Chapter 135: Chapter 135 Fatal Phone Call
Seraphina’s POV
My hands trembled as I brushed away the remnants of tears from my cheeks. The sound of the door opening made my shoulders tense, but I didn’t need to turn around to know who had entered.
Julian’s presence filled the room like a storm front moving in. Before I could even think to stand or prepare myself for another confrontation, he was already crossing the space between us with that predatory grace that never failed to make my heart skip. One second I was drowning in my own misery, the next his powerful arms were encircling me, drawing me against the solid wall of his chest.
Every fiber of my being wanted to stay furious with him. But the moment his familiar warmth enveloped me, all my carefully maintained anger seemed to evaporate like morning mist. My wolf, who had been pacing restlessly in my mind since our argument, finally settled into the calm that only his nearness could provide.
I allowed myself this weakness. Just for a heartbeat. I melted into his embrace, letting his strength anchor me when everything else felt like it was spinning out of control.
But I couldn’t let this go so easily. After what felt like an eternity, I forced myself to step back from his arms. My pulse hammered against my throat as I struggled to find the words that would make him understand how deeply he had wounded me.
He spoke before I could gather my thoughts.
"Seraphina, I’m sorry." His voice carried a roughness that made something in my chest tighten. The guilt swimming in his dark eyes was almost painful to witness. His palm cupped my face with devastating gentleness. "I knew you would refuse if I asked about bringing Elena. That’s exactly why I didn’t ask."
I waited, knowing there had to be more to his explanation.
"But you have to understand something." His tone grew more urgent, almost pleading. "Nothing in this world matters more than protecting our family. Roxanne was our only lead to finding answers about your past, and she demanded to see Elena before she would share anything else."
The desperation in his expression was raw, unguarded. "Without that meeting, Roxanne would have stayed silent. And we need to stop Dorian before he destroys more lives."
His reasoning hit me with unexpected force. He was talking about making dangerous choices to protect family, about taking risks that could backfire spectacularly.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. I was planning something equally reckless, driven by the same protective instincts that had motivated him. How could I condemn him for doing what seemed necessary when I was preparing to gamble everything myself?
My righteous anger began to crumble, replaced by something that felt uncomfortably close to understanding. But that didn’t mean I would let this slide without consequences.
I met his gaze directly, making sure he could see how serious I was. "I understand your reasoning, Julian. But hear me clearly. If you ever make a decision that could endanger our daughter without discussing it with me first, no matter how justified you think it is, I won’t be able to forgive you. Are we clear?"
A ghost of a smile flickered across his lips, though exhaustion shadowed his features. "Crystal clear, Seraphina. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you."
That was exactly what I needed to hear. The crushing weight on my chest began to lift, and the last of my anger dissolved like sugar in rain. I moved back into his arms, pressing my face into the curve of his neck, breathing in the scent that always made me feel like I was home. In his embrace, both my human heart and my wolf found the peace we had been desperately seeking.
The shrill ring of my phone shattered the moment like glass hitting concrete. The number displayed was unfamiliar, but something about it made my stomach clench with unease. I pulled away from Julian’s warmth and answered.
"Hello?"
"Seraphina? Is this Seraphina speaking?" The voice was gravelly, worn down by years of hard living.
"Yes, this is Seraphina. Who am I talking to?"
"Name’s Bennett. I was close friends with your adoptive father." The name triggered memories I’d tried to bury. Bennett had been one of those men who hung around my father’s house during my childhood, watching my suffering in silence, never lifting a finger to help.
My heart began to race. "Bennett? Is something wrong with my father?"
Guilt stabbed through me like a blade. I hadn’t spoken to my adoptive father in weeks. With everything spiraling out of control lately, I’d been trying to keep him safely distant from the chaos. I’d planned to visit him soon, to explain everything face to face rather than worry him over the phone.
Bennett’s voice cracked on the other end. "Seraphina, honey, I wish I wasn’t the one making this call."
Time seemed to slow to a crawl.
"Both your parents, they’re gone. Someone killed them."
The world stopped spinning. My grip on the phone turned desperate as my hands began to shake uncontrollably.
"What are you saying? That’s impossible. They’re fine."
"They found the bodies an hour ago, Seraphina. It wasn’t just murder. They were torn apart like some wild animal got to them. We’ve been trying to reach your sister too, but can’t get through. I’m so sorry for your loss."
The sound that escaped my throat wasn’t human. It was the cry of something wounded and dying inside.
My legs buckled. I collapsed beside the bed, my phone clattering across the floor.
Julian was there instantly, folding himself down beside me without trying to force me upright. He pulled me against him while I shattered completely.
"It’s Dorian," I managed between broken sobs. "This has to be Dorian’s work."
His arms tightened around me. When he spoke, his voice was deadly quiet. "I know."
That simple confirmation destroyed what was left of my composure.
"I thought I understood his anger," I choked out. "Wanting revenge for our father’s death made sense, even if his methods were wrong. But my adoptive father never hurt anyone. He loved me."
Julian’s fingers tangled gently in my hair. "He killed them to hurt you, Seraphina. To punish you for choosing us over him."
The weight of that truth crushed me. My father was dead because of me. Because I had dared to find happiness.
"He’s gone," I whispered against Julian’s shoulder, letting the grief consume me entirely.
