Fell for My Father’s Best Friend

Seraphina’s POVToday—like any other day—I stopped by to drag Kael out for dinner, only to overhear his confession. That he’d never liked me, he’d always thought of me as a burden, and that he planned to use a fake wedding with his childhood sweetheart to break my heart.“You’re marrying Vivienne? And the wedding’s in five days?” one of them said, incredulous.Kael’s voice came clearly through the door. “Yeah. She already had her dress fitting.”I froze. My fingers clenched tighter around my bag.Another man’s voice, “Wait, what about Lucien’s daughter? Seraphina? Weren’t you two… a thing? I mean, we were all just waiting for you to go public.”My breath caught when I heard my own name.There was a pause. A long, slow pause.Then Kael chuckled.“What about her?” he said. “I never planned on making her my girlfriend. Let’s be real. Lucien would kill me, and she’s not my type. Not like Vivienne.”Not his type. Not… attracted.Ouch, Kael.The other man pressed further. “But if you ended u

Seraphina’s POVKael and I had built so many memories over the years, I’d lost count.On his birthdays, I always baked him a cake—burned at the edges, lopsided, barely holding together. But it became our thing. Our ritual. And every time, without fail, he’d cup my face, smile like I’d just handed him the moon, and say it was the most special birthday he’d ever had.There was the night we got caught in the rain, laughing as we ran through the empty streets, soaked to the bone. He grabbed my hand and didn’t let go until we reached his vineyard just outside the city. We curled up under a single blanket in the cellar, shoulders pressed together, hearts even closer.And then there was the moment—maybe the hardest to remember now—when my parents asked me to leave with them. To start fresh in Italy. I said no for so many times. All because I had a promise to keep.I wanted to be here when I turned twenty-seven. For Kael, for us.And Kael did take care of me since mom and dad left.I thought

Seraphina’s POVAfter 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 a

Seraphina’s POVVivienne 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

Kael’s POV“Kael?” Vivienne had woken up five hours later.I hadn’t moved from the sofa. I just stared at her, feeling something cold settle in my bones.“Kael,” she whispered, eyes filling with tears, “what about our baby?”I stood and approached her bed slowly. “There are signs of miscarriage,” I said evenly.Vivienne gasped, covering her mouth with trembling hands. “Oh no… my baby… it must be Seraphina. It has to be because she pushed me yesterday. The baby was so little and—”“Vivienne.” My voice cut through her spiral. “Why did the doctor say the baby was five months old… when your doctor told me yesterday that you just got pregnant?”Her face drained of color instantly. “Who told you five months? They’re lying. Seraphina—yes, Seraphina must’ve told them to lie, to turn you against me—”She sat up, tears streaking down her cheeks. “Kael, please, you have to believe me, I—”I pulled my arms away from her grip. “You’re panicking,” I said quietly. “I asked one question, Vivienne. One