Novel-novel oleh Nafisa Jimeta

Seraphina knew something was wrong the moment she stepped into the grand hall. The air inside the Devereaux estate was thick with something she couldn’t quite place suffocating, charged, almost electric. It wasn’t the usual quiet luxury of Lucian’s world. The usual hum of servants moving discreetly through the corridors had ceased. The chandelier above cast an almost eerie glow, its light catching the polished marble floors, but the warmth of the estate had disappeared. The silence was the first clue. Then, she saw him. Lucian stood near the grand staircase, his expression unreadable, his presence commanding as always. But it wasn’t just him. Evelyn stood by his side, her body angled ever so slightly toward him, her lips curved into a victorious smirk as if she had already won a battle Seraphina didn’t know she was fighting. Seraphina’s stomach tightened. This was it. Lucian’s voice broke the silence, smooth and deceptively casual. “You’ve been avoiding me, sweetheart.” Seraph

Chapter 12: Shattered Illusions The mansion was quieter than usual that night, but the silence wasn’t peaceful it was waiting. Seraphina felt it pressing against her skin as she walked through the dimly lit halls, her thoughts tangled. Lucian hadn’t confronted her again. Not since he walked away after asking if she was sleeping with Raphael. And that silence was far more dangerous than his anger. She knew Lucian well enough to understand that when he stopped talking, stopped reacting he was planning. And that terrified her,more than she cared to admit. As she reached her room, a voice stopped her. “Elise?” she asked, surprised to see her best friend stepping out of the shadows. Elise’s expression was tense. “We need to talk.” Seraphina frowned. “What is it?” Elise hesitated, then whispered, “Lucian’s planning something. I don’t know what, but Evelyn’s involved.” Seraphina’s stomach twisted. Evelyn. Of course. Before she could respond, heavy footsteps echoed

Seraphina sat on the edge of the lavish bed, her fingers gripping the soft silk of her dress as her mind raced. The golden glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across the room, but all she could focus on was the storm brewing outside—and the even bigger storm raging inside her. She had made a mistake. Returning to Willow Creek had never been part of her plan. She had spent years ensuring she and Ava remained hidden from Lucian, carefully crafting a life where his shadow never reached them. Yet, somehow, fate had dragged her right back into the lion’s den, into the home of the one man she swore never to face again. And now, she had to make the biggest gamble of her life. A sharp knock on the door made her stiffen. She quickly composed herself before calling out, “Come in.” Elise stepped inside, shutting the door quietly behind her. Her eyes flickered with something between concern and frustration. “You shouldn’t be here,” Elise whispered. Seraphina let out a dry l

Lucian stood frozen in the doorway, his expression unreadable, but Seraphina knew what he was thinking. Raphael, ever the opportunist, smirked and took a step closer to her, deliberately invading her space. “Well, this is awkward.” Lucian’s gaze darkened, shifting between them. His jaw was tight, his breathing controlled—but Seraphina saw the telltale signs of rage. The storm brewing beneath his carefully composed mask. Raphael, however, was enjoying every second of it. He stretched his arms lazily before speaking. “You know, Lucian, barging into a woman’s room in the middle of the night is a bit rude.” Lucian’s fists clenched. “Get. Out.” Raphael chuckled, shaking his head. “I was just leaving anyway.” Then, just to push it further, he turned to Seraphina and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. It was the final straw. Lucian moved. In a blur of motion, he lunged—grabbing Raphael by the collar and slamming him against the wall. The room shook with the impact. Seraph

The room seemed to shift as Raphael approached, his presence commanding. He was just as she remembered—dark-haired, effortlessly powerful, with a smirk that hid too many secrets. Lucian tensed beside her. “Raphael,” Seraphina greeted smoothly. “What a surprise.” He took her hand and pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to her knuckles. “You look stunning, as always.” Lucian’s glass shattered in his grip. A slow smile spread across Raphael’s lips. “Still breaking things, I see.” Lucian stood, towering over them. “What are you doing here, Moretti?” Raphael slid his hands into his pockets, eyes gleaming with amusement. “I heard Seraphina was back. Thought I’d come see her for myself.” Seraphina lifted a brow. “So this is a social visit?” Raphael’s smirk deepened. “You could say that. But I also came to warn you.” Lucian’s expression darkened. “Warn her about what?” Raphael’s gaze locked onto Seraphina’s. “That the walls are closing in. And soon, you won’t be able to hide the truth

She didn’t stop walking. Not when she reached the hallway. Not when the burn in her throat became unbearable. She needed to breathe. To think. To forget. But as she pushed open the balcony doors and stepped into the cold night air, she knew one thing for certain. No matter how much distance she put between them, Lucian’s fire would never stop burning inside her. And that was the most dangerous part of all. Seraphina slammed the door behind her, the echo ringing through the dimly lit room. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths as she pressed her back against the wood, eyes shut tight. Don’t think about it. Don’t feel it. Don’t let him get to you. But the image of Lucian and Evelyn was burned into her mind, taunting her. Evelyn’s smirk. Lucian’s silence. The way his eyes held hers like she was the only one who mattered—until she wasn’t. Her fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms. A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head. "Pathetic,