132 Chapter 132


    Seraphina’s POV 1


    Morning light filtered through our bedroom curtains like it was any other day. Like the world hadn’t shifted


    on its axis while Iy awake all night, making the hardest decision of


    my life.


    Damien stirred beside me, his arm tightening around my waist in that unconscious gesture that used to make


    me feel so safe. Now it just made my chest ache with what I was about to lose.


    “Good morning,” he murmured against my hair, his voice rough with sleep.


    I turned in his arms, memorizing the way his eyes looked in the soft morning light. Silver-blue and warm with


    contentment. He had no idea this would be thest time he’d wake up with me beside him.


    “Morning,” I whispered back, pressing a kiss to his chest.


    His hand cupped my face, thumb stroking along my cheekbone. “You seem better today.”


    “I slept well,” I lied smoothly. “The party yesterday… forget about it. Seeing Riley so happy is enough.”


    “I’m d.” His smile was soft, relieved.


    “Don’t worry about me.” I traced patterns on his chest, trying to memorize the feel of his skin. “I’m stronger


    than I look.” –


    “I know you are.” He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. “You’re the strongest person I know.”


    Wey there for a few more precious minutes, talking quietly about nothing important. His schedule for the


    day. ns for the weekend. Normal couple things that made my heart fracture a little more with each word.


    When his rm went off, I forced myself to get up and start our usual routine. Coffee while he showered. Breakfast while he dressed for work. The domestic dance we’d perfected over the past year.


    “I might be a little bitte tonight,” he said, adjusting his tie in the hallway mirror.


    “No problem.” I smoothed the tie for him, my fingers lingering against the silk. “I’ll keep dinner warm.”


    He caught my hands, studying my face with those perceptive eyes. For a moment, I thought he might see through my careful mask.


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    “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.


    “I’m fine.” I went up on my toes, pressing my lips to his. “Really. Go save the world. I’ll hold down the fort


    here.”


    The kisssted longer than our usual goodbye pecks. I poured everything I couldn’t say into it-all my love, all


    my gratitude, all my regret. When we finally broke apart, his eyes were dark with something that looked like


    hunger.


    “Hold that thought,” he said, his voice dropping to that rough whisper that always made my knees weak.


    “Until tonight.”


    “I will.” Another lie.


    I stood in the doorway and watched him drive away, waving like I always did. ying the part of the devoted


    wife seeing her husband off to work.


    *This is for him,* I reminded myself as his car disappeared around the corner. *This is what’s best for


    everyone.*


    Adrian was already up by the time I went back inside, sitting at the kitchen table in his school uniform with a


    bowl of cereal. His dark hair stuck up in three different directions, and he had milk on his chin.


    “Morning, sweetheart,” I said, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Ready for school?”


    “I guess.” He made a face at his cereal. “Do I have to eat all of this? It’s all soggy now.”


    “Just finish what you can.” I sat beside him, smoothing down his stubborn cowlicks. “What do you have


    nned for today?”


    “Math test.” His nose wrinkled. “I studied, but fractions are stupid.”


    “Fractions aren’t stupid,” Iughed, my heart clenching at his expression. “They’re just tricky. But you’re


    smart. You’ll figure them out.”


    “Will you help me with homework tonight?”


    The question hit me like a physical blow. By tonight, he wouldn’t understand why I wasn’t there to help him


    anymore. Wouldn’t understand why Mommy had to go away.


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    132 Chapter 132


    “Daddy will help you,” I managed. “He’s much better at math than I am anyway!”


    He giggled at that, the sound so pure and innocent it nearly broke me.


    The drive to school was torture. Adrian chattered about his friends and his teacher.


    “Be good at school today,” I whispered against his hair. “Listen to your teacher. Be kind to your friends.”


    “I will.” He pulled back and grinned at me. “Will you pick me up today?”


    “Daddy will pick you up,” I said. “He might be a littlete, so don’t worry if you have to wait a few extra


    minutes, okay?”


    “Okay.” Adrian shouldered his backpack and opened the car door. “Love you, Mama!”


    “Love you too, sweetheart. So much.”


    I watched him run across the yground to join his friends, his backpack bouncing with each step. He turned


    and waved at me once before disappearing through the school doors.


    *That’s thest time,* I realized. *Thest time I’ll see him wave goodbye.*


    The drive home was a blur of tears I couldn’t hold back anymore. By the time I pulled into our driveway, I was


    sobbing so hard I could barely see.


    *Get it together,* I ordered myself. *You still have to face Lily.*


    The house felt too quiet when I walked in. The nanny looked up from where she was feeding Lily her morning


    bottle.


    “Good morning, Mrs. Nightshadow,” she said with a warm smile. “How did the drop-off go?”


    “Fine,” I managed, hoping she couldn’t hear the tears in my voice.


    She chuckled, and bounced Lily gently, “has been perfect as always. Ate her entire bottle without any fuss.”


    I approached slowly, drinking in the sight of my daughter. Dark hair like mine. Eyes that shifted between


    green and blue depending on the light.


    “Can I?” I asked, reaching out tentatively.


    “Of course! She’s your baby.” Nanny transferred Lily to my arms with practiced ease. “I’ll go start on the


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    Once we were alone, I carried Lily to the rocking chair by the window. The same chair where I’d spent


    countless hours nursing her, reading to her, singing lubies when she couldn’t sleep.


    “Hello, my beautiful girl,” I whispered, settling her against my chest. “Mama needs to talk to you about


    something important.”


    “You’re going to be amazing,” I told her, my voice breaking. “You’re going to grow up strong and brave and


    fierce. Just like your daddy.”


    Lily made soft baby sounds, her fingers finding a strand of my hair to y with.


    “I wish I could stay,” I continued, tears falling freely now. “I wish I was strong enough to be the mother


    deserve. But I’m not.”


    you


    I rocked her slowly, memorizing the weight of her in my arms. The way she smelled like baby lotion and


    something uniquely hers. The soft sounds she made when she was content.


    “I love you,” I breathed against her forehead.


    Lily’s eyes were starting to droop with sleepiness. I stood carefully, carrying her to the crib and settling her down with infinite gentleness.


    “Sweet dreams, little one,” I whispered, pressing onest kiss to her forehead.


    I stood there for a long moment, watching her sleep. Committing every detail to memory. Then I turned and


    walked out of the nursery, closing the door softly behind me.


    Nanny was in the living room, folding a basket of tiny clothes.


    “I need to run some errands,” I told her, keeping my voice steady. “I might be gone most of the day.”


    “I will take care of her. Take all the time you need, Mrs. Nightshadow. We’ll be just fine.”


    I went upstairs and packed a small bag with essentials. Nothing that would be missed immediately, nothing


    that would raise questions. Then I wrote a letter-simple, clean, final. I left it on Damien’s pillow where he’d find it tonight.


    At the front door, I paused onest time.


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    “Goodbye” I whispered, too softly for anyone to hear.