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.

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.”