It was late on the 19th of April, and the moon cast a silvery glow through the stained-glass windows of Seraphina's private chambers.
The air carried the faint scent of lavender from the soaps distributed throughout the estate—a small reminder of Aric's quiet presence in their lives and hers too as her room smelled like roses.
But tonight, that tranquility was shattered by an unexpected knock at her door.
Seraphina frowned, rising from her desk where she had been reflecting on herself over Aric's rant.
Who would dare disturb me at this hour? Is it Vayne? Maybe we could have a talk...
She opened the door cautiously, only to find Callista standing there—dressed provocatively in nothing but a red lingerie set consisting of a lacy bra and matching panties.
"What the- Callista?" Seraphina asked sharply, her voice dripping with disbelief.
"What in good god's name are you wearing?"
Callista smirked, stepping past her without waiting for an invitation.
"I thought your husband—the weak toy I once controlled—wouldn't be able to resist opening the door if he saw me like this." she said casually, gesturing to her attire.
"But alas, not only did he ignore my advances, he didn't even acknowledge my existence."
Seraphina closed the door behind her guest, crossing her arms tightly over her white gown.
I mean, he did make you go on all fours, I'm surprised you even went for round two.
"You're telling me Vayne refused you?" she asked while raising an eyebrow.
"My husband can keep his dick inside his pants? That's… surprising."
Callista chuckled darkly, perching herself elegantly on the edge of Seraphina's bed.
"Oh, trust me, it surprised me too. Let me tell you what happened."
Her expression turned wistful as she slipped into a flashback, vividly recounting the events of earlier that evening:
Callista stood outside Vayne's chamber door, putting the vibrator discreetly tucked behind her back. Dressed in the same seductive red lingerie, she leaned against the frame provocatively, expecting him to open the door immediately.
After all, hadn't he always fallen for her charms before?
Minutes passed, yet no response came. Frustrated, she knocked again, louder this time.
Still nothing.
Seriously? Not even a rejection?
Finally, giving up, she pressed her ear to the wood, listening intently—but all she heard was silence. No footsteps, no muffled curses, just emptiness.
A flicker of irritation crossed her face as she realized,
Vayne wasn't playing anymore. He didn't even entertain me or look at me. What the hell?
Returning to the present, Callista shrugged lightly,
"He humiliated me, Seraphina. With that little device he created, I thought I'd have power over him again. Instead, he ignored me entirely. It seems your husband has grown stronger—or perhaps smarter—than either of us anticipated."
Seraphina sat stiffly beside her, her gaze narrowing suspiciously.
"Stronger? Smarter? That may be so but Vayne is still the same reckless fool who ruined House Arkwright."
Callista tilted her head, studying Seraphina closely.
"Is he? Or are you simply refusing to see the truth because it doesn't fit your narrative? Think about it—he's managed to secure Thorin's support, convinced dwarves to work for you, and invented things that revolutionize our world. Does that sound like the same man who gambled away fortunes and cheated on you with me and prostitutes in your halls?"
Seraphina clenched her fists tightly, her jaw tightening. "Enough. Let's talk about why you're really here. What do you want?"
Callista leaned back slightly,
"Very well. We'll get to business. You're coming to my estate on the 22nd. Just a two-day journey from here. I assume you'll go through with what you said about overseeing the installation of the inventions he promised—the generator, power grid, heated floors, and whatever else he conjured up. While you're there, try not to let me seduce you—it might ruin your plans."
Seraphina scoffed loudly, rolling her eyes.
"Do you ever keep your legs shut, Callista? Must everything revolve around sex with you?"
Callista grinned wickedly, reaching behind her to retrieve the vibrator. She held it up teasingly, twirling it between her fingers.
"This little wonder has brought me to my knees literally in front of you with immense pleasure—and frustration, thanks to your husband."
Seraphina glared at her, clearly annoyed. "You disgust me."
"Oh, darling, spare me the theatrics." Callista leans closer until their faces were mere inches apart.
"We both know you've wondered what it feels like. Maybe one day you'll find out."
Before Seraphina could retort, Callista shifted gears abruptly,
"Now, onto more pressing matters. I heard about the assassination attempt on your husband. Care to share what happened? Alot of the maids and butlers keep telling ever since that day, Vayne changed."
Seraphina hesitated briefly before continuing,
"Well it's not a secret around here but it happened months ago. In the gambling dens near the main city of Veridian. Vayne snuck out because someone owed him money supposedly. Despite my warnings for it being a trap, he still went. It's not unusual behaviour for him but he was ambushed by hired thugs, likely sent by creditors angered by his debts. Evelyn intervened just in time, freezing them solid with her ice magic. By the time we retrieved him, his head injury was severe. When he woke up…"
She trailed off, her voice tinged with bitterness. "…he claimed amnesia. Convenient, isn't it?"
Callista arched an eyebrow skeptically,
"Amnesia? Please. Someone capable of creating such inventions doesn't forget everything overnight but then again, nobody else has ever come up with this. He could be faking it, Seraphina but judging by his recent actions, he might be telling the truth."
"I don't care whether it's real or fake." Seraphina spat venomously.
Callista studied her carefully,
"You say that, but I see doubt creeping into your resolve. Perhaps you're beginning to question whether he truly is the same man. Either way, mark my words—I'm still coming after him. For revenge, for control, for fun. Whatever motivates me next."
"And what exactly does that mean?" Seraphina demanded, her voice cold and sharp.
"It means," Callista replied smoothly, rising from the bed and adjusting her lingerie,
"that you should be careful what you wish for. Encouraging conflict between us may lead to outcomes you won't like."
With that cryptic warning, she walked toward the door, pausing only to glance back over her shoulder.
"We will move tomorrow to reach by the 22nd, Seraphina. Try not to overthink too much Sera or do. It will just benefit me."
After Callista left, Seraphina remained seated on the bed. Her thoughts churned violently, battling between hatred, confusion, and reluctant curiosity.
How could Vayne—no, this Vayne—ignore someone like Callista? Hadn't he always been weak-willed, easily swayed by lust and greed? Yet here he was, defying expectations, ignoring advances, and focusing instead on rebuilding House Arkwright.
For years, she had clung to her anger, nurturing it like a flame meant to burn him alive. But now, cracks began forming in her resolve.
Hatred is safer than uncertainty. Revenge is simpler than forgiveness.
''You should be careful what you wish for. Encouraging conflict between us may lead to outcomes you won't like.''
I guess...I should listen to Evelyn. I'll come by his room tomorrow to learn about him. It's much better than having fights over a man who can't even remember. I can always just divorce him after the debt is over.
But even with that thought, the image of him crying in her room lingered hauntingly in her mind,
Those tears—so raw, so genuine—had stirred something within her she couldn't quite name. Was it pity? Doubt? Regret?
She didn't know either.