Page 103 of The Secret Heir Next Door

The sale didn’t go through, but what about next time?

What happens the next time Logan’s family decides to pull something like this?

Will they always come for me, trying to push me out and make me disappear because they don’t think I’m good enough?

Emily must hear the hesitation in my voice because her tone softens. “Serena, what’s going on? You sound… off.”

I hesitate, biting my lip. I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling or how to put into words the fear that’s settled in my chest since Chaz walked into my shop. But Emily’s my sister. She’s always been there for me, and right now, I need someone who understands.

“Chaz came to the shop today,” I finally admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “He cornered me. Tried to make some deals. He’s so disgusting. He said that if I did him a favor, he would extend my time in the store and then made some douchebag comment about hearing I was good on my knees. When I told him to leave, he told me to stay away from Logan, and when I refused, he threatened me. It was… it was bad, Em.”

There’s a stunned silence on the other end, and when Emily speaks, her voice is laced with anger. “What? That’s insane, Serena. Are you okay? Did he touch you?”

“He did, but…not like that,” I say quickly, but the memory of him looming over me, his eyes cold and calculating, is still fresh in my mind. “But it was close enough. He tried to scare me into walking away from Logan, and now I don’t even know what to think. Logan’s been great, but they’re brothers, you know? And I keep wondering… what if Logan’s not as different from Chaz as I thought?”

Emily is quiet for a moment, and when she speaks, her voice is firm but gentle, like she’s trying to steer me back from the edge. “Serena, listen to me. Chaz is an asshole. We both know that. But Logan… Logan’s not Chaz. He’s never been Chaz. You can’t let one bad apple ruin what you’ve got with him.”

“But what if I’m wrong?” I say, my voice breaking. “What if Logan’s just like them, and I’ve been too blinded to see it? I don’t want to get hurt, Em. I can’t handle that right now.”

She sighs, and I can practically hear her thinking through the phone. “I get it, Serena. I really do. But you can’t let Chaz’s actions define Logan. You’ve seen how Logan treats you, how he respects you. He’s not perfect, and yeah, he comes from a messed-up family, but you have to trust what you know about him, not what his brother did.”

I lean back, letting her words wash over me. She’s right. I know she’s right. Logan has never given me a reason to doubthim, and I don’t want to start now just because Chaz is a nightmare.

“It’s just hard,” I admit, my voice small. “I want to trust him, but today just threw me off balance.”

“And that’s okay,” she says softly. “It’s okay to be shaken up. Just don’t shut Logan out because of what his brother did. Talk to him. Tell him how you’re feeling. Logan deserves that, and so do you.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me, and I feel a little lighter knowing she’s in my corner. “Thanks, Em. I needed to hear that.”

“Anytime,” she says, her tone brightening. “And hey, remember, you’re stronger than any of them. Don’t let a bunch of entitled jerks mess with your head. You’ve got this, Serena.”

I smile, the first real one I’ve managed all day. “Yeah. I’ve got this.”

We hang up, and I sit there for a while, staring at my phone and letting everything sink in. I’m still scared, unsure of what will happen next, but I know one thing for sure: I’m not going to let Chaz or anyone else dictate how I live my life. And as for Logan… he will have to prove to me that he’s different, that he’s not like his family. But I’m willing to give him that chance.

The morning sunis still climbing, its rays slicing through the early autumn chill as I make my way to the shop. I barely slept last night—tossing and turning with every thought of Chaz’s threats, Logan’s worried face, and the sinking feeling that maybe I’m in over my head with all of this.

But today’s a new day, and there’s work to do. I have to get this shop back in order now that I’m not moving, and thethought of unpacking all those boxes feels like trying to climb a mountain barefoot.

I have my key in the front door when I hear footsteps behind me. I turn, and my breath catches. Logan is standing there, looking completely scruffy in gray sweatpants, a plain white T-shirt, and running shoes. His hair is messier than usual like he’s been up for hours and didn’t bother to do his usual CEO prep routine.

In his hands, he’s holding two steaming cups of coffee and a white paper bag that smells like fresh pastries. My stomach growls, and my heart does a weird little flip at the sight of him.

I cock an eyebrow,crossing my arms over my chest. “What’s with the casual look? Did the office have a sweatpants day I didn’t know about?”

He grins—that easy, heart-stopping smile that makes me forget all the reasons I was mad at the world just moments ago. He looks almost boyish, completely disarmed, and it’s a side of him I don’t see nearly enough. “Nope. I took the day off.”

I blink at him, taken aback. “Youtook the day off?You? Mr. Workaholic, who can’t go ten minutes without checking his email?”

“Yep,” he says, handing me a cup of coffee. “And for the record, I haven’t checked my email once this morning. I’m a changed man.”

I take the coffee, still confused but undeniably touched. “Okay, but… why?”

He shrugs, trying to play it cool, but there’s something mischievous in his eyes. “Thought I’d help you unpack the store. Brant told me you were staying, so I figured you might need a hand.”

My heart melts a little at that. It’s not just that he’s here—it’s that he’s here without asking, without making a big deal about it, like it’s the most natural thing in the world for him to drop everything and come help me.

“You took the day off just to help me unpack?” I ask, my voice softening. “Logan, you didn’t have to do that.”

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