Chapter 1

Seraphina’s POV

Today—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 up with Seraphina, Lucien would be forced to back you. He adores that girl. Marrying her? Taking over the Dusks? You’d be the most powerful man in New York.”

Kael laughed again, unbothered. “Yeah, but I don’t love her. I’ve been in love with Vivienne for as long as I can remember.”

And just like that, my chest cracked open.

He kept going. “The wedding won’t be official this time. I know Seraphina’s into me—I’m just using the whole thing to cut her off. Hopefully, it’ll also push Vivienne to see me differently. She only sees me as a friend right now, but after the wedding… who knows? Maybe Vivienne will finally see me the way I see her. After all these years… it could finally work out.”

Two birds. One stone.

I laughed—quiet, bitter, shaky. God, how naïve had I been? To think Kael and I could be together?

I could feel the blood drain from my face, my fingers going numb, my knees locking into place.

I turned, backing away from the door one step at a time.

Kael’s voice faded, but his words didn’t. They echoed—sharp, relentless.

“Don’t love her…”

“Not my type.”

“Cut her off for good.”

Each one hit harder than the last.

So all those years—the late-night dinners, the gifts, the quiet whispers that turned into kisses—had they all been lies?

Had he only been playing along while I believed in a future he never wanted?

There was only one thought left in my head—I have to get out of here.

So I ran.

As I did, my mind automatically began replaying the night it all began—my twenty-first birthday.

My father threw a lavish celebration that day. And Kael had been drinking more than usual the whole night.

“Seraphina, dear,” my father said as he clapped me on the back. “Take Kael up to the guest room, will you?”

So I did.

I slid my arm under his and helped him up the stairs, slow step by slow step. He mumbled something about being fine.

I ignored him.

And when I finally got him to the guest room and laid him down on the bed, I hesitated—my eyes lingering on the top button of his shirt, debating whether I should help him undress.

I’d always known I had feelings for him. It was forbidden. I knew that. Father made me call him Uncle Kael.

But I convinced myself that he was only ten years older than me. What I had.. what I could have with him was acceptable.

So that night, I decided to act bolder for once.

I reached out. My fingers brushed the edge of his collar, then the first button… and slowly, deliberately, undid it. Then another.

His hand shot up—faster than I expected—and caught mine.

“Sera,” he said, voice low, eyes hazy but focused. “What are you doing?”

I froze.

“I… I was just trying to help,” I mumbled, eyes darting anywhere but his face.

He didn’t let go of my hand for a very long time. He just kept looking at me—closing the gap between him and me.

He chuckled. “If I didn’t know any better,” he murmured, “I’d think you were interested in me.”

He sounded dangerous. Teasing, even.

“What if I was?” I shot back—before I even realized.

His mouth curved up, “You do remember I’m your father’s friend, right? Your Uncle Kael.”

“So what?” I leaned closer, lips just an inch from his. “You’re only ten years older than me. And what, doing something forbidden doesn’t excite you anymore? My father was just downstairs. And you and I…”

His gaze dropped to my mouth, but he didn’t move away.

“The mighty Kael afraid of a twenty-one-year-old?” I whispered.

He huffed a soft laugh. “I don’t date women who are too young for me.”

Then he tilted his head, thoughtful. “But if you turn twenty-seven and still feel the same way… maybe I’ll consider it.”

My eyebrows lifted. “Promise?”

His grip on my hand tightened, just slightly. “Promise.”

I leaned in, brushing the lightest kiss across his lips. “Stamp. You can’t break it now.”

It was stupidly romantic. Like something out of a fairy tale.

At the time, I thought so too.

I just never expected it would end like this, with Kael confronting that he’d never liked me, always thought I was a burden and nothing more.

I didn’t even realize how far I’d gone until the air changed. The city noise dulled. I slowed to a stop, breath shaky, and found myself standing in front of an ice cream shop.

Inside, a couple was laughing over a shared cone. I caught my own reflection in the window instead—red eyes, trembling hands, a version of me that didn’t know what to do next.

Except… I did.

I took out my phone and pressed call.

“Mom?” My voice cracked. “I’m thinking about flying to Italy. To join you and Dad.”

For a second, there was only static—and then her warm, familiar voice burst through. “Sera! Finally! Are you visiting, or—?”

“No.” I swallowed hard, eyes blurring against the glass. “I’m moving. For good this time.”

A pause. Then a soft, relieved laugh. “Alright, sweetheart. Take your time. We’ll be waiting.”

I nodded even though she couldn’t see me, wiping my face with the back of my hand.

“Just a few more days,” I whispered. “I’ll get everything packed… and then I’m leaving New York.”