CHAPTER 5: PREPARING THE BATTLEFIELD

SERAPHINA'S PENTHOUSE

The house had fallen completely silent. Aurora was asleep.

Fresh from a warm shower, Seraphina changed into a silk nightgown before settling onto her bed.

She reached for the tablet resting on her bedside table.

Dozens of partnership requests filled the screen.

One by one, she skimmed through them. Until...

Blackwood Group.

Her fingers stopped moving. She opened the file.

Inside was a formal proposal outlining the company's interest in partnering with Aurelia Capital on Manhattan's most ambitious luxury waterfront development.

She read every page carefully. The proposal was impressive. Professional.

She set the tablet aside and stared at the ceiling for several moments.

Then she reached for her phone.

Scrolling through her contacts, she dialed Vivienne.

The phone rang once. Twice. Then a calm voice answered.

"What's up?"

Seraphina's expression grew unreadable.

"Have you informed Blackwood Group that Aurelia Capital has accepted their request for a meeting."

"Yes, we'll be looking forward to the meeting tomorrow."

"Thanks Vivi," Seraphina said and ended the call.

She let out a loud exhale, relaxing on the bed.

Now she'll be facing him officially.

BLACKWOOD MANOR

The headlights of Adrian's black Mercedes swept across the long driveway before coming to a smooth stop beneath the grand entrance.

He stepped out, loosening the knot of his tie as exhaustion settled heavily on his shoulders.

His mind drifted to Aurelia capital. Still waiting for their reply or perhaps, if they would reply.

He shook the thought away as he handed his briefcase to one of the household staff.

"Good evening, sir."

He acknowledged them with a nod before walking into the mansion.

The house was unusually quiet.

Normally, Roxanne would greet him with her warm smile before asking about his day. Tonight, there was only silence.

A frown creased his forehead.

"Roxanne?"

No answer.

"Mom?"

None.

He climbed the staircase and pushed open the bedroom door.

Roxanne was sitting on the edge of the bed, still dressed in the cream blouse and skirt she'd worn earlier. Shopping bags lay forgotten in one corner of the room.

Her shoulders trembled. She was crying.

"Roxanne..."

She quickly wiped her face and forced a smile.

"You're home."

The smile shattered almost immediately.

Adrian crossed the room in a few long strides and knelt before her.

"What happened?"

"It's nothing." She shook her head.

"No, It isn't. Tell me." He gently took her hands.

The concern in his voice broke the last of her restraint.

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Your mother..."

His jaw tightened instantly.

"What did she say?"

"She said the Blackwood family needs an heir." She lowered her gaze. "And... if I can't give you one...another woman should."

The words hung heavily between them.

For several seconds, Adrian didn't speak. He simply closed his eyes, struggling to contain the anger rising inside him.

When he looked at Roxanne again, his expression had softened.

"I'm sorry."

"But she's right." She laughed bitterly through her tears. "I've spent years trying to become a mother. I've lost count of how many hospitals we've visited. How many treatments I've gone through. Every time I think there's hope, I'm disappointed all over again. I feel like I'm failing you."

Adrian immediately shook his head.

"You've never failed me."

Fresh tears filled her eyes.

"But I can't give you what every husband dreams of. What if one day you wake up and regret choosing me? I know You only married me because our families signed a business agreement."

He gently cupped her face, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"That may have brought us together. But that's not why I stayed. I love you Roxanne."

He brushed away her tears with his thumb.

She searched his face, almost afraid to believe him.

"Even if... I never have a child?"

His answer came without hesitation.

"I'll still love you. You're my wife."

A faint, trembling smile appeared on her lips.

"You really mean that?"

"I do."

She threw her arms around him and buried her face against his chest, breathing him in.

Adrian's arms closed around her at once, tight, one hand cradling the back of her head while his chin rested lightly in her hair.

For a long time neither of them spoke. The quiet stretched, warm and heavy.

Then the memories slipped in uninvited. The same words he had once said to her. The way everything had shattered afterward. Guilt he thought he'd buried long ago stirred low in his gut.

He eased back just enough to see her face. Gently, he tucked a loose strand of hair behind Roxanne's ear, thumb lingering against her cheek. Then he leaned in.

Their mouths met in a slow, lingering kiss.

No urgency at first just the soft press of lips, the quiet exchange of breath. He kissed her like he needed to forget, and for a moment it worked. The past receded under the warmth of her mouth.

When they parted, Roxanne's hands were already on him. She pushed his suit jacket off his shoulders and began unbuttoning his shirt, fingers steady but hungry.

"Whoa easy," he chuckled, voice low.

"It's been a while, babe." She slid the shirt open and off. His abs came into view, hard and warm under the soft light.

She let her palms skim down them. "Maybe tonight might be it."

Adrian's eyes darkened with something softer than lust, deeper.

"Alright," he murmured, almost teasing, almost serious. "Let’s make babies."

Their mouths collided again hungrier this time, more intimate.

Tongues met, slow and deliberate. Adrian's hands slipped under her blouse, palms sliding up the bare skin of her back until he found the clasp of her bra and unhooked it with a practiced flick.

She arched into him as he helped her out of both blouse and bra, the fabric falling away. Her breasts spilled free, nipples already tight.

He guided her down until her back met the bed. He followed, settling over her, the weight of him pressing her into the mattress as their kiss deepened.

One hand disappeared under her skirt, gripping the soft curve of her ass and squeezing hard.

She moaned into his mouth, the sound vibrating between them.

His lips left hers and trailed down, neck first, open-mouthed kisses and the wet drag of his tongue, then along her collarbone, tasting the faint salt of her skin.

Lower.

He cupped one breast, thumb brushing the peak, while his other hand stayed under her skirt, kneading and stroking the full flesh of her ass.

His mouth closed over her nipple, sucking deep, then grazing it with his teeth just hard enough to make her gasp.

It really had been too long. Work had stolen every quiet hour, every chance to touch like this. Tonight it could wait. Tonight it was only him and his wife.

"Damn it, Adrian," Roxanne's voice broke on a moan as he switched to her other breast, sucking harder, tongue circling.

He lifted his head. His eyes were dark, almost cold with the intensity of wanting her.

"Are you ready, baby?"

"Yes, baby I'm fucking ready." She laughed breathlessly, hips shifting under him. "Let's make babies."

Adrian smirked, the sound low and rough. He loosened his belt, shoved his trousers down, and kicked them aside until he was left in only his boxers, the thick outline of his cock straining against the fabric.

He slipped her panties down her legs and left the skirt bunched at her waist.

Spreading her thighs, he wrapped them around his hips. She was already dripping. Slick heat coating the insides of her thighs.

"All yours, daddy," she whispered, eyes half-lidded.

He was reaching for the waistband of his boxers when the phone rang.

His gaze flicked toward the nightstand. The expression on his face shifted annoyance, then something tighter.

"The call can wait," Roxanne said quickly, turning his face back to hers with both hands.

She stretched out an arm and ended the call without looking.

Adrian's smile returned, softer. He adjusted her legs higher around his waist, the head of his cock already pressing against her soaked entrance through the thin fabric of his boxers.

The phone rang again.

He sighed, the sound edged with frustration, and reached for it.

"Babe" Roxanne's voice was a low, needy whine.

"Hang on. I think it's important." His eyes narrowed when he saw the name. Ethan.

"What's more important than us?" she asked, frowning, still open beneath him, still wet and waiting.

Adrian answered anyway.

"Yes, Ethan. I'm busy say what you have to say."

"Sir, Aurelia Capital has approved a formal meeting tomorrow at ten."

Adrian's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he schooled his expression.

"Alright. Inform the board immediately."

"Okay, sir."

The call ended.

"What is it?" Roxanne asked, still breathless, still looking up at him with dark, wanting eyes.

"Our request was accepted," he said simply.

"That's great!" She beamed, the smile genuine even through the haze of unfinished desire.

Then Adrian sat up.

'Where are you going?"

"I need to shower. I have work to do in preparation for tomorrow."

"Seriously? What about me?"

"I'm sorry, babe. But this is important."

He didn't wait for her reply. He stood, gathered his discarded clothes, and walked straight into the bathroom. The door closed with a quiet, final click.

Roxanne lay there, still half-dressed, thighs damp, pulse still throbbing between her legs.

She folded her arms across her bare chest and grumbled under her breath.