When Love Wasn’t Part Of The Plan
Serafina Vale didn’t want love anymore, she wanted war and a husband to help her start it.
Her ex-fiancé slept with her stepsister and proposed to her on camera, in front of everyone.
So yeah—she needed to hit back, fast and publicly.
With help from her best friend, Rhea, she was supposed to meet a broke model at a diner. Sweet guy, easy to handle. Just enough to stir drama and ruin the happy couple’s fairytale.
But she sat at the wrong table and accidentally proposed to the wrong man.
Dorian Everhart was the opposite of harmless. He was cold, unreadable and terrifyingly rich. He absolutely had no business saying yes.
But…he did. He married her the same day with no questions asked or rules attached either.
She thought she was the one using him. But he didn’t seem to bulge, and now, she’s starting to wonder, who really set this up?
Why does her stepsister flinch every time Dorian’s name comes up? and why does he know so much about her family?
What the hell does he want from her?
And worse….why does a part of her want him to take it?
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Chapter: Chapter Eleven SERAFINA There was something different about the way Amia knocked. Like her knuckles didn’t actually want to make contact. Three soft taps — ‘Click. Click. Click.’ each one slower than the last, like she kept changing her mind between them. I opened the door anyway. And there she was. Hair tied a little too neatly. Not a single strand out of place. Even her baby hairs had been gelled down into submission, as if appearance could somehow compensate for betrayal. Her purse strap was clenched in both fists, tight enough to leave red marks on her fingers. Like she was holding on to the last thread of courage she had — or maybe trying to stop her hands from shaking. She didn’t smile. Which was- kinda funny, considering Amia always smiled. Even during arguments. Especially during lies. I didn’t move. I didn’t say a damn thing either. I just stepped aside, quietly. Not an invitation. Just an allowance. She walked in, careful and clipped, and stopped two steps past the door.
Last Updated: 2025-07-23
Chapter: Chapter TenSerafina I stood still, like I wasn’t anxious about whatever was coming next. Then — he finally broke the ice. “You won’t win this by keeping your guard halfway up.” Because I wasn’t sure what I hated more — the way he always tried to twist the game back to me… or the fact that this time, he might’ve been right. I heard him before I saw him. His steps were steady, paced like he had nowhere urgent to be. But I knew better. Dorian never moved without purpose — and if he was walking toward me, it was because he wanted something. The problem was, I no longer believed it was something I could see. I didn’t turn from the sink. I just stood there, both hands pressed to the cold granite counter, staring down at the glass of water I hadn’t touched. I didn’t hear him stop behind me, but I felt him — the shift in air, the way my skin prickled, the tightening across the back of my neck. Then silence. That long kind. I should’ve moved. Should’ve said something. But I stayed still.
Last Updated: 2025-07-22
Chapter: Chapter Nine Serafina I woke up late. And not the good kind of late — not the warm, satisfied, peace-in-your-chest kind. No. I woke up with my mouth dry, and the shrinking realization that he possibly never left. I could feel him. Dorian Everhart — oh, my bad, my husband — was somewhere in this apartment. Breathing my air. Walking on my floor. And definitely moving like he owned every inch of it. And somehow, I still hadn’t figured out if he was the intruder in my life or if I’d let him in myself. I stepped out of my room barefoot, wearing one of his old button-downs that somehow ended up in my closet. I didn’t think about why I hadn’t thrown it out. The kitchen light was on, and so was the coffee machine. And there he was — leaning against the counter, sleeves rolled, mug in hand, like we hadn’t exchanged some awkward stares last night. “Morning, Mrs.,” he said. Like it was normal. Like he freaking belonged here. I didn’t answer. Just walked past him and grabbed a glass of water. Ig
Last Updated: 2025-07-22
Chapter: Chapter Eight Dorian “Serafina!” I turned. And there they were. Richard, accompanied by my Disney prince ex-fiancé. Leo. They were coming toward me like they rehearsed it — two versions of the same mistake, dressed in tailored suits and that smug confidence men wore when they thought you owed them something. My pulse didn’t spike. My hands didn’t shake. I just… locked it all down. Posture straight. Shoulders square. Chin lifted. Like I wasn’t two seconds away from blacking out. Richard reached me first. He didn’t hug or smile. He did what he always did — stepped too close and spoke like proximity was power. “You’ve made quite the splash,” he said. “Didn’t realize I needed permission to exist, Father.” “Not… permission,” he said smoothly. “But discretion. This family has standards.” I didn’t flinch. “You only call it a family when the cameras are on.” His smile didn’t move. “And you only show up when there’s a spotlight,” he said, eyes scanning the room — hoping
Last Updated: 2025-07-22
Chapter: Chapter SevenDORIAN She turned her head, slow. “Excuse me?” “Amia,” I said. “She wants to get a rise out of you. Try not to let her win.” I already knew it wouldn’t work. Serafina didn’t take well to advice — especially when it sounded like something I wasn’t supposed to know. “Why are you giving me advice,” she asked, “like you’re not the reason she’s even involved in my life?” Her voice tightened. So did her jaw. She didn’t even realize how easily she gave herself away. I looked at her. Not stiff, just directly. Because if I didn’t say this now, she’d crash in the wrong direction. “Because if you fall apart now,” I said, “you hand her the win. You make it easy.” She stared. I couldn’t tell what emotion finally stuck — anger, jealousy, or something quieter. Something closer to a break. She didn’t say a word. And then I did something I shouldn’t have. I let something slip. “You aren’t supposed to matter this much Sera.” She froze. I knew it the moment I said it.
Last Updated: 2025-07-22
Chapter: Chapter Six DORIAN She saw the message.I knew it before I heard the door.The second her footsteps went quiet. The second the tension shifted. The second her silence started feeling….quite different.She didn’t confront me.Didn’t ask.Didn’t storm out or freeze like people usually do when the past shows up uninvited.She just disappeared behind the bedroom door.Didn’t scream or slam anything. Not that she needed to anyways.I didn’t follow.I gave her space — or at least, that’s how it looked.I knew what message she’d seen.And I knew what kind of spiral it would throw her into. Not because she told me.But- because I’ve seen it before.Same name.Same look in the eyes.Same reaction.Still—nothing prepares you for seeing it twice.I didn’t sit. Just stood by the counter, half-dressed, going over the same damn files I already knew by heart. Kept my eyes on the paper, but my mind?It was on the girl who just found out I might’ve known her mother. Maybe even more than just known.She came ou
Last Updated: 2025-07-11
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