CHAPTER 164: CHAPTER 164 WE NEED SOME TIME APART TO COOL DOWN

Serena’s POV

I froze with my fork halfway to my mouth when I heard that familiar voice calling out to us. Shit. Just what I needed on this already tense morning.

"What a coincidence, Serena! You haven’t returned to New York yet?"

Before I could even respond, Ethan had already pulled out a chair and plopped himself down at our table like we were old friends meeting for brunch. The nerve of this man! I glanced at Ryan’s face and noticed his expression darkening immediately. Great. The jealousy monster was about to make an appearance.

"Yes, it’s a rare vacation," I replied, forcing a polite smile. "Just taking some time to rest."

Ethan made an enthusiastic "oh" sound, leaning forward with those sparkling eyes of his. "San Francisco has some beautiful sights. If you want to explore, I’d be happy to be your guide."

"Guide?" I couldn’t help but laugh. "Do you even have time? Doesn’t LUXE Jewelry have you busy running around?"

We fell into easy conversation, which only made Ryan’s face grow stormier by the second. I could practically feel the jealousy radiating off him in waves.

"It’s no problem at all," Ethan insisted, completely oblivious to the death glares my boyfriend was sending his way. "I can always make time if you ask."

I froze for a second, finally glancing over at Ryan’s face. His jaw was clenched so tight I was surprised his teeth weren’t cracking. Oh god, the King of Jealousy was about to explode.

"Um, Mr. Quinn," I said hurriedly, "didn’t you come here to meet someone today?"

Ethan checked his watch casually. "I’m meeting a client, but being a few minutes late isn’t a problem. Running into you is quite the pleasant surprise."

I laughed awkwardly, but before I could redirect the conversation, Ryan cut in with a voice cold enough to freeze lava.

"If Mr. Quinn has a client meeting, punctuality would be advisable."

Only then did Ethan seem to notice Ryan’s presence—really notice it, I mean. He looked between us, realization dawning on his face.

"Mr. Blackwood is right. Am I... interrupting something between you two?"

The atmosphere turned so awkward I wanted to slide under the table and disappear. Instead, I jumped in to smooth things over.

"Of course not! But your work is important, Mr. Quinn. You should go ahead, and we can connect later."

"Alright."

When Ethan finally walked away, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. The temporary relief lasted exactly three seconds before Ryan’s cold voice sliced through the air.

"What a coincidence indeed. Are you planning to meet him later, Serena?"

I rolled my eyes, unable to hide my exasperation. "It was just small talk. Why are you taking everything so seriously?"

"You might think it’s just small talk, but he certainly doesn’t." Ryan scoffed, stabbing at his eggs with unnecessary force. "I bet he’ll be back trying to ’reconnect’ with you before we even finish breakfast."

"Don’t be ridiculous," I snapped, giving him a look. "We just happen to get along well."

"Is that so?"

His face darkened even further, and I decided this conversation was going nowhere good. Fighting with a jealous boyfriend is like arguing with a brick wall—painful and pointless.

I downed the last of my orange juice and caught Ryan’s eye. "Let’s go. Weren’t you planning to take me sightseeing today?"

"Sure," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don’t you need to let Quinn know first?"

I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling my temper rise dangerously. Without another word, I stood up and marched away from the table. I could hear his footsteps following me, but he remained tellingly silent.

We entered the elevator together, the tension slightly easing in the confined space.

"Ryan, I think we should just go back to New York," I said, my voice deliberately calm despite my irritation. "My body has mostly recovered anyway. Once we’re back home, there won’t be any other men around for you to worry about. Wouldn’t that be perfect?"

I couldn’t help the sarcastic edge that crept into my voice. A little jealousy could be cute sometimes, but this? Making faces at a business partner in public? Was Ryan seriously this childish?

The elevator dinged, and he strode out without responding. His silence only fueled my anger as we returned to our room.

As soon as I got inside, I started packing my things. There were plenty of flights from San Francisco to New York—I could leave anytime I wanted.

Ryan watched me for a while before finally approaching. "Serena, are you really just going to leave like this?"

I ignored him, continuing to fold my clothes with quick, angry movements.

He stepped closer, grabbing my wrist gently. "Are you angry?"

I let out a bitter laugh, giving him a sideways glance. "How dare I be angry, right?"

"Don’t talk to me in that tone."

"Oh? And what tone should I use?" I snapped, yanking my arm away. "Should I apologize and whimper that I’ll never speak to another man again? Is that what you want?"

I frowned, my voice rising with emotion. "Ryan, I am my own person. I will never be able to live like that. Your jealousy is your problem—a reflection of your narrow-mindedness. You need to ask yourself why you have so little confidence."

"Is it because you don’t trust me, or is it just your own selfishness?"

The room temperature seemed to drop several degrees as we glared at each other, neither willing to back down.

I was the first to look away, snapping my suitcase shut with finality.

"I think we need some time apart to cool down."

As I grabbed the handle of my suitcase, Ryan blocked my path, his expression torn between anger and desperation.

"Is this why you’ve been avoiding the topic of remarriage?"

I frowned, confused by this sudden change of subject. Where did that come from?

"Serena, have you given up on the idea of remarrying me?"

The disappointment in his eyes made something twist in my chest, but I remained silent. Sometimes silence speaks louder than words, and as I turned to leave, my answer was clear enough.

These past few days in San Francisco had been tense. The friction between us had only grown, mostly because of Ethan.

And now, thanks to Georgina, Ryan’s wariness toward him had turned into full-blown resentment.

Honestly, I wasn’t surprised we ended up fighting this badly. A part of me had seen it coming.

I stepped into the elevator, wheeled my suitcase out of the hotel, and got into a cab straight to the airport.

Maybe some distance would do us good.

I was never meant to be someone else’s possession. And if Ryan kept holding on so tightly, all he would do was push me further away.