Third Person's POV
Hospital Parking Lot, 3:00PM
Seraphina remained inside the car long after her vow left her lips.
Her trembling fingers stayed near her mouth as she bit lightly against them without realizing it. Her eyes never left the hospital entrance for even a second.
Then suddenly, Alexander stepped out and her eyes lit up instantly.
He stood near the entrance for a while, tall and unreadable as usual. But before Seraphina could fully admire him, several nurses and patients quickly gathered nearby, blocking her view.
Her expression darkened immediately.
A silent curse slipped through her mind as she leaned forward slightly, trying to see through the moving bodies.
Then finally, Alexander began walking down the stairs.
Seraphina watched him carefully, almost hungrily.
Halfway across the path, Sebastian approached him and leaned closer, whispering something into his ear.
Alexander's expression remained calm.
Seraphina held her breath slightly.
Would he go back inside?
Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel.
But after a few seconds, she looked away first. She had already stayed too long.
She couldn't risk drawing suspicion to herself.
Using the movement of ambulances and cars leaving the parking lot as cover, she quickly started the engine and drove out quietly.
****
On the Road, 3:30PM
Traffic moved slowly.
Seraphina leaned back against the seat slightly as her fingers tapped weakly against the steering wheel.
A quiet chuckle escaped her lips.
Then another.
"Look at you…" she muttered softly to herself. "Acting insane over a man."
For a brief second, sadness crossed her face, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came.
Her grip on the steering wheel suddenly tightened.
Her eyes darkened slowly.
"No," she whispered.
Her lips curled into a small disturbing smile.
"We're supposed to be together."
Her breathing became uneven again.
"He belongs with me", she said softly.
Then suddenly, all the strength left her body and she slumped slightly against the steering wheel.
A loud horn blasted behind her.
Seraphina blinked quickly before straightening herself and driving forward again like nothing had happened.
****
Birch's Mansion, 4:10PM
The gates opened immediately for her car.
Minutes later, she stepped out gracefully and handed the car keys to one of the maids without a word before entering the mansion.
Her heels echoed softly against the polished floor as she walked straight toward the library.
Once inside, she locked the door behind her.
She dropped her handbag onto the table carelessly before moving toward the bookshelf.
A single ring sliced through the silence.
The sound startled her enough to make her pause sharply.
She turned quickly and grabbed the phone from the table.
For a brief moment, the madness in her eyes disappeared completely.
By the time she answered, the elegant and composed Seraphina had already returned.
"Yes?" she said calmly.
A few seconds later, the call ended.
She placed the phone back gently on the table and walked toward the door. The moment she opened it, Peyton-Rose stood directly in front of her.
Seraphina's expression didn't change.
Peyton walked inside quietly before locking the door behind her.
"The production team is having problems with one of the lead actors. They need your approval before they can…"
Seraphina laughed softly.
The sound immediately made Peyton stop talking.
Both women stared at each other silently.
Then Seraphina stepped closer slowly.
"We both know that's not why you came here," she said smoothly.
Peyton didn't answer.
Seraphina lifted her hand gently and grabbed Peyton's cheek tightly.
Her nails pressed into the skin slowly until the area turned red.
Still, Peyton didn't react.
"You could've sent an email," Seraphina whispered. "But instead… you came to see me yourself."
Then suddenly, she leaned forward and kissed her hard.
Peyton kissed her back immediately, clinging like she'd been starved for it.
Seraphina let her, for a second. Let herself feel it.
Then something shifted.
Her grip tightened, dragging Peyton up onto the library table in one rough motion. Books skittered and hit the floor.
The kissing became messier and sloppy.
And then Seraphina's hands slid to Peyton's throat.
She didn't stop kissing her. She only tightened her grip hard enough to make Peyton gasp against her mouth.
Tears immediately gathered in her eyes.
Seraphina leaned closer, her voice almost gentle despite what she was doing.
"You should enjoy moments like this while they last," she whispered.
Her fingers tightened even more.
"Because the moment Alexander becomes mine…"
Peyton's breathing shook weakly.
"You'll become worthless to me."
A tear rolled down Peyton's cheek.
But Seraphina only kissed her again while cupping her cheek with both hands.
Her hand slid lower, pressing painfully against Peyton's ribs while Peyton trembled silently beneath her.