Chapter 5

• Ryan sat in his car a few houses down from where Serena had parked, his hands firmly grasping the steering wheel.
• The small home, with its well manicured plants and comforting lights lighting inside, told him one thing; Serena had made her life here without him.
• He wasn't sure what to expect, but seeing the house triggered a peculiar combination of emotions; shame and longing.
• He watched Serena gently carry a sleeping Amy into the house. The sight of his daughter caused his chest to hurt.
• He had missed so much, years of her life that he couldn't reclaim.
• But right now, he wasn't there for Amy. He needed to see Serena.
• Ryan waited until the lights in the house darkened, then calculated how long it would take Serena to tuck Amy into bed.
• His mind raced, and memories of their time together came flooding back.
• When they were only pals, her laughter would lighten even his worst days. After they married, she gazed at him as if he were her entire universe.
• But then, he had thrown everything away.
• Not tonight.
• Tonight, he refused to let her push him away.
• When enough time had elapsed, he stepped out of his car, his resolve unwavering. He came up to her door and rang the bell.
• Serena was startled by the sound of the doorbell, and her heart raced.
• Who could be here at this hour? She hesitated for a bit before walking to the door.
• She noticed him while looking through the peephole.
• Ryan.
• Her pulse sped, and a rush of emotions washed over her—anger, perplexity, and something else she didn't want to accept.
• She opened the door slightly while holding the chain lock in place.
• “What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?” she asked sternly.
• Ryan's gaze was fierce, his eyes fixed on her.
• “I could not leave things as they were, Serena. We need to talk."
• “There's nothing to talk about," she said, beginning to close the door.
• Ryan pressed his hand against the door, using his strength to keep it open.
• “Let me in, Serena," he murmured quietly, but with a demanding tone.
• She hesitated, sighed, and briefly closed the door to undo the chain.
• Ryan did not wait when she reopened it. He walked inside and slammed the door behind him.
• “Ryan, I—" Serena began, but before she could finish, he was on her.
• His hands cupped her face, and his lips smashed down on hers with such force that she lost her breath.
• She froze for a brief minute, taken aback by the ferocity of his kiss. But then her body failed her.
• She melted into him, her hands grabbing his shirt as his lips pressed against hers, demanding and relentless.
• It had been so long since she felt this, and her carefully constructed defences fell in an instant.
• “Ryan," she muttered against his lips, but it came across more as a plea than a protest.
• He did not stop. His hands slipped down to her waist, bringing her closer until there was no room between them.
• “I've missed you," he said softly, his voice raspy and full of love.
• Serena's determination weakened. She'd spent years convincing herself she was over him and had moved on.
• But now, with his touch sparking every nerve in her body, all of the falsehoods she had told herself began to unravel.
• "Stop," she said quietly, but her body betrayed her as she kissed him back just as hard.
• Ryan picked her effortlessly and carried her to the couch. He lowered her carefully, his lips never leaving hers.
• "Ryan, we shouldn't…" she started, but his kisses ran down her neck, leaving a trail of heat.
• “Tell me to stop, Serena," he said, his voice heavy and desperate.
• However, she didn't.
• The night passed in a flurry of intensity and intense emotion.
• Serena had forgotten what it was like to be touched by him and feel so loved.
• She despised herself for giving in so quickly, but nothing else mattered in that moment.
• When she eventually fell asleep, her head resting on Ryan's chest, she felt a peculiar sensation of calm that she hadn't felt in years.
• ~~~~
• Ryan left Serena's house early the next morning, the fresh air doing little to quench the fire that remained in his veins.
• As he approached his car and took his phone from his pocket, the screen lighted up with several missed calls from Kate, his girlfriend.
• His jaw tightened as he looked at the notifications, wondering why she called without returning the call and drove away.
• ****
• Serena awoke to an empty bed.
• For a while, she believed it was all a dream. But when she saw the tousled blankets partly on the floor beside her, truth struck her like a tidal wave.
• She sat up, holding the blanket to her chest, her cheeks flushed with humiliation.
• “What have I done?" she said to herself. The recollections from the night before came flooding back.
• She let Ryan back in, allowing him to touch and embrace her. She had allowed him to see a side of her that she had kept concealed for so long.
• Serena hid her face in her palms. She felt weak and silly.
• Ryan had left her once before, and she vowed never to let him hurt her again. But now she was unsure.
• A quiet knock on her bedroom door interrupted her thoughts.
• “Mommy?" Amy's tiny voice rang out.
• Serena instantly controlled herself and put on a robe before opening the door.
• “Good morning, darling. How are you feeling now?" she said, attempting a grin.
• “Good morning, I'm feeling better mommy." Amy replied with a drowsy grin.
• "Can we have pancakes?"
• Serena nodded and rubbed Amy's hair softly, happy for the distraction. "Of sure, Baby. Go wash up, and I'll begin making them."
• "You're the best Mommy ever…" Amy exclaimed.
• Serena leaned on the doorframe while Amy rushed away.
• Her mind was still racing, but she put those ideas aside. She needed to focus on Amy.
• But deep inside, she knew it wasn't over. Ryan returned, and things were far from resolved.