The fever wrapped around me like iron restraints, scorching me from the inside. My body shook uncontrollably beneath the covers, sweat seeping through the thin sheets, clinging to my skin. But the heat wasn’t what tortured me the most.
It was the dream.
Adrian.
He stood before me, smiling the way he always had—wide, playful, full of life. That familiar grin that made everything feel safe. We were back on the mountain trails, the air crisp, the sky endless. His fingers laced through mine as he pulled me forward, laughing.
“Hurry up, Seraphina,” he teased. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”
In the dream, I laughed too—light, unburdened, free in a way I hadn’t felt in years. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead, warm and certain. His eyes held promises he never broke.
When we get back down, let’s get married, he had said once, half-joking. But I knew he meant every word.
Then the world shifted.
His footing slipped. The ground gave way. Adrian fell, his hand reaching for mine, his voice torn away by the rushing wind.
I screamed his name, over and over, until my throat burned raw.
“Adrian! Adrian!”
My own cry yanked me out of the dream.
I shot upright, chest heaving, tears pouring down my face.
But it wasn’t Adrian sitting beside me.
It was Dominic.
He sat in the chair near my bed, arms crossed, his expression dark and mocking.
“So that’s how it is,” he sneered. “Even now, you’re still crying for him.” His lips twisted cruelly. “You shout his name like a grieving widow. I’m sitting right here, Seraphina, yet it’s always Adrian.”
My heart lurched painfully. I wiped at my tears, shaking my head. “Dominic, I didn’t—”
He didn’t let me finish. “This is exactly why marriage is off the table.” He rose to his feet, looming over me. “Why would I marry a woman who’s still obsessed with a dead man? Forget it. There’s no point.”
The words struck hard, but he wasn’t done.
“Helena will be staying here from now on,” he added coldly. “She needs care.” He paused, then delivered the blow. “She’s pregnant.”
Everything inside me went numb. “What did you say?”
“You heard me,” he replied flatly, his gaze unyielding. “You’ll prepare her meals. She needs to eat properly.”
A hollow laugh escaped my lips, though they trembled violently. “I’m not your servant, Dominic.”
His eyes darkened. “You are to me. You’re useless otherwise.” His voice turned sharp. “If you don’t like it, then leave.”
Tears burned behind my eyes, but I forced them back. “So this is it? You’re with her now? You’re marrying her?” My voice cracked. “Then what was I to you, Dominic? What did I ever mean?”
The slap came without warning.
Pain exploded across my cheek as my head snapped to the side.
“You dare ask me that?” he shouted. “When you can’t even let go of Adrian?” His voice thundered. “Don’t think I didn’t know—you went to his grave. You cried there after telling me you loved me. You’re a hypocrite!”
Something inside me shattered completely.
“You used me,” he sneered. “So what if I use you too? That’s all this ever was. Nothing more.”
“I don’t want this,” I whispered, my voice shaking, barely audible.
“I’m not asking,” he snapped. “I’m giving you an order.”
At that moment, the door opened and Helena stepped inside. Her complexion was pale, her voice gentle. “Are you arguing because of me? I’m sorry, Dominic. I didn’t mean to cause trouble—”
He immediately pulled her into his arms. “No, Helena. Don’t apologize.” His gaze flicked toward me. “She’ll cook for you. It’s time she repays everything she’s taken from me.”
I didn’t have the strength to argue anymore.
My cheek throbbed, my body shook, my heart felt like it was bleeding out. I lowered my head and walked into the kitchen.
My hands trembled as I chopped vegetables, my vision swimming with tears. The knife slipped once, nearly slicing my skin, but I kept going. I just wanted it over with.
Helena approached hesitantly. “Seraphina… let me help you.”
I shook my head. “No. It’s fine. You don’t need to.”
She lingered anyway, fidgeting. I turned back to the cutting board, but my grip—already weakened by fever—failed me. The knife slipped again.
This time, it nicked Helena’s finger as she reached for the plate.
She gasped as blood surfaced.
Dominic rushed in instantly, fury blazing in his eyes. Without listening, his hand struck my face again—harder—sending me crashing against the counter.
“You hurt her?” he bellowed. “Are you out of your mind?”
“I didn’t mean to—she reached for—” My voice broke.
Helena whispered weakly, “It’s not her fault, Dominic. Please—”
But his rage drowned her out.
He hit me again. And again.
I lost count. Pain blurred into numbness. I could barely stand.
“Apologize!” he barked.
“No,” I rasped, blood coating my lips. “It wasn’t my fault—”
His expression turned icy.
Then he shoved me with brutal force.
My body flew backward, slamming into the sliding doors that led to the pool.
The water engulfed me instantly.
Cold. Heavy. Suffocating.
I thrashed, gasping, terror clawing through me. I couldn’t swim—not since the cruise. Water meant panic. Water meant death.
I clawed at the surface, choking. “Dominic! Please—help me!”
“Dominic!” Helena cried. “She’s drowning—do something!”
But he didn’t move.
He stood there, gripping Helena’s arm, his voice chillingly calm. “No. Let her drown. She brought this on herself.”
Water flooded my lungs. My body convulsed. Through the blur, I saw Helena clutch his sleeve, shaking her head. “Please, Dominic… don’t let her die.”
She looked concerned. Almost tearful.
But when his attention shifted for just a second, I saw it.
The smile.
Small. Cold. Victorious.
She wanted this.
She wanted me gone.
My strength faded completely as the water dragged me under, pulling me into darkness once more.
