Chapter 184

Author's POV Serena glanced between grandmother and grandson, uncertain if she should attempt to mediate, but decided against inserting herself into their complex dynamic. She nodded and followed Ryan toward the door. Once outside with the door firmly closed behind them, Serena couldn't contain her questions. "What happened in there? Did she give you a hard time?" she asked worriedly, her forehead creased with concern. She was anxious about a repeat of their last difficult encounter. Ryan shook his head. "She didn't say anything." "Nothing at all?" Serena's confusion was evident. "Then what was the point of..." She trailed off, struggling to understand Evelyn's motivation for summoning Ryan to her hospital bedside only to maintain a stony silence. Had she misread the situation entirely? Was Evelyn's hospitalization genuinely just a physical response to the stress of the family scandal? Ryan's hand found hers, his grip firm and reassuring despite the conflict etched across his features.