All Chapters of The Heirmaker's Bride: Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

Seraphina Vale had always imagined her wedding day would smell like roses. Instead, it smelled like fear.The veil over her face blurred the world into a hazy dream as she stood alone in the small side room of the cathedral, fingers clenched so tightly around her bouquet that her knuckles ached. Outside, the organ swelled, people murmured, and somewhere beyond the doors the mafia world gathered to watch her marry one of its most dangerous kings.Damian Blackwell.Her fiancé.Her savior.Her doom.The lace over her eyes was starting to feel like a blindfold.The door creaked open behind her. “Sera.”Her father’s voice used to be her favorite sound. Tonight, it just made her chest tighten.She turned.Marcus Vale looked older than she’d ever seen him, hair grayer, shoulders heavier, eyes bloodshot from too many sleepless nights and too much fear. His suit didn’t sit right on him anymore. He looked like a man walking beside his own coffin.“You look…” His voice cracked. “You look beaut

Lysandra’s eyes flicked up.A slow, cruel smile stretched across her lips.“Oh good,” Lysandra said, waving a hand dismissively, “the maid is here. Can you get me another cup of coffee, sweetheart? Damian likes it strong.”Damian didn’t correct her.He didn’t glance at Seraphina.He didn’t defend her.Her chest tightened painfully.She forced breath into her lungs. “I’m not...”“What?” Lysandra leaned back, smirking. “Not useful? Not busy? Not wanted?”Damian didn’t look up.The humiliation was so sharp she felt it in her bones.Seraphina’s voice came out small. “I’ll have the staff bring you coffee.”“Yes, do that,” Lysandra purred, waving her off like a servant.Seraphina walked away, spine straight, head high. But the moment she turned the corner, she collapsed against the wall.She pressed a hand to her mouth to muffle the sound.Her tears came silently, burning down her cheeks as she held her stomach, still unaware yet of the life forming inside.She had loved Damian.Or tried to

The moment the door shut, Seraphina sagged against the wall, breathing hard. Her heart felt bruised, but not broken. Not anymore.She grabbed her hidden bag, the small bundle of documents, her phone, and the pregnancy test she couldn’t bear to leave behind.A tear slid down her cheek, but this time, it wasn’t from weakness.Adrik’s second message came five minutes later.Adrik: Go. Now. Side entrance near the conservatory. I’m here.Seraphina’s breath caught.She slipped into black clothes, as he instructed. Wrapped her documents inside her coat. Pressed a shaky kiss to her fingertips and placed it on her stomach.“Hold on, little one,” she whispered. “We’re leaving.”She cracked her bedroom door open.Silence.She crept down the servant hallway, heart pounding with every step.Voices drifted up from the main foyer, Damian speaking with his men. Lysandra laughing, alcohol sweetening her tone.Seraphina held her breath as she slipped down the back staircase.Two guards passed at the f