Serafina's POV
"You're being cruel, Serafina," Dante said, his tone laced with displeasure.
"For what?" I asked, while Camilla stood behind him with that mocking smile of hers.
"To Camilla. I've told you before, don't be cruel to her. You're always jealous, and honestly, I'm tired of it. You don't understand, do you?" His grip on my arm tightened, enough to make me wince. "Why is this so hard for you?"
"I'm not jealous, Dante," I replied evenly, though everything inside me wanted to lash out. "I understand. Don't worry about it." The words tasted bitter, but I swallowed them, forcing myself calm. I wanted to tell him it didn't matter anymore, that I was leaving, that I was getting married. But why bother? He wouldn't care.
He released my arm, his hand moving to my cheek, a gesture that once made my heart race and now felt empty. "Trust me, Serafina. I won't hurt you. Stop thinking these things about Camilla and me."
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Trust him. Won't hurt me. Those were the very things he'd broken over and over these past six months. If I had died from those poisoned berries, I was certain he wouldn't have shed a single tear.
When I reached the room where I taught the children, they ran to me with bright faces, easing the ache in my chest for a moment. God, how I'd always dreamed of having my own. Dante used to promise me we'd have them one day. But those promises were as empty as his touch now.
I'd miss these children. Leaving them hurt more than I thought it would.
Later I checked my phone. Another message from my parents asking about wedding details, what flowers I wanted, the cut of my dress, whether I preferred a delicate veil or a wreath.
Since I was a girl, I'd loved wedding preparations. I'd even arranged Gianna's wedding, Dante's sister, five years ago when she married into the Donati Family. Now she had two beautiful sons and a husband who adored her. And me? Ten years of loving Dante had given me nothing but heartbreak. If I'd let my parents choose for me back then, I might have had children by now, a husband who cherished me. Instead I was here, humiliated and betrayed by the man I thought I'd spend forever with.
At the market on Ricci turf, I bought gifts for the children and for Elisa, one of the few friends I had left. Two soldiers carried the packages back to the estate when they saw me struggling, their silent kindness a balm to my bruised heart.
Dante spotted the gifts the moment I returned, his eyes narrowing. "What are those for? Who are they for? And this." He held up a letter a messenger had handed him. "What's this wedding the man mentioned?"
I took the letter, recognizing my mother's handwriting. "I think it's time we talked, Dante," I started, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "About the marriage—"
Before I could finish, one of the soldiers rushed in.
"Boss, Camilla's not in her room. We can't find her anywhere on the grounds."
Dante's expression shifted instantly, filling with worry. Without another word he turned and left, chasing after Camilla as if she were the only thing in the world. He didn't even say goodbye.
I brought the gifts to the children and to Elisa, forcing a smile as I handed them over.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" Elisa asked softly, lowering her voice and glancing toward the door before she spoke, the way she always did when something mattered.
"I have no reason to stay, Elisa," I said, my voice breaking slightly. "He's chosen someone else. I need to move on."
"What about the children? They love you, Serafina. And I, I'll have no one to help me with them," she whispered, her eyes pleading.
"I'm getting married, Elisa," I explained, though the words felt foreign in my mouth. "I can't stay here anymore."
"Who?" she asked, a flicker of hope in her tone. "Is he better than Dante?"
I paused, unsure how to answer. "I hope so, Elisa. I really do."
