Chapter25 Rowan couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Serena's face lit up with childlike delight , waving sparklers in the night . He'd never met a woman who could be so genuinely happy over something so small . Just as he was about to indulge her playfulness , his phone rang . " Hello ? Mom ? " " Rowan Sterling , where the hell are you ? I set you up on a proper date , and you couldn't even bother to show ! That poor girl waited at the restaurant for hours . Not even a text ! " His mother's voice was a furious hiss over the line . Rowan pinched the bridge of his nose . " Mom , I told you already , I don't like those women . They're only interested in the Sterling money . I'm not going . " " And what exactly do you plan on doing ? You're in your thirties and still single . At this rate , when will I ever get a grandchild ? " " Fine , " Rowan muttered , rolling his eyes . " Maybe I'll just bring home a single mom with two kids . How about that ? " He said it to rile her , but his mother didn't even flinch . " Perfect . Bring me anyone . I don't care if it's a woman or a man , adopt a kid if you have to ! " Rowan hung up , exasperated . His mother had clearly gone mad with grandchild fever . When he looked back up , his gaze fell on Serena . An amused thought flickered , and he walked toward her . " Serena , mind if I ask , do you have a boyfriend ? " " Me ? " Serena let out a soft laugh . " I have a husband . But we're in the middle of a divorce . " " Really ? " Rowan arched a brow . What a coincidence , he'd just told his mother he'd bring home a divorcée . " And kids ? " Her sparkler fizzled out , and with it her expression dimmed . " No children . " The shadow in her eyes told him enough . He wisely didn't press further . Just then , Logan appeared on the beach . The moment his gaze landed on Serena , his chest tightened with relief , until he noticed the man beside her . Rowan's build was broader , taller , and next to Serena , they looked ... well - matched . Jealousy burned through Logan like acid . His jaw clenched . Who the hell is he ? A stray ember from a firework landed in Serena's hair . Rowan leaned in , brushing it away with care . The small , intimate gesture hit Logan like a punch to the gut . He stormed across the sand . " Serena , " Her stomach dropped . The fragile peace she'd felt a moment ago shattered at the sound of his voice . Why couldn't he just leave her alone ? Why did he have to haunt her everywhere , like a ghost she couldn't shake off ? " What are you doing here ? " Her tone was ice , her eyes devoid of warmth . The look in them cut straight through him . Logan's chest ached . " I missed you , " he said hoarsely . Serena laughed bitterly . " Funny . I never knew you were such a clingy man . I've told you again and again , I want nothing to do with you . Are you really that deaf , Logan ? " Chapter25 The harshness in her voice gutted him . She had never spoken to him like this before . " Serena , please . Don't be this way . After everything we've been through ... can you really throw it all away so easily ? " " Are you done ? " Her voice was flat , cold . " Because if you don't have anything useful to say , then leave . I don't want to waste another word on you . " She tried to step around him , but Logan blocked her path . " You hate me that much ? You won't even give me a single sentence ? " " That's enough . " Rowan finally stepped forward , drawing Serena behind him with a protective hand . His tall frame squared off against Logan's . " She said she doesn't want to talk to you . So be a gentleman , step aside . " Chapter25