Falling For My Accidental CEO Husband
Chapter 127: At A Loss

Chapter 127: At A Loss

Sidney was at a loss, his mind swirling in a haze of disbelief and frustration. Seeing Serena with another man had always been tough—he’d endured it when she had been with Owen, telling himself it was just her anger, that she would come back to him. He had convinced himself that there was a distance between him and Owen, something in Serena’s eyes that told him she wasn’t fully invested in Owen. But this... this was different. What he had witnessed today was something else entirely, something that tore at his insides.

The man, Aiden Hawk, the bane of his existence, had stood there with an air of easy confidence, his arm wrapped possessively around Serena as if he belonged there. As if she belonged with him. The sight alone had been enough to knock the wind out of Sidney’s chest, but what made it worse—what made it unbearable—was Serena’s reaction. Yes, she had stiffened slightly at Aiden’s touch, as if some part of her had been caught off guard, but it wasn’t the recoil of someone being repelled or uncomfortable. No, it was something far more intimate.

She had been uncomfortable with his presence not with Aiden’s gesture. She was familiar with Aiden, familiar with the way he touched her, the way he leaned in close, the way he seemed to claim her without words. And Serena, the woman Sidney had thought he knew so well, wasn’t pushing him away. She wasn’t resisting. That bitter taste rose in Sidney’s mouth then, a gnawing bitterness that only grew the longer he had stood there helplessly watching the scene.

Why did it have to be him?

Aiden Hawk. Of all people. Why did it have to be the one man who embodied everything he hated? And now, it seemed, he had Serena too.

A hollow ache filled Sidney’s chest as the realization sank in. He had hoped, maybe foolishly, that when Serena had come to the estate last night, she was the same woman he had once known, the woman who had always kept a part of herself distant from other men. The one who looked at him as if he was her best friend.

Why couldn’t it have been me? The question burned in his mind, one he couldn’t silence. Of course he knew the answer to that. It belonged to that night when she had called him, asking for help...And he had failed to help her the way she wanted him to help.

But she didn’t know! He had helped her! He had done what was needed, even if she didn’t see it that way. Was he supposed to have stood by and watched her ruin her life to save Edwina Dawn? He loved her dam* it! And if that meant standing against her to protect her, then so be it. He had stopped her from reaching the hospital in time.

However, there had been no guarantee she could have saved Edwina even then...But there was a guarantee that she could have ended up harmed.

The bitter memories churned inside him, his stomach twisting with regret and helpless anger. He had done what he thought was right, but Serena had never understood, never forgiven him. She had been too wrapped up in her grief, too blinded by her loss of Edwina Dawn. He had stood in her way, trying to protect her, trying to show her there was more at stake—her life, her future. But in her eyes, he’d become the villain, the one who had failed her when she needed him most.

And now, he could only accept this tag. Movement by the entrance caught his attention, and his heart skipped a beat. Serena. She was coming down the stairs, her expression unreadable, but at least she had come. Maybe, just maybe, they could talk now.

Sidney gestured to the server to bring the food that he had already ordered to be kept ready, but as his gaze followed Serena, his hope was dashed once more.

Behind her, casually walking in like he owned the place, was Aiden Hawk.

Sidney felt his body stiffen, a knot of frustration forming in his chest. "Is he a guard dog or something that he can’t even leave her alone for a minute?"

Aiden said something, and Serena stopped. Sidney watched as Serena turned to Aiden and then he leaned down and whispered something in her ear. Whatever he said made Serena pause, then turn, her lips curving into a small, almost amused smile.

Sidney’s heart pounded painfully in his chest as he watched her lean up, standing on her toes, and kiss him. Not a brief, casual peck, but a kiss that spoke of familiarity and connection. A kiss that made Sidney’s blood boil. His hands clenched into fists and his knuckles turned white under the table.

Soon, the two finally separated and Serena slid into the seat across him. Trying to keep his expression composed, he said quietly,"I had them bring your favorite. Pancakes, just the way you like."

"Thanks, but I’m not hungry." She didn’t even spare a glance at the food as the server placed it in front of her. "Let’s just get this over with. Though I am willing to wait if you really need to eat."

That tone—cold, businesslike—was a dagger to Sidney’s chest. He had wanted to believe that there was still something between them, some part of the Serena he had loved who cared enough to talk, to work through whatever had gone wrong. But all he saw now was a woman who wanted nothing to do with him. "How did you even meet him, Rena? How did you end up married to him."

"Are you going to keep asking me that question? Really? Do you have nothing else to do, Sidney?"

"You were my fiancée, Serena!The girl I planned to marry! We were supposed to be together forever! But now, I don’t even have a right to question you? What happened to you, Serena?"