Page 63 of The Secret Heir Next Door

An assistant?Right now?

But maybe…maybe this is what I need. A distraction, something to get me away from doing something rash. I nod, forcing a smile, and walk over to him.

“Sure, what do you need me to do?”

He grins, his eyes twinkling with excitement. “Just follow my lead. I promise it’ll be spectacular.”

I nod again, trying to push everything else out of my mind as he begins setting up the trick. The guests start to gather around, curious, and I can feel the tension draining away, replaced by a nervous energy that comes with performing in front of a crowd. This, I can handle. I’ve been in front of crowds my whole life. I can do this.

The magician claps his hands, drawing everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, gather around! For my next trick, I’ll need the lovely Serena to assist me. Don’t worry, she’s in good hands!”

There’s a murmur of excitement as I step up beside him, and he gestures to a large, ornate box on the stage. “Serena, if you would be so kind as to step inside this box.”

I hesitate for just a moment, glancing out at the crowd. My eyes meet Logan’s, and I see the concern etched on his face, the way his brows knit together as he watches me. For a split second, I wonder if he’s worried about the trick or if he’s still thinking about the conversation with his family. But I can’t focus on that now.

I step into the box, and the magician closes the door behind me. The inside is dark, and I can barely hear him over the sound of my own heartbeat. There’s a small, hidden compartment at the back, and I slip into it as he instructed, feeling the space around me shift as he begins his banter, engaging the audience with his usual flair.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, I will make Serena…disappear!”

There’s a collective gasp from the crowd as the magician waves his hands dramatically, and I feel the box being turned and spun. The sensation is disorienting, and for a moment, I forget everything—Logan, his family, the weight of their disapproval. It’s just me, alone in the darkness, waiting for the trick to play out.

The door of the box swings open, and I hear the magician’s voice, triumphant. “And as you can see, Serena has vanished!”

The crowd erupts in applause, and I smile to myself, hidden from view. It’s a simple trick, really, but it never fails to amaze. The magician closes the box again, and I wait, knowing the trick isn’t over yet. There’s still the final reveal.

The box is turned again, and I feel it being lifted slightly. My breath catches, and I brace myself as the magician continues to play to the crowd, drawing out the suspense. Finally, I hear him call out, “And now, to bring Serena back!”

The door opens again, and I step out, blinking in the sudden light. The crowd cheers, and I give a small, relieved bow. The trick is over, and I’m back in the real world. And the weight of what I heard earlier settles back on my shoulders almost immediately.

As I scan the crowd, my eyes find Logan again. He’s pushing through the guests, making his way toward me, his face a mix of relief and worry. When he reaches me, he pulls me into a tight hug, his voice low in my ear.

“Don’t ever do that again,” he murmurs, concerned. “You scared me.”

I pull back slightly, looking up at him, and for a moment, all the guilt and doubt I’ve been feeling comes crashing down. He wasn’t faking it, his reaction, the fear in his eyes, it was all real. He truly cares about me, and that makes this even harder.

“It was just a magic trick.”

He studies my face, his expression softening. “Are you okay? You seem…off.”

I nod quickly, forcing a smile. “I’m fine. Just a little overwhelmed, I guess.”

He doesn’t look convinced, but before he can say anything else, the magician calls out to the crowd again, announcing the next trick. Logan and I step aside, but he keeps his arm around me, his presence grounding me in a way that’s both comforting and heartbreaking.

As the magician continues his act, I can’t shake the thoughts swirling in my mind. Logan’s willing to throw away everything, his family, his inheritance, his future, for me. But I’m not sure I can let him do that. Not when I feel so unworthy of the sacrifice he’s willing to make.

I glance up at him, taking in the way his eyes flicker between the magician and me, how his grip on my waist tightens slightly as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear again. And I realize that I can’t keep doing this. I can’t let him throw his life away for someone like me.

But how do I walk away from the one person who’s ever made me feel truly special?

The sun has dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky painted in deep purples and blues. The garden is quiet now, the sounds of the party having faded into the night. Most of the guests have left, and the remaining few gathered in small groups, talking quietly or saying their goodbyes. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the heaviness that’s been weighing on me since overhearing Logan’s family earlier.

The cleaning crew Dee hired is already at work, efficiently clearing away the remnants of the celebration. I roll up my sleeves and join them, grabbing a trash bag and gathering platesand cups. I need to keep moving, to keep my hands busy, so I don’t have to think.

As I’m picking up discarded napkins from a table, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see Logan standing there.

“You don’t have to do this, Serena. We hired people to take care of it.”

“I know,” I reply, forcing a small smile. “But I want to help. It gives me something to do.”

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