CHAPTER 4

“Please... let me in. I need to explain.”

Seraphine's grip on the doorframe was tight. “What are you doing here?”

He stepped inside without waiting for her permission. The familiar smell of his cologne wrapped around her like smoke.

“I had to see you,” Ezra said. “Please, just hear me out.”

Seraphine let out a shaky laugh. “Hear you out? You stood there tonight while your father announced your marriage to Ivy Cruz. And you didn’t say a word.”

Ezra winced at her tone but didn’t back down. “It’s not what it looks like—”

“Not what it looks like?” Seraphine snapped, her voice rising. “You let me believe I mattered. That night, at the balcony...”

He ran his hands through his hair, pacing. “I didn’t have a choice. My father—”

“Don’t,” she cut him off sharply. “Don’t put this on your father. You could’ve stood up. You could’ve said something. But you didn’t.”

His jaw clenched, his voice turning rough. “Do you think I want this? Do you think I give a damn about Ivy?!”

“Then why?” Seraphine shouted, her hands shaking. “Why is this happening?”

Ezra suddenly grabbed her shoulders, his eyes burning. “Because everything is f**ked, Sera! If I don’t do this, I lose everything. The company. The Hale name. Everything my family built. And I can’t—”

Seraphine shoved him back, tears stinging her eyes. “I see. So you’d rather let go of me instead?”

He paused, his expression cracking for just a second before he cupped her face with both hands. His thumbs brushed her cheeks, wiping away the tears. “No. Never you. Don’t think that. Please, don’t.”

Her lips trembled. “Ezra—”

Before she could finish, his mouth crushed against hers. The kiss was desperate, rough, almost painful. His lips moved like he was trying to erase every word she had spoken. His hand slid behind her neck, pulling her close.

She froze, then shoved him back. “Stop!”

He breathed heavily, eyes glassy. “I love you, Seraphine. I f**king love you. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. Please… don’t doubt me. Just wait for me. Let me fix this. I swear I’ll put an end to it.”

Her heart thudded painfully, screaming at her to walk away, but her stupid chest still pounded for him.

“You expect me to just… wait?” she whispered.

“Yes,” Ezra said quickly, like he was grabbing onto the one chance she gave him. “Just wait for me. Give me time, Sera. I’ll make this right. I'll make sure we'll always be together.”

There was silence. Her chest rose and fell too fast. Finally, she closed her eyes. “Fine. But this is the last time, Ezra. If you lie again—”

“I won’t,” he cut in fast, kissing her forehead and pulling her into a hug. “I swear I won’t.”

They remained like that for a while. Suddenly, he pulled back, his expression changing. “Come with me. Right now.”

Seraphine blinked, confused. “What?”

“I don’t want to waste another second,” Ezra said, grabbing her hand. “Come with me.”

“Ezra, I—”

“Trust me.” His grip tightened. “Lock up. I’ll explain everything on the way.”

Still dazed, she grabbed her keys and locked the door. Ezra rushed her to his car. He drove them straight to Silvercrest Hangar, a private airfield on the edge of the city. Her eyes widened when she saw the sleek white jet waiting for them, lights glowing on the runway. 

“Ezra... you can’t be serious.”

But he only smiled faintly, pulling her along. “Come on.”

Inside, the jet was even more breathtaking. Soft leather seats, golden lights, polished floors—it was like stepping into another world.

The air hostess appeared almost immediately, smiling politely. She carried a tray with a chilled bottle of champagne and two glasses.

Ezra poured, handing one to Seraphine. She didn’t touch it. Her hands trembled.

“Where… where are we going?” she asked.

“Azura Isle Resort,” Ezra said smoothly. “Maldives. My father’s sending me for an important meeting. And I want you to come with me.”

Her eyes widened. “The Maldives? Ezra, I can’t. I’m not prepared. My mom—she’ll be worried sick. And I didn’t bring anything with me. No clothes, nothing.”

Ezra leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’ll talk to your mom. Don’t worry. And as for clothes—we’ll shop there. Whatever you want, it’s yours. Just… come with me.”

Ez—”

“Please, Sera. Just say yes. For me.”

After a long, tense silence, she sighed. “Fine.”

A grin spread across Ezra’s face. “That’s my girl.”

———

The flight was long, but when the jet landed and the doors opened, Seraphine’s breath caught.

The Maldives were nothing like she had ever seen. It was unreal. The sky was painted pink and gold from the setting sun, clear blue water that looked fake, soft white sand glowing under the sun, palm trees dancing in the breeze. The air smelled fresh, salty, and sweet at the same time.

When they reached Azura Isle Resort, she could hardly believe it. It looked like paradise. Floating villas stretched across the water, lanterns lighting up wooden walkways, the whole place glowing gold against the ocean. 

“This place is… unreal,” she whispered.

Ezra smiled, slipping an arm around her waist. “Only the best for you.”

Their rooms were in the same villa but separate. Ezra wanted her to have her own space. “You’ll need time for yourself too,” he said with a grin. She was happy with the arrangements. Sharing a room wouldn't be a good option.

The first two days flew by like a dream.

On the first day, Ezra took her jet skiing. She almost fell into the water three times, laughing so hard her stomach hurt while he called her the worst driver alive. They also went shopping for new clothes since she came empty handed. That night, they lay on the beach, stargazing.

On the second day, they went snorkeling. She was amazed by the coral and the fish, the colors brighter than anything she’d ever seen. That night, Ezra booked a candlelit dinner for two, right on the beach.

The third day was Ezra's meeting so Seraphine spent most of the day cooped up in her room, waiting, but as night fell, boredom soon pushed her outside. The moonlight was bright, painting the whole resort silver. She followed the path down to the river, where the water glimmered like melted glass.

The scenery was so breathtaking that she didn’t see him until she bumped into his shoulder.

“Oh!” she gasped, stepping back quickly. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking—”

The man turned. Tall, broad shoulders, sharp jawline, dark eyes that looked like they could cut through her. Something about him felt familiar.

And then she remembered.

Cassian Veyra.

Ezra’s warning echoed in her head immediately: Stay away from him.

Seraphine’s breath hitched. “I—excuse me,” she muttered, about to hurry past.

But then his voice stopped her. Low. Smooth. Certain.

“Miss Kane.”