"Lord Verlice is satisfied with your work so here is your bonus for that," Madam Ibanez said as she scoffed bitterly, bestowing me with the small brown envelope.My face brightened up as I nodded. "Thank you, madam!" I said, feeling delighted. I even bowed my head before her. Then I returned to my workstation."Someone is smiling brightly today." I smiled sheepishly when Niscia teased."Someone also received a bonus today," I teased back.I got to know that she finished the dress Desmond asked her to do. Somehow it made me feel bitter because it meant that Desmond was supposed to give it to someone. That woman was so lucky..."Shall we go out then? Take Sander with you." She nudged me as we took a five-minute break."I have plans for today. Unfortunately. We can go out on this day off if you like." It was fortunate that we had the same day of having a day off on this recent schedule.Our day offs shuffled every two weeks. I was so glad that finally, Niscia and I had the same day that
"So, how should we plan the picnic, Seraphina?" I looked up when Niscia drank some water to drink. I chuckled and put down the needle to take a break for a moment."I told this to Sander yesterday. He said that we can go to Arsenio City. Sierra Lakeside is located there," I said and remembered Sander's words yesterday.Niscia gasped. Her eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands. "Ah, yes! Yes! Sierra Lakeside would be the best place to have a picnic there." She looked getting excited. "It has been a while since I last go to the lake..." she said dreamily."Are you not going to a lake once in a while?" I asked and realized that she and I didn't get much to talk about her life.Niscia was a secretive but open person. I did not know how to put it into words but she was a jolly woman and a talkative, too. Along with my co-workers, she was the only one I had gotten too close to.Niscia shrugged. "Well, I do not have time for that. I have been busy for quite a while.""Busy from what?" I til
While we were having our supper, Desmond did not ask anything about my life seven years that we drifted apart. He only asked what could have gotten me going home so late and if Madam Ibanez was abusing us.I wanted to say that yes, she was abusing us and not paying us very well but I only told him the positive ones because I had a feeling that he was going to take her down if I ever admitted that."How's Daniel?" I asked after we were enveloped with silence.Desmond looked at me before he lowered his head to the meal he was eating. He already had a second bowl of meat stew because he enjoyed it a lot. He even complimented me that he liked my cooking which made me blush."I am already considering Daniel to train as the next Alpha of the Rising Diamond," he said as he played the meat with the spoon he was holding."Oh." I nodded my head. I pursed my lips into a thin line when I almost smiled because if that happened, he wouldn't get to know about Sander. Sander would be safe from the tr
"Wow, Mama! This is beautiful!" Sander exclaimed as he started running towards the Sierra Lakeside and transformed into his little wolf form."Sander!" I groaned and sighed when he couldn't help barking and following the geese.Niscia chuckled. "So, by his age transforming into a wolf form, he has the blood of an Alpha, correct?"I stiffened and realized that Niscia was with me. I turned at her and smiled wryly. "I can explain, Niscia..." I gulped.She shook her head. "No need, Seraphina. If you are that uncomfortable talking about your mate, then I shall not insist on it. I respect your privacy." She smiled gently."Thank you." Niscia was very thoughtful. I thought she would try to pry on me but I was wrong.I was grateful to have her as a friend. She knew how to respect someone's privacy. That was why I was comfortable with her and sometimes when I was ready I would tell her about my life before becoming a seamstress to work with Madam Ibanez."Let's set up the blanket. Shall we?" N
"What are you doing here, Desmond?" I asked as I hid Sander behind me before he could say anything to greet him.His eyes that were darting on Sander went to me. I stepped back upon seeing his shallow expression. I suddenly wanted to run away along with Sander but I couldn't find myself to do so.I felt like someone nailed me here from my standpoint, so I couldn't even move."I am here to see you, yes?" he said with a smile. He stepped forward and spread his arms. "Don't I deserve to have a hug, seraphim?"I stepped backward again, starting to be more cautious. "Stay away..." I could feel my heart pounding so fast. I glanced at the door of our flat which was already near to us. I glanced behind me when I saw Sander waving his hand at Desmond. "Sander!" I scolded him and put down his hand before I took the keys.He looked at me with his innocent eyes. "But Mama... I wish to speak with him.""Mama, huh?"I froze from my standpoint when Desmond spoke. I gulped and saw that the smile wasn
I became cautious as the days went by. I was waiting for Desmond to come to confront me but he never showed up. I was agitated because of that."Are you alright, Seraphina?"I flinched when someone tapped on my shoulder. I was already standing on the pavement and turned around to see Niscia who had a worried expression right now.I let out a shaky breath and nodded. I thought it was Desmond but I was wrong. "Yes, I am alright...""Why are you not going home then?" she asked and fished out her pocket watch. "It's 7 in the evening already. Sander will be worried about you again.""Sander is not in my flat," I said, finally said. "I did not allow him to stay there anymore."Her eyes widened. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows. "Did something happen?"I decided to sit on the pavement, still thinking about why Desmond was not making his move. I had been like this ever since that day. Until now, my heart was hammering so fast. I couldn't even let myself feel calm
"You cannot coerce me to go with you! This is abduction, Desmond!" I shouted angrily while I was punching his back.Desmond hovered me over his shoulder and lifted me like I was just nothing. He only chuckled as a response and held my legs tightly when I kept wiggling my legs to hit his chest.Then he put me down on the seat when he placed me inside the carriage. "What is wrong when bringing you back to the Rising Diamond pack, seraphim? Must you not forget that we are still married after all, hmm?"My eyes widened. "W-What?" I was left dumbfounded when Desmond mounted and sat across me. "What do you mean I am still married to you?" I asked, horrified right now at the shocking revelation that wrecked my whole being.Desmond smiled. "Just so you know, we are not divorced, Seraphina. You may reject me but remember that you are still married to me. It means I am still your husband and you are my wife after all.""You're insane..." I couldn't believe this. I realized what he said was righ
"I said what are you doing here, Niscia?! You are supposed to hide Sander from Desmond!" I raised my voice, not minding the people who were here to see me.Niscia did not answer. Her eyes were glued to the ground, not reacting that I had been yelling and humiliating myself in front of the pack members of Desmond."Niscia!" I felt betrayed right now. I didn't even know what I must do. I want to claw her out right now."Mama."I lowered my gaze and felt the tugging in my dress. I immediately hugged Sander, who I longed for. "I missed you, Sander..." I murmured.He started sobbing and buried his face in the crook of my neck. "I missed you, too, Mama... Auntie Niscia brought me here from the orphanage five days ago. She said that I will be safe here."I stiffened. Five days ago? The only thing I remember asking a favor from her was three days ago. How was it five days ago?Then it hit me.I looked up at Niscia whose eyes were still glued to the ground. I stood up and approached her before