LOGINChapter 1
SERAPHINA“Oh my god, Yuki! Get out of here! Shoo! Shoo! Go home!”I shouted as I ran toward a familiar fluffy dog tangled up with a stray in the middle of the road. My face twisted in disgust as I held up my umbrella, using it to pry the pair apart before things went too far.I pointed at Yuki—our long-haired mutt Dad had begged his boss for years ago. “You horny little thing! We don’t have money to feed a litter of puppies if you get knockedchap 8THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW Shein’s eyes blazed as she watched the pair descending the stairs—their hands linked, their proximity closer than she could bear. Rage coursed through her veins, hot enough to make her see red. This is what he chose over me? A blind woman? She’d imagined his wife as someone beautiful, wealthy, worthy of him—but here he was, guiding this girl like she was fragile glass. “Is this some kind of joke?! What the hell is wrong with you?!” Shein’s voice cracked like a whip through the quiet foyer. Sera’s brow furrowed—she could feel the venom in the other woman’s tone, sharp enough to cut through air. Lucian’s grip on her shoulders tightened; they were still halfway down the stairs, and trouble had already found them. “Don’t test me, Shein.” His voice was low and dangerous—she was the last person he wanted to deal with right now. “Argh! Fuck you!” Shein screamed, then stormed off, her fo
Chap 7THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW“I’ll be sleeping in the guest room.” Lucian’s voice was firm as he leaned against the bedroom door, his eyes fixed on Sera—already dressed and moving with a confidence that surprised him. A flicker of disappointment crossed his face; he’d wanted to help her change, but even blind, she’d managed on her own. She was adapting faster than he’d expected.“Okay… don’t turn off the light, will you?” she said, her voice soft.He chuckled, a low sound that rumbled in his chest. “Yeah, sure.” With a smirk, he stepped out and closed the door behind him.His gaze drifted to the far end of the hall, where a door had just slammed shut. His expression hardened as he walked toward it—he knew Shein well enough to guess she was up to something. Trouble always followed her when it came to him.He rapped sharply on the door, and it swung open within seconds. Shein stood there in nothing but lace lingerie, her body angled to catch his eye—obviously trying to seduce him
Chap 6 THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW “Hnngh… ahh… s-stop that… there…” “Here?” “Y-yes—just let me do the other side—ah!” Lucian swore under his breath, a litany of curses racing through his mind. For fuck’s sake. His body was rigid, every nerve ending on fire from the soft gasps and whimpers spilling from Sera’s lips. He hadn’t seen this coming. He’d thought washing her would be a simple task—necessary, per the contract—but he’d never imagined how sensitive she’d be to his touch. Even as she tried to hold back, his sharp ears caught every little sound she made. His hand glided down her waist, the softness of her skin pressing against his fingers through nothing but thin fabric. She was in her underwear now, and the heat radiating from her body seared through him. Earlier, she’d tried to wrestle the body wash from his grasp, but he’d been stubborn—using the contract as leverage to keep helping her. It was
Chap 5THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW “Let me help you with that—” The slap landed hard across Lucian’s face, sharp and stinging. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before—not from a woman, and certainly not one so much smaller, so seemingly fragile than he was. He clicked his tongue, his gaze sweeping over her again. Her right hand braced against the wall for support; her left still hung in the air, frozen from the force of her strike. Defenseless. Weak. One wrong move from him, and she’d crumple to the floor. And yet she’d found the nerve to fight back. A rare breed, indeed. “You’re a prideful little thing, aren’t you, Seraphina?” He ran his teeth over his lower lip, his eyes raking from her flushed face down to her bare feet. “I offer you my help, and you have the gall to refuse.” A smirk played at his lips as he leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his broad chest. He couldn’t look away—not from the
Chap 4 THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW Sera stirred awake, the cool air of the room pricking her skin. She pushed herself up, voice slipping out in surprise before she could stop it. “Shit—why is it so dark… oh.” She pressed a hand to her forehead, a bitter smile touching her lips. “Right. I’m blind.” She was about to speak again when a soft laugh rang out—warm, but just mischievous enough to make her grimace. “W-Who are you? Where am I? And what happened to the man who—” “Calm down, my dear. Don’t you recognize my voice?” The woman cut in, her laughter fading to gentle warmth. Sera furrowed her brow, confusion knotting in her chest. How can I recognize her if I can’t see her face? “I-I’m sorry. I can’t see you, so I don’t know who you are.” She spoke politely, her fingers twisting in the sheets. “Oh… of course. That was thoughtless of me.” Sera focused on her surroundings, picking up fa
Chap 3 THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW “What do you even want with that girl?! She has nothing to offer you—why would you be willing to—” Sera’s mother’s words died in her throat as the stranger fixed her with a glare sharp enough to cut glass. “Be quiet,” he said, his voice flat and cold as he tossed a briefcase onto the ground before them. Confusion warred with greed in their eyes as they saw the mountain of cash inside. All concern for Sera vanished—money was all they’d ever wanted, and this man was giving them more than they’d dreamed of for their daughter. The stranger glanced at the governor, who couldn’t meet his gaze—fear and nerves written all over his face. The governor knew exactly who this man was: a name famous in business and in the darker corners of the world. Dangerous. Way out of his league. Better to back off and let him have the girl. Inside the car, Sera sat in total darkness, relying only on her ears, her







