CHAPTER 3

Applause thundered in the ballroom. Glasses clinked, people cheered, cameras flashed. Smiling faces turned toward Ezra Hale and Ivy Cruz like the announcement had just made history.

But Seraphine’s world… stopped.

Her hands trembled against the railing at the side of the room. Her chest tightened so hard she could barely breathe.

Engaged. Ezra Hale. To Ivy Cruz.

The man who held her hand just minutes ago. The man who  just said she was everything.

She felt sick.

Her eyes shot to Ezra. He looked right back at her, panic on his face, his lips moving fast. “Sera, I can explain, just—”

But she backed away, shaking her head. “No… don’t.”

Her throat burned, words refusing to come out. She took another step back, then another, until the room blurred.

“Seraphine, wait!”

He tried to go after her, but the crowd swarmed in. “Congratulations, Ezra!” “You’re going to make such a power couple!” “Smile for the camera!”

Cameras flashed, reporters surged forward. Ivy slid her hand onto his arm, tilting her chin proudly as if she already owned him.

And Seraphine—she ran.

Her heels clacked against the marble as she rushed out of the ballroom, down the hallway, past the glittering lights. Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to stop.

When she pushed open the hotel’s main doors, the cool night air hit her face. She stumbled forward—and bumped into someone.

“Oh—sorry!” she gasped, stepping back quickly.

The man steadied her with one hand on her arm. Tall, dark-haired, sharp features. His tailored suit fit him too perfectly, his presence commanding even without trying. His eyes—deep, unreadable—lingered on her face. It was Cassian Veyra.

For a moment, she stood. 

Then he said smoothly, “Are you alright?”

“I—” Her throat tightened. She shook her head, forcing out a whisper. “I’m fine. Sorry.”

Before he could say more, she hurried past him, almost running.

Behind her, his voice carried, low and firm: “Wait.”

But Seraphine couldn’t. Not now. Not when her heart felt like it had shattered into pieces too small to gather.

She flagged down the first taxi she saw, yanking open the door. “Please,” she choked out, sliding inside. “Take me to 48 Willow Crescent, Blueveil.”

The driver nodded and pulled away.

Seraphine pressed her forehead against the cool window, biting down hard on her lip to keep from sobbing.

When she finally walked into the little house she shared with her mom, the smell of warm soup filled the air.

Her mother, Emilia Kane, was sitting on the couch with a book in her hands when the door opened. She looked up in surprise.

“You’re back already?” Emilia asked, smiling faintly. “How was the gala?”

That was all it took.

Seraphine broke.

Her knees buckled as she fell onto the couch beside her mother, sobs tearing through her chest. “Mom… I—I can’t—”

“Sweetheart, what happened?” Emilia’s arms were around her instantly, pulling her close, stroking her hair.

Seraphine clung to her like a child. “They announced… Ezra—he’s—he’s engaged. To Ivy Cruz. They announced it in front of everyone.”

Her mother stiffened. For a moment, silence hung heavy in the room.

Then Emilia’s hand smoothed down Seraphine’s trembling back. “Oh, baby…”

Seraphine’s tears soaked into her mother’s blouse. “He never told me, Mom. He—he made me believe—” Her voice cracked. “And then they all just clapped, like I didn’t exist. Like I was nothing.”

Emilia just held her daughter for sometime. Then gently, she cupped her daughter’s face. “Listen to me, sweetheart. I just want you to be happy. That doesn’t have to mean Ezra. There is someone out there who is made for you—someone amazing, who will love you openly, without hiding.”

“Mom…” Seraphine whispered.

Emilia kissed her forehead softly. “You deserve the kind of love that doesn’t make you cry like this. Remember that.”

Seraphine broke again in her arms, clinging to her mom, her chest aching.

———

The next morning, Seraphine woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing nonstop.

She groaned, rubbing her eyes, and grabbed it from her nightstand. Dozens of unread texts. Dozens of missed calls. Notifications filled her screen. Social media, news articles. All about the same thing.

Breaking News: Hale–Cruz Engagement Official!

Ezra Hale and Ivy Cruz: The Couple of the Century.

Photos: Ezra Hale gazes at Ivy Cruz—future power couple mets hearts.

Pictures flooded the screen. Ezra standing beside Ivy, cameras flashing. Ivy glowing in silver, Ezra in his black suit, looking like he belonged to her. People were writing comments like “They look so cute together!” and “Match made in heaven!”

Her stomach turned. She dropped the phone on her bed and pulled the blanket over her head.

“Seraphine, breakfast!” her mom called.

She dragged herself out of bed, threw on a hoodie, and shuffled to the table.

Her mom had made eggs, toast, and tea. The TV was on in the background. 

“…breaking news, Ezra Hale, only son of the Hale Corporation, is officially engaged to Ivy Cruz. This union is said to be one of the biggest alliances in business history—”

Seraphine grabbed the remote and turned the TV off. “I can’t,” she muttered.

Camila sighed, squeezing her daughter’s hand. “Eat, baby. You need your strength.”

Seraphine nodded weakly but barely touched her food.

Her phone buzzed again. She picked it up this time. Ezra’s name filled the screen.

Ezra: Sera, pick up. Please.

Ezra: Sera please let me explain. I didn’t know it would happen this way.

Ezra: I’m so sorry. Please answer me.

Ezra: You mean the world to me. Please.

She locked her phone, her jaw tight.

She looked down. The newspaper her mother had left on the table screamed the headline in bold letters:

  HALE HEIR TO WED CRUZ PRINCESS.

Seraphine dropped the paper, bile rising in her throat.

Her phone buzzed again.

Ezra: I can explain. Please, just let me talk to you.

Ezra: I’m sorry, Sera. I never wanted this.

Ezra: Please answer me.

Ezra: Where are you?

She threw the phone aside.

She had a lecture today. But when her mother asked if she was leaving soon, Seraphine shook her head.

“No. I’m… not going.”

“You’ll skip?” Emilia asked softly.

Seraphine nodded. “I’ll just stay home. I have a project to work on anyway.”

She couldn’t face Ezra. Not today.

Hours passed. She sat at her desk, laptop open, papers scattered, trying to focus on her project. Normally she loved working on her studies—she was always top of her class, the A+ student. At 22, she was in her final year at Elysium University, the most prestigious university in the country. She and Ezra had always been side by side there, both studying Business Administration and Marketing. She had even pushed herself to double major in Economics and Communication.

But today? The words on her laptop screen blurred. She couldn’t focus. Every few minutes her phone buzzed with other texts. 

Ezra: Why didn’t you show up for class?

Ezra: Are you okay?

Ezra: Talk to me, Sera. Please.

Her chest ached, but she ignored them.

Until—

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Seraphine’s head snapped up. She thought it was her mother.

Her heart sank when she opened the door.

“Ezra,” she whispered.

There he was. Standing in front of her door, hair slightly messy, dark circles under his eyes. His usual confident posture was gone; he looked restless, almost desperate.

“Sera,” he said, voice rough. “Please… let me in. I need to explain.”