I forced myself to get up, my newly scarred body protesting every movement.

Damien's study was just next door. The safe in his desk had a familiar combination - the date we first met.

"I'll never forget this day," he'd told me then, crimson eyes glowing with what I'd thought was love. "The day my blood first recognized her mate."

But nothing inside belonged to our story.

Instead, I found dozens of bottles of blood supplements for vampire pregnancies, still sealed, pressed against Vivienne's blood test results.

The most recent date was three years ago - the very day Damien had proposed to me.

A phone lay among the evidence. Its cloud storage synced to a folder labeled "Our Blood's Journey."

Weekly blood resonance images filled the screen. Each one had Damien's handwritten notes: "Lucien's first heartbeat!"

"Look at those tiny fingers!"

"Our little prince is growing so strong!"

There were pages of carefully crafted blood formulas - specific blood types, temperatures, and concentrations to support a vampire through each trimester. Damien had noted Vivienne's cravings and reactions to each mixture.

The nursery plans were elaborate.

"Lucien's room should have the finest blackout drapes," he'd written. "My little vampire will love the purest darkness."

The messages showed bookings at the coven's premier birthing chamber. The date matched exactly when Damien claimed he'd be away on coven business.

I remembered how he'd insisted he wasn't ready for children, how he'd said we should wait until after the blood oath ceremony.

"I want to focus on us first," he'd said. "Children can come later."

Now I understood - he didn't want children with me because he already had the family he wanted.

The safe's lower compartment held the design for a blood oath ring, sized for Vivienne's finger.

Then I found the notifications Damien had sent to neighboring coven Lords. From the very beginning, he'd introduced Vivienne as his true Blood-Bonded to everyone.

The eternal covenant scrolls bore both their signatures - Damien and Vivienne, Lord and Consort.

His message to the ceremonial master was clear: "Ensure everything is perfect for my true mate's ascension to Consort. The other matter will be handled discreetly."

The "other matter" was me.

I laughed until the sound turned to sobs.

With shaking hands, I messaged my friend Isolde overseas.

"I need a healer," I wrote. "Someone who can reverse Purified Essence poisoning. And I need to disappear. Please arrange a fake hunter attack. "

I began the formal process to remove myself from the Blood Ledger. Let them think I was accepting my fate as a Thrall.

Isolde didn't question much, assuming I'd finally seen Damien's true nature.

Her messages radiated relief that I was escaping.

I put down the phone and let exhaustion pull me into darkness.

But this time, when I closed my eyes, I didn't dream of Damien.

I dreamed of freedom.

I woke to the sound of Damien's sobs.

He clutched a report from Elara, his broad shoulders shaking with what appeared to be grief.

"Serena... Elara discovered during the examination. Your bloodline power was critically damaged in the fire. It can't restore itself."

"Without your power, you'll never be able to bear High Blood children. Our bloodline..."

He reached for my hand, his touch gentle but calculated.

"But I won't abandon you. No matter what happens, you'll still be my mate."

"Once you're released from the healing chamber, we can adopt a child. A strong High Blood child to carry on the coven line. Having a child to care for will help you heal."

I was the one who had lost my power, yet he acted more devastated than I felt.

His performance was flawless. I didn't bother exposing the lie.

After a long silence, I stared at the report in his hands and nodded slowly.

Damien's eyes welled with tears as he pulled me into his embrace.

"I'll take care of you, always. Don't be afraid. No matter what anyone says about a High Blood with a Thrall mate, I'll stand by you."

"After the blood oath ceremony, I'll transfer ownership of our coven’s territories to you. It's the least I can do to secure your future."

Our chests pressed together, but our heartbeats told different stories.

His heart raced with hidden excitement while mine beat steady with cold understanding.

Finally, Damien spoke hesitantly:

"About the blood oath ceremony... it's all prepared, but with your condition..."

"Find someone to take my place," I interrupted. "We can't let the coven lose face."

I knew exactly what he wanted to say.

Better to suggest it myself than be cornered into it.

At least this way, I could maintain some dignity.

Damien seemed amazed by my sudden compliance.

But with his goal achieved, he didn't question my change of heart.

His phone rang, shattering the moment.

He glanced at the screen, then looked at me in confusion.

"Serena, why are you canceling your Blood Ledger registration?"

I met his gaze steadily. "A Thrall has no place in the main Blood Ledger. I'm just... adapting to my new reality."

Damien's expression turned distressed. "You'll always be my Consort, Serena. You have a place here in our coven."

I met his gaze steadily. "As your future Consort, I should follow coven law. I won't embarrass you as a Lord."

He pulled me closer, voice thick with emotion. "You always think of me first. That's why you're perfect for our coven."

I suppressed a bitter smile at his performance.

"Damien, I want to leave the healing chamber."

His body tensed immediately.

"Absolutely not. You haven't healed enough. I won't risk it."

I tugged at his arm playfully, forcing a bright smile.

"But didn't you mention adopting a child?" I made my voice small, worried. "High Blood children are rarely abandoned. Will we be able to find one?"

It was the first time in five years I'd acted vulnerable with him.

Damien's expression softened. "Don't worry about that. A friend of mine, another Lord, died in a territory war two years ago. His child is in our coven's orphan ward. We can visit him."

He hesitated, then added, "I've been checking on the boy occasionally. Making sure he's cared for."

On the drive there, Damien reached into the back seat and brought out a small silver bat-wing pendant.

He claimed he'd bought it specially for me, to cheer me up.

But the tag clearly stated "Suitable for children ages 3-12."

I set the pendant aside and closed my eyes, pretending to feel unwell.

This five-year deception needed to end.

At the orphan ward, I sat in the wheelchair, my burned body still too weak to walk.

A small boy, about three years old, immediately ran to Damien.

"Daddy!" he cried, wrapping his arms around Damien's legs.

Damien's face flickered with panic before he quickly explained:

"Don't misunderstand. I sponsor this ward. I've visited several times, and this boy... he's just attached to me. Calls every male visitor 'daddy.'"

I nodded, reaching out to touch the boy's cheek.

"He looks so much like you. If you hadn't explained, I'd think he was yours."

The boy had Damien's exact crimson eyes. His small features echoed Vivienne's.

"What's his name?"

"Lucien. He's... he's the one I thought we could adopt."

I stroked the boy's hair, noting how his scent carried traces of both Damien and Vivienne.

Even with my dulled senses, there was no mistaking it.

Before Damien could explain further, Lucien started crying, asking where his mother was.

Damien's face went pale instantly. I could sense his fear pheromones spike even through my weakened perception.

His eyes darted to me anxiously.

"It's fine," I said smoothly, forcing my lips into a gentle smile. "Go comfort him. He has strong High Blood lineage - he'll make a perfect heir for our coven. His aura already shows such potential."

My words visibly relieved him.

Damien hurried into Elara's apothecary with Lucien in his arms, the boy's small hands clutching his father's shirt with familiar ease.

I made an excuse about getting my burn medicine, lingering near the door.

Even with my weakened senses, I could detect Vivienne's signature night jasmine perfume from inside.

The coven members' voices drifted clearly through the gap.

"Why is Lord Damien pretending his own son is an orphan? Those clothes are blood-silk from the Shadow Weavers - worth more than my yearly salary. The moonstone buttons alone cost thousands! Who'd believe he's an orphan?"

"You don't understand. The Lord's got it all planned out. This is the only way to make the boy his legitimate heir. Be smart and keep your mouth shut around Serena - she can't know."

"Of course Vivienne is his true choice. They used to run night patrol together at the academy, always volunteering for the darkest routes. I knew they'd end up together! And now, alone in that office..."

Their knowing laughter made my chest tighten until I could barely breathe.

I moved closer to the door, and familiar voices became clear.

"How is he treating you?" Damien asked softly.

"Fine enough. He's away on territory business most of the time, which makes things easier. This way, he won't discover about Lucien. He even talks about having children with me." Vivienne's voice held barely contained amusement.

Damien's laugh was bitter. "Once Lucien is officially in the manor, you won't have to worry. If you need anything, just call me. I'll always provide for you both."

"Oh, I got you something. A Healing Blood Crystal from the Ancient House. Cost me ten million, but it's worth it - it can heal any scar completely."

Vivienne gasped as she opened the box. "Another gift? You've given me so many presents this year, my chamber is overflowing! Serena would be upset if she knew."

She protested, but her hands eagerly cradled the crystal.

Lucien cuddled against Vivienne's side, pressing his tiny fangs gently against her neck in the instinctive way of vampire children with their true mothers. "Mommy! Mommy! Can we go home now?"

"What if Serena figures it out?" Vivienne asked. "These burns... if she learns you gave me a Healing Blood Crystal..."

"She won't need it," Damien said. "A Thrall's scars don't matter to the coven."

Lucien's laughter echoed from the room - pure and happy, secure in his parents' love.

I didn't stand firmly enough, and the door swung open under my weight.

Damien's eyes flashed with panic.

"Serena, what are you doing here?"

"Don't overthink it," he rushed to explain. "Vivienne is the guardian of our coven's orphan ward, looking after all the children. She just happened to be here today to discuss Lucien's adoption..."

Vivienne stood, holding Lucien close as she gave me a casual wave.

"Serena, it's been a while."

From my position by the door, I forced a smile, swallowing my pain as my burns throbbed.

"It's fine. I was just looking around. Since you're busy, I won't disturb you. I'll wait in the car."

I turned to leave, my legs still unsteady from the Purified Essence coursing through my veins.

Damien thought I was upset and followed me, explanations tumbling from his lips.

"Please don't misunderstand. She's here all the time as the ward's guardian. All the children call her mother - it's just a title. Once the adoption is complete, I'll explain everything to Lucien."

Watching him fret over my supposed jealousy, I felt a hysterical urge to laugh.

All this elaborate planning, just to bring his secret child into the coven legally.

He hadn't hesitated to orchestrate the fire that scarred me.

Hadn't flinched when ordering the Purified Essence injection that destroyed my bloodline power.

And now he had everything he wanted, yet still played the concerned mate.

"Don't worry," I said softly. "I'm not unreasonable. Go handle the paperwork. I'll wait quietly in the car like a good Thrall should."

Relief flooded his face as he watched me walk away.

Every coven member I passed looked at me with barely concealed contempt.

Their whispers followed me:

"Poor thing doesn't even realize..."

"At least the burns will give her an excuse to hide away..."

"The Lord's being kind, taking in a Thrall..."

I ignored them all, pulling out my phone to continue the process of removing myself from the Blood Ledger.

My fingers shook as I typed, but not from weakness.

Through the window, I could see Damien and Vivienne bent over paperwork, Lucien playing happily at their feet.

The perfect family picture.

Built on my destruction.

To celebrate Lucien's adoption, Damien booked an entire cruise ship for a charity dinner.

I hid on the top deck, away from the festivities below.

Even there, I could hear the whispers and laughter of the coven elders, their mockery carrying on the sea breeze.

From my position near the railing, I watched the perfect family scene unfold below.

Damien stood proudly, presenting Lucien with the coven's Blood Crest - an ancient medallion forged with the first Lord's own blood, passed down through generations.

Vivienne touched his arm playfully. "He's so young... are you sure he can handle such responsibility when he grows up?"

Damien just smiled, ruffling Lucien's hair. "My son will be the most powerful Lord this coven has ever seen."

The bitterness in my chest finally overflowed.

I pulled out all the letters Damien had written me over five years, watching them burn to ash in my hands.

Suddenly, Vivienne appeared behind me, moving with the terrifying speed of a full-blooded vampire. Her fangs dropped and her nails elongated into razor-sharp claws in an instant.

Her claws pressed into my burn scars as she pinned me down.

"Does it hurt, being a Thrall?" she taunted. "You're just like these ashes now - worthless garbage he can't even look at without disgust."

Her claws dug deeper, reopening my barely healed wounds.

"How does it feel, watching him give my child the Blood Crest? Watching him build the future you thought would be yours?"

Before I could respond, she suddenly leaped back.

With a dramatic cry, she stumbled and fell over the railing.

I hadn't even moved, but her scream echoed across the water: "She pushed me!"

Damien reacted instantly, diving into the dark waves after her.

Moments later, he emerged with Vivienne clutched safely to his chest.

His eyes found mine, crimson burning with fury as he carried her back onto the deck.

"What the hell were you thinking, Serena? Have you completely lost your mind?"

"Vivienne came to kindly invite you to join us, and you attack her? Is this how a Thrall repays our generosity?"