Chapter 18%
“I… heard about it,” I said carefully. “I didn’t know if you wanted to talk about it“!
Jason let out a rough chuckle. “I don’t But fuck, Seraphina. It’s like I’m seeing Lily for the first time.“X
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his voice low. “I thought I knew her” he admitted. “Thought I loved her.”
I stayed quiet, watching him carefully.
He let out a bitter breath “But now I don’t even know who the fuck she is.”%
I took a slow sip of my espresso, letting the words sink in. Jason was questioning everything. And that was exactly what I wanted. N Slowly, I leaned forward, lowering my voice just slightly. “Jason, I murmured, “what if she was never who you thought she was?”!!
His breath hitched. I saw it. I felt it. The cracks in his mind deepening
He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. “I don’t know anymore.”
I let out a soft sigh, leaning back, “You deserve better,” I whispered.
Jason’s gaze snapped to mine. For a moment, we just stared at each other!!
Then, he let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “I think I already fucking know that ”
I smiled. Because Jason Romano was slipping night into my hands.8
The moment I stepped into the grand lobby of Ethan’s penthouse, I knew something was off. And when I saw her standing there with live men dressed in black suits, my suspicions were confirmed
Isabella Moretti. The mother who never loved me.X
She stood there in her high heels, her designer coat
at draped over her shoulders, lips painted in a shade of red as cruel as her heart. manicured fingers clutched the strap of her expensive handbag, her expression a picture of calm poison,
But I could see through it. I always could. She wasn’t here for a casual conversation. She was here to put me in my place.
Her
For a brief second, I wondered if she would recognize me. If, after all these years, something in her soul would whisper-“This is your daughter. “I
But of course, she wouldn’t. Because she never cared to look at me when I was still Emma. And now? Now, I was Seraphina.
“Mrs. Moretti: What a surprise.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Let’s talk,” she said smoothly, her voice honey–coated venom
I could have refused. I could have walked away. But where was the fun in that? So, with an inviting smile, I gestured toward the entrance.
“Come in.”“”
Inside Ethan’s penthouse, the air was crisp and silent. Ethan was still in Pans, handling business.
I walked toward the kitchen, my heels clicking against the marble floor, and glanced at Isabella over my shoulder. “Tea? Juice?”
She sat down on the couch, crossing her legs with the grace of a queen who thought she owned the world. “Juice,” she said dismissively.!!
I poured her a glass, my hands moving too smoothly–because I already knew what was coming next. And sure enough… The moment I handed her the drink, she lifted it, and threw it directly in my face
Splash.E
I didn’t flinch. Didn’t gasp. Didn’t even wipe the sticky liquid off my skin. I just stood there, my face dripping, my breath steady. And then laughed. Loud. Sharp. Merciless.
As if she had just done something so hilarious I couldn’t help but be amused.
Isabella’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell is so funny?”
I tilted my head, wiping my face with a napkin, my laughter dying down into a soft chuckle. “Oh, Mrs. Moretti,” I sighed, shaking my head. “You’re just so. predictable.%
re you came from, or what k
kind of games you’re playing, but you
Her lips curled. “Listen here, you little whore. I don’t care who you are, where will stay away from Jason
I raised an eyebrow. “Jason?” I hummed. “You mean the husband of your daughter?” Her smirk returned. “Good. So you know your place.”
s wifeTM
I smiled sweetly. And then, tilting my head, I said “Oh, but Mrs. Moretti Lily isn’t his Her expression darkened.
mistress.“)
I leaned in, lowering my voice into something almost teasing. “She’s just a Isabella’s breath hitched. For the first time, her perfect, rich woman mask cracked.!! “Uly is his wife” she snapped
I laughed again, softer this time, shaking my head. “No, Mrs. Moretti. I heard… EMMA WAS HIS WIFE.” Iuilted my head. “Or did you forget?”
A sharp slap echoed in the air as Isabella’s hand flew toward me- But before she could touch me, I caught her wrist mid air
Her eyes widened. I tightened my grip just enough to make her flinch. “Tsk tsk,” I murmured. “That’s not very ladylike, Mrs MoreL She yanked her hand away, furious “You=”
12:37 PM c
I cut her off.
“Oh, and by the way,” I added, walking toward the couch and picking up my phone, pretending to scroll through the news. “I saw the latest headlines. Your daughter is quite the… what’s the word?” I smiled. “Slut? NO, FUCKING WHORE?‘
Isabella’s eyes flashed with rage R
“You bitch-“}
I kept going.
“A mistress to married men, a scandal in the making, a woman who ruins relationships just because she likes the thrill.” I sighed dramatically, shaking my head. “Tsk. What a shame.”
Isabella lunged. But I stepped back, smirking 8
That’s when she turned to her men, snapping her fingers. “Teach this woman a lesson!
Her, five bodyguards advanced.
I smiled. Because I was waiting for this.
The first one moved to grab my arm. I twisted my wrist, grabbing his instead, flipping him over in one sharp movement. His body hit the floor with a loud thud.
The second one tried to throw a punch. I ducked, kicked his legs from under him, and sent him crashing to the ground.
The third tried to pull out a gun. I moved faster. One clean kick to his wrist–his gun went flying. Another swift elbow to his stomach–he doubled over
The fourth and fifth men hesitated.
I smirked. “Come on, I taunted. “Is this all Isabella Moretti can afford?
They growled and charged.
But I had trained with Ethan. I had trained for revenge.
A second later, one was on his knees, clutching his broken nose, and the other was groaning in pain, struggling to get up.
All five men–down. In less than thirty seconds.”
I dusted off my hands. And then- tumed to Isabella. She was silent !
