LOGINSerafina's POV[Blackstone Mansion | The Garden | 11:01 a.m]I stood in the middle of two evils.But, on the contrary, I wouldn't say they were two evils. Just one idiotic, money-hungry fool and, yeah… an entity of evil.As my skin felt too tight for my own body, I wondered why. Was it because of Aleskander? His presence had a way of lowering the temperature of a volcano. Or was it Roderick's arm around my waist?It had to be Aleskander. What I felt for the Sin of Greed was disgust; I badly wanted to break both his arms so he'd never touch me again.But I knew better. I knew things would get better soon. Like, very soon, and I had to endure the handsy torment.Roderick's touch I could barely tolerate, but Aleskander's stare? He kept watching me like a stolen trophy, and I refused to look at him again.I faced Roderick instead. Faced his confession.“He paid you, and you agreed to allow your wife to go on a date? With him?” I asked, staring at Roderick's side profile.He shrugged, turn
Serafina's POV [Rabbia Manor | Dining Room | 8:02]Aleskander didn’t matter.Whatever shit happened last night in my room, whatever rambles he spilled, and whatever our mouths tasted didn’t matter.And why?Because I was with my parents. With them, nothing could ever be out of place.Not the long stretch of polished mahogany that made up the dining table. Not the high-backed chairs draped in deep crimson velvet. Not even the chandeliers that hung above, dripping crystals that caught the light.Even the air smelled… perfect. The scent of fresh lilies, brewed coffee, and something buttery was perfectly in place.The moment I settled down—and they did too—my mind rooted itself to a spot. It no longer ran to memories of the Sin of Pride.The Sin of Wrath was important. But Papà was more important.Aside from the gentle clinks of goldware meeting porcelain plates, it was quiet. But it wasn’t suffocating or uncomfortable.It was so familiar, and… safe.Slowly, my gaze crawled from platter
Serafina's POV[Backstage Dressing Room | 8:21p.m]I couldn't argue.Nobody—either sane or not—could argue, and why?We were in a daze.Even after seconds had turned to minutes, and maybe even more, jaws remained slack. But no word came out.No one could argue. Not my very determined Papà, certainly not a greedy Roderick, and not even Etienne.The silence that descended was pushed back by the Sin of Lust. His laughter broke the spell on some people—the auctioneer, Papà, and even Roderick.But not me.Currently, I was still under a spell. Still dazed as fuck.Even when I returned back to the line. Even when I was guided back into the dressing room. Even when assistants swarmed around me with careful hands.I was still dazed.I mean, Aleskander casually dropped a trillion. He didn't bid or bargain or argue.He just declared it like a final verdict. But that wasn't the only thing.His tone of delivery scratched against a place inside me, and I did not like it. Not one fucking bit.I reco
Serafina's POV[Modern Art Museum | A Dressing Room | 7:27 p.m]They didn't come back.After the cars rolled in and Roderick and Vittoria scurried away, they didn’t come back.Good.Their return wasn’t needed. Their presence alone was an infuriating distraction, and right now, I needed complete focus. Completely.A single sweep of the dressing room with my eyes told me this space was reserved for the top model. Everything glimmered, and it suited… me.Yes, me. Unlike Vittoria, I wasn’t a stain. With one last dab of the brush, the lights complemented my skin perfectly.In here, the noise from rushing staff and models was muted, allowing me to do my makeup flawlessly.“Perfect!” I smiled, tilting my head from side to side, admiring my work.No one understood the dress the way I did. It would take days explaining the exact look I wanted on my face to an artist.So, I did it myself. Not that I had a choice.Roderick might have instructed every staff member to stay away from this room—eve
Serafina's POV[Early Morning | Her Studio]I should be concentrating. All my mind should be thinking about was new designs that'd stun the world.I should be focused, especially with Aleskander absent. Before the sun rose, the bastard left.Still, his ceder scent lingered in the air like his words.*I'll gain the world's biggest prize*I groaned as his utterance flooded my mind, threatening to wash away my focus.*I see it in you*Again, I groaned, tucking my lip. I tried to stitch a piece of fabric but my attention kept dwindling.*Let me bring it out of you, Serafina*This time, I screamed when Aleskander's voice invaded my head. Heavy breaths poured from my mouth, falling on my bloody thumb."Just stop haunting me already!" I hissed quietly, speaking to no one but myself.I dropped the needle and the cloth, wrapping my left fingers around my right thumb. It bled so much, and slowly, I brought it to my mouth, sucking on it.Aleskander was making me a mad woman. At times, I wondere
Serafina’s POV:[Late Noon | Her Studio]My safe haven was no longer safe. Why? Because when I slid my door open, the literal devil was lounged on my couch.I liked how my place smelled like fabric and dye. I did not appreciate the addition of cedar that drifted in the air.I never tried to convince myself that Aleskander would leave. Nah. I wanted the Sin of Pride, and it'd hurt him so bad if things ended on my own accord.Still, it wasn't right enough for him to invade my space. Especially not my safe haven!But did I yell at him? Did I throw my shoes at his handsome smirk instead of the floor?No. I did none of that. I hummed a little tired tune as I peeled my coat from my limbs, slid the band off my hair, kicked my shoes to the floor.Like I said before, I had too much on my mind to think about this man. I had a lot on my mind and in my chest.I could tell my movements were slow. It couldn't be blamed since I walked with a weight on me. Throughout the ride, I couldn't lift anyt







