CHAPTER 2: The Promise

The gang leader let out a low whistle, tossed his phone onto a crate, and smirked at Seraphina. "Well, well. Since that husband of yours doesn’t care about you," he sneered, stepping closer. “Then, forget that cold bastard. Become my woman instead. I might actually treat you nice."

He reached for her chin. But before his fingers could touch her skin, Seraphina grabbed his wrist, twisted it sharply, and drove a powerful kick straight into his chest. He crashed onto the concrete with a dull thud.

The other four goons lunged.

Seraphina ducked under a wild swing and smashed her elbow into the first man's jaw. A second goon tackled her from behind, slamming her to the floor. Pain flared across her knee as it scraped the rough ground, but she ignored it. She locked her legs around his neck, flipped him onto his back, and struck his temple until he went limp.

The third man swung a metal pipe. It grazed her forearm, leaving a throbbing bruise. She stepped inside his guard, drove a palm strike into his face, and swept his legs out.

The last goon panicked, but Seraphina closed the distance instantly, landing a side kick to his ribs and a hook kick to his head. 

Just like that, the goons were groaning on the floor.

Breathing heavily over the fallen goons, she looked down at her bruised arms and smiled bitterly. She had spent years loving Alexander, chasing a promise that was never real.

Seraphina wiped the dirt from her cheek, then grabbed her bag and phone that the gang had discarded earlier. She dialed a familiar number. "Rain, come get me from this factory, and help me clear out these goons." After hanging up, she sent her location.

When Rain arrived, her eyes widened at the scene. "Sera, what happened to you?" She had already brought their men along to handle the fallout of the gang.

"It's a long story," Seraphina said as she got into the passenger seat and leaned back against the headrest. "I'll tell you later. For now, drive to my matrimonial home."

Rain looked at Seraphina but did not ask any further. She started the engine and drove toward the house.

_

On the way to the matrimonial home, Seraphina felt entirely lost. With both of her grandparents gone, she had no one left to lean on. She leaned back and stared numbly out the window. 

The weather outside was gloomy and sullen, perfectly reflecting her feelings.

As the car pulled away, her mind drifted back to the sunny afternoon she first met Alexander…

Following her mother’s death, her grandparents had taken her in. Living with them, she witnessed how beautiful and harmonious a relationship could be when two people truly loved each other.

When she was eight years old, her grandparents brought her to GreenHaven Orphanage to meet their close friend, Director Evelyn. They hoped that playing with other children would ease her grief over losing her mother. 

She played with the other kids for a while until curiosity drew her toward the main gates. Stepping onto the street, she was surrounded by neighborhood bullies, jeering and taunting her as a parentless orphan. 

Terrified, a young Seraphina let out a sharp cry as a small stone struck her shoulder.

Before another stone landed, a ten-year-old boy sprang forward to shield her with an umbrella. With a fierce glare, he swung the heavy umbrella at the ringleader, driving the entire group off in fear.

Seraphina was sobbing, frozen in terror and unable to move. Seeing her distress, the young boy gently offered, "Get onto my back.”

As she hesitated, he gently scooped her onto his back, carrying her safely back to the orphanage. 

As they walked, she buried her tear-streaked face in his neck. "My mother just died. No one will protect me anymore," she sobbed.

Holding her tighter, the boy promised, "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you from the bad guys."

As they talked, Seraphina learned that his grandmother had brought him to play at the orphanage too. When they finally reached the main building, her tearful, pouting face was so cute that the boy couldn't help but gently pinch her cheek.

"What's your name?" Seraphina asked, sniffly wiping her nose.

"I’m Alexander Thorne," the boy replied proudly.

"I’m Seraphina. Thank you for saving me," she said, touched by how he had protected her and piggybacked her back to the orphanage. Looking up at him, she asked innocently, "Will you marry me when we grow up? I like someone who protects me."

The young Alexander found her sudden proposal incredibly endearing, a bright smile breaking across his face. "Alright."

"But do you love me?" Seraphina asked, completely serious. "My mother told me to only marry someone who protects and loves me."

Gazing at her sweet, earnest face, young Alexander felt a sudden warmth in his chest. "I think I do," he said softly. "From now on, I promise to love you."

"Then it’s a deal! Let's get married when we grow up," Seraphina said happily, holding out her tiny hand for a ring to seal their promise.

Alexander chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't have one right now, but I will give it to you next time. I’ll ask my grandma to customize a special wedding ring for you, then we will get married."

He took her hand gently and led her back to playing in the orphanage.