13. Serena
13
SERENA
I step out of the garden, the laughter and music of the party fading as I walk toward the house. The sun is setting, casting a warm, golden light over everything, but the warmth doesn’t reach me. I feel a chill in the air, an unease that’s been building all day. Something is off.
As I near the house, I hear voices—Logan’s voice, low and firm, and then others, sharper, more insistent. I slow my pace, my heart picking up speed as I catch snippets of their conversation.
“…end it with her, Logan. If you don’t, you’re out. Out of the family, out of the business, out of the will.”
I freeze, my breath catching in my throat. They’re talking about me. I inch closer, hiding behind the corner of the house, and peek around to see Logan standing with his parents and brother. Their faces are set, hard, as they confront him. My stomach twists, guilt gnawing at me as I realize what they’re asking him to do.
“She’s beneath you, Logan,” his mother says, her voice sharp with disapproval. “A party planner? You can’t be serious. This is not the life we envisioned for you.”
“You’re throwing everything away for a mistake,” Chaz adds, his tone dripping with contempt. “You don’t even know who she really is. She’s probably just after your money.”
My chest tightens, and I press a hand over my heart as if I can physically hold the pain in.
They’re right, aren’t they? I mean, who am I compared to them?
I’ve spent my whole life working hard, but I’m a candy shop owner who can barely live paycheck to paycheck.
But then I hear Logan’s voice, steady and resolute. “You don’t know Serena like I do. She’s not after my money. She’s kind, talented, and she makes me happy. I love her, and nothing you say is going to change that.”
Love.
Slow down, boy!
We just met. You can’t love me already
What are you doing?
Tears prick my eyes, and I have to bite my lip to keep from making a sound. Logan’s defending me, standing up to his family, and the sincerity in his voice is overwhelming. But it’s also crushing. He’s willing to give up everything for me, and I’m not sure I’m worth it. Not worth the millions, the legacy, the life they’ve built for him.
I have to stop this. I can’t let him ruin his life for me. My heart pounds in my chest as I turn away, trying to clear my head and figure out what to do. That’s when I see the magician, standing a few feet away, adjusting his props. He catches my eye and waves me over.
“Serena, perfect timing! I could use an assistant for this next trick. What do you say?”
I blink, momentarily thrown off.
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 plates and 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.”
He studies me for a moment, clearly not convinced. “You’ve done enough today. You’ve been amazing. Let them handle the rest.”
“I just need to clear my head,” I say softly, turning back to my task. “Please.”
“Uncle Logy!” Abby hollers as she tugs on the bottom of his shorts. “Come play one last game with me before bed!”
He glances at me, and I give him a reassuring nod. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
He smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes, and lets Abby drag him off toward the house. I watch them go, a pang of longing in my chest, before turning back to the trash before me.
I lose myself in the rhythm of cleaning, the simple, repetitive motions soothing, in a way. The noise of the party is gone, replaced by the quiet sounds of the night. It’s peaceful, almost meditative, and I can forget about everything else for a while.
I’m stacking plates when I notice someone else silently helping to clear the table. I glance over and see Brant working alongside me. He doesn’t say anything at first, just picks up where I left off, his presence calm and steady.
“You don’t have to help.”
“I don’t mind. I feel like I’m useless right now,” he jokes.
We work in companionable silence for a few minutes. The only sounds are the clinking of plates and the rustle of trash bags. I’ve always liked Brant; he’s easy to be around, with a quiet strength that’s comforting. But tonight, I can’t help but wonder how much he knows about Logan’s family, about the pressure they’re putting on him.
Finally, I work up the courage to ask. “How well do you know Logan’s family?”
He pauses, looking thoughtful as he sets down a stack of plates. “I’ve known them for years,” he says slowly. “Most people would say they’re like my second family, but I’d never say that. It’s more like… Logan was adopted, you know? Because he’s a good human, and they’re not.”
I blink, surprised by his bluntness. “What do you mean?”
He sighs, leaning against the table as he crosses his arms.
“Logan’s always been different from them. Better. When he made his first million, I was afraid he’d start to become like them—entitled, elitist, all about the money. It was touch and go there for a while because he’s constantly in CEO mode, but… he’s not them. He never could be. They’re horrible human beings, Serena. They think they’re basically royalty, and they’ll do anything to keep their power.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because it’s true. They’re the kind of people who think the world owes them something just because of who they are. But Logan… he’s different. He’s always been different. Why do you ask?”
I swallow hard, trying to process everything he’s saying. “I’m just curious,” I say, though the words feel hollow.
The truth is, I’m terrified. Terrified of what Logan’s family is capable of and of what this might mean for him—for us.
What if he actually is like them?
Brant studies me for a moment, then nods as if he understands. “Just be careful, Serena. Logan’s a good man, but his family… they’re not people you want to cross.”
I nod, my throat tight. “Thanks, Brant. I’ll keep that in mind.”
He gives me a reassuring smile before returning to the task at hand. We finish cleaning up the rest of the area, working in silence, but my mind is racing, thoughts spinning out of control.
What have I gotten myself into?
When the last of the mess is cleared away, Brant straightens up and gives me a nod.
“You did a great job today, Serena. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“Thanks,” I reply. He gives me one last look, then heads back toward the house, leaving me alone in the garden.
I stand there for a long moment, staring into the darkness, the weight of everything pressing down on me. Logan’s family is powerful, and they won’t let him go without a fight. And me? I’m just Serena, a party planner slash candy shop owner with no real power or influence.
But as I turn to head back to the house, one thought keeps echoing in my mind. Logan’s different. He’s better than them. And maybe that’s enough.
But it doesn’t stop the guilt that gnaws at me, the feeling that I’m not worth the sacrifices he’s willing to make.
And as much as I want to believe in us, in what we could have, I can’t shake the fear that I’m setting him up for a life of regret.