Seraphina’s POV
Morning light filtered through our bedroom curtains like it was any other day. Like the world hadn’t shifted on its axis while I lay awake all night, making the hardest decision of my life.
Damien stirred beside , his arm tightening around my waist in that unconscious gesture that used to make feel so safe. Now it just made my chest ache with what I was about to lose.
"Good morning," he murmured against my hair, his voice rough with sleep.
I turned in his arms, morizing the way his eyes looked in the soft morning light. Silver-blue and warm with contentnt. He had no idea this would be the last ti he’d wake up with beside him.
"Morning," I whispered back, pressing a kiss to his chest.
His hand cupped my face, thumb stroking along my cheekbone. "You seem better today."
"I slept well," I lied smoothly. "The party yesterday... forget about it. Seeing Riley so happy is enough."
"I’m glad." His smile was soft, relieved.
"Don’t worry about ." I traced patterns on his chest, trying to morize the feel of his skin. "I’m stronger than I look."
"I know you are." He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. "You’re the strongest person I know."
We lay there for a few more precious minutes, talking quietly about nothing important. His schedule for the day. Plans for the weekend. Normal couple things that made my heart fracture a little more with each word.
When his alarm went off, I forced myself to get up and start our usual routine. Coffee while he showered. Breakfast while he dressed for work. The dostic dance we’d perfected over the past year.
"I might be a little bit late tonight," he said, adjusting his tie in the hallway mirror.
"No problem." I smoothed the tie for him, my fingers lingering against the silk. "I’ll keep dinner warm."
He caught my hands, studying my face with those perceptive eyes. For a mont, I thought he might see through my careful mask.
"Are you sure you’re okay?" he asked.
"I’m fine." I went up on my toes, pressing my lips to his. "Really. Go save the world. I’ll hold down the fort here."
The kiss lasted longer than our usual goodbye pecks. I poured everything I couldn’t say into it—all my love, all my gratitude, all my regret. When we finally broke apart, his eyes were dark with sothing that looked like hunger.
"Hold that thought," he said, his voice dropping to that rough whisper that always made my knees weak. "Until tonight."
"I will." Another lie.
I stood in the doorway and watched him drive away, waving like I always did. Playing the part of the devoted wife seeing her husband off to work.
*This is for him,* I reminded myself as his car disappeared around the corner. *This is what’s best for everyone.*
Adrian was already up by the ti I went back inside, sitting at the kitchen table in his school uniform with a bowl of cereal. His dark hair stuck up in three different directions, and he had milk on his chin.
"Morning, sweetheart," I said, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "Ready for school?"
"I guess." He made a face at his cereal. "Do I have to eat all of this? It’s all soggy now."
"Just finish what you can." I sat beside him, smoothing down his stubborn cowlicks. "What do you have planned for today?"
"Math test." His nose wrinkled. "I studied, but fractions are stupid."
"Fractions aren’t stupid," I laughed, my heart clenching at his expression. "They’re just tricky. But you’re smart. You’ll figure them out."
"Will you help with howork tonight?"
The question hit like a physical blow. By tonight, he wouldn’t understand why I wasn’t there to help him anymore. Wouldn’t understand why Mommy had to go away.
"Daddy will help you," I managed. "He’s much better at math than I am anyway."
He giggled at that, the sound so pure and innocent it nearly broke .
The drive to school was torture. Adrian chattered about his friends and his teacher.
"Be good at school today," I whispered against his hair. "Listen to your teacher. Be kind to your friends."
"I will." He pulled back and grinned at . "Will you pick up today?"
"Daddy will pick you up," I said. "He might be a little late, so don’t worry if you have to wait a few extra minutes, okay?"
"Okay." Adrian shouldered his backpack and opened the car door. "Love you, Mama!"
"Love you too, sweetheart. So much."
I watched him run across the playground to join his friends, his backpack bouncing with each step. He turned and waved at once before disappearing through the school doors.
*That’s the last ti,* I realized. *The last ti I’ll see him wave goodbye.*
The drive ho was a blur of tears I couldn’t hold back anymore. By the ti I pulled into our driveway, I was sobbing so hard I could barely see.
*Get it together,* I ordered myself. *You still have to face Lily.*
The house felt too quiet when I walked in. The nanny looked up from where she was feeding Lily her morning bottle.
"Good morning, Mrs. Nightshadow," she said with a warm smile. "How did the drop-off go?"
"Fine," I managed, hoping she couldn’t hear the tears in my voice.
She chuckled. and bounced Lily gently, "has been perfect as always. Ate her entire bottle without any fuss."
I approached slowly, drinking in the sight of my daughter. Dark hair like mine. Eyes that shifted between green and blue depending on the light.
"Can I?" I asked, reaching out tentatively.
"Of course! She’s your baby." Nanny transferred Lily to my arms with practiced ease. "I’ll go start on the laundry while you two have so mommy-daughter ti."
Once we were alone, I carried Lily to the rocking chair by the window. The sa chair where I’d spent countless hours nursing her, reading to her, singing lullabies when she couldn’t sleep.
"Hello, my beautiful girl," I whispered, settling her against my chest. "Mama needs to talk to you about sothing important."
"You’re going to be amazing," I told her, my voice breaking. "You’re going to grow up strong and brave and fierce. Just like your daddy."
Lily made soft baby sounds, her fingers finding a strand of my hair to play with.
"I wish I could stay," I continued, tears falling freely now. "I wish I was strong enough to be the mother you deserve. But I’m not."
I rocked her slowly, morizing the weight of her in my arms. The way she slled like baby lotion and sothing uniquely hers. The soft sounds she made when she was content.
"I love you," I breathed against her forehead.
Lily’s eyes were starting to droop with sleepiness. I stood carefully, carrying her to the crib and settling her down with infinite gentleness.
"Sweet dreams, little one," I whispered, pressing one last kiss to her forehead.
I stood there for a long mont, watching her sleep. Committing every detail to mory. Then I turned and walked out of the nursery, closing the door softly behind .
Nanny was in the living room, folding a basket of tiny clothes.
"I need to run so errands," I told her, keeping my voice steady. "I might be gone most of the day."
"I will take care of her. Take all the ti you need, Mrs. Nightshadow. We’ll be just fine."
I went upstairs and packed a small bag with essentials. Nothing that would be missed imdiately, nothing that would raise questions. Then I wrote a letter—simple, clean, final. I left it on Lily’s little crib where Damien would find it tonight.
At the front door, I paused one last ti.
"Goodbye," I whispered, too softly for anyone to hear.
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