Seraphina’s POV
The words struck like ice water in my veins. Elena was asking to leave. To go ho. My chest constricted, every breath suddenly requiring effort. Not now. Please, not when I’d barely begun to know her.
I whirled around, my gaze finding her delicate features. A small crease marred her brow, and those enormous eyes held a shadow of lancholy that made my heart fracture. The last thing I ever wanted was for my presence to cause her distress.
Without conscious thought, my feet carried across the room. I dropped to my knees before her, the cold marble biting through my jeans as I brought myself to her eye level.
"Baby girl, what’s troubling you?" My voice erged softer than silk, though it trembled with barely contained emotion. "Why do you want to leave?"
Internally, I cursed Julian for not waking the instant they’d arrived. Every precious mont I’d lost to sleep felt like theft. I wanted to morize every expression, every gesture, store them away like treasures after years of emptiness.
Elena’s gaze dropped to her small shoes, then lifted to et mine again. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Mama said I shouldn’t speak with you."
The blood in my veins turned molten. Roxanne. That vindictive woman. How could she have the sheer audacity to manipulate my child this way? After stealing five years of my daughter’s life, now she was attempting to poison Elena’s mind against . Rage flooded through , my hands forming tight fists at my sides. Every instinct scread to confront Roxanne imdiately, to demand explanations for her cruelty.
But then Elena’s innocent face drew my attention back, her expression so earnest and trusting. I couldn’t allow my fury to show. I couldn’t burden her with the adult complications that surrounded us. Right now, my only mission was building a connection with her, creating a bridge across the devastating chasm that separated us.
I drew a shuddering breath, forcing the anger down into the depths of my soul where it couldn’t touch this mont.
A gentle deception was necessary. Sothing simple that wouldn’t confuse her young mind. I arranged my features into the warst smile I could manage, willing my eyes to sparkle with manufactured lightness.
"Oh sweetheart, there’s been a terrible misunderstanding," I said, my tone honeyed with affection. "Your mama and I, we’re actually sisters." I studied her face carefully, searching for any hint of suspicion. She simply watched with those captivating, curious eyes.
"I had to go away for a very long ti," I continued, selecting each word with infinite care. "And your mama was quite upset that I left. She beca very angry with ." The fabrication felt like acid on my tongue, but it was for Elena’s sake. "She’s still holding onto that anger. But I’m hoping I can show her that we can repair our relationship." I leaned closer, making this our shared secret. "You and I can be wonderful friends right now though, can’t we? Even if your mama is feeling cross with ." I gave her my most hopeful expression. "Sotis adults make very silly mistakes, you know?"
She studied for several heartbeats, her head tilted at an adorable angle. Then the most beautiful smile graced her lips, and she nodded decisively. "Okay," she said with such simple acceptance that it nearly undid .
My smile beca genuine, reflecting her own radiant expression. "So you’ll stay and spend ti with Theo a little longer?" I asked, hope lifting my voice.
"Yes!" she exclaid, her entire face lighting up with joy.
"And this will be our special secret, all right?" I whispered conspiratorially, adding a playful wink.
She giggled, the sound like silver bells that made my chest swell with warmth. Then, without warning, her tiny arms encircled my neck in the most precious embrace. It lasted only seconds, but those few monts contained everything I’d been missing. Every worry, every fear dissolved in the sanctuary of her small hug. It felt like coming ho, like finding the missing piece of my soul.
Then reality crashed back, bringing fresh agony. Five years. Five entire years I’d been robbed of monts like this. Five years of not knowing this perfect little person existed. My beautiful, incredible daughter. The grief threatened to overwhelm all over again.
Swallowing my wounded pride, suppressing the rage still simring beneath the surface, I knew what had to be done. I rose to my feet, steadying myself with a deep breath. "Vivian, Quincy," I called out, fighting to sound gracious and composed despite our earlier tensions.
"Please join us for lunch. We have more than enough food prepared, and we’d be delighted to have your company. There’s a guest suite downstairs if you’d like to refresh yourselves." My true motivation was transparent to , if not to them. If they departed now, Elena might insist on leaving too. I couldn’t risk losing her again, not when I’d barely found her.
I could endure Roxanne’s presence for a few hours if it ant keeping my daughter near.
They accepted the invitation, appearing sowhat surprised but grateful, and Elena imdiately scampered off to locate Theo, their delighted laughter soon echoing through the corridors.
Monts later, Julian’s familiar warmth surrounded from behind. His strong arms encircled my waist, his chin finding its place on my shoulder. I lted into his solid presence, my composure finally cracking now that Elena was safely occupied.
"I can’t endure this, Julian," I whispered, my voice fracturing with suppressed anguish. "I can’t survive many more days like this one. Having her within reach but unable to claim her as mine, it’s destroying from the inside." A sob lodged in my throat, threatening to escape.
He turned gently in his arms, forcing to et his steady gaze. Understanding filled his dark eyes, his thumb carefully wiping away the tear that had escaped down my cheek. "I see your pain, Seraphina," he murmured, his voice low and unwavering. "I know exactly how this is tearing you apart. But I’m going to end this tonight."
My heart hamred against my ribs, equal parts terror and hope coursing through . "Tonight? What are you planning?"
He drew closer, his embrace fierce and protective. "Don’t trouble yourself with the details. Just trust that this nightmare ends tonight. Permanently."
A desperate thought invaded my mind. "What if we simply disappeared for a while? Maybe then Roxanne would be forced to confess the truth, if she truly loves Elena."
Julian shook his head firmly. "Dorian is undoubtedly monitoring our every move, Seraphina. If we vanish, he’ll track us imdiately. That would endanger both our children’s lives."
Terror shot through like lightning. "Dear God," I gasped, my eyes widening with sudden panic. "What if they already suspect? What if they know we’ve discovered the truth? What if they decide to harm her?" My breathing beca rapid and shallow.
He tightened his hold, attempting to absorb my fear into himself. "Roxanne is evil incarnate, Seraphina. She’s committed the unthinkable by stealing our daughter. But I’ve observed her with Elena, just as you have. I’ve witnessed the genuine care she provides. She may be our enemy, but I truly believe she would never physically harm Elena."
I despised Roxanne with every cell in my body, yet I recognized the truth in Julian’s words. If Roxanne had wanted to hurt Elena, the opportunity had existed for years. Still, my anxiety about tonight’s mysterious plan continued escalating.
"Please," I begged, pressing my face into the safety of his chest. "Please exercise extre caution tonight. Whatever you’re contemplating. You’re every bit as vital to as Elena is. You’re both my entire universe."
He pressed a tender kiss to the crown of my head, a wordless vow passing between us. "I’ll be perfectly safe," he assured , his voice carrying such conviction that so of my panic subsided. "And tomorrow morning, Seraphina, by tomorrow I’ll have brought our little girl ho to you."
Reviews
All reviews (0)