CHAPTER 233: CHAPTER 233 DINNER TABLE INTERROGATION

Serena’s POV

I sat alone in the unfamiliar bedroom, everything around me feeling both strange and familiar at once. That helpless sensation of lost memories washed over me again, darkening my mood as I settled by the window.

My fingers traced over the books arranged on the desk—mostly design references and textbooks. So my design talent I’d always been proud of wasn’t just innate gift but years of dedicated study. Curious, I pulled out a portfolio and flipped it open, surprised to discover my own work inside.

Each piece was meticulously signed and dated in the bottom right corner. Even as a teenager, I’d created impressive designs. "Damn, past Serena really knew her stuff," I muttered, feeling my spirits lift as I examined each piece one by one.

I lost track of time until my phone buzzed with a message from Ryan: [How does it feel to be home?]

I smiled and quickly typed back: [Not bad.]

[Are you at the hotel?] I asked, feeling a twinge of guilt that my family had practically chased him away.

[Yes, just near the Quinn residence. Awaiting your royal summons at any moment.]

I couldn’t help laughing, picturing Ryan’s serious face as he typed something so playful. The thought made him seem even more endearing somehow.

[Sorry my parents and family haven’t exactly embraced us being together,] I wrote.

[I understand. I was a complete jerk in the past, after all.]

His responses came quickly—almost too quickly—like he’d been anxiously waiting to hear from me. It was reassuring that he understood the situation.

After putting the portfolio away, exhaustion suddenly hit me. I lay down on the bed and drifted into a deep sleep, unconsciously hugging a stuffed animal that must have been mine years ago.

* * *

Author’s POV

Ethan watched as Zoe returned to the dining room alone, noticing the concerned look on Eleanor’s face.

"Where’s Serena? Isn’t she eating?" Eleanor asked.

Zoe shook her head as she sat down. "She’s sound asleep. She looked so peaceful I didn’t have the heart to wake her."

"Let’s eat without her then," Zoe suggested.

Their mother Hazel sighed softly. "Serena lost her memory and suddenly returned home—of course she feels disoriented. All of you should take her around, help her recover her memories."

The siblings nodded in agreement, and Ethan spoke up, trying to reassure his parents.

"Dad, Mom, don’t worry. Serena already believes we’re her family—she just needs time to adjust. I’ve spent the most time with her recently, so I’ll help convince her."

Liam nodded. "Ethan, you’ve been to New York often lately. What’s your impression of this Blackwood fellow?"

Suddenly all eyes at the table were fixed on Ethan, making him uncomfortable. He wanted to speak well of Ryan but didn’t dare exaggerate too much, so he carefully recounted what he’d observed over the past weeks.

"Overall, I think Ryan is a decent person. Their divorce happened because they started without any real emotional foundation," Ethan explained. "It’s like any relationship—couples need to work through misunderstandings and setbacks before finding happiness."

Zoe made a dismissive sound. "Ethan, you’ve been acting strange lately. You’ve never even dated—how are you suddenly an expert on relationships?"

Ethan tensed. He hadn’t expected the conversation to expose him like this. "Zoe, you’ve been away for ages, and the minute you return you’re interrogating me like a criminal?"

"You’re dodging the question," Zoe smirked. "You’re definitely hiding something. Have you fallen for someone?"

His parents’ gazes grew intensely interested. As the Quinn family’s only son, his future marriage was their constant concern. Ethan had grown up abroad, barely knowing London’s eligible young women. Since returning, he’d thrown himself into company business, not even hiring a female secretary. Hazel had introduced him to several suitable young women, but he’d rejected them all without even meeting them.

All these behaviors had made his parents increasingly worried about his marriage prospects.

"Ethan, is what Zoe saying true?" Eleanor asked. She was the Quinn family’s second child and the smartest—her analysis of situations was almost always spot-on. If she suspected something, it was likely accurate.

Ethan’s mouth twitched as he felt unprecedented pressure building. His feelings for Maya weren’t even properly defined yet. If nothing came of it, admitting his interest now would just be embarrassing.

"No, Zoe’s making things up," he quickly denied, causing his parents’ expressions to darken.

"Ethan, you’re not getting any younger. You should be thinking about settling down," Hazel sighed again.

He’d heard this lecture so many times his ears had calluses. "Mom, why don’t you lecture Eleanor and Zoe for a change?"

"We’re talking about your problem—don’t change the subject!" Eleanor glared at him, refusing to let him deflect.

Liam grunted. "Your sisters can take care of themselves. They’ve at least dated a couple of men. I’m not worried about them. But you don’t even have female friends!"

Eleanor nodded emphatically, then raised her eyebrows mischievously. "Little brother, you’re not into men, are you?"

Ethan choked on the water he was drinking, coughing violently while facing his father’s increasingly displeased expression.

"Dad, Mom, don’t listen to Eleanor’s nonsense. I’m attracted to women, and I do have female friends—you just don’t know about them," he finally managed.

Zoe’s smile grew more triumphant. "So there is someone! Tell us, who is she? A London girl or a classmate from abroad?"

Ethan felt his smile becoming increasingly strained as Zoe pressed him. The conversation was spinning wildly out of control.

In truth, Maya’s face kept flashing through his mind. Her confident smile when discussing design concepts. The way she’d fiercely defended Serena at every turn. Even her blunt criticisms of his suggestions had a certain charm. Though they’d started as adversaries of sorts, he’d found himself increasingly looking forward to their exchanges, even the argumentative ones.

But how could he explain all that to his family? They’d never understand that he was drawn to someone so different from the polished London socialites they kept pushing his way. Besides, he wasn’t even sure if Maya saw him as anything more than Serena’s annoying brother.

"There’s no one," he insisted, though the heat rising to his face betrayed him. "Can we please talk about something else? Like how we’re going to help Serena adjust?"

"Your love life is equally important, little brother," Zoe said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Don’t think you can dodge this conversation forever."

Ethan glanced around the table, realizing he’d somehow become the center of attention when they should have been discussing Ryan and Serena’s situation. How had the conversation shifted to his nonexistent romantic prospects?

He lifted his wrist, checking his watch with exaggerated surprise. "Oh, would you look at the time! I completely forgot—there’s an urgent board meeting I need to attend."

"Right now?" Eleanor raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Corporate emergencies wait for no one," Ethan said, already pushing back his chair. "Sorry, Mum, Dad, ladies—duty calls."

Before anyone could protest, he practically bolted from the dining room, leaving behind a table of amused family members who weren’t fooled for a second by his sudden "emergency."