CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35 FALSE PROMISES

Serena’s POV

I was deep into reviewing the latest design sketches when my phone buzzed. Grandmother Blackwood’s name flashed on the screen. My finger hovered over the decline button for a second before I sighed and answered.

"Hello, Grandmother."

"Serena, dear! I’m at Century Plaza. Join me for some shopping?"

I hesitated, glancing at the pile of work on my desk. Maya had been pushing me to take a break all week, saying I was working myself to exhaustion. Maybe she was right.

"I have quite a bit of work to finish..."

"Nonsense! A few hours away from that studio won’t hurt. I miss you terribly."

I bit my lip, torn between obligation and the mountain of tasks ahead. Finally, I called Maya over.

"Can you and Julian handle these approvals if I step out for a few hours? Grandmother Blackwood wants to see me."

Maya’s eyebrows shot up. "The grandmother-in-law? Even after the divorce?"

"She doesn’t know yet," I admitted quietly. "Ryan hasn’t told her."

"Of course we’ll manage. Go!" Maya practically pushed me toward the door. "You’ve been working non-stop since you got back from the hospital. A little retail therapy might do you good."

Forty minutes later, I spotted Grandmother Blackwood sitting regally on a bench near the plaza’s central fountain. The moment she saw me, her face lit up with genuine warmth.

"Serena, darling!" She reached for my hands, holding them tightly in her own.

"It’s been too long since you’ve visited. I’ve missed you terribly, so I had to scheme to get you out here. I hope I’m not interrupting anything important?"

I shook my head, smiling despite myself. "Nothing that can’t wait, Grandmother."

"Wonderful! Now, let’s get you some new clothes. The seasons are changing, and you need a proper wardrobe update."

She linked her arm through mine, and I noticed she didn’t mention Ryan’s name at all.

Instead, she focused entirely on me, dragging me from store to store, insisting on purchasing jewelry and clothes despite my protests.

"Grandmother, please, this is too much," I objected as she held up a stunning sapphire necklace against my throat.

"Nonsense! It brings out your eyes beautifully. We’ll take it," she informed the eager saleswoman.

By the time we finally settled at a restaurant for lunch, my feet were aching, and bags from luxury boutiques surrounded our table.

"I haven’t shopped like this in ages," Grandmother sighed contentedly. "Gets the blood flowing! Makes me feel young again."

I smiled, playing along. "You’re already youthful, Grandmother. Your energy puts women half your age to shame."

She took a sip of her water, then fixed me with that penetrating stare I knew so well. Here it comes.

"Serena, dear... is something wrong between you and Ryan? He came home last night with a terrible fever. The nurses said he kept calling your name."

I stared down at my plate, stabbing a piece of lettuce with more force than necessary. So that’s what this outing was really about.

"Grandmother..." I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "The truth is, Ryan doesn’t love me. He never did. I was just a replacement for someone else, and I—"

"Nonsense," she cut me off sharply. "Whatever Ryan thinks he feels, you are the only Lady Blackwood, and that will never change. You belong at the head of our family."

I shook my head slowly. "I can’t live with a man who doesn’t love me. That’s no way to spend a life."

"Better to set him free," I added softly.

"What ridiculous talk! Serena, you will always be my granddaughter-in-law. Those other flitting women mean nothing! They’re temporary distractions, nothing more."

"Grandmother, please, I—"

She reached across the table, clasping my hands in her bony fingers with surprising strength.

"Serena, from the first moment I saw you, I knew you were special. Only a woman like you deserves my grandson.

Listen to me—couples fight! They argue, they make up. I’ll make Ryan apologize properly."

I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Ryan had already attempted that last night, drunk and desperate. What good had it done?

I fell silent, knowing further argument was pointless. The divorce papers were already signed. Ryan would have to tell her himself—I couldn’t bear to break her heart.

After lunch, Grandmother insisted on more shopping. I trailed behind her into an exclusive boutique, where a scene was already unfolding.

"Package all of these for me," a familiar voice commanded.

Ivy Hart stood in the center of the store, draped in an evening gown that hugged every curve, surrounded by fawning sales associates. Not a single staff member noticed us enter.

I was shocked to see her looking so confident. After her disgrace, I’d expected her to lie low for a while. Yet here she was, shopping as if nothing had changed.

Where was she getting the money? Without Ryan’s support or the jewelry business backing her, she should be struggling financially. Instead, she was buying armfuls of designer clothes.

The sales associate approached her with a payment terminal. "How would you like to pay today, Miss Hart?"

Ivy gave her a condescending look. "You don’t recognize me? Charge everything to Mr. Blackwood’s account, as usual."

"But Miss Hart..." the woman hesitated. "This is the third time this month you’ve said that, and Mr. Blackwood hasn’t come to settle the previous bills yet."

I bit back a smile. So that was it—she was trying to maintain appearances by spending money she didn’t have.

"Are you deaf? I told you Ryan will handle the bill! What’s wrong with you people?" Ivy snapped, changing back into her own clothes with obvious irritation.

"With your terrible customer service, it’s no wonder this place will go out of business soon!"

The staff exchanged uncomfortable glances, clearly caught in an awkward situation.

"What are you standing around for? Package my things immediately!" Ivy demanded.

"I wasn’t aware my grandson had appointed anyone else to spend his money," Grandmother’s voice rang out coldly.

Ivy’s head whipped around, her expression freezing when she saw us. Her eyes widened at the sight of Grandmother holding my arm like a cherished relative.

"Grandmother! What a surprise to see you here," Ivy recovered quickly, pasting on a fake smile and stepping forward.

Grandmother’s eyes narrowed. "I am not your grandmother. I have only one granddaughter-in-law, and she’s standing right beside me. At your age, you shouldn’t be claiming false relationships."

I could see the confusion on the staff’s faces turn to understanding as they realized who we were.

"Mrs. Blackwood! Here are the receipts for Miss Hart’s previous purchases this month," a manager rushed forward, presenting several slips of paper. "Perhaps you could look them over?"