Page 87 of The Secret Heir Next Door

“I’m happy to help,” I say, sitting at the kitchen table. “You need a break every now and then.”

Dee finally opens her eyes and looks at me, her smile fading as she studies my face. “What’s going on, Logan? You look like you’ve been through the wringer.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “It’s Serena.”

She raises an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue.

“We had a fight,” I say, the words feeling heavy in my mouth. “I don’t even know what happened, Dee. One minute, we were walking, and the next, she’s accusing me of lying, of using her, of doing things I haven’t done. And then she just…she just walked away.”

Her expression softens, and she sets her tea down on the counter, coming over to sit beside me. “Did she say why she thinks you’re lying?”

“She thinks I’m buying the building where her store is. I guess she found out that our family was involved, but she didn’t even give me a chance to explain that I had nothing to do with it. She also thinks I’m seeing other women behind her back, which is completely ridiculous.”

She frowns, leaning back in her chair. “That doesn’t sound like Serena. She’s always seemed so level-headed. Did something happen to make her think you’re lying?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, frustration lacing my voice. “She said she heard things from other people, but none of it’s true. I don’t know how to make her believe that.”

“Logan, if she heard something from other people, maybe they’re the ones trying to mess with her head. Or maybe she’s just overwhelmed and doesn’t know who to trust.”

“Maybe,” I say, though the thought doesn’t make me feel any better. “But why wouldn’t she trust me? I thought she knew me better than that.”

Dee reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Relationships are hard, Logan. Even the best ones have moments like this. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions and misunderstandings,especially when there’s so much at stake. You also have to take into account that the two of you haven’t known each other very long, and neither of you owes the other anything. Trust takes time, and you and our family don’t have the best reputation with that.”

“I know, but it hurts that she didn’t even give me a chance to explain. She just made up her mind and walked away.”

Dee looks at me with sympathy, her eyes softening. “Maybe she just needs some time to cool off. People say things they don’t mean when they’re upset. Give her some space, and then try talking to her again. If she loves you, she’ll come around.”

“I hope you’re right. I don’t want to lose her, Dee.”

“You’re not going to lose her, Logan. She’s probably just scared. But if you’re honest with her, if you show her that, she’ll come back.”

“I hope you’re right. I just don’t know how to fix this mess. I feel like everything’s falling apart, and I’m powerless to stop it.”

Dee gives my hand one more reassuring squeeze before standing up. “Sometimes, all you can do is be patient and let things settle. I know it’s hard, but if you care about Serena, show her that. Keep being the person she fell for.”

I appreciate her words, even if they don’t entirely ease the knot of worry in my chest. “Thanks, Dee. I needed to hear that.”

She heads back to the kitchen, and I get up to leave. As I’m heading out, I take one last look at Abby’s room. The sight of her sleeping peacefully makes me smile, even if it’s bittersweet. I wish I could feel that same sense of calm right now.

I step outside into the cool night air, hoping it might clear my head a bit. My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it, not wanting to get pulled back into the swirling chaos of social media or the pressure of unanswered messages. I need a moment to breathe.

I get into my car, and my driver heads back to my empty home. My thoughts keep circling back to Serena. I replay our last conversation, trying to pinpoint where things went wrong. Her accusations seem so out of place compared to the woman I know—the woman I thought I was building something real with.

Eventually, we pull up to my place, but I don’t have the energy to go inside. Instead, I walk around to the back and fall into a chaise lounge by my pool, staring up at the night sky. The stars seem distant and unreachable, much like the clarity I seek. I want to fix things with Serena, but right now, I don’t even know where to start.

All of this is my family’s doing, and I need to figure out how to stop them from ruining one of the best things in my life. If I don’t, I could lose the only woman I’ve ever loved.

21

SERENA

Istare at the stack of boxes piled high in the corner of my shop. Each one is filled with colorful confections that were supposed to be the sweet lifeline of my business. Instead, they feel like anchors, pulling me deeper into the churning sea of stress that’s been my reality for weeks now. My shop smells like caramel and frustration. It’s almost enough to make me swear off sugar forever…almost.

I grab another handful of fudge squares, wrapping them in parchment paper with quick, precise movements. It’s mindless work, but it’s the only thing keeping my hands busy and my mind from spiraling out of control. I’m drowning in orders, and with the eviction notice looming over me, every sale feels like a desperate grasp at survival.

I’m trying to keep my thoughts focused on the task at hand, but the truth is, my mind keeps drifting back to Logan. I told myself I wouldn’t think about him, wouldn’t think about the way he defended me or the look in his eyes when he stood up to his family for me. It was sweet and brave and probably really stupid, but it was him.

But why did he do that if he was using me to get me out of the way to buy the shop?

---