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?"

Damien's parents, the coven's former Lord and Consort, glared at me with open hostility.

Lucien was sobbing uncontrollably beside them.

" No! She's mean! I want Mommy! I don't want her in our coven!"

"I want Mommy! I want my real Mommy!"

Vivienne leaned weakly against Damien, her wet clothes clinging dramatically.

"I'm sorry... I just told Serena I'd agreed to stand in for her at the blood oath ceremony. I never thought she'd react like this..."

"Don't blame her, Damien. She's been through so much..."

I lay awkwardly on the deck, a bitter smile twisting my scarred lips.

"Damien, don't I deserve an explanation? The fire, my bloodline power's destruction, the child - was any of it real?"

Damien's brow furrowed, but I caught the flash of panic in his eyes.

"What are you talking about? The fire was a tragic accident. Vivienne's just trying to help by taking your place in the ceremony."

"She's being kind, and you attack her? What's happened to you, Serena?"

"Apologize to Vivienne. Now."

Before I could speak, the coven elders stepped forward.

"Worthless Thrall, you dare cause trouble? You think you're still worthy of being a High Blood's mate?"

"Who else would take a powerless wretch except our son's charity?"

"Enough! Let this be her punishment for her arrogance. Get Vivienne to Elara, make sure she's not injured."

Damien gathered Vivienne in one arm, took Lucien's hand with the other.

They walked away as a family, leaving me broken on the ground.

Five years of love turned to ash in my mouth.

I pulled myself back into the room, my burns screaming in protest.

I booked a seat on the next night flight leaving coven territory for the day of the blood oath ceremony.

Checked into a hotel far from the coven’s territory.

That night, Damien sent a message:

"Vivienne's still going to stand in for you at the ceremony. Your attack on her looks bad, so the apology was just for show. Don't overthink it. The elders were just upset - I'll make them apologize after everything's done."

"Rest well. I have a surprise coming for the ceremony. You'll love it, I promise."

But I understood now.

The performance wasn't for Vivienne's benefit.

It had all been for me.

He'd played the devoted mate for five years.

Now it was time for the final act.

I stayed away from the manor for the next two days.

Damien didn't return either.

He was too busy preparing for the blood oath ceremony.

Insisting on overseeing every detail personally.

The morning of the ceremony, I called him one last time.

He was preoccupied with Gideon, barely acknowledging my call.

"My Lord, are you certain about transferring half the coven’s territories to Vivienne? She's not born in our coven. It's risky to give an outsider so much power."

"Do as I say. That half is compensation I promised her. The other half is for Lucien's inheritance."

"And handle the ceremony guests yourself. Watch for any trouble from Serena's old coven."

Only after Gideon left did Damien remember the open phone line.

"Serena? Sorry for the wait. The ceremony's about to begin. I'll come back to you as soon as it's done. Don't be upset."

I stared at the flight reservation in my hand, keeping my voice carefully neutral.

"Don't worry about it. I won't keep you."

"Damien... congratulations on your blood oath."

He paused for a moment, then laughed.

"You mean our blood oath. Be a good girl and wait for me at home."

As the call ended, the confirmation of my Blood Ledger deletion came through.

I messaged Isolde: “The fake hunter attack can begin.”

Then, I erased every trace of him from my life.

Phone numbers.

Photos.

Messages.

Then I walked onto the plane.