Chapter 344

Serena’s POV

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from that profile I’d glimpsed at the restaurant entrance. My heart was still hammering against my ribs, making it hard to focus on anything Cedric was saying. How could I have been so blind? How could I have let my daughter become friends with the child of the man who had destroyed me?

"Serena," Cedric’s voice finally broke through my mental fog. "I think we should transfer Rancy to a different kindergarten while she’s sick. We need to keep her away from the Blackwood family."

I met his eyes, realizing he was right. Vivian might be innocent, but she was still Ryan’s daughter. Any connection to her meant potential contact with Ryan, and the thought made my stomach turn.

"You’re right," I nodded solemnly, my voice steadier than I felt inside. "I’ll arrange it immediately."

Cedric’s hand wrapped around my wrist, his touch gentle yet firm. "You focus on being here for Rancy. I can take care of these details."

"And," he added, his voice dropping lower, "we need to make sure Vivian doesn’t visit the hospital. Rancy and Ryan’s daughter have gotten too close. We can’t risk any more interaction."

Something in his tone made me glance at him, but I couldn’t argue with his logic. Every word he said made perfect sense. Still, my heart ached thinking about my little girl.

"Rancy’s been practicing making birthday cake for Vivian’s party for days," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "She’s going to be devastated. Kids don’t understand these adult conflicts. How am I supposed to explain why she suddenly can’t see her best friend anymore?"

Cedric leaned closer, his expression softening. "Rancy’s too young to understand the truth, Serena. If you try to explain everything, you’ll just confuse and upset her. Let me handle this. Sometimes a kind lie is better than a painful truth."

I bit my lip, hating the necessity of it all. My daughter was lying in a hospital bed, sick and vulnerable. The last thing I wanted was to add to her pain.

"Fine," I relented, feeling trapped between impossible choices. "Just... be gentle with her."

"Serena," Cedric’s eyes locked with mine, intense and reassuring. "I promise you, I won’t let Ryan hurt either of you ever again. What happened before will never repeat itself. I’ll make sure of it."

His words should have comforted me, but they just made the knot in my stomach tighten. I could handle whatever Ryan threw at me, but Rancy was different. She was innocent, perfect—my entire world.

"You should have told me the truth sooner," I said, unable to keep the accusation from my voice. "If I’d known, I would never have allowed Rancy anywhere near that family."

Images of my daughter excitedly chatting about Vivian flashed through my mind. All those playdates, all those stories... My skin crawled thinking about how close she’d been to Ryan’s world without my knowledge.

"God, this world is so much more twisted than I ever imagined," I whispered, more to myself than to Cedric.

"I know, and I’m sorry," Cedric placed his hand over mine. "Maybe we should take Rancy back to Thailand? You’d both be safer there. Sally can manage Elegant Realm while you’re away."

"Nothing’s stopping us now, right?" he pressed when I didn’t immediately respond.

The mention of my design studio snapped me back to reality. I had responsibilities here, clients depending on me, a life I’d built from nothing. Could I really just abandon it all?

Cedric must have read the hesitation on my face.

"Let’s not make any major decisions right now," Cedric finally said, squeezing my hand. "Rancy’s probably awake by now. You should be with her." His voice dropped to a whisper. "And remember, don’t let anything slip. I’ll handle everything else."

When we returned to the hospital room, Rancy was indeed awake, a doctor checking her vitals. I waited anxiously until the examination finished before rushing to her bedside.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" I asked, smoothing her hair back from her forehead.

Her little lips trembled, eyes wide and glistening. "Mommy, it hurts," she whimpered.

Those three simple words shattered my heart. My fierce, brave little girl reduced to this fragile state—it was almost more than I could bear.

"I know, baby, I know," I whispered, gathering her small hand in mine. "But you’ll feel better soon, I promise. Mommy’s staying right here with you. I’m not going anywhere, okay?"

She nodded weakly, her face still alarmingly pale against the stark white hospital pillows.

Cedric conferred with the doctor in hushed tones, then approached us with a relieved expression. "The doctor says there are no complications. She just needs rest and medication."

"Serena, I’ll go take care of those matters we discussed," he said meaningfully. "You stay with Rancy."

Our eyes met in silent understanding. I knew exactly what "matters" he meant.

"Alright, thank you," I replied, forcing a smile I didn’t feel.

After he left, I sat quietly beside my sleeping daughter, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath. The pain medication had pulled her back into slumber, her little face finally peaceful.

I gently adjusted her blanket when a soft chime broke the silence. Her wristwatch was lighting up, Vivian’s name flashing on the small screen.

Of course Vivian would be worried about her friend. The girls were inseparable. For a moment, I considered answering—what harm could come from letting Rancy’s friend know she was okay?

But Cedric’s warnings echoed in my mind. Any contact with Vivian meant potential contact with Ryan Blackwood. That was a risk I couldn’t take.

With trembling fingers, I carefully slipped the watch from Rancy’s tiny wrist, powering it off completely. I immediately called my assistant, keeping my voice low.

"Lucy, I need you to buy a replacement watch for Rancy—exact same model and color. Have it delivered to the hospital as soon as possible."

The deception left a bitter taste in my mouth, but what choice did I have? I couldn’t tell my five-year-old daughter that her best friend was suddenly forbidden.

As I placed the silent watch on the bedside table, guilt and determination warred within me. I’d do whatever necessary to keep my daughter safe, even if it meant building our future on necessary lies.