Seraphina’s P.O.V
Rowan Whitmore— The black sheep of the Whitmore Family. My hands flew to my mouth as I ducked my head. He couldn’t have seen me, right? Why would he even be here? To taunt me? No, he might have forgotten about me by now. Knowing how cruel he could be, maybe he was just here to pick up a friend who was also getting released. So he wasn’t here for me. I took a deep breath, mustering the courage to walk past him while reassuring myself that all I needed to do was find Chloe and leave New York City. When I walked past him, my heart kept beating hard in my chest and… I froze, dread settling at the pit of my stomach, my fingers curling into fists when his voice echoed down my ears. “Flamingo!” That bastard! How many times would I tell him to stop addressing me as Flamingo? Biting my lower lip in anger, I removed my sunglasses, turned towards Rowan, and lashed out at him. “My name is Seraphina. Stop calling me flamingo, Seraphina isn’t that hard to pronounce…” My hands flew over my mouth. Oh no! I just didn’t lash out at him. Rowan’s grey eyes brightened, an amused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he laughed gently. “I thought you wanted to act like you didn’t know me?” My cheeks turned red with a mix of anger and embarrassment as I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “What are you doing here? You promised not to have anything to do with me, you bully!” Rowan laughed and there was something about him now that I couldn’t wrap my head around as he moved away from the car, walking towards me while he leaned down, poking me gently on the nose. “You were the bully, remember?” I scoffed in disbelief, my cheeks heating up. I opened my mouth to snap back, but the intensity of his gaze stopped me as those grey, unreadable eyes bore into mine, stealing the breath from my lungs. “Am I?” My voice was barely above a whisper. I met Rowan after I was adopted by the Henderson family. The Henderson family had ties to almost all the richest families in New York City and while I bonded with all the other kids, I could never bond with Rowan. We both hated each other with immense passion. While everyone called me Seraphina, he preferred to call me Flamingo for reasons best known to him. He loved getting on my nerves, he just did things that would make me talk about him all day. When we got into high school, it became worse. Rowan who sat behind me would do horrible things like loosening the hair band around my hair, using a feather around my ear, and doing things to piss me off intentionally. There was a time when the car taking Lucia and me to school broke down and Rowan on his motorbike happened to be passing. He took Lucia instead and ensured that water from the puddle was splashed on me. He also ruined all my chances of dating anyone in high school and college! Rowan was just the worst. So, when my grandfather who currently had dementia proposed marriage between Rowan and me, I had stood against it because I had a crush on Mason whom I wanted. He was nicer to me than Rowan. That night that I rejected Rowan, he seemed hurt but I never understood why. He had told me that he was never going to have anything to do with me if I ever stayed with Mason. Since then, he left New York City and the only time was when he came to Sophia’s funeral and he ignored me. And now, he was here on the day I was released from Jail. I took a step back, folding my hands behind me. “How can I help you?” A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I don’t need your help but you need mine” Confusion swirled through my mind. “What are you talking about?” “I have an offer for you” “What offer?” My breathing hitched when Rowan took a step forward, almost closing the space between us, and the smile on his face died. “Marry me, Seraphina” My mouth parted in shock as I glanced up at him, before chuckling slowly. “Do you see me as some sort of a joke who will marry just because…” Rowan cut in. “Nope but considering everything that happened to you, are you just going to let Mason and Lucia go scot-free? If they hadn’t done that to you, then Chloe…” He paused while I wiped off the tears that welled up in my eyes. “My daughter isn’t dead if that is what you wanted to say” “We will find her” He assured me and I was glad that he said that. I swallowed. “So how does marrying you help me?” “To get back at Lucia and Mason for what they had done to you. You can’t let them have their happy ending” “I don’t have any power like that anymore. Lucia has taken my place and she is now married to Mason…” I mumbled. “Plus, Mason is a family member of yours…” Rowan’s face darkened, clenching his jaw. “I have a score to settle with him. Are you marrying me or not, flamingo?” I scoffed. “What do I get?” “Everything that you have lost. This marriage would last for as long as you get your revenge. So do we have a deal or not, flamingo?” “Stop calling me that shit…” After deliberating on it, I exhaled sharply, staring into his grey eyes while saying. “Deal.” *** Lucia’s P.O.V Excitement bubbled deep within me, as I clutched the gift box and slipped my fingers through Mason’s arms while he heaved an exasperated sigh. “Why didn’t you allow Rowan’s servant to take the box from you” “Because I have to give it to him myself. It has been a long time since he left New York City and he is back for good this time. Plus I can’t wait to meet his wife” I grinned. The massive doors to the mansion swung open, and my eyes eagerly swept over the opulent interior. Stunning tapestries adorned the walls, intricate artworks filled the space, and grand chandeliers hung from the lofty ceiling that made me gape in wonder. “I am still mad that he got married without inviting anyone” Mason sucked between his teeth while I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter baby, I also heard that his wife is also a pharmacist and will be establishing her own pharmaceutical company” Mason glanced at me, raising a brow. “Shouldn’t you be worried that she will be a rival?” “No, it doesn’t matter. As long as it is Rowan’s wife, I will be happy to help her” I beamed with a smile. “You are so pure, Lucia” I leaned on his shoulder and stopped in my tracks when Rowan strolled down the stairs looking more handsome and breathtaking than the last time I set eyes on him. “Oh my God, Rowan” I squealed in excitement, pushing Mason aside while rushing towards Rowan. Hugging him, I almost broke down in tears. “Rowan, I missed you so much” “Lucia, it has been a long time” He slowly pushed me aside and there was this coldness in his voice or was it just me? He proceeded to exchange handshakes with Mason who stared at him before he shook his head. “I hate you, Rowan, anyways, where is your wife?” Rowan was about to speak when a voice that triggered all the senses in my head echoed through my ears. Dread settled at the pit of my stomach while the sound of stilettos reverberated through the walls of the house. I knew that voice. “Did anyone ask about me?” Mason turned, his eyes widening and he almost lost balance. “S-Se…” I spun and at that moment, my heart turned cold in my chest as we both locked gazes. She flashed a cold smile at me even though her eyes screamed terror. “Sister, we meet again” Before I could even understand what was going on, Rowan walked past me, standing next to Seraphina as he slid a hand over her waist. “This is my wife that you two couldn’t wait to meet, Seraphina Whitmore” “She is the CEO of Wellspring Pharma and now if anyone dares to come after her, they will suffer my wrath irrespective of whether they are a friend, a foe, or even my family.”Seraphina Lucia froze completely, her lips wobbling, her eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. I pressed my hands against his, feeling the warmth of his skin against my own before darting my eyes back to her with a dangerous smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “You seem shocked, is there a problem?” A mischievous smile graced my lips and at that moment, her hands flew over my mouth as she took a step back, then another until she almost lost balance. But before she could fall completely to the floor, Mason was quick to catch her. The shocked expression did not leave his face as he glanced back and forth at Lucia and me. At that moment, I leaned into Rowan’s embrace while Lucia swallowed, removing herself from Mason’s grasp, her eyes blinking continuously as she fixed her gaze on me. Every time that her lips parted to speak, no words came out—She looked lost. Mason finally broke the long silence between us, taking a step forward, not sparing me a single glance as he s
Rowan’s POVI leaned against the car, hands tucked in the pocket, staring at the butler who gave his report, and I was about to respond to him when all of a sudden, my heart turned cold in my chest as soon as I caught sight of a movement in the corner. The butler’s words faded in the background while I fixed my eyes on the woman who descended the low steps, swinging her purse in her hands. Seraphina. The more my gaze lingered on her face, the more my heart pounded hard against my chest. She was stunning.The way her ponytail bounced lightly. She was effortlessly grateful. At that moment, my mind drifted back to everything that Mason had put her through, and most importantly, he had broken the promise that he made to me.Something that I will never forgive him for. Before I left New York City, I made him make a promise to me since he was getting married to Seraphina—A promise that he would never hurt her or even make her cry—but that bastard broke that promise!For every tear, pain
Lucia’s POVSeraphina’s sob broke through the silence as almost everyone scampered towards Grandpa. Dad had hung his head low in despair, leaving the room with Mum while my uncle Richard, began calling all the other cousins to inform them about Grandpa’s death. While the whole commotion happened, I heaved a sigh of relief—Not because I cared that after Grandpa went through so much pain, he finally found rest. I heaved a sigh of relief because I was happy that he was now dead. Finally! A smile threatened to creep through my face but suppressed it as the memories from where he had pointed to me flooded through my mind. When he was still in a vegetative state, I had said so many horrible things to him and even confessed thousands of things because I was sure that he was never going to wake up. Now, imagine my fear when I received the call that he had regained consciousness. Excitement bubbled deep within me because not only did his death delight me, but his death was going to open m
Seraphina’s POVOne thing I would never understand was my family’s hastiness to share my late grandpa’s inheritance. His funeral was only a few days ago, and if it hadn’t been for Rowan, I wouldn’t have come at all. He helped me see that, even with my family keeping their distance, my grandfather would have wanted me here.I heaved an exasperated sigh, adjusting my sunglasses while trying to hold back my tears on seeing the cheerful mood that my family was in. The more I stared at every one of them, the more unease rose to choke me. It was more like they never cared about my late grandfather. My fingers trembled as I fisted my dress and my eyes kept scanning everyone around. Lucia stood around the dining table with Mason, feeding him dessert while my cousins, Ava and Kira kept predicting what share of the inheritance would be allocated to them. Ava squealed in excitement. “What if Grandpa gives me his vacation house?”“And he gives me the yacht” Kira screamed before she threw a gl
Rowan’s POVSeraphina crouched before Grandpa Martin’s grave, burying her head between her knees, before she raised her head and made a tiny sniffle. “Your favorite flower, Grandpa” She dropped a rose petal on his grave while I clenched my fist, resisting every urge to place my hands on her shoulder. Slowly, she turned and when my eyes met hers, the tears that shone in her eyes shattered my heart into pieces. She forced out a smile, opening her arms wide. “Do you want to hug?”“Do you?” She pursed her lips slightly, bobbing her head up and down. “I think I can use one”Without thinking twice, I stepped forward and wrapped my hands around her, while she pressed her head so hard against my chest that the fear of her hearing my heartbeat clawed at me. Plus, why was my heart racing so hard in my chest?I could feel her warmth seep into my chest in an electrifying way while she sobbed gently. “I can’t still believe everything that happened. I can’t believe that he would leave such an
Lucia’s POVThis was a nightmare!If it was a nightmare, then why wasn’t I waking up from it?All my life, I had been jumping from one traumatic experience to the other, but this was different. I knew that wretched old man never liked me, but how could he be so cruel to give almost all his properties to Seraphina? How could he make her the boss of me?Why was I so unlucky with my life? My life, my plans, and my dreams were all crumbling before my very eyes and there was nothing that I could do to stop it. Mason snapped me out of my reverie, squeezing me gently on the shoulder as my children, Jason and Henry followed him. While Jason was focused on his video game, Henry rushed up to meet me. “Mummy, are you okay now? You won’t be returning to the hospital right?”I forced out a smile. “I wouldn’t be returning to the hospital…”Before I could complete my words, Mason interrupted. “Henry, can you please not stress your mum? She needs all the rest that she could get”“Okay Daddy” He lef
Mason’s POV Opening the door to our luxurious home, a sense of fulfillment and relief washed over me. As much as I despised Seraphina, I couldn’t help but be glad that she made such a decision by throwing us out of the house. The family house was stifling, filled with endless drama. It was clear they never truly liked Lucia, and her presence often felt as though she was forcing her way into their world. Yet, despite everything, I couldn’t understand her deep attachment to them. Because she exposed my sister’s murderer, I felt obligated to grant every one of her wishes, even the ones that unsettled me. Finally, we could have the perfect nuclear family that I had envisioned in mind. Just me, Lucia, Jason, and our adopted son, Henry. While the children ran around the house in excitement, Lucia seemed displeased as she had a frown on her face and was acting nonchalantly about everything that I showed her. “I think that you would love this Piano. I can’t wait to play the piano for
Seraphina Rowan sat across from me, his eyes fixed on the tablet that he scrolled through as the maid dished out his plate of omelets. I bit on my sandwich, staring at him suspiciously while he ignored my total existence. Rowan and I might act close in public, but inside the house, we were total strangers. We hardly talked to each other unless it was critical—I mean, how were we supposed to talk to each other when we hardly saw each other? We were both workaholics. I took a spoonful, chewing, and I was about to speak when all of a sudden, my heart lurched when Rowan raised his head, his eyes meeting mine as he shot a glare at me. “Can you stop staring at me because I am trying to get work done here, and can you stop chewing loudly?”I smiled at him before the smile on my face died. “Is that how you say good morning? Mr. Rowan?”“There is nothing good about the morning for me to exchange pleasantries with you and—” He paused, removing his glasses, placing them on the table before h
Seraphina’s P.O.VDread washed over me as I sat in the café, the walls closing in on me with every second that passed by. It was crazy how Rowan was the cause of my sadness. I wasn't supposed to be sad. Yet, I couldn't stop my mind from replaying the words that Ava had said. She had mentioned that she had spotted Rowan this morning. She saw him in a shopping mall yet…My heart sank my stomach and my eyes darted over to the text that dug a hole in my chest, causing my heart to twist in pain. My gaze lingered on the text that he had sent me. “The trip has been postponed for another two days…he will be seeing me soon…” My voice was barely above a whisper. I leaned forward, not being able to take my eyes away from the text as I deliberated confronting him or just ignoring him. And at the same time, I couldn't understand why his personal life bothered me this much. I missed the times when I wasn't concerned about Rowan or anything that he was involved in. I missed the times when he
Seraphina’s P.O.VSince that day at the park when I broke down, things haven't been the same anymore., I had been thrown into this void that seemed to be sucking the life out of me. Everyone may have moved on and going on with their lives but I seemed to have been stuck in that time. I couldn't grasp the extent of Lucia’s hatred for me and most importantly, I couldn't understand why Rowan did the things that he did for me. Why was he willing to risk everything for someone like me and most importantly, when he mentioned that I meant nothing to him? Do people go that far for someone that means nothing to them?It has been a week since I had last set eyes on Rowan and despite everything Lucia told me about him orchestrating the attacks because of me, I had never confronted him and we didn't even speak about what Lucia told me about. Everyone minded their business since that day because hearing all that he was doing for me was still so hard to believe. It would have been more believab
Lucia’s P.O.VHow did he figure it out? How did he discover that I had hired a camera crew to record a video that I would use in doing damage control on the media later? My plan had failed and as if that wasn't worse, I had ended up with a broken ankle that was just starting to heal. Rowan’s threat still sent a shiver down my spine and for a second, I had to stop dead in my tracks as the memories of what he had said kept popping up in my mind. That man wasn't a human. He was a demon and I didn't know why it took me so long to figure out how dangerous he was. He shot Leo. Almost killed me and Mason because of her…Seraphina. I sucked in a deep breath, trying to quash the thoughts that were starting to overwhelm me. I shouldn't allow Rowan’s threat to get to me that much instead, I needed to focus on the issue that was at hand. A groan escaped me and the fact that Mason’s family had been trying to reach me for the past few days and I had ditched Mason by not visiting him kind of sca
Rowan’s P.O.VI had orchestrated a plan—A plan that would make Seraphina follow me to the ice cream stand and that was why I had to leave my wallet to her because I knew that in the end, she would have no option but to bring it but with the way things were going now, it seemed more like my plans had failed because if it didn't, then why wasn't she here now?“What is taking her so long?” I muttered under my breath, frustration seeping through my chest. I glanced at my wrist watch and when I noticed that she had no plans of coming here, I left the line. Could it be that she hadn't noticed the wallet in the car?Or what if there was a high chance that she had used the opportunity to stroll around the pack?A frustrated groan escaped me as I walked back to the spot where I had left her. There she was and I was about to call her name when I noticed the presence of someone around her. At that moment, a chilling wave of intensity surged through me—not born of fear, but of something far da
Seraphina’s P.O.VThose horrible words that Rowan uttered left a bitter taste in my mouth. They echoed in my mind, cutting deeper and deeper with every second that the words flashed through my mind. He claimed that I had meant nothing to him. Considering our history, it wasn’t supposed to hurt but yet it had hurt me so badly that pain exploded in my chest and anger simmered beneath the surface of my skin. “Rowan Whitmore” I muttered through gritted teeth and it was funny how I wasn’t even bothered about what Lucia had done to me anymore. What bothered my mind were the words that Rowan had spilled without any remorse. I knew that we were always on each other’s tail almost all the time but how could he say that I meant nothing to him?I mean, it was so devastating for him to say something like that to me without thinking twice. And, most importantly, why do I care what Rowan thinks about me?Before, I wouldn’t have given a fuck but now I just couldn’t seem to get my mind off that c
Rowan’s P.O.VI hadn’t gotten one car but three—an Audi A6, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the last one, a sleek Ferrari 488 Spider.For someone who wasn't a car freak, her eyes had shown this tiny bit of excitement and shock at the same time before they were replaced with this darkness. At the same time, this excitement surged inside of me, knowing that I had already fulfilled all that I had planned and most importantly, the promise that I had made to Seraphina. She might not understand things because she was still shocked because of the gravity of evil that her twin sister was capable of doing to her. However, she would soon understand the extent to which I was willing to go for her to trample evil people like Lucia underneath her feet. I removed the cuff-links, rolling up my sleeves, swerving onto the highway. I pressed a button and the roof of the car began to open. The wind rushed in, and I darted my eyes to Seraphina who sat on the passenger seat next to mine, her legs curled b
Seraphina’s P.O.VI could feel the muscles in my body tense and my blood turned cold in my chest. The phone that pressed against my ear slid to the ground as I stared blankly at the television and the reporter whose voice echoed down my ears. “Lucia Thompson, the CEO of the Henderson Pharmaceutical Company and the twin sister of Seraphina Whitmore, the CEO of a growing pharmaceutical company has finally…”Her words faded to the background and my gaze dropped to the headline below the screen. ‘Lucia Thompson, issued a public apology through a press conference early this morning, admitting to her past as a stripper and trying to tarnish her sister’s reputation by using the help of her husband, Mason Thompson”My heart lurched forward and dread settled on my shoulders and before I knew what was happening, tears welled in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks. I knew that things were pretty bad between us but never in my wildest imagination would I have ever imagined that they would do somet
Mason I had been calling Lucia incessantly when the news about the bomb blast flooded the media. The mere thoughts of what she could be going through were like a dagger that twisted through my heart. But despite the number of times that I had called her, she had never answered the call. And to worsen things, she hasn't been here since I regained consciousness. Something was wrong and no matter how much I tried to wrap my head around things, I just couldn't understand what was wrong and where she was. My family claimed that they had called her several times, and she promised to come and never came. And right now, I couldn’t make sense of the news flooding the media. Reports were buzzing about a press conference she had supposedly held earlier in the morning, and it was just after the bomb blast. When I sent people to the bomb blast site to look for her, she was nowhere to be found. Instead, they reported that she had been going around searching for reporters for the press conferen
Lucia’s P.O.V I sucked in a deep breath and another, placing my hand on my chest, feeling the way my heart pulsated beneath my palm. I heaved an exasperated sigh, glancing at my assistant who stood next to me. “How many hours do I have left?” my voice was barely above a whisper. He responded. “According to the time frame that you asked me to monitor, you have just thirty minutes left…” Her words faded in the background and the sound of the blast resounded through my head, causing me to shudder. I was beyond traumatized because of all the hell that Rowan had put me in the past few days. I had made the worst mistake of my life and what remained was suffering for the consequences of my action. This was my karma. The news about the bomb blast that rocked through the entire city made the news. Everyone quivered in fear, thinking that it was a terrorist attack and some made up conspiracy theories of Mason and I working together to cause mayhem in the city. According to them