Page 84 of The Secret Heir Next Door

He told me he was hanging out with Abby.

My thoughts are spinning out of control, and I don’t know what to believe anymore. Logan’s always been so honest with me... hasn’t he? But now... now I’m not sure. Maybe I’ve been naive. Maybe I’ve been blind.

“I just don’t know what to think,” I say, my voice breaking. “Why would Logan do this? Why wouldn’t he tell me? And if he’s doing this to me, what else is he hiding?”

Emily reaches across the table and takes my hand, her grip firm and reassuring. “Serena, I wouldn’t tell you these things if I didn’t think they were important. You know that, right? I only want to protect you.”

I nod, trying to hold back tears. “I know,” I whisper. “But it just doesn’t make sense.”

“I know. That’s why I’m going to bring this up with Brant. I need to see if he’s involved too or if Logan’s doing this on his own.”

The thought of Brant being involved makes my stomach turn even more. He’s Logan’s best friend, his right-hand man. If Brant’s in on this too, then... I don’t even want to think about what that means.

“Okay,” I say, taking a deep breath. “Okay, talk to Brant. But... Emily, please be careful. I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t want you getting caught up in something dangerous.”

She gives me a small, sad smile. “Don’t worry about me, Serena. I’ll be fine. Just... take care of yourself, okay?”

I nod again, feeling numb. Emily squeezes my hand one last time before getting up to leave. As she walks out the door, I’m left alone with my thoughts, my heart heavy with doubt and fear.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is that the world I thought I knew is crumbling around me, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to put the pieces back together again.

It’s been a long day,and I’m finally closing up the store. My phone sits on the counter, charging, but I’ve ignored it all day. The constant buzzing of notifications and the never-ending flood of social media comments have become too much to bear.

I don’t want to get pulled back into that black hole of negativity and distractions, so I’ve let the battery drain to almost nothing.

As I turn off the lights and lock the cash register, I glance around the shop. This place, my place, feels different now. It’ssupposed to be my sanctuary, where I feel safe, but it’s starting to feel like a prison. The walls seem to be closing in on me, the shadows darker and more ominous than they used to be. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the unease and head for the front door.

The evening air is cool against my skin as I step outside, the sun setting on the horizon and casting long shadows down the empty street. I take out my keys and start locking up, my mind still spinning from everything that’s happened today.

The cruel comments, the overwhelming orders, Emily’s warnings about Logan, it’s all too much. I feel like I’m drowning, and I don’t know how to come up for air.

Just as I finish locking the door, I hear footsteps behind me. I tense up, my heart skipping a beat, but before I can turn around, I feel familiar arms wrapping around me. Logan’s warmth surrounds me, but instead of comforting me like it usually does, it only makes my stomach churn.

I stiffen in his embrace, and he notices immediately.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not feeling well,” I lie, my tone distant as I pull away from him and step back, trying to put some space between us.

Logan frowns, clearly sensing that something is off. “Do you want my driver to take you home? You shouldn’t be walking if you’re not feeling well.”

I shake my head, forcing a small smile that I don’t feel. “I can walk. It’s not far.”

He doesn’t argue, but he falls into step beside me as we start walking down the street. The silence between us is heavy, almost suffocating, and I can feel the tension building with each passing second. I know he wants to ask me what’s really wrong, but I’m not ready to have this conversation. Not here, not now.

After a few minutes, he finally breaks the silence. “Serena, what’s going on?”

I sigh, feeling the frustration and anger bubble up inside me. I don’t want to talk, but the words are already on my tongue. “I’m just not in the mood, okay?”

Logan frowns in confusion. “I had a bad day too, baby, but I’m not taking it out on you. What’s really going on?”

His words hit a nerve, and before I can stop myself, I snap at him. “I’m not in the mood for your games or your lies, Logan.”

He stops walking, touching my shoulder and looking at me with shock and hurt in his eyes. “Games? Lies? Serena, what are you talking about?”

I cross my arms over my chest, trying to hold onto the anger simmering beneath the surface all day.

“You’re using me. I’m just a joke to you, aren’t I? I should’ve known better than to believe that you’d actually want to date someone like me.”

---