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.”

Seraphina’s POV

Vivienne was absolutely unhinged.

I turned without a word and started walking away.

I didn’t even make it ten steps before I heard the scream.

I spun around just in time to see Vivienne crumpling down the staircase.

And unfortunately, I was the only one standing nearby.

Kael came flying out of the adjacent hallway. His eyes scanned the scene, locked on Vivienne splayed on the floor—then immediately on me, standing next to the stairs.

“Vivienne!” he shouted, running toward her.

He didn’t even care when he nearly knocked me over.

Pain shot up my ankle as I hit the floor, a sharp, burning throb that made my breath catch.

And just like that, I knew— my last night in the States was going to be anything but peaceful.

…

I was already back in my room when I heard the door fly open.

I didn’t need to guess who it was.

But seeing him still made me flinch.

Kael looked angrier than I’d ever seen him. Angrier than when his casino staff skimmed ten million off the books. Angrier than when he found out his security chief had been leaking intel to a rival family.

“Kael,” I started, voice low. “Listen to me. I didn’t—”

He laughed. Sharp and humorless.

“Another accident?” he said, voice slicing through the air. “Another one of Vivienne’s elaborate performances? Really?”

He stepped closer, slowly, like a storm about to hit.

“She’s pregnant, Seraphina. Do you understand that? What kind of woman would risk her own child just to put on a show?”

His hand clamped around my chin—so hard it felt like he meant to break it. Pain bloomed sharp and hot along my jaw as I tried to jerk away.

“Kael,” I gasped, “I didn’t do this. You know me.”

“Do I?” he said, voice bitter. He released me like I’d burned him. “I thought I knew you. But these last few days… You’re not innocent, Seraphina. You’re calculating. You’re dangerous. And the worst part?”

His eyes flicked over me with open disgust.

“I just realized that I’d saved a monster that night. Not a victim.”

He yanked the pistol from his belt and leveled it at me.

“I’d really hate for it to come to this,” he said, voice cold. “But let me make one thing clear—if I ever catch you laying a hand on my woman or our baby again, I won’t hesitate. I’ll put a bullet in your head. Do you understand me?”

The barrel didn’t so much as twitch. Neither did his eyes.

Then—click.

The door creaked open.

Kael holstered the pistol smoothly, as if nothing had happened.

“Babe,” It was Lila, “I brought you some clothes. For tomorrow. In case it’s cold when you… fly.”

Kael turned slowly, narrowing his eyes. “You’re leaving?”

I met his stare evenly. “No.”

Kael hesitated, jaw working as if weighing a hundred things. Then he turned to leave.

He stopped at the door, one hand on the frame.

He didn’t even bother to look back.

“Will you come?” he asked. “To the wedding. Tomorrow.”

“Kael, you absolute asshole—I swear—” Lila shot up from the bed like she was ready to fight him right then and there.

I reached for her hand and gently tugged her back down.

“I’m not going,” I said, calmly. “Rest assured, Kael. I won’t ruin your happiest day.”

“But I do hope you and Vivienne live happily ever after.”

“You’d better not try anything else stupid,” Kael muttered without even turning back to look at me. “Or I won’t hesitate to follow through on my warning.”

Then he slammed the door behind him.

Lila let out a long breath and collapsed beside me again, wiping her face with the back of her sleeve. “Why won’t you just tell him that you’re leaving the country? That you’re never coming back?”

“What’s the point? It’s not like he ever cared.”

And I’m done with the drama. I don’t want anything more to do with Kael Viremont.

…

My mother sent the jet early. She couldn’t wait to see me.

And honestly? The feeling was mutual.

Lila was the only one who came to say goodbye.

“I’m definitely visiting,” she said, hugging me so hard I almost couldn’t breathe. “I already told my baby bear that our honeymoon’s in Italy. That way I get you and pasta.”

I laughed, burying my face in her shoulder. “I told my dad to give you a mansion,” I whispered. “Come whenever. It’s yours. Consider it your second home.”

Even as I boarded the plane, I could still see Lila waving from the window. Tears streaming down her face.

Just as I sat down in my seat, my phone buzzed. Kael.

His name on the screen nearly stopped my heart.

I hesitated for only a second then I pressed decline.

I powered the phone off, slid the SIM card out with practiced ease, and dropped it into the trash.

The engine roared to life. Lila’s figure blurred through the glass.

I looked out at the city—New York, in all its brutal beauty.

One last glance. One final exhale.

May we never meet again, Kael.

Enjoy your wedding. Just like you wanted.

There’ll never be a naive Seraphina Dusk bothering you again. I left her behind—dead and buried in New York.

And me?

I’m starting over.