CHAPTER 5

Miss Kane.”

Seraphine froze. The voice was deep, smooth, but carried a sting that made her heart race faster than it should. She turned slowly, eyes wide.

Cassian Veyra stood there, tall, sharp suit even though it was late, dark hair pushed back, his gaze cutting right through her.

Her mouth went dry. “How… how do you know my name?”

One corner of his lips lifted into something that wasn’t quite a smile. More like mockery. “Seraphine Kane. Daughter and only child of Maxwell Kane.” He said it like he was reciting a file. “The man who once built an empire out of nothing. The man whose death in a car crash left his family broken. And his little girl and wife who lost everything. Even the house he built with his own hands.”

Her chest tightened. The way he said it—so cold, so factual.

“And then,” Cassian continued, voice dripping with sarcasm, “the noble Hale family swoops in, takes you and your mother in. Saints, aren’t they? Training you, clothing you, feeding you. A charity case wrapped up in a fairy tale.”

Seraphine blinked fast, heat rising in her chest. “So what? You’ve been stalking me?”

That actually made him laugh, but it was humorless. “Don’t flatter yourself, Miss Kane. I don’t waste my time stalking little girls playing Cinderella. It’s general knowledge. Everyone in high places knows the Kane story. Your father’s legacy was talked about for years.”

The sarcasm slid away, replaced by something harder. His voice dropped, hostile now. “Let me guess—you’re here with your Ezra, right?”

The way he said Ezra’s name made her flinch. She tilted her chin up and spoke. “Are you sure you’re not a stalker? You seem to know an awful lot about me.”

Cassian’s eyes darkened. “Trust me, princess, if I was stalking you, you’d never know. But I don’t waste my time doing stupid sh*t like you do.”

Her lips parted, stunned at the insult. Before she could fire back, he kept going.

“I remember you.” His eyes flickered like he was replaying a memory. “At the gala. You bumped into me, looking like you were about to burst into tears when you heard the love of your life was getting engaged to another woman.” He smirked, cruel. “And you know what my first thought was?”

Seraphine swallowed hard. “What?”

“Pathetic.” The word came out like venom.

Her stomach dropped. “You don’t know me,” she snapped, fists tight.

Cassian stepped closer, his presence suffocating. “You’re just like your father. Buddying up to people who hate you, who only want to use you. Getting blinded by love and trust. Can’t you see it? You’re letting yourself be strung along by the same family that ruined you.”

His words made her blood boil. “Take that back.”

“Why?” His brows lifted, mocking. “Because the truth hurts?”

“Don’t talk about my father like that. You don’t know him. You don’t know me.”

Cassian tilted his head, unimpressed. “Are you playing dumb? Or are you really that dumb?”

Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

He didn’t even blink. “Has it never once crossed your mind that your father’s accident wasn’t an accident? That the timing was just a little too f**king perfect?”

Her heart stopped for a second.

“What…?”

“And another thing,” he went on, his voice low, like he was letting her in on a cruel secret. “How is it that you lost every single thing your father owned in the blink of an eye? Houses. Cars. Land. All of it—gone. And the lawyer handling your family’s case, the one the Hales paid for? Said to be the best of the best? He couldn’t even secure one damn property for you and your mother. Not one.”

Seraphine shook her head slowly. “What are you trying to say?”

Cassian’s jaw tightened. “And then—this is the funny part—not too long after your father’s death, the Hale Corporation, which was drowning in debt and on the edge of bankruptcy, suddenly rose from the ashes. Became powerful. Became untouchable. It was almost like... magic.”

The words hit like bullets. Her body shook. “And what makes you so sure?”

He stared at her, expression unreadable. Then he sighed, stepping back slightly. “Oh, Miss Kane… you’re weak. Vulnerable. Too soft for this world. “You’re so busy playing house with Ezra that you can’t see the world for what it is.” His eyes raked over her with cold amusement. “This world will eat you alive, Seraphine. Maybe it’s better if you just stay as Ezra’s little plaything and stop stressing that pretty head of yours. You’ll survive longer that way.”

Seraphine’s face burned with anger. The insult stung more than she wanted to admit and she couldn't say anything.

He adjusted his sleeve like she was no longer worth his time. “Goodbye, Miss Kane. It was really not a pleasure talking to you.”

And just like that, he walked away, leaving Seraphine standing alone by the river, breathless and shaking. She stood, watching him until his figure disappeared into the shadows.

She hated him. Hated the way his words cut deep.

When she finally managed to move, she dragged herself back to the villa. The warm lights glowed but they gave her no comfort.

As she got closer, she saw Ezra standing outside, pacing. The moment he spotted her, his whole face lit up with relief.

“Seraphine!” he ran over and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest. “Where the hell did you go? I’ve been worried sick! I tried calling your phone but—”

She pulled away from his hug, forcing a small smile. “I… I left my phone in the room. I just took a walk because I was bored. You don't need to worry about me.”

Ezra cupped her face gently, scanning her expression. “Don’t scare me like that. Do you know how f**king worried I was? It’s my job to worry about you, Sera. You mean everything to me.”

She just nodded. “I’m fine, Ezra. Really.”

He softened a little, brushing his thumb over her cheek. “Have you eaten?”

Seraphine nodded quickly, lying. “Yeah. I did.”

“Good.” He kissed her softly on the lips. “You should rest. You look tired.”

She forced another smile. “I will. I’m not feeling well anyway. I’ll just lie down for a while.”

“Alright.” He kissed her again, longer this time, before letting her go.

Seraphine slipped inside the villa, her heart still pounding. She wanted to push Cassian’s words out of her head, but no matter how hard she tried, they stuck like poison.