Chapter 328: Chapter 328 – Tell me this is real
Voren held Seraphine’s hands between his, gently rubbing his thumbs across her knuckles while his eyes stayed locked on hers the entire time. "Sera, I know why you took that job at the hospital," he said, his voice serious.
Seraphine blinked, the weight of his tone immediately pulling her full attention. "You already have more responsibilities on your plate than most people could ever handle," he continued, his gaze softening.
"You’re running a whole company, dealing with all the mess involving Ravyn.
A small frown creased between his brows. "Yet you still chose to go back to work at the hospital. It wasn’t because of the money." He smiled faintly. "And I know exactly why."
Seraphine’s heart skipped a beat as the realization settled over her.
"You were looking for your daughter," Voren said quietly. He gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. "If what you’re suspecting turns out to be true... then you won’t need that job anymore."
Seraphine opened her mouth right away, ready to push back. The hospital wasn’t just some job to her.
It had become a real part of her life, a piece of her identity that she wasn’t ready to let go of so easily.
But before she could get the words out, Voren raised a hand slightly in a gentle gesture that wasn’t meant to shut her down, just to ask for a moment. His eyes practically begged her to listen. "Please hear me out."
The genuine concern on his face made her swallow the argument she had been about to make. Voren continued carefully. "I know you have a serious reputation there." His smile grew a little. "Probably the best surgeon they’ve ever had."
That earned a soft laugh from her. He wasn’t entirely wrong about that.
"Which is exactly why I know you won’t just walk away," he added, his fingers intertwining with hers. "That’s not what I’m asking."
Seraphine relaxed just a bit. "Then what are you asking?"
"I want to give Leon an invitation to our wedding," he answered without hesitation. "And I want to ask him to adjust your schedule. Only the complicated emergencies should receive your attention."
The seriousness in his voice made it clear he’d thought this through. "You don’t need to be there every single day." His gaze swept over her face, taking in the faint signs of exhaustion she often tried to hide.
"The hospital will survive. The city will survive." His expression softened again. "But I want you to have time for yourself."
Seraphine froze completely. No one had ever approached her workload like that before.
Most people simply expected her to keep pushing through, to keep giving and sacrificing no matter how drained she felt.
Yet here was Voren, trying to lift burdens off her shoulders one by one, not because it benefited him or because he wanted something in return, but simply because he cared.
A lump formed in her throat. "You worry about me that much?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Voren looked almost offended. "As much?" His eyebrow rose. "Probably more."
Despite the swirl of emotions building inside her, Seraphine let out a soft laugh. Then another thought hit her, and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Wait." She pointed at him. "How do you even know the details of my contract with Leon?"
Voren’s smile immediately turned smug, the kind that made her want to poke him right in the chest.
"The more time I spend with you, the easier it gets to understand why you do the things you do." His gaze held hers steadily. "I know how you think." His fingers tightened around hers. "Maybe not perfectly yet," he added with a teasing glint in his eyes, "but I’m getting there."
Seraphine shook her head, amused. "You make it sound like you’re studying me."
"I am," he replied so quickly that she burst out laughing. Voren chuckled along with her before his expression grew serious again. "And don’t worry," he said, the warmth returning to his eyes. "I won’t complicate your relationship with Leon."
His voice stayed calm and respectful. "I know he cares about you." There wasn’t even a trace of jealousy in his tone. "You already turned down his proposal and agreed to marry me instead." The corner of his mouth lifted. "For now, that’s enough for me."
Something deep inside Seraphine melted completely. The emotional walls she had spent years building around herself felt weaker with every day she spent with him.
Without thinking, she moved closer until she could rest against his chest. Voren instantly wrapped a strong arm around her waist, the movement instinctive and natural, like his body had been waiting for any excuse to hold her close.
He pulled her in tighter and inhaled softly. She felt warm, comfortable, and safe in his arms, and the realization sent a wave of strange happiness through him.
Not long ago, she could barely stand being in the same room with him. Now she was willingly seeking out his embrace, and every single time it happened, his heart reacted like a lovestruck teenager.
A smile tugged at his lips as Seraphine buried her face against his chest for several long seconds, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and soaking in the quiet comfort it brought.
Eventually she looked up, her eyes meeting his, filled with emotions she couldn’t quite put into words. "Voren..." His attention sharpened right away. "Tell me this is real."
The vulnerability in her voice made his chest tighten. She lowered her gaze for a moment. "I’m always the one taking care of other people. That’s just how my life has always been."
The words carried the weight of years of exhaustion, years of putting everyone else first, and years of carrying heavy responsibilities all on her own. "Only Corvine ever made my needs a priority. And now you’re showing me this side of you."
Voren’s expression softened. Seeing her look so uncertain hurt more than he expected it to.
Seraphine forced out a laugh, though it didn’t have its usual confidence. "I hope you won’t change after we get married."
The joking tone didn’t hide the real fear underneath. Her gaze stayed locked on his. "Because if you do..."
