Chapter 37

By now, Charlotte understood one thing clearly—

Nothing in this place happened by accident.

Not the stares.

Not the silence.

And definitely not—

Seraphina.

MIDDAY__

Charlotte had only stepped out for a moment.

Just a short walk.

Just air.

Just space to breathe without feeling watched.

But even here—

She wasn’t alone.

“…You shouldn’t wander.”

The voice came smooth.

Expected.

Charlotte didn’t turn immediately.

“…And you shouldn’t follow me.”

Seraphina laughed softly behind her.

“…Follow? No.”

Footsteps.

Slow.

Measured.

“…I prefer the word observe.”

Charlotte turned now.

Facing her fully.

“…What do you want?”

Seraphina tilted her head slightly.

Studying her.

“…I wanted to see what exactly has him so… distracted.”

Charlotte’s jaw tightened.

“…I’m not something you get to study.”

Seraphina smiled faintly.

“…Everything here is something to be studied.”

A pause.

Then her gaze sharpened slightly.

“…Especially weaknesses.”

That word landed exactly how it was meant to.

Charlotte didn’t flinch.

But she felt it.

“…I’m not weak.”

Seraphina stepped closer.

“…No?”

Her eyes flicked briefly—

Over Charlotte’s posture.

Her breathing.

The slight tension in her shoulders.

“…You’re human.”

That alone—

Said enough.

Charlotte held her ground.

“…And?”

Seraphina’s smile didn’t reach her eyes this time.

“…And humans break.”

Charlotte didn’t back away.

Didn’t lower her gaze.

“…Then I guess you’ll have to be disappointed.”

That—

That earned something new.

Not mockery.

Not amusement.

But interest.

Seraphina stepped even closer.

Close enough now that the air felt tight.

“…You’re brave.”

A pause.

Then quieter:

“…Or just desperate.”

Charlotte’s voice dropped.

“…I’m neither.”

Seraphina’s eyes flickered slightly.

“…No?”

Charlotte didn’t hesitate.

“…I love him.”

Silence.

That—

That shifted something.

Because this wasn’t fear.

Wasn’t uncertainty.

It was something solid.

Something Seraphina couldn’t easily shake.

“…That makes it worse,” Seraphina said softly.

Charlotte frowned.

“…What does that mean?”

Seraphina stepped back slightly.

Giving space again.

But her words lingered.

“…Because when this ends—”

A pause.

Then:

“…you’ll be the one who shatters the most.”

“Charlotte.”

Eli’s voice cut through sharply.

Immediate.

Protective.

Charlotte turned instantly.

Relief flickering across her face.

“…Eli.”

He walked straight toward them.

No hesitation.

And when he reached her—

He didn’t stop at just standing beside her.

He stepped in front of her.

Subtle.

But clear.

“…What’s going on?”

His eyes were on Seraphina now.

Cold.

Seraphina smiled slightly.

“…We were talking.”

Eli didn’t return the smile.

“…Didn’t look like it.”

Seraphina’s gaze flicked between them.

Noticing everything.

The positioning.

The instinct.

The claim.

“…You’re quick to defend her.”

Eli didn’t hesitate.

“…I always will.”

That answer came too fast.

Too naturally.

And Seraphina noticed.

Of course she did.

“…Interesting.”

She stepped closer again.

Not to Charlotte—

To Eli.

Closing space.

Testing.

“…Even when she’s the reason you’re in danger?”

Eli’s expression hardened.

“…She’s not the reason.”

Seraphina tilted her head.

“…No?”

Her voice softened slightly.

“…Take her away, and all your problems disappear.”

Silence.

Charlotte’s fingers tightened slightly behind him.

Eli didn’t move.

Didn’t even consider it.

“…That’s not happening.”

Simple.

Final.

Seraphina watched him closely.

Searching.

Then—

She smiled again.

But this time—

There was something sharper behind it.

“…Then let’s see how long you can protect her.”

KIERAN__

From a distance—

Kieran had already been there.

Already watching.

Already listening.

The moment Seraphina approached Charlotte—

He knew.

But he didn’t intervene.

Not immediately.

Because he wanted to see.

And what he saw—

Confirmed everything.

Eli didn’t hesitate.

Didn’t doubt.

Didn’t even pause.

He chose Charlotte.

Again.

Every time.

Kieran’s jaw tightened slightly.

Not in anger.

But something heavier.

Something quieter.

“…You protect her like she’s everything.”

A pause.

Then lower:

“…But she won’t survive this.”

BACK TO THEM__

Seraphina stepped away finally.

Slow.

Satisfied.

“…This was fun.”

She looked at Charlotte one last time.

“…We’ll talk again.”

Then at Eli—

“…Try not to lose anything important.”

And just like that—

She left.

Silence settled quickly.

Heavy.

Eli turned immediately.

“…Are you okay?”

Charlotte nodded.

“…I’m fine.”

But her voice was softer now.

Less steady.

Eli noticed.

Of course he did.

“…What did she say to you?”

Charlotte hesitated.

Then shook her head slightly.

“…Nothing important.”

That was a lie.

And Eli knew it.

But he didn’t push.

Instead—

He reached for her hand.

Held it firmly.

“…You don’t have to deal with her.”

Charlotte gave a small smile.

“…I think I do.”

Eli frowned.

“…Why?”

Charlotte looked at him.

Really looked.

“…Because she’s not wrong about one thing.”

Eli’s grip tightened slightly.

“…What?”

Charlotte’s voice dropped.

“…I am in danger.”

Silence.

Eli’s jaw clenched.

“…I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Charlotte nodded.

But this time—

She didn’t fully believe it.

That night—

Three people thought about the same thing.

Charlotte—

How long can I stay?

Eli—

How do I protect her?

Kieran—

How long before she breaks?

And somewhere in the middle of all that—

The line between them—

Was starting to crack.