Serena’s POV

I sat in the hospital corridor, my mind drifting back to that moment outside the restaurant. That man—why did he seem so hauntingly familiar? His presence had stirred something deep within me, a connection I couldn’t explain.

His impeccable attire and commanding presence certainly didn’t mark him as ordinary. Could he possibly be Vivian’s father? The thought made my stomach tighten inexplicably.

Questions swirled through my mind like autumn leaves caught in a gust, so consuming that I barely registered Cedric’s concerned voice beside me.

"Serena!" His voice suddenly rose, snapping me back to reality.

"What? Is it Rancy? Has she woken up?" I jumped to my feet, glancing anxiously toward my daughter’s room. She remained motionless on the bed, her small chest rising and falling rhythmically.

Cedric sighed, gently pulling me back down onto the bench beside him. "Serena, where were you just now? Your mind was a thousand miles away."

I shook my head, unwilling to broach the subject. Cedric never liked discussing my past—the mysterious void before I came into his life. With my daughter lying ill in a hospital bed, starting an argument was the last thing I wanted.

My phone buzzed twice. Sally had texted an update—the meeting with Ryan Blackwood was officially canceled, and apparently, the Blackwood family was distinctly unhappy. They’d declined any possibility of rescheduling.

I sighed softly. It was entirely predictable. If someone who’d expressed such gratitude had stood me up without warning, I’d be reluctant to reschedule too. The bottle of rare vintage I’d purchased specifically for him would have to be delivered through Vivian instead.

Cedric glanced at my screen, his expression tightening almost imperceptibly. He didn’t seem relieved by the cancellation, which struck me as odd.

"Those two children are too close," he murmured, more to himself than to me. "Vivian’s birthday party next week... Rancy and you are invited. It’s going to be problematic."

Cedric took a deep breath, as if coming to a difficult decision. "Serena, come with me for a moment. There’s something important I need to tell you."

I frowned, reluctance washing over me. "But Rancy hasn’t woken up yet. Can’t this wait until she’s better?" My emotional reserves were already depleted.

"Serena," his voice dropped to a near whisper, "haven’t you always wanted to know about your past?"

That single sentence captured my complete attention. "You’re finally willing to tell me?"

"I never told you because I feared your emotional reaction," he extended his hand toward me. "Come, let’s talk somewhere private, away from Rancy’s room."

Without hesitation, I placed my hand in his, allowing him to lead me to the hospital garden. We found a secluded corner away from the patients enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

"Tell me," I demanded softly. "What happened?"

"The person who caused your car accident—it was Ryan Blackwood, CEO of the Blackwood family."

I felt my body physically recoil, taking two involuntary steps backward. The name connected to that imposing figure I’d glimpsed earlier sent a chill through me.

"You’ve been in Europe long enough to understand," Cedric continued, his eyes never leaving my face. "Ryan is essentially untouchable here. Anyone who displeases him pays dearly."

I swallowed hard, an unsettling feeling growing within me. Something about this narrative felt... wrong.

"But why would he target me? My family? He’s already powerful—why harm someone insignificant?"

Cedric’s answer came without hesitation, as if rehearsed. "Because you look like someone."

My heart pounded against my ribs as I frowned in confusion.

"You resemble his wife, Serena."

The revelation hit me like a physical blow, my mind exploding with implications. I resembled his wife? Yet he wanted to harm me? The contradiction made no sense.

"Serena, are you alright?" Cedric reached out to steady me as my face drained of color.

I could only shake my head, speechless. The idea that I’d lost my memory and suffered because of a mere resemblance seemed absurdly simple. A business rivalry or financial dispute would have made more sense.

"Cedric, what exactly happened?" My voice came out barely above a whisper.

"Sit down first," he guided me to a nearby bench, waiting until my breathing steadied before continuing.

"Ryan and his wife Serena were known to have a perfect marriage—at first. But after she had their child and began to show signs of aging, irreconcilable differences emerged." Cedric’s voice took on a storytelling quality.

"Then Ryan met you by chance and became infatuated. Serena was actually my first love, but I left after she married him. During a trip abroad, I met you—same name, similar appearance. I’ll admit I was initially drawn to you because of that resemblance, but we genuinely fell in love."

His eyes darkened. "Ryan knew we were together but didn’t care. He pursued you relentlessly despite your repeated rejections. When threats didn’t work, he began targeting your parents to pressure you."

A chill ran through me as Cedric continued, "You were young, beautiful, and so similar to his wife—I imagine being with you made him feel young again, gave him that thrill of something new while keeping something familiar."

Cedric’s disgust was palpable, and I felt nauseated imagining such predatory behavior.

"You finally decided to leave with your parents and start a new life with me," he said, his voice dropping lower. "But then you discovered you were pregnant. When Ryan found out, he decided to eliminate both you and the child."

The methodical way Cedric delivered these horrific details made them seem terrifyingly real. Cold sweat beaded on my back as I absorbed that I hadn’t been targeted for something I’d done—I’d simply had the misfortune of catching a monster’s eye.

Cedric reached for my hand, his eyes misting with emotion. "I never told you the truth because I feared it would trigger memories of those nightmares and cause you more suffering."

"For three years, you’ve kept me at a distance because of what Ryan did to you. His harassment left you wary of all men," he continued. "Even the slightest intimacy made you uncomfortable, yet I’ve endured it because you’re my wife—the only woman I’ve ever truly loved."

I trembled slightly, overwhelmed by the revelation that the person I’d been doubting had actually been my protector all along. My sensitivity and suspicion had nearly destroyed what we had.

"I’m sorry," I managed weakly, the words feeling woefully inadequate.

"You insisted on returning here despite my ions," Cedric said, squeezing my hand. "I feared if he saw you again, he would stop at nothing to take you back. Sweet words, slander against me, whatever tactics necessary—I was terrified you might fall under his spell again."

I shook my head firmly, finding unexpected strength in my voice. "That won’t happen. I won’t be deceived again." My jaw clenched with determination. "I’ll stay far away from this monster."

As the words left my lips, a strange echo whispered through my mind—as if another voice, buried deep within me, was trying to tell me something entirely different.