Chapter 318

Cedric’s POV

I caught her before she hit the ground, calling her name with increasing urgency as panic surged through my veins. When she didn’t respond, I lifted her into my arms and rushed her to the nearest hospital, her slight form feeling so fragile against my chest.

The sterile hospital corridor seemed endless as I paced anxiously, waiting for news. Every minute felt like an eternity. When the doctor finally emerged from Serena’s room, I hurried forward, my heart in my throat.

"Is she alright? What happened?" I demanded, unable to mask the concern in my voice.

"The patient is stable," the doctor assured me with practiced calmness. "This appears to be a case of acute stress combined with her pregnancy. The first trimester can be particularly challenging, and with her current stress levels, this collapse isn’t surprising."

He adjusted his glasses and continued, "You need to ensure she gets proper rest and avoids stressful situations. Her condition is delicate right now."

I froze, my mind struggling to process what I’d just heard. "Did you say... pregnancy?"

"Yes," the doctor confirmed, checking his chart with clinical detachment. "She’s approximately six weeks along. Are you the father? She’ll need to stay for observation for at least a day or two."

As the doctor walked away, I turned toward Serena’s room, a complex mixture of emotions churning inside me. The pregnancy changed everything. For Serena, for Ryan Blackwood, and possibly... for me. I couldn’t help the small flicker of hope that sparked in my chest, even as I tried to suppress it.

My gaze lingered on her sleeping form through the doorway, her face peaceful in contrast to the turmoil in my mind. She looked beautiful even now, vulnerable in sleep in a way she never allowed herself to be when awake.

Soon enough, Serena stirred, her eyes blinking open as she stared at the white ceiling with confusion clouding her features.

"What happened to me?" she asked softly, disoriented.

I opened my mouth, then closed it again, the words "you’re pregnant" hovering on the tip of my tongue. Something held me back—perhaps selfishness, perhaps concern for her fragile state. Instead, I said, "How are you feeling? You should rest."

I moved closer to her bedside. "The doctor says you need to stay for observation for a couple of days."

Serena’s brow furrowed, her expression instantly troubled. "At a time like this? How can I possibly stay in the hospital?"

"Serena," she pressed, her eyes searching mine, "what’s really wrong with me? You can tell me. I’m prepared for it."

I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. "Just severe stress. You pushed yourself too hard."

"Please listen to the doctor," I continued, gently adjusting her blanket. "Rest properly. Here, at least, no one will disturb you."

She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I’ll call Ethan and let him know I’m staying here tonight."

I nodded and handed her the phone, watching as she crafted a careful excuse to her brother without mentioning the hospital. She asked him to keep an eye on the company and decided to temporarily hold off on addressing the plagiarism accusations.

Ethan agreed to everything, telling his sister to rest well before ending the call.

I went to buy some fruit for her, hoping the small gesture might lift her spirits. When I returned, I heard Serena’s voice from the hallway. She was on the phone with Ryan.

"Ryan, I’m fine, don’t worry about me," she was saying, her voice taking on a warmth I’d never heard directed at me.

"Things aren’t as bad here as you imagine. The Quinn family is helping."

"ARt might be a new design company, but we don’t know their background. Approaching them directly might play into their hands, making the situation even worse."

I couldn’t hear Ryan’s response, but whatever he said made her smile—a radiant, genuine smile that pierced my heart like a blade. When she hung up, she finally noticed me standing in the doorway.

"Cedric, I’m fine. You don’t need to stay," she said, surprise evident in her voice when she saw the fruit I’d brought.

I sat down beside her bed, trying to keep my expression neutral. "Serena, you shouldn’t worry about anything for the next couple of days. It’s better for your recovery."

She nodded. "I know my own body."

"Thank you, Cedric," she added after a pause, "for bringing me to the hospital so quickly."

Her formal tone of gratitude stung more than it should have. After all these years, after everything, I was still just an acquaintance to her. The realization twisted in my chest.

"Serena," I began, unable to contain myself any longer, "you must know how I feel about you."

I leaned forward, my voice dropping. "We’ve known each other for so many years. When you disappeared, I never stopped looking for you. I just never imagined that when I found you, you would be married with a child."

Her expression froze, clearly taken aback by my sudden confession. "Cedric, you—"

"I’ve loved you since we met," I continued, the words spilling out after years of restraint. "I’ve been by your side all this time. Does our history really mean nothing compared to the three years you’ve known Ryan?"

My emotions got the better of me. I reached for her hand, gripping it tightly, feeling the sting of tears threatening to form. All the years of waiting, hoping, watching from the sidelines—it all came rushing to the surface.

Serena took a deep breath and pulled her hand away from mine with unmistakable finality. Her expression hardened.

"I’m sorry, Cedric, but I don’t have feelings for you," she said, her voice clear and firm.

"I have a family now. You should understand that Ryan is the only one in my heart."

Her rejection was swift and absolute—exactly as I had imagined it would be in my darkest thoughts. Yet despite having prepared for this moment countless times in my mind, the reality was still unbearable.

"Why?" The single word escaped my lips before I could stop it.

Serena pressed her lips together, sympathy flickering briefly across her face. I didn’t want her pity. I wanted her love.

"Cedric, liking someone doesn’t need a reason, and not liking someone doesn’t need one either," she said gently. "Instead of asking why, perhaps you should let go of this obsession."

"Maybe the person you love is the Serena from before, not who I am now."

I laughed bitterly. "What’s the difference?"

I couldn’t stop myself from adding, "Ryan hurt you before. Why did you choose to forgive him?"

The question burned inside me. How could she forgive him when his love for her couldn’t possibly match a fraction of mine?

Serena shook her head firmly. "Cedric, stop deluding yourself. There can never be anything between us."

Her next words were a dismissal: "Thank you for the fruit. You should go now."

I felt my face freeze, my rejected hand hanging awkwardly between us. One final, desperate question escaped me.

"Serena, did your heart ever flutter for me? Even once?"

Her sigh was answer enough, but she spoke anyway: "No. Not once."

The truth hit me like a physical blow. Despite all my hopes and dreams, despite years of devotion, I’d never moved her heart even slightly.

After all this time, I had my answer. I would never have what I wanted most.

I stood slowly, dignity the only thing I had left. I couldn’t even pretend to be just her friend anymore—not after this.

After a moment of painful silence, I finally turned and walked away, feeling the weight of finality in every step.