Chapter 163
Her sharp features softened instantly, her hands brushing my hair back with a mother’s practiced tenderness. “Oh, my sweet girl,” she cooed, “That was never your fault.”
I hiccupped for dramatic effect. “But now now it’s happening again. Jason is pulling away from me, Mom. I can feel it “3
Her expression darkened.!
“Is this because of that woman?“}
Inodded, “That–that whore is ruining everything!” I snapped. “Jason barely looks at me anymore. He avoids me, Mom! And you know why?“%
She tilted her head, waiting.&
I threw my arms up, my voice rising.
*Because she looks like fucking Emma! That’s why!“⠀
Silence
Then, my mother let out a slow breath, a knowing, sly smile curling on her lips &
“Then don’t worry, my love,” she purred. “Leave it to me
I perked up instantly.
“You mean-“E
She pressed a perfectly manicured finger against my lips.8
“Shh,” she whispered. “T’ll take care of it. That woman might look like your dead sister, but we never loved Emma anyway.
I let out a shaky breath. I had always known I was the favorite. But hearing it like that?!
It felt so damn good.
My mother kissed my forehead and adjusted her purse. “I have some things to do, but don’t stress yourself, my love. I’ll handle it? I beamed.
“Thank you, Mommy.”
She gave me a wink before walking out. And just like that, I know everything would be fine
Right?
The moment my mother left, the front door swung open again.
I groaned, already knowing who it was. Noah.8
He walked in, his backpack slung over his small shoulders, two of Jason’s ever–present guards flanking him. His little face lit up when he saw me, his big brown eyes filled with something sickeningly hopeful
“Mommy!” he ran to me, arms stretched out like a desperate little puppy.
I stepped back so fast he nearly tripped.
“Don’t touch me!” I snapped, my voice sharp and ice–cold.8
He stumbled slightly, confusion flickering across his face
“Mommy?” his excitement instantly replaced with uncertainty.
I crossed my arms, looking down at him in disgust. “I told you, Noah. Until your father remembers that I’m the most important person in his life again, don’t expect me to care about you.
His little fingers curled into fists. I almost laughed.
Like he was some big, strong man instead of a pathetic little kid who still needed someone to tie his shoelaces.
“But I—“I
I cut him off, my voice slicing through the air like a whip
“Don’t come near me?” I spat, my eyes narrowing. I hate children.”
His lip trembled. He didn’t cry. But his eyes broke. He stared at me for a long moment. Like he was finally realizing, I would never love him. Not the way his real mother did.
And I smirked.
“Go to your room, Noah,” I sighed dramatically. “You’re annoying me.”
He hesitated. Then, finally- oh damn finally, he turned around and walked away, his small shoulders stiff. And I? I poured myself another generous glass of wine, humming to myself. Because whatever. I’d win Jason back soon enough. And when I did? Everything would be perfect.
SERAPHINAS POVE
Jason was crumbling. I could see it in the way his grip tightened around his whiskey glass, in the way his gaze flickered over me like a man walking straight into damnation and not even realizing it.
He was avoiding Lily now Spending more time with me. And he didn’t even know why. Pathetic.
(swirled the wine in my glass, watching him from across the dimly lit bar of his private lounge. The entire place was empty except for us,
12:34 PM c
the distant hum of city life muffled by thick glass windows. He had invited me here. Just us. And I had agreed. Because of course I did. “You affect me, Seraphina” Jason admitted, his voice low and rough, as if he hated saying it out loud. “I don’t understand it.“..
I tilted my head, letting a small smile touch my lips. “Should I be flattered?”
His jaw clenched. “I don’t know.”
Good. I took a slow sip of my wine, pretending to be unaffected, but inside? I was savoring this. The way he looked at me–like I was haunting him. Like I was the ghost of his sins wrapped in silk and perfume, slipping through his fingers no matter how much he wanted to hold on.
Jason set his glass down with a quiet thud, exhaling sharply. “I shouldn’t be here,” he muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. “I shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Doing what?” I asked innocently.
His eyes snapped to mine. Trapped.”
Jason let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. “I should be with Lily, but I can’t even bring myself to care anymore.”
I didn’t respond. I just waited. Because when a man like Jason Santiago started talking–you let him.
He let out a sharp breath, gripping his glass like he wanted to shatter it. “Our relationship hasn’t been the same since…” He hesitated, then finally said, “Since she lost the baby.”
I blinked, tilting my head. The baby??
He ran a hand down his face, his expression hardening. “She had a miscarriage a year ago. It… it messed her up. She changed after that. I thought maybe if we tried again, if she got pregnant again, things would go back to the way they were.”
He let out a humorless chuckle. “But she hasn’t gotten pregnant. No matter how many times we try.“X
I swirled my wine, letting the silence stretch between us. Then–1 struck
“Jason…” I said softly, my voice gentle, hesitant, like I wasn’t sure if I should say what I was thinking.
His gaze snapped to mine instantly. “What?“!
I bit my lip, looking down at my glass like I was debating whether or not to speak. …Are you sure she had a miscarriage?”
His entire body stilled. Slowly, his grip tightened around his glass. “What do you mean?”
I looked up at him through my lashes, my expression carefully crafted. Soft. Concemed. Dangerous.
“Jason,” I murmured, leaning in slightly. “What if she didn’t lose the baby? What if she… got rid of it?”
