Fell for My Father’s Best Friend

I had fallen in love with my father’s friend—the man I was supposed to call “uncle,” Kael Viremont. For a while, I thought he loved me too. We even had this silly little promise—that if I turned twenty-seven and still want to be with him, then we could be together, publicly. Five days before my twenty-seventh birthday, I overheard him saying he’d never liked me. That he was going to marry his childhood sweetheart. And as if that wasn’t cruel enough, he was planning to use the wedding to cut me off for good. So I did the one thing I should’ve done a long time ago—accepted that he and I would never belong to the same world… and disappeared from his life for good. Chapter 1 Seraphina’s POV Today—like any other day—I stopped by to drag Kael out for dinner, only to overhear his confession. That he’d never liked me, he’d always thought of me as a burden, and that he planned to use a fake wedding with his childhood sweetheart to break my heart. “You’re marrying Vivienne? And the wedding’s in five days?” one of them said, incredulous. Kael’s voice came clearly through the door. “Yeah. She already had her dress fitting.” I froze. My fingers clenched tighter around my bag. Another man’s voice, “Wait, what about Lucien’s daughter? Seraphina? Weren’t you two… a thing? I mean, we were all just waiting for you to go public.” My breath caught when I heard my own name. There was a pause. A long, slow pause. Then Kael chuckled. “What about her?” he said. “I never planned on making her my girlfriend. Let’s be real. Lucien would kill me, and she’s not my type. Not like Vivienne.” Not his type. Not… attracted. Ouch, Kael. The other man pressed further. “But if you ended up with Seraphina, Lucien would be forced to back you. He adores that girl. Marrying her? Taking over the Dusks? You’d be the most powerful man in New York.” Kael laughed again, unbothered. “Yeah, but I don’t love her. I’ve been in love with Vivienne for as long as I can remember.” And just like that, my chest cracked open. He kept going. “The wedding won’t be official this time. I know Seraphina’s into me—I’m just using the whole thing to cut her off. Hopefully, it’ll also push Vivienne to see me differently. She only sees me as a friend right now, but after the wedding… who knows? Maybe Vivienne will finally see me the way I see her. After all these years… it could finally work out.” Two birds. One stone. I laughed—quiet, bitter, shaky. God, how naïve had I been? To think Kael and I could be together? I could feel the blood drain from my face, my fingers going numb, my knees locking into place. I turned, backing away from the door one step at a time. Kael’s voice faded, but his words didn’t. They echoed—sharp, relentless. “Don’t love her…” “Not my type.” “Cut her off for good.” Each one hit harder than the last. So all those years—the late-night dinners, the gifts, the quiet whispers that turned into kisses—had they all been lies? Had he only been playing along while I believed in a future he never wanted? There was only one thought left in my head—I have to get out of here. So I ran. As I did, my mind automatically began replaying the night it all began—my twenty-first birthday. My father threw a lavish celebration that day. And Kael had been drinking more than usual the whole night. “Seraphina, dear,” my father said as he clapped me on the back. “Take Kael up to the guest room, will you?” So I did. I slid my arm under his and helped him up the stairs, slow step by slow step. He mumbled something about being fine. I ignored him. And when I finally got him to the guest room and laid him down on the bed, I hesitated—my eyes lingering on the top button of his shirt, debating whether I should help him undress. I’d always known I had feelings for him. It was forbidden. I knew that. Father made me call him Uncle Kael. But I convinced myself that he was only ten years older than me. What I had.. what I could have with him was acceptable. So that night, I decided to act bolder for once. I reached out. My fingers brushed the edge of his collar, then the first button… and slowly, deliberately, undid it. Then another. His hand shot up—faster than I expected—and caught mine. “Sera,” he said, voice low, eyes hazy but focused. “What are you doing?” I froze. “I… I was just trying to help,” I mumbled, eyes darting anywhere but his face. He didn’t let go of my hand for a very long time. He just kept looking at me—closing the gap between him and me. He chuckled. “If I didn’t know any better,” he murmured, “I’d think you were interested in me.” He sounded dangerous. Teasing, even. “What if I was?” I shot back—before I even realized. His mouth curved up, “You do remember I’m your father’s friend, right? Your Uncle Kael.” “So what?” I leaned closer, lips just an inch from his. “You’re only ten years older than me. And what, doing something forbidden doesn’t excite you anymore? My father was just downstairs. And you and I…” His gaze dropped to my mouth, but he didn’t move away. “The mighty Kael afraid of a twenty-one-year-old?” I whispered. He huffed a soft laugh. “I don’t date women who are too young for me.” Then he tilted his head, thoughtful. “But if you turn twenty-seven and still feel the same way… maybe I’ll consider it.” My eyebrows lifted. “Promise?” His grip on my hand tightened, just slightly. “Promise.” I leaned in, brushing the lightest kiss across his lips. “Stamp. You can’t break it now.” It was stupidly romantic. Like something out of a fairy tale. At the time, I thought so too. I just never expected it would end like this, with Kael confronting that he’d never liked me, always thought I was a burden and nothing more. I didn’t even realize how far I’d gone until the air changed. The city noise dulled. I slowed to a stop, breath shaky, and found myself standing in front of an ice cream shop. Inside, a couple was laughing over a shared cone. I caught my own reflection in the window instead—red eyes, trembling hands, a version of me that didn’t know what to do next. Except… I did. I took out my phone and pressed call. “Mom?” My voice cracked. “I’m thinking about flying to Italy. To join you and Dad.” For a second, there was only static—and then her warm, familiar voice burst through. “Sera! Finally! Are you visiting, or—?” “No.” I swallowed hard, eyes blurring against the glass. “I’m moving. For good this time.” A pause. Then a soft, relieved laugh. “Alright, sweetheart. Take your time. We’ll be waiting.” I nodded even though she couldn’t see me, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “Just a few more days,” I whispered. “I’ll get everything packed… and then I’m leaving New York.” Chapter 2 Seraphina’s POV After I hung up, the silence felt heavier than before. Five days from now would be my twenty-seventh. If life had gone the way I once believed it would, that day should’ve been the beginning of us. The day the promise finally came true. Instead, it was the date of his wedding. My birthday. His wedding. Was that deliberate? His way of making sure I’d remember it forever—not as the day I got everything I wanted, but the day he made sure I lost it all? Of all the dates in the world, why that one? Why turn the day I’d waited six years for into the cruelest joke imaginable? I turned a corner and found myself at the mouth of a dark alley. And somehow, that was all it took for another memory to surface—the very first time I met Kael. I was sixteen. Father had taken me to one of his endless mafia gatherings, the kind filled with expensive suits, false smiles, and too many eyes watching too closely. Halfway through the night, I escaped. Slipped out the back doors and into the garden, desperate for air. The pond shimmered faintly under the lights, and I thought maybe, for a few minutes, I could just breathe. The men inside always looked at me like I was a prize tag instead of a person. If not for my father’s name, I probably would’ve been treated as entertainment. I was walking along the pond when a group of four men appeared from the shadows. I recognized one—he’d been in the party earlier. “Miss  Dusk?” he called. Every instinct in me said leave. “Yes,” I answered, forcing my tone steady. “If you’ll excuse me.” I turned to go, but another man stepped in front of me—a burly one with a scar across his eyebrow. His voice was almost amused. “Not so fast, young lady.” Panic tightened my chest. It was the first time I’d ever been surrounded like that—by people from my father’s world, yet so clearly against him. Against me. “What’s wrong?” I managed, trying not to show how scared I was. One of them laughed, sharp and low. “Your father’s becoming a problem. If he wants to stay alive in New  York, he should stop stepping on our toes.” “I don’t know anything about his business,” I said, keeping my chin up. “But if you touch me, my father will kill you.” That made them laugh harder. “Kill us?” one sneered. “He wouldn’t dare. Your father’s a coward. If it weren’t for a few friends of his we’d rather not upset, he’d already be dead.” The burly one leaned in, his breath stale and warm. The overhead light caught in his eyes, turning them into something sharp and gleaming. “And as for you…” he said, grinning slow and cruel, “I’ll make sure you’re very comfortable.” “Asshole,” I snapped, though my voice shook. There were no rules in the mafia world. Not really. And I knew these men meant every word they said. Panic clawed up my throat. I felt it—hot and rising. But then— A voice cut through the tension, smooth and laced with something deceptively calm. “Are these scumbags bothering you, Miss Dusk?” I turned. A man in a tailored suit stood behind me. His hair was slicked back, his features clean and composed. Too composed. He didn’t belong in this world. Or at least… that’s what I thought. Until the men around me went dead silent. The one who’d just threatened me actually cleared his throat and stepped back. Another one dipped his head. “Mr. Viremont, we didn’t know—” “You didn’t know she was Lucien’s daughter?” The man, none other than the Kael Viremont, took a slow step forward. “Or is that exactly why you were bothering her?” The air around him shifted. The danger didn’t come from volume—it came from the way he spoke, like he was giving them a chance to dig their own graves. It was the first time I saw Kael, and he saved me. Even now, with my heart still aching from what I’d overheard in his office, I couldn’t stop the memories from flooding in. Chapter 3 Seraphina’s POV Kael and I had built so many memories over the years, I’d lost count. On his birthdays, I always baked him a cake—burned at the edges, lopsided, barely holding together. But it became our thing. Our ritual. And every time, without fail, he’d cup my face, smile like I’d just handed him the moon, and say it was the most special birthday he’d ever had. There was the night we got caught in the rain, laughing as we ran through the empty streets, soaked to the bone. He grabbed my hand and didn’t let go until we reached his vineyard just outside the city. We curled up under a single blanket in the cellar, shoulders pressed together, hearts even closer. And then there was the moment—maybe the hardest to remember now—when my parents asked me to leave with them. To start fresh in Italy. I said no for so many times. All because I had a promise to keep. I wanted to be here when I turned twenty-seven. For Kael, for us. And Kael did take care of me since mom and dad left. I thought that meant he loved me. I believed it meant he loved me. But now? Now I see it clearly. Maybe he liked me. Maybe he even enjoyed the way I looked at him like he was the center of my world. But he never loved me. That part? That sacred, real, terrifying part? He’d always reserved that—for Vivienne. … As soon as I got back to my apartment, I started packing. There wasn’t much to bring, really. Once I’d gone through my closet and pulled out the things I no longer wanted—half of which reminded me of him—I realized everything I truly cared about fit neatly into a single suitcase. The rest? Clothes, keepsakes, gifts Kael had given me over the years—they were going to be sold or donated. Every cent would go to charity. That part, at least, felt good. Clean. I sat on the floor and let myself breathe for a second. Then my phone rang. Lila. My best friend in New York. Also a fellow mafia heiress, though with far better taste in men. “Hey girl!” she chirped, her voice spilling through the speaker like sunshine. “Ready to go shopping? Sorry we’re not doing a joint party this year—blame my boyfriend. He’s insisting I host it separately. I think he’s planning something. Maybe a proposal? I mean, it has been two years and he’s been acting all weird and romantic…” She kept going, breezy and excited, until she finally paused—probably realizing I hadn’t said a word. Lila knew me. She knew how much I loved Kael. How much I’d been looking forward to this birthday, thinking it would finally be our moment. “What’s wrong, babe?” Her tone shifted. “Did Kael do something stupid again? I swear, if he—” “It’s over, Lila,” I said quietly. “I’m done with him.” The line went silent. “Wait. What?” she asked, gentler now. “What happened? Weren’t you two… going to make it official on your this year’s birthday?” I hesitated. For a second, I considered keeping it all to myself. But then I exhaled and said it out loud. “I’m not spending my birthday in New York this year. I’m flying to Italy to be with my mom and dad.” “You’re leaving?” Her shock wasn’t unexpected. She was one of the few people who knew just how many times I’d turned down my parents’ invitations to join them abroad. I stayed—for Kael. “Yes,” I said. We didn’t speak for a while after that. Then Lila’s voice came through, soft and steady. “I respect your decision, babe. If that’s what makes you happy…” “It will.” She hesitated. “Are you going to tell him you’re leaving?” She didn’t say his name. “No,” I replied. “And I’d rather you didn’t either. I want to keep this quiet. I don’t need the drama.” “Of course,” she promised. Then, a slight pause. “Wait—can you still come to my birthday party? I know Kael might be there and—” “I’ll come,” I cut in gently. “You’re the only person I still care about here. And besides, I’ve had your gift picked out for months.” After we hung up, I let myself sank onto the sofa, head tipped against the cushions, eyes fluttering shut. I wasn’t sure how long I stayed like that before my phone buzzed again. A message. From Kael. “What’s your plan for your birthday party this year?” I stared at the screen. Said nothing. Then another ping. “I might miss it this time. I’m getting married. Same day.” My fingers hovered over the keyboard. I typed one word. “Congratulations.” And hit send. Chapter 4 Kael’s POV “What does she mean by congratulations?” I frowned, rereading the text on my screen. “She didn’t even sound upset.” Eric, my friend, lounging on the sofa with a wine glass in hand, gave me a look. “Maybe she’s not. Or maybe she already figured out the wedding’s fake. Would that even matter?” He shrugged. “If she’s upset, she knows it won’t change anything. If she’s not… then congrats, you did your job. She won’t come clawing for you anymore. Maybe she’s finally accepted that it was never going to work out between you two.” I should’ve felt relieved. Maybe even triumphant. Wasn’t this what I wanted? Over the years, I played my part. Smiled when Seraphina brought me coffee. Let her plan birthday surprises and drag me out in the rain and stitch herself into the seams of my life. And then this year—Vivienne, my secret crush for years. She finally said the words I’d been dying to hear. That she wanted to get married. I knew I couldn’t put off the inevitable any longer. I had to cut Seraphina loose. The only thing I hadn’t expected was how quiet her exit would be. One word. Congratulations. I stared at it, but my mind kept drifting. Back to Seraphina’s laugh when she burned my birthday cake. Back to the time we ran through a thunderstorm and ended up huddled in one blanket, soaked and shivering and stupidly happy. If she hadn’t been so young… If she hadn’t been Lucien’s daughter… No. I shook my head. Kael, you love Vivienne. Remember? Seraphina was never more than family. Someone I looked after. Nothing else. Eric stood and smoothed his shirt. “My advice? Play it cool. If she’s pretending to be happy, the cracks will show soon enough. It’s not like she can fake her way through your wedding. Especially not when it’s on her birthday.” Before I could respond, the door opened. Lila stepped in. Seraphina’s best friend. And judging by the tight line of her mouth, she wasn’t here to say hi. “Kael,” she said, sharp and clipped. “A word.” I stood, buttoned my jacket, and followed her out into the hallway. The second we were alone, she whirled on me. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I blinked. “Excuse me?” “You couldn’t even have the basic decency to respect Seraphina—or her birthday?” Before I could open my mouth, a third voice cut in. “What are we talking about here?” Vivienne. She strolled toward us, all elegance and sharp perfume, sliding her arm around mine without missing a beat. We’d agreed on this—act like a couple, especially in front of anyone from Seraphina’s circle. Still, I flinched as Lila’s eyes cut to where Vivienne held me. It felt like being caught. “I’m sorry,” Vivienne said smoothly, tilting her head with practiced sweetness. “What exactly do you mean by not respecting Seraphina’s birthday?” She smiled up at me, leaning in closer. Lila stared at us. Then smiled. “Nothing,” she said flatly. “Just wanted to say congratulations.” And then she turned on her heel and walked away. But something in her tone—too calm, too clean—twisted in my gut. Unease curled in my chest. Was Lila’s appearance tonight one of Seraphina’s ideas? Was this her way of showing me that she was upset about the wedding? “Kael, did I do okay?” Vivienne’s voice softened the second the door clicked shut behind Lila. She unhooked her arm from mine and looked up at me. “You said to act affectionate—especially around her people. I hope I didn’t overdo it.” I smiled. Took her hand. “You did great.” And with that, we headed back into the party. Chapter 5 Seraphina’s POV After finishing the packing—visa, documents, even the formal renouncement of my U.S. citizenship—there was only one thing left on my list: Lila’s birthday party. Kael and his new bride would be there. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Before I left my apartment, I stood in front of the mirror one last time. My makeup today was bolder than usual—sharper eyeliner, smoky shadow, and a scarlet-red lip. The dress was a black, mermaid-cut gown that clung in all the right places. This version of myself was the one I had always buried when Kael was around—because somewhere along the way, I convinced myself that he only liked the softer version. The quieter girl who knew how to disappear in a room full of power. Well, not anymore. … Lila’s party was held at the grandest hotel in the city. The ballroom could easily fit a thousand people. I figured I could slip in unnoticed. But of course, the second I stepped through the doors, the spotlight just so happened to sweep across the entrance. All heads turned. Including Kael’s. He stood near the front, beside Vivienne, half-turned in conversation with a senator’s son or someone equally well-connected. His gaze snapped to me instantly, dragging over my outfit, head to toe. No expression. But there was a flicker—something unreadable. Displeasure? Discomfort? I couldn’t care less. Vivienne spotted me next. She smiled. “Seraphina!” Her voice rang loud. Friendly, almost too much. We didn’t know each other well. To me, Vivienne had always been just a name—something whispered on other people’s lips. She’d only returned to the States this year. “Hey, Vivienne.” I nodded, meeting her gaze. Laughter bubbled somewhere behind us. I could already hear the low murmurs. “Isn’t that Kael’s ex?” “Ex? Please, they were never a couple. She was only following Kael like some kind of groupie…” “No drama behind those three? Damn, I was hoping for a fight.” “She looks stunning though. Does any heartbroken girl look that good?” Vivienne raised her glass with a polished smile. “I heard Kael and I accidentally scheduled the wedding on your birthday. Think you’ll join us later that night?” There was no way to miss the edge beneath her words. A challenge, perfectly wrapped in civility. I picked up a glass from a passing tray and clinked it gently against hers. “Congratulations,” I said, my voice light. “But I won’t be available that night.” The murmurs flared again. “She didn’t even blink.” “Is she faking it?” “Probably.” A girl in a curve-hugging cocktail dress strutted up to me. “Seraphina, right?” she said, flipping her hair off her shoulder, “I’m Vivienne’s best friend. Maid of honor, too.” Good for her. She leaned in slightly, voice dipping just enough to signal this wasn’t a friendly chat. “My advice? If you really wish Kael and Vivienne the best—which I hope you do—then maybe don’t go knocking on Kael’s door again. Don’t walk around acting like the two of you were ever a thing. And definitely don’t act like he liked you back.” I looked right past her shoulder—straight into Kael’s eyes. I thought even if we weren’t together—he’d at least stop them from turning this into a circus. Especially tonight. Especially at Lila’s party. But he looked like he had no intention of getting involved. He was simply watching the scene unfold—detached, almost indifferent—like just another spectator in the room. I shifted my gaze back to the maid of honor and gave her a smile. “Don’t worry,” I said sweetly. “There’s nothing going on between Kael and me. To me, he’s only family. Right, Uncle Kael?” That did it. Kael’s face went taut—jaw tight, eyes sharp, the flicker of something just beneath the surface. Uncle. Apparently, that was offensive now. Funny. I thought he wanted me to call him like that. After all, I was just family to you, right, Kael? I turned without waiting for a response and made my way toward Lila, handing her the gift. I told myself I was fine. That I was over it. But my heart still pulled—tight and aching—as I watched Kael move through the room, introducing Vivienne to everyone, lifting her hand like she was royalty as they stepped onto the dance floor, kissing her under the chandelier as the crowd burst into cheers. After a few drinks, I stepped outside into the garden, toward the fountain, trying to have some fresh air, when a voice followed me out. “Seraphina. Why are you out here all alone?” I turned and found Vivienne behind me. She stepped closer, stopping just short of me. “Are you upset with Kael?” she asked. “That he’s marrying me... and not you?” “Why would I be upset?” I threw the question back. Vivienne tilted her head, eyes narrowing just slightly. “Come on, Seraphina. I already knew about you two. Kael told me… about your confession. That six years ago, you said you loved him. That you were willing to wait for him—years—to prove it.” I cleared my throat, “It was immature. The old me, thinking I could love someone like Kael. But I’ve grown up since then.” I straightened my shoulders. “Kael and I—we’re practically two different species. We never would’ve worked. So yes, Vivienne. My congratulations on your marriage… they’re real.” My congratulations had been real— As real as the ache still lodged in my chest. Vivienne smiled at that. She adjusted her dress, stepped closer, and gently reached for my hands. “I’m so glad you see it that way,” she said softly. “But just in case…” A sudden push—hard and fast—shoved me backward. She stumbled forward too, catching onto me as if by accident. “Just to be sure,” I heard her whisper, voice steady even as the world tilted, “I have to know where Kael’s emotions really lie.” The fountain was deeper than I expected. The cold hit first, followed by panic as water rushed into my nose and mouth. I kicked upward, arms flailing, lungs burning. And for a second, I thought I saw Kael. I thought he’d dive for me, reaching for my hand, saving me like before. But he didn’t even bother to glance in my direction. His arms cut through the water—straight to Vivienne. Like I wasn’t even there. Then everything went dark. Chapter 6 Seraphina’s POV I came to with the sound of shouting just beyond the door. “—she’s my best friend, Kael!” That was Lila. Furious. “And the girl you practically watched growing up. Why the hell would you think she’d be the one to push Vivienne into the fountain?” Kael’s voice shot back, “Because they were the only two out there! And Vivienne can’t swim! If I hadn’t come when I did—who knows what would’ve happened?” “Okay, and what?” Lila’s voice rose. “You think Seraphina was trying to kill your Vivienne by pushing her into a fountain?” There was a pause. “If I were her,” Lila hissed, “I’d have put a damn bullet in your fiancée’s skull. That would’ve been quicker than pushing her into a fountain.” “I can’t reason with you,” Kael snapped. “You, Seraphina—you’re all the same. Overdramatic. No wonder her best friend is you.” The door opened abruptly. A doctor stepped in. Kael and Lila followed. “Miss, you nearly twisted your ankle,” the doctor said gently. “But I’ve given you something for the pain. You should be walking normally in a couple of days.” I nodded, wordless. Lila rushed to my side, sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes scanning me with full-blown worry. Kael stood on the other side of the room. He didn’t meet my eyes. Not once. When the doctor left, I turned to Lila. “Can you give us a moment?” She hesitated, then gave my hand a gentle squeeze and stood. When it was just the two of us, I opened my mouth— “Kael, I—” He didn’t let me finish. “Seraphina,” he said, voice low but firm, “I really thought you were better than this.” Each word landed like a slap. “I never expected you to pull something so… vile. On Vivienne, of all people. You—” he scoffed, shaking his head. “You used to hate bullies. And now look at you.” He looked at me then. Colder and distant than ever. “To think I ever stood up for you when you were being bullied. What a joke.” He couldn’t even wait to hear my side. The old me might’ve felt sad or misjudged. But today I only looked at him calmly, “Kael, I’ll only say this once. I didn’t push Vivienne. I was out for air. She came up to me. And she—” “Don’t,” he cut me off again. His tone was all steel and disbelief. “Don’t tell me she pushed you into the fountain. This isn’t a TV drama, Seraphina. Why the hell would she do that?” Right. Why would she? And why would I? It’s not like pushing her would’ve magically made you love me, Kael. I turned my face away, laying back on the hospital pillow. “Alright,” I said, quiet and flat. “If that’s what you believe… you can leave now. I need rest.” Kael was silent for a few seconds, then, “You’ve disappointed me more than I thought possible.” He slammed the door shut, hard. … Tomorrow, I’d be leaving the States. And never—not in a hundred exit strategies—did I imagine I’d spend my last day here in a hospital bed. Lila offered to stay the night. She insisted, actually. But I convinced her to go home—to celebrate the engagement I missed. Yes, her boyfriend did propose to her on her birthday party. After taking my meds, a nurse asked if I wanted to stretch my legs. “It’ll help with recovery,” she said with a warm smile. “Just don’t go far—stay on this floor.” So I did. My mood—tentatively, cautiously—was better than it had been in days. Until I turned a corner and saw Vivienne. Apparently, she was staying here too. Since Lila’s party, I’d made a silent vow to pretend she didn’t exist. She was a ghost. A shadow I no longer acknowledged. But Vivienne apparently thought otherwise. She approached me the second she saw me. I tried to turn. But with my ankle still healing, I was too slow. She reached out and caught my wrist. “Seraphina,” she said, voice sweet with fake regret, “I didn’t think things would end up like that between us.” I looked at her. “I have nothing to say to you. You shoved me into a fountain and made it look like I was the villain.” Her expression didn’t even flicker. Not even a twitch of guilt. Instead, she blinked innocently. “I pushed you? It was you pushed me.” Her hand dropped. To her stomach. “Actually I should thank you. If it hadn’t been the fountain accident, Kael and I might not have found out this news so early. So… really, Seraphina. Thank you.” I stared at her belly. So Kael and Vivienne had been hooking up for that long? Was it even back when he and I were still dating? My fingers tightened around my phone until my knuckles turned white. That absolute asshole. But I didn’t waste another second. I took a step back, putting more distance between me and Vivienne. Considering she’d already painted me as the villain in the fountain incident, the farther away I stayed, the better. Vivienne chuckled at the gesture, her voice silk-wrapped poison. “What? Afraid you’re going to hurt me again?” Then she dropped her tone, eyes narrowing. “Now’s your chance, Seraphina. Kael’s talking with my doctor. Push me. Come on. Just a little shove…” She glanced toward the stairs. “If I lose the baby, then maybe you and Kael can still be together.” Chapter 7 Seraphina’s POV Vivienne was absolutely unhinged. I turned without a word and started walking away. I didn’t even make it ten steps before I heard the scream. I spun around just in time to see Vivienne crumpling down the staircase. And unfortunately, I was the only one standing nearby. Kael came flying out of the adjacent hallway. His eyes scanned the scene, locked on Vivienne splayed on the floor—then immediately on me, standing next to the stairs. “Vivienne!” he shouted, running toward her. He didn’t even care when he nearly knocked me over. Pain shot up my ankle as I hit the floor, a sharp, burning throb that made my breath catch. And just like that, I knew— my last night in the States was going to be anything but peaceful. … I was already back in my room when I heard the door fly open. I didn’t need to guess who it was. But seeing him still made me flinch. Kael looked angrier than I’d ever seen him. Angrier than when his casino staff skimmed ten million off the books. Angrier than when he found out his security chief had been leaking intel to a rival family. “Kael,” I started, voice low. “Listen to me. I didn’t—” He laughed. Sharp and humorless. “Another accident?” he said, voice slicing through the air. “Another one of Vivienne’s elaborate performances? Really?” He stepped closer, slowly, like a storm about to hit. “She’s pregnant, Seraphina. Do you understand that? What kind of woman would risk her own child just to put on a show?” His hand clamped around my chin—so hard it felt like he meant to break it. Pain bloomed sharp and hot along my jaw as I tried to jerk away. “Kael,” I gasped, “I didn’t do this. You know me.” “Do I?” he said, voice bitter. He released me like I’d burned him. “I thought I knew you. But these last few days… You’re not innocent, Seraphina. You’re calculating. You’re dangerous. And the worst part?” His eyes flicked over me with open disgust. “I just realized that I’d saved a monster that night. Not a victim.” He yanked the pistol from his belt and leveled it at me. “I’d really hate for it to come to this,” he said, voice cold. “But let me make one thing clear—if I ever catch you laying a hand on my woman or our baby again, I won’t hesitate. I’ll put a bullet in your head. Do you understand me?” The barrel didn’t so much as twitch. Neither did his eyes. Then—click. The door creaked open. Kael holstered the pistol smoothly, as if nothing had happened. “Babe,” It was Lila, “I brought you some clothes. For tomorrow. In case it’s cold when you… fly.” Kael turned slowly, narrowing his eyes. “You’re leaving?” I met his stare evenly. “No.” Kael hesitated, jaw working as if weighing a hundred things. Then he turned to leave. He stopped at the door, one hand on the frame. He didn’t even bother to look back. “Will you come?” he asked. “To the wedding. Tomorrow.” “Kael, you absolute asshole—I swear—” Lila shot up from the bed like she was ready to fight him right then and there. I reached for her hand and gently tugged her back down. “I’m not going,” I said, calmly. “Rest assured, Kael. I won’t ruin your happiest day.” “But I do hope you and Vivienne live happily ever after.” “You’d better not try anything else stupid,” Kael muttered without even turning back to look at me. “Or I won’t hesitate to follow through on my warning.” Then he slammed the door behind him. Lila let out a long breath and collapsed beside me again, wiping her face with the back of her sleeve. “Why won’t you just tell him that you’re leaving the country? That you’re never coming back?” “What’s the point? It’s not like he ever cared.” And I’m done with the drama. I don’t want anything more to do with Kael Viremont. … My mother sent the jet early. She couldn’t wait to see me. And honestly? The feeling was mutual. Lila was the only one who came to say goodbye. “I’m definitely visiting,” she said, hugging me so hard I almost couldn’t breathe. “I already told my baby bear that our honeymoon’s in Italy. That way I get you and pasta.” I laughed, burying my face in her shoulder. “I told my dad to give you a mansion,” I whispered. “Come whenever. It’s yours. Consider it your second home.” Even as I boarded the plane, I could still see Lila waving from the window. Tears streaming down her face. Just as I sat down in my seat, my phone buzzed. Kael. His name on the screen nearly stopped my heart. I hesitated for only a second then I pressed decline. I powered the phone off, slid the SIM card out with practiced ease, and dropped it into the trash. The engine roared to life. Lila’s figure blurred through the glass. I looked out at the city—New York, in all its brutal beauty. One last glance. One final exhale. May we never meet again, Kael. Enjoy your wedding. Just like you wanted. There’ll never be a naive Seraphina Dusk bothering you again. I left her behind—dead and buried in New York. And me? I’m starting over.