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BOOK 2: CHAPTER 27: The Forbidden Kiss

Author: Sire Bliss
last update Last Updated: 2026-01-21 00:18:24

**SERENA POV**

I’m exhausted.

After this morning’s confrontation with Adrian, I went straight to the office and threw myself into work. Emails. Design approvals. Budget meetings. Anything to stop replaying the look on his face when I told him I was choosing Lucas.

The look that said I’d just destroyed him.

Good, the angry part of me thinks. Let him know what it feels like.

But the other part, the part that still remembers loving him, feels sick.

I check my watch. Five thirty. I have Clara’s gallery opening at seven, and I need to go home, shower, change into something appropriate. Something that says “successful CEO supporting her best friend” and not “woman who had an emotional breakdown this morning.”

My assistant, Amelie, pokes her head into my office. “Ms. Moore, your car is downstairs whenever you’re ready.”

“Thanks, Amelie. I’m heading out now.”

The elevator ride down feels too long. My reflection in the mirrored walls looks tired. There are shadows under my eyes that even the b
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  • I’m Back, Mr. CEO    BOOK 2: CHAPTER 37: The Hospital (Continued)

    “Can we see him?” Catherine asks.“Soon. He’s being moved to a room now. But I need to warn you, he’s on pretty strong pain medication, so he may be drowsy or disoriented.” Dr. Patel stands. “A nurse will come get you when he’s settled.”She leaves, and the three of us sit in stunned silence.“A year,” I finally say. “He’s been dealing with this for a year and never said anything.”“He wouldn’t.” Catherine wipes her eyes. “When he was diagnosed, he made us all promise not to make a big deal out of it. Said he didn’t want to be defined by being sick.”“But we’re not just anyone—” I start, then stop. Because I sound like a hypocrite. How many months did I hide my pain from everyone? How long did I pretend to be fine when I was falling apart?Lucas was doing the same thing. Protecting the people he loved by suffering alone.“This is my fault,” I whisper.“No.” James’s voice is firm. “This is a medical condition. This is not your fault.”“But he stopped taking his medication because he wa

  • I’m Back, Mr. CEO    BOOK 2: CHAPTER 36: The Hospital

    The waiting room is a special kind of hell.I’ve been here for thirty minutes, and every second feels like an hour. The fluorescent lights buzz overhead, harsh and unforgiving. There’s a TV in the corner playing some medical drama that feels obscenely ironic. A woman two seats over is crying quietly into her phone.And I’m just sitting here, Lucas’s blood still on my hands from where I held him.I should wash it off. I know I should. But somehow, doing that feels like letting go of him, and I can’t. Not yet.My phone buzzes. Clara.**Clara:** *Just dropped Ethan at my place. He’s worried but I told him Lucas is going to be fine. Diana’s with him. How are you holding up?***Me:** *I don’t know. They won’t tell me anything. I’m not family.***Clara:** *Screw that. Want me to come cause a scene? I’m very good at causing scenes.*Despite everything, I almost smile.**Me:** *His family is on the way. I’ll wait for them.***Clara:** *Okay. But I’m ten minutes away if you need me. Love you.*

  • I’m Back, Mr. CEO    BOOK 2: CHAPTER 35: Emergency Response

    “He’s been having some health issues. Nothing life-threatening,” she adds quickly, hearing my sharp intake of breath. “But he’s been in and out of doctors’ appointments all week and I think, I think it’s been worse than he’s letting on.”“What kind of health issues?” Clara asks when I can’t find words.“I don’t know all the details. He’s really private about it. But Mom’s been worried, and when I talked to her this morning, she said she was trying to convince him to go to the hospital.”Hospital.The word echoes in my head, drowning out everything else.“Where is he now?” I manage to ask.“At his secret apartment, I think? But Serena, he really didn’t want you to know. He’s been so stressed about not being, I don’t know, not being strong for you or something—”“That’s ridiculous.” The words come out sharp. “Where is he now? I need the address.”“I’m texting it to you now.” Sarah sounds relieved, like she’s been wanting to tell someone. “And Serena? I’m glad he has you. He’s been tryin

  • I’m Back, Mr. CEO    BOOK 2: CHAPTER 34: The Silence

    **Wednesday, 4:47 PM**Something is wrong.I’m staring at my phone for the twentieth time today, scrolling through my text thread with Lucas, and the wrongness of it sits heavy in my stomach like a stone.**Monday morning, 7:15 AM:****Me:** *Good morning. Thank you again for Sunday. Your family is wonderful. I can’t stop thinking about your mom’s roast.***Lucas:** *Morning beautiful. They loved you. Mom already texted asking when you’re coming back.***Monday afternoon, 2:33 PM:****Me:** *How’s your day going? Ethan keeps talking about Jake and Tommy. I think he’s found new best friends.***Lucas:** *That’s great. Busy day. Talk later?*And that’s where it changed.“Talk later” isn’t Lucas. Lucas sends paragraphs. Lucas calls during his lunch break just to hear my voice. Lucas shows up at my office with coffee and that smile that makes my entire day better.**Tuesday morning, 9:02 AM:****Me:** *Good morning. You okay? Felt like you rushed off the phone last night.***Lucas:** *Sor

  • I’m Back, Mr. CEO    BOOK 2: CHAPTER 33: The Family Dinner (Continued)

    “Never. So when he called and said he was bringing you and your son, well.” She looks at me now, eyes shining. “I knew you were special. And looking at him out there, the way he keeps glancing at the kitchen to make sure you’re okay, I can see why.”“I’m not, I mean, I’m kind of a mess—”“Aren’t we all?” She laughs. “Honey, I’ve been married for thirty-six years. I’ve raised four kids. I’ve been through more messes than I can count. And let me tell you something: the right person doesn’t care about your mess. They just help you clean it up.”Tears prick my eyes, and she notices immediately.“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”“No. You said something exactly right.” I wipe my eyes. “Sorry. I’m not usually this emotional.”“Big steps are emotional. Meeting the family is huge.” She touches my arm gently. “But you don’t have to be nervous. We already love you just because Lucas loves you. That’s how it works in this family.”Before I can respond, Lucas appears in the door

  • I’m Back, Mr. CEO    BOOK 2: CHAPTER 32: The Family Dinner

    I change my outfit three times before Lucas picks us up.The green cashmere sweater Clara helped me choose ends up being the winner, paired with dark jeans and simple jewelry. I look in the mirror and barely recognize myself. Not the CEO in power suits. Not the broken wife in yesterday’s clothes. Just a woman going to meet her boyfriend’s family.Boyfriend. The word still feels strange in my mouth.“Mom, you look pretty,” Ethan says, appearing in my doorway in his own button-down shirt that Lucas taught him to iron yesterday. “Stop freaking out.”“I’m not freaking out.”“You’ve changed three times. That’s freaking out.” He grins. “They’re going to love you. Lucas already told me his mom’s been cooking since yesterday.”The doorbell rings, and my stomach does a somersault.“Breathe,” Ethan reminds me, sounding far too wise for nine years old.Lucas is at the door with flowers, because of course he is. “You look beautiful,” he says, kissing my cheek. “Ready?”“No. But let’s go anyway.”

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