Chapter 148

Serena’s POV I bit my lip, the question hitting a nerve. Part of me wanted nothing more than to build that family with Ryan, to give our baby everything I never had. But another part remembered the pain, the loneliness of our first marriage. "I'll think about remarriage... later," I finally said. "Right now, I need to focus on work. There's too much happening." Maya sighed but didn't push. That's why I loved her—she knew when to back off. "I'm assigning you two personal assistants for San Francisco," she said instead. "And don't even think about arguing." "I wouldn't dream of it," I replied gratefully. "Dreamland Studio is in your hands while I'm gone. I owe you dinner when I get back." "Please," Maya waved dismissively. "We're way beyond keeping score." The next few days flew by in a flurry of preparations. The night before my departure, Ryan showed up to walk me home from the office. We walked side by side under the soft glow of street lights. The silence between us felt charged yet