Seraphina’s POV
The warmth of his presence beside , his palm resting steady against my spine while his gentle murmurs filled my ear, felt like breathing freely after being underwater. This solace was sothing I had been starving for without even knowing it, a sanctuary amid the tempest raging in my mind. Yet the peace proved fleeting. Reality crashed back down because today was Friday, which ant the mandatory dinner at the Fang House. With his parents returned from their travels, skipping was impossible. We were trapped. I would have to push through this evening the way I always managed to endure everything else. This was nothing new for .
"Thank you," I murmured, carefully extracting myself from his embrace. Just because he had given a brief respite didn’t an all was forgiven. This entire nightmare, the mounting tension, the overwhelming pressure, all of it stemd from him.
"I need to get ready, then I’ll make my way to the Fang House," I announced, eting his gaze directly.
He gave a single nod.
"I’ll do the sa. We can walk over together," he replied, catching completely off guard. Together? That would an entering as a united front, appearing like any other mated pair. My pulse quickened with an unfamiliar flutter, warmth blooming in my chest. These positive sensations were becoming more frequent lately, emotions I never anticipated experiencing.
Heading toward my bedroom, I noticed the door was cracked open. Inside, chaos greeted . Actually, not chaos exactly, but countless shopping bags covering every surface. They were heaped on my bed, scattered across the floor, even draped over my chair back. I had completely forgotten about them. He must have arranged for soone to deliver everything.
After a refreshing shower, I selected one of the new soft dresses that felt like being wrapped in silk. eting him at the entrance, I found him looking devastatingly handso as usual, his signature dark attire emphasizing his commanding presence. We walked together, leaving our residence within the Fang grounds and heading toward the central Fang House.
Approaching the main building, my stomach twisted into knots. This mont was always the worst part, stepping through those doors and facing all the critical stares. Then, just before we crossed the threshold, his fingers found mine. He wove our hands together, his grip confident and reassuring. He was actually holding my hand.
My breathing hitched. I stared at him with wide eyes, completely stunned. He simply gave my fingers a barely noticeable squeeze, his face remaining unreadable. My heart expanded with sudden, overwhelming happiness.
Such a basic gesture, yet it carried enormous aning.
We entered the expansive dining hall, our joined hands impossible to miss. I forced myself to appear composed, ignoring the whispered conversations and curious looks tracking our movent. He guided to our designated table, pulling out my chair with perfect courtesy before settling into his own seat.
Following several minutes of polite exchanges, I excused myself. "Let check on the kitchen preparations," I said, desperate to escape the constant scrutiny. As Luna, ensuring everything ran seamlessly was my responsibility, even though I still felt like I was figuring out my role.
The kitchen buzzed with organized activity, rich with the scents of roasting at and fresh seasonings. The newly hired staff moved with clear purpose, their actions quiet and precise. I observed them briefly, genuinely impressed. These additions to our team were courteous and capable, their uniforms spotless, their focus unwavering.
"Everything appears excellent," I said, stepping deeper into the space. "The slls are amazing."
A woman with gentle eyes and her hair pulled back in a tidy bun bead at . "Thank you, Luna. We’re adding final touches to the roasted vegetables."
Sothing about their smiles felt forced, their courtesy almost too polished, too flawless. Still, they remained respectful and pleasant.
"Seraphina, sweetheart! I’ve been looking for you!" a sickeningly sweet voice called from behind .
Every muscle in my body went rigid. I didn’t need to turn around to identify the speaker. Vivian. My mother-in-law.
Rotating slowly, I manufactured a smile that felt like it might crack my face. Vivian, draped in rich purple fabric, glided toward with outstretched arms. She pulled into one of those hollow embraces, complete with air kisses that never made contact. "How wonderful to see you, dear! You look absolutely glowing tonight."
Glowing? I felt like I was barely hanging on. Her words dripped sweetness, but her eyes held that familiar calculating gleam. Our previous conversation remained fresh in my mory, every manipulative word. The way she had delicately, persistently convinced that acceptance was my only option, that being a ’good Luna’ ant enduring everything in silence.
She stepped back, her smile appearing warm and sincere. "Everything slls divine, doesn’t it? What a blessing to have experienced, professional staff in the kitchen. Although I must admit," she lowered her voice conspiratorially, though it still seed to project, "I am sowhat saddened that Roxanne will be giving us our first grandchild. I had always imagined it would be you, naturally."
My fake smile faltered. There it was. The barb. The cruel comnt disguised as maternal concern. She wasn’t offering comfort; she was highlighting my perceived failures, what Roxanne had supposedly achieved that I hadn’t.
"Oh, but Seraphina, don’t trouble yourself," she continued, patting my arm condescendingly. "You’ll have children eventually, I’m certain. There’s no rush."
"I simply hope you’ll show Roxanne’s baby proper care. The sa way you’ll cherish your own children, when you finally have them, of course." Her tone sharpened, becoming more pointed.
That was my breaking point. My restraint shattered completely. "Show the baby proper care?" I repeated, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "It’s an innocent child. Not so charity case. And honestly, isn’t it premature to be making plans for that baby? It hasn’t even been born yet." My eyes narrowed into slits. "And regarding my future children, if I choose to have any, life is unpredictable, isn’t it? I can promise you they will be kept far away from Roxanne. That woman is poison. A complete catastrophe, frankly. I refuse to let her toxic influence anywhere near my potential pups."
She gasped dramatically, her hand flying to her chest. Her usually composed expression cracked with shock and fury. "Seraphina! How dare you speak so disrespectfully! How dare you talk about the woman carrying my son’s first child, our first grandchild! And how dare you address , your elder, with such insolence!" Her voice echoed through the busy kitchen, causing several staff mbers to freeze mid-task, their eyes darting nervously between us.
Part of wanted to apologize and retreat because this confrontation was spiraling beyond my intentions. But I refused. Not anymore. My chin lifted defiantly. "I have every right to my opinions, Vivian. And my children, should I ever have them, will be mine to raise. That includes protecting them from anyone I consider dangerous." The kitchen air crackled with sudden tension, the unspoken war between us finally erupting into the open.
I was exhausted by her attempts to control my existence, and she had already begun dictating the fate of children I might never even have. That would never happen.
No one would control my life from this mont forward.
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