Chapter 72

Ryan's POV I watched the city lights blur past my window as Simon drove us away from the airport. The heavy silence in the car felt suffocating. All I could think about was Serena's retreating figure as she walked away from me without a backward glance. Her silent treatment during the entire flight home had been excruciating. Sophie sat beside me, close enough that I could smell her familiar perfume—the same one she'd worn years ago. It should have triggered something in me, some echo of the feelings I once had. Instead, it just made me more aware of how much I missed Serena's scent. "Ryan, is Serena misunderstanding our relationship?" Sophie's voice was soft, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. I turned to face her, noticing how she'd positioned herself to catch the light in the most flattering way possible. A skill she'd always had. "Sophie, don't worry about it. Serena's pregnant—her emotions are more sensitive right now." The words sounded hollow even to my own ears. This wasn't