, heartache, loneliness. Me? My entire existence is one giant problem sealed with the Blackwood name. I didn’t ask to be the son of General Blackwood. Didn’t audition. Didn’t sign up. Yet here I was, stuck with it like a brand I could never scrub off. But Serena? If the Serena he meant was the Serena I knew… then I was screwed. Utterly, hopelessly, catastrophically screwed. “Reese.” Roman’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. “Did you hear what I just said?” I blinked. Then forced a nod. “Yeah, yeah. Of course