Chapter 4: I'm Waiting 

"Seraphina, pick up the phone. This is childish. I'm giving you one chance to come back and we can talk about this like adults."

I deleted the message without listening to the rest. It was the fifth one in a week.

Cassian still thought I was bluffing and weak. Let him keep the penthouse and the illusion that he won.

I left the city to my safe house that was hidden in the hills outside the city. It was owned by Valecrest Holdings, a property my father used for people who needed to disappear. Now it felt like a fortress.

The housekeeper greeted me at the door. "Miss Vale. Everything is prepared."

"Thank you."

I walked inside. The place was elegant and cold. I went straight to the study and started planning.

I needed a new identity, not a fake one, but a hidden one. I would return to Valecrest Holdings as an employee, not as the chairman's daughter.

I called Mr. Graves.

"Miss Vale. How can I help?"

"I need a position at Valecrest Holdings," I said. "On the Aurelian Project team. But no one can know who I really am."

"Understood. I'll make the arrangements. What name would you like to use?"

"My real name, it's common enough no one will question it."

"Very well. I'll have HR process your paperwork by the end of the week. Your start date will be Monday."

"Thank you, Mr. Graves."

"Miss Vale, are you certain about this? Your father would want to…"

"I'm certain," I cut him off. "And I'll tell my father myself."

"Of course. Good luck, Miss Vale."

I hung up and stared at the phone. A new voicemail from Cassian was waiting. I pressed play.

"Seraphina, I know you're getting these messages. I know you're ignoring me but this is ridiculous. You can't just disappear."

I deleted it and called my father.

"Seraphina." His voice was warm. "I've been so worried. Where are you?"

"I'm safe," I said. "I'm at the safe house."

"What happened? What did that man do to you?"

I took a breath. "I'll tell you everything. But first, I need to come home. I need to take my place at Valecrest Holdings."

There was a pause. Then: "Are you sure? You've always wanted to…"

"I'm sure." My voice was steady. "I'm done hiding."

"Then welcome home, my dear. I'll have a car sent for you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Father."

"Seraphina." His voice softened. "You know I love you, right? Whatever that man did, it doesn't change who you are."

"I know. I love you too."

When I hung up, I felt lighter and was no longer alone. I had my family name and power.

Let Cassian think he won. Let him think I'm nothing. He'll learn soon enough.

The next week passed in a blur.

Cassian's calls grew more frantic. He left voicemails threatening legal action, accusing me of wasting his time. I deleted every one.

Then the lawyers started calling. They sent letters. They threatened to take me to court. I forwarded everything to Mr. Graves and ignored them.

Then Vespera started calling. She left messages on every number she could find. Her voice was sweet, concerned, full of false sympathy.

"Seraphina, I'm so worried about you. Please call me. I just want to make sure you're okay."

I deleted every message.

She wasn't worried about me. She was worried about herself, that I might expose her, ruin her reputation, destroy her perfect little life.

She was right to be worried. But I wasn't going to expose her yet. I was going to wait and let her get comfortable.

And then I was going to strike.

A week later, I walked into Valecrest Holdings. To everyone in the building, I was just another new hire… no relation to the chairman, of course. Just a coincidence.

The receptionist smiled at me. "Welcome to Valecrest Holdings. I'll need your ID and paperwork."

I handed them over. "Thank you."

"Your office is on the twenty-third floor. Take the elevator to your left."

I nodded and walked toward the elevator. On the way, I overheard two employees talking.

"Did you hear? Rourke International is pushing hard for the Aurelian Project."

"I heard they're desperate. Something about a deadline they can't meet."

"Apparently, the manager is losing his mind. His wife left him or something."

I hid my smile behind a file.

Cassian had no idea how much trouble he was in.

My new office was small, but I could see the city spread out below me. Somewhere out there, Cassian was crumbling.

At the end of the week, I received an email from the project manager: "Team meeting, Monday morning. The Aurelian Project final approval is approaching."

I read the email three times.

He's coming.

Cassian would be in that meeting. He would walk into my building, into my territory, and he would have no idea.

I spent the weekend preparing. I reviewed the project files. I memorized every detail, loophole and potential flaw.

By Monday morning, I was ready. As I walked into the office, my colleague Sarah stopped me. "Morning, Seraphina. Big day, huh?"

"The Aurelian Project meeting?"

"Yes. Rourke International is presenting their final proposal. The CEO is going to be here. I heard he's a nightmare."

I smiled. "I heard that too."

"Good luck today." She walked away.

I sat at my desk and waited. My phone buzzed. A new voicemail.

I pressed play.

"Fine." Cassian's voice was sharp, angry. "You want a divorce? I'll give you a divorce. But you'll get nothing. And when I get the Aurelian Project, I'll make sure everyone knows you're the woman who couldn't even keep a husband."

I smiled, my finger hovering over the delete button.

"Go ahead," I whispered to the empty room. "Come and get your project. I'll be waiting."

I pressed delete and turned to my office window. The city sprawled below me, glittering and beautiful.

The game was just beginning.