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.

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.

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.