Chapter 256

Serena’s POV As the late afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains, I watched my daughter sleep in her hospital-grade crib beside my bed. The bedroom door opened quietly, and Ryan stepped in, his eyes immediately softening when they landed on our daughter. "Maya's been discharged and she's doing well," he said, settling into the chair beside my bed. "She wanted me to tell you not to worry about her. Once she gets caught up at the studio, she'll be by to see you." The memory of Maya shielding me during our fall made my chest tight with emotion. Knowing she was safe lifted a weight I hadn't realized I'd been carrying. But there was still one shadow hanging over us—the man who'd orchestrated it all. "What about Kane Blackwood?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Where is he now?" "Kane's been dealt with," he said, his voice low as he took the chair beside my bed. "Permanently." I felt a cold satisfaction wash over me. "Good. Did he suffer?" The venom in my voice surprised e