Chapter 110: Chapter 110 Tonight It Ends
Seraphina’s POV
The words struck me like ice water in my veins. Elena was asking to leave. To go home. My chest constricted, every breath suddenly requiring effort. Not now. Please, not when I’d barely begun to know her.
I whirled around, my gaze finding her delicate features. A small crease marred her brow, and those enormous eyes held a shadow of melancholy that made my heart fracture. The last thing I ever wanted was for my presence to cause her distress.
Without conscious thought, my feet carried me across the room. I dropped to my knees before her, the cold marble biting through my jeans as I brought myself to her eye level.
"Baby girl, what’s troubling you?" My voice emerged softer than silk, though it trembled with barely contained emotion. "Why do you want to leave?"
Internally, I cursed Julian for not waking me the instant they’d arrived. Every precious moment I’d lost to sleep felt like theft. I wanted to memorize every expression, every gesture, store them away like treasures after years of emptiness.
Elena’s gaze dropped to her small shoes, then lifted to meet mine again. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Mama said I shouldn’t speak with you."
The blood in my veins turned molten. Roxanne. That vindictive woman. How could she have the sheer audacity to manipulate my child this way? After stealing five years of my daughter’s life, now she was attempting to poison Elena’s mind against me. Rage flooded through me, my hands forming tight fists at my sides. Every instinct screamed to confront Roxanne immediately, to demand explanations for her cruelty.
But then Elena’s innocent face drew my attention back, her expression so earnest and trusting. I couldn’t allow my fury to show. I couldn’t burden her with the adult complications that surrounded us. Right now, my only mission was building a connection with her, creating a bridge across the devastating chasm that separated us.
I drew a shuddering breath, forcing the anger down into the depths of my soul where it couldn’t touch this moment.
A gentle deception was necessary. Something simple that wouldn’t confuse her young mind. I arranged my features into the warmest smile I could manage, willing my eyes to sparkle with manufactured lightness.
"Oh sweetheart, there’s been a terrible misunderstanding," I said, my tone honeyed with affection. "Your mama and I, we’re actually sisters." I studied her face carefully, searching for any hint of suspicion. She simply watched me with those captivating, curious eyes.
"I had to go away for a very long time," I continued, selecting each word with infinite care. "And your mama was quite upset that I left. She became very angry with me." The fabrication felt like acid on my tongue, but it was for Elena’s sake. "She’s still holding onto that anger. But I’m hoping I can show her that we can repair our relationship." I leaned closer, making this our shared secret. "You and I can be wonderful friends right now though, can’t we? Even if your mama is feeling cross with me." I gave her my most hopeful expression. "Sometimes adults make very silly mistakes, you know?"
She studied me for several heartbeats, her head tilted at an adorable angle. Then the most beautiful smile graced her lips, and she nodded decisively. "Okay," she said with such simple acceptance that it nearly undid me.
My smile became genuine, reflecting her own radiant expression. "So you’ll stay and spend time with Theo a little longer?" I asked, hope lifting my voice.
"Yes!" she exclaimed, her entire face lighting up with joy.
"And this will be our special secret, all right?" I whispered conspiratorially, adding a playful wink.
She giggled, the sound like silver bells that made my chest swell with warmth. Then, without warning, her tiny arms encircled my neck in the most precious embrace. It lasted only seconds, but those few moments contained everything I’d been missing. Every worry, every fear dissolved in the sanctuary of her small hug. It felt like coming home, like finding the missing piece of my soul.
Then reality crashed back, bringing fresh agony. Five years. Five entire years I’d been robbed of moments like this. Five years of not knowing this perfect little person existed. My beautiful, incredible daughter. The grief threatened to overwhelm me all over again.
Swallowing my wounded pride, suppressing the rage still simmering beneath the surface, I knew what had to be done. I rose to my feet, steadying myself with a deep breath. "Vivian, Quincy," I called out, fighting to sound gracious and composed despite our earlier tensions.
"Please join us for lunch. We have more than enough food prepared, and we’d be delighted to have your company. There’s a guest suite downstairs if you’d like to refresh yourselves." My true motivation was transparent to me, if not to them. If they departed now, Elena might insist on leaving too. I couldn’t risk losing her again, not when I’d barely found her.
I could endure Roxanne’s presence for a few hours if it meant keeping my daughter near.
They accepted the invitation, appearing somewhat surprised but grateful, and Elena immediately scampered off to locate Theo, their delighted laughter soon echoing through the corridors.
Moments later, Julian’s familiar warmth surrounded me from behind. His strong arms encircled my waist, his chin finding its place on my shoulder. I melted into his solid presence, my composure finally cracking now that Elena was safely occupied.
"I can’t endure this, Julian," I whispered, my voice fracturing with suppressed anguish. "I can’t survive many more days like this one. Having her within reach but unable to claim her as mine, it’s destroying me from the inside." A sob lodged in my throat, threatening to escape.
He turned me gently in his arms, forcing me to meet his steady gaze. Understanding filled his dark eyes, his thumb carefully wiping away the tear that had escaped down my cheek. "I see your pain, Seraphina," he murmured, his voice low and unwavering. "I know exactly how this is tearing you apart. But I’m going to end this tonight."
My heart hammered against my ribs, equal parts terror and hope coursing through me. "Tonight? What are you planning?"
He drew me closer, his embrace fierce and protective. "Don’t trouble yourself with the details. Just trust that this nightmare ends tonight. Permanently."
A desperate thought invaded my mind. "What if we simply disappeared for a while? Maybe then Roxanne would be forced to confess the truth, if she truly loves Elena."
Julian shook his head firmly. "Dorian is undoubtedly monitoring our every move, Seraphina. If we vanish, he’ll track us immediately. That would endanger both our children’s lives."
Terror shot through me like lightning. "Dear God," I gasped, my eyes widening with sudden panic. "What if they already suspect? What if they know we’ve discovered the truth? What if they decide to harm her?" My breathing became rapid and shallow.
He tightened his hold, attempting to absorb my fear into himself. "Roxanne is evil incarnate, Seraphina. She’s committed the unthinkable by stealing our daughter. But I’ve observed her with Elena, just as you have. I’ve witnessed the genuine care she provides. She may be our enemy, but I truly believe she would never physically harm Elena."
I despised Roxanne with every cell in my body, yet I recognized the truth in Julian’s words. If Roxanne had wanted to hurt Elena, the opportunity had existed for years. Still, my anxiety about tonight’s mysterious plan continued escalating.
"Please," I begged, pressing my face into the safety of his chest. "Please exercise extreme caution tonight. Whatever you’re contemplating. You’re every bit as vital to me as Elena is. You’re both my entire universe."
He pressed a tender kiss to the crown of my head, a wordless vow passing between us. "I’ll be perfectly safe," he assured me, his voice carrying such conviction that some of my panic subsided. "And tomorrow morning, Seraphina, by tomorrow I’ll have brought our little girl home to you."
