Chapter17 Screams split the air . " She jumped ! " " Sloane , don't ! " Lena lunged , fingertips grazing only wind as Sloane pitched forward . She plummeted , and bounced . The inflatable rescue mat had already been deployed . Sloane landed unhurt . Lena's knees gave out with relief . Sloane shoved herself upright on the billowing vinyl and stared after Logan's retreating figure . He hadn't even turned around . " Logan , I hate you ! " she spat . Lena barreled down the stairs and grabbed her by the arm . " Are you out of your mind ? We agreed it was an act . How could you really jump ? If you'd died , how would I explain that to the investors ? " Sloane gave a brittle laugh and lifted her eyes , flat , shining , a little feral . " Well , I didn't die . So why panic ? " Something in her looked ... altered . Lena felt a prickle of unease but swallowed it . " As long as you're okay , " Lena said , trying to steady her voice . " You scared me to death . " " Enough . Didn't you say there's a dinner tonight ? " Sloane asked , brushing dust from her clothes . " The real estate crowd at The Monarch Room . You usually hate those . " " Hate them ? Why would I ? " Sloane's lashes flickered . " I love them . " The Fairchilds made their money in development . If she wanted to ruin Logan , she would need those men . He had chosen Serena ; Sloane chose war . . Serena spent the whole day at Seabrook Isles and , for once , managed to set every ugly thought adrift with the tide . By the time she returned to the Seabrook Grand Resort , her chest felt lighter . She powered her phone back on . Blessed silence , no missed calls from Logan . Before the peace could fracture , she blocked his number . Let him talk to Victor Hayes if he had questions ; she was done . A few minutes later , her mother called . " Sweetheart , you had your phone off all day . How long are you staying out there ? Tell me before you come home , I'll cook your favorites . " " Okay , Mom , " Serena said , smiling . " I'll head back once I've had my fill of sunshine . ' " Be careful , and if you need money ... " " I'm fine . Promise . " After they hung up , Serena soaked in a hot bath , then slept like a stone . At dawn : a knock When she opened the door , a hotel attendant stood behind a towering arrangement , velvet red , an impossible sea of petals . " A bouquet for you , miss . From a gentleman . " Serena stared . Dozens of long - stemmed rocos Her stomach dropped . In a place where she knew no one , who else would send something like this ? Of course , Logan . The next second , he appeared in the hall . Her expression hardened . She tossed the bouquet right back into the corridor and slammed the door . He flinched at the thud , then hurried up , knocking fast enough to bruise . " Serena , don't , please , just open the door . Let me explain . " Inside , she was already zipping her suitcase . She had come here for peace . With him on the island , the spell shattered . She had no intention of lingering one more minute . " Serena , I know I was wrong , " his voice pleaded through the wood . " I should never have ignored you for Sloane . Let me in . We can talk " Silence . Logan glanced at the balcony , then made a desperate choice . He hoisted himself over the low wall , swung onto her terrace , and climbed in through the open slider . Cheer17