hapter 22
“Actually, we didn’t first meet at the bar. It was a month before that, at a charity gala. You attended with Cassian, but halfway through he abandoned you to invite another woman to dance. You sat alone on the couch drinking, while the room buzzed with whispers about you two.”
“But I remembered your name in the moment you got drunk and smashed that bottle against Cassian’s shoulder. Your swing was so decisive, your words so cutting–everyone in the room was stunned. But you acted like nothing happened, lifted your dress and left like a damn queen. I’ve never forgotten that scene.“[]
Seraphina didn’t say a word. She just listened.[]
“For a while after that, I learned everything about you and Cassian. I was curious why someone so brave and fearless would cocoon herself in such a rotten marriage and refuse to let go.“]
He gave a soft, almost bitter laugh.
“I guess I’ve always been too curious for my own good. And maybe fate had a sense of humor–we met again at that bar. That night you mistook me for Cassian, held me and cried endlessly, pouring out all your grievances and pain.“[]
“And here’s the crazy part–even though I thought you deserved it. But I couldn’t let go of you and comfort you all night. Our story began there. You felt terrible about mistaking me for someone else and insisted on compensating me. When I refused, you even brought cash to my school and forced it on me.‘
.“0
The next day, the whole damn campus was buzzing about how I got myself a sugar mommy.” []
“To clear my name, I had to find you to return the money. But you’d just fought with Cassian again and were wasted again. The moment you saw me, you said you wanted to be my sugar mama. I actually wanted to refuse, but the way you looked at me was so fragile. And I–I caved. I used to think I said yes because I felt sorry for you. But looking back, I know there was more to it.]
“Deep down, I think I was hoping. Hoping I could watch you crawl out of that mess. Hoping I’d get to see you free again. But every choice you made after that kept disappointing me. I didn’t understand why you insisted on staying with Cassian. Why you thought sleeping with me was some grand revenge. He’s just a heartless bastard–even if you got revenge, so what? You’d still be the one getting hurt.”
“But I have to admit, every moment you were near me, I couldn’t look away. As long as it didn’t involve Cassian, you were always calm and rational, peaceful and serene. I loved that version of you so much that I was willing to play the fool. Let you believe I was just some sweet stray you could keep.“]
“But then came the crash. When I saw you in the ER covered in blood, unable to open your eyes–that was the first time I had the urge to steal you away and protect you. If before I wanted you to leave Cassian out of sympathy and pity, from that moment I completely awakened. I LOVE YOU! I had no patience to wait for you to figure things out and climb out of that pit. I was prepared to take you away even if you didn’t agree to divorce.“]
“Fortunately, after you woke up from the accident, you finally walked out of that prison that had trapped you. When you promised to be with me–God, I almost wished a ring would fall out of the sky so I could lock you down right then and there.”
“Thank god, thank god you didn’t change your mind.“}}
By the end, Zayden’s face showed relief and a barely detectable panic.[]
Looking at the complex emotions on his face, Seraphina felt a mix of feelings herself.
She’d never imagined that from Zayden’s perspective, their entanglement would be so deep and indescribable.
Two people.
Both hiding their truths.[]
Both had never been honest about their feelings, had somehow ended up together.
No misunderstandings, no suspicions, no fights.[]
It felt almost like fate had stepped in.
Heaven had sent someone to show her the way forward.]]
From now on, she would never be lost in the fog again.]
