Chapter 327

Author's POV London welcomed them with its signature gray skies and light drizzle as Serena stepped off the plane, herding her exhausted design team and clutching Rancy's tiny hand. The air felt different here—heavier somehow, like it was charged with secrets she couldn't remember. Cedric Lancaster was already waiting at the arrivals gate, immaculately dressed in a tailored charcoal suit that emphasized his tall frame. When Rancy spotted him, she let out an ear-splitting squeal and broke free from Serena's grasp, racing toward him like a tiny missile. "Daddy!" The toddler's excited voice practically echoed through the entire terminal. Cedric scooped her up effortlessly, his usually stone-cold expression melting as Rancy planted sloppy kisses on his cheek. Serena watched the interaction with a twisted knot of emotions swimming behind her carefully neutral expression. Her design team wasn't nearly as subtle with their feelings. They nudged each other, stage-whispering just loud enough fo