Chapter 55 Chapter 55
Serena's Pov
The door closed quietly behind me, the sound muffled by heavy carpet and heavier tension. I didn't look back. I didn't need to. I already knew what was on Dominic's face, a combination of pride and delusion. He thought he'd won. That today was the start of some grand redemption tale where he was the misunderstood hero.
My heels clicked methodically down the corridor from the conference room. Outside was bitter and fhe obnoxious sun cast beams across the glassy complex like it was warming him. The moron who just signed his own hangman's noose.
I shoved my sunglasses back into place, cuddling my bag against the other. I could still sense the soft pressure of the pen on my fingers. Still see ink bleeding onto the page. Still hear Lester's voice, heavy with pride, hiding behind desperation.
He always thinks he's the smartest man in the room until the consequences show up wearing my lipstick.
I had warned him before, but not so subtly. But Dominic did not listen. Not where it mattered, he only listened to the parts that didn't validate his ego.
Exiting the building and into the vehicle, which was already parked, my phone rang out from my bag.
Stanley. Just in time.
I answered halfway through a smile, already unfastening the hook on my bag. "I was wondering how long it would take you."
"You're not grumpy, so I guess that worked out okay?"
I smiled discreetly. "Better. Serena phoned just after you left, it turns out Dominc was planning to double cross me. She didn't tell me her source though. My lawyer immediately added an afterthought provision. We drew up a support agreement."
"You what?"
"Mm-hmm." The driver cut into traffic, and I buckled the seatbelt over my chest. "We added the doc at the last second and Dominic signed it like a pro."
"He didn't read it?"
"He skimmed, that was his mistake. That paper binds him in a way the core deal never could. If he takes one breath on anyl application, or tries to spin some story to the press or court about my parenting, I get sole custody of Cam. No court, no delay."
The line went dead. And then Stanley whistled low. "You played him like a violin."
"Correction," I said, resting my head against the headrest, "I let him play himself."
He chuckled. "Remind me never to anger you."
"You're not dumb enough to believe you'd ever be able to get away with it."
"That is true too" There was silence for a while,nobody saying anything. Then finally he spoke up bringing back a memory that sent chills down my spine. "About this morning."
I closed my eyes, expecting what was to come. Naturally he'd bring it up. The kiss, that moment. The lingering ember like the smell on the collar.
"Stanley…"
"Look, I realize that wasn't on purpose. I know we both... were wound up. There was so much tension. You're going through so much pressure right now and I don't want you thinking i’m taking advantage of it."
I remained silent.
"I'm not searching for fireworks or declarations. I just want to know that I wasn't the only one who felt something."
My tone came out deeper than I meant. "Things are complicated."
"They've been complicated all along, Liana. Doesn't mean they're not real."
I shifted my gaze outside the window to the city. Skyscrapers flashed by. People... blaring cars. The typical chaos of an afternoon that didn't care what wars I was fighting in my heart.
"We can't make decisions on one kiss."
"We don't need to make any decisions whatsoever. Okay, how about you have lunch with me. Let's just ignore what's going on and mark this victory. One drink. If you want, I will even stage it as completely professional."
I stifled a grin. "You? Professional? Since when?"
"Since I learned that winning you over requires more finesse."
A low laugh escaped my throat. "One drink. It's going to be all about me."
"Just drinks and perhaps a smug toast to your unparalleled genius."
"That, I'll allow."
……..
The bar on the top floor was one of those upscale spots that didn't get plastered all over social media. No neon lights. No influencers feigning shock at the cocktails or paparazzi looking for their next headlines. Just clean glass,and a scenery dripping of modern art.
Stanley was already there, leaning out the edge with two glasses and a grin that made it hard to stay mad at him. "To victories we never boast of," he said, handing me a chilled glass of prosecco.
I raised mine in return. "To fools who make it easy."
We sipped. He looked at me over the rim. "Are you going to tell me exactly what you put in that clause, or must I read the lawyer's wording for myself?"
"It's brief. Just enough to hang him on his own pride."
"How did you know he was actually not going to read it before acting on it?"
"Dominic has the perception that if it appears to be a triumph, then it is. That arrogance? It's his ticket to downfall."
He nodded. "You know, I'm still surprised by how relaxed you are."
"I've had years of preparation. Every one of his tantrums in our history was practice for today."
"You didn't bat an eye. Not even when he tried to pose it magnanimously."
"Because I knew that he needed this deal more than I did. The moment I saw that, I had the bargaining power, I used it."
He gazed at me for a time, his lips folding in on themselves. Then, with deliberation: "And you? What do you want?"
I paused. Not because I didn't have answers. But because I had too many. I needed rest. I needed breathing without looking back. I needed calm. Cam's laughter without a cloud over it. I needed someone to choose me and do it intentionally. I needed space for gentleness again and most importantly, I wanted to win.
But I couldn't admit that. So I sipped. And said, "Another drink.
He figured it out. We never spoke of the kiss again. At least, not yet. Instead, we bought snacks, exchanged gossip, and sat in a comfortable silence that was eerily therapeutic.
But there was still tension. Bubbling beneath the banter. Behind the easy smiles. We had our toes on the edge of a line that neither of us wanted to cross.
As the sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the skyline, Stanley took hold of his coat and extended his hand.
"Let me drive you home."
“I came with my driver.”
“He can go ahead.”
"Not necessary."
"Humor me. It's been a day."
I hesitated, then took it. His fingers were warm and familiar. And as we descended in the elevator, not a word was said about what was to come. Because we both knew the game was just starting.