Chapter 2

2

The next morning, I forced myself out of bed. I sat at the desk and wrote out a set of divorce papers.

I signed my name, Seraphina Vance, with every ounce of strength I had left.

This wasn't just to end my past. It was a practical move.

Sterling was going to die soon. I had no intention of becoming his widow.

I took the papers to his study to find him.

Through a crack in the door, I saw him beaming with joy. He was directing servants to move expensive wooden chests.

"These are thirty designer coats for the Princess," he ordered. "The autumn air is chilling, and her health is fragile."

"This is a rare jade set from the finest jeweler. Do not break it."

"And these are the deeds to thirty estates and ten luxury shops downtown."

He had never looked at me with such devotion. He had never given me anything even close to this.

When I was pregnant, he only sent me a bowl of noodles once. I had been so touched by that small gesture.

His lack of love had been so obvious. I had simply been too blind to see it.

My throat felt tight, and every breath felt like a serrated blade.

My hand trembled as I reached for the door. I wondered if I should even bother interrupting his happy moment.

"Seraphina? What are you doing here?"

Sterling pushed the door open, looking startled.

I pulled myself together and handed him the envelope. "This is a gift for you. Open it in seven days."

Seven days would be enough time for me to heal and leave this place forever.

Sterling didn't seem to hear me. He stuffed the papers into his coat and grabbed my hand excitedly.

"You're just in time. Come to the Palace with me to see Sienna."

"She just had a little girl. She's as beautiful as her mother!"

His usually stern face was soft. His eyes were crinkling with a genuine smile.

At the Palace, Sienna Quinn was surrounded by admirers while she held the infant.

Silas was laughing, playing with the baby. Sterling stepped forward and hung a custom gold locket around the child's neck.

I stood in the corner, a ghost at their feast.

I turned to leave, but a heavy jade ornament was suddenly hurled at my head.

It struck my forehead. I stumbled and fell to the floor, blood trickling down my face.

Sienna looked horrified, shrinking back behind Silas. "You monster! You tried to ruin me before, and now you want to hurt my baby?"

When she thought no one was looking, she pinched the infant hard.

The baby's screams echoed through the room. It was a pathetic, piercing sound.

Silas stood up in a rage. He slammed his boot onto my chest, pinning me down.

"Why didn't you die in the viper pit?" he growled. "Why did you come back to haunt us?"

He turned his glare toward Sterling. "Why did you bring this curse into my home? Are you trying to upset Sienna?"

The surrounding maids and guards began to hiss insults at me.

"She calls herself a Blood Witch, but she's just a homewrecker," one whispered.

"She deserves what those outlaws did to her. A woman like her would only give birth to a demon anyway."

I looked at Sterling, searching for a spark of the man I thought I knew.

For years, he was the only one who pretended to be on my side. He claimed to protect me from the world's hate.

Now, he just looked annoyed. He turned his face away as if I were an embarrassment.

"Forget it," he said coldly. "Just get out of here. You're an eyesore."

The last bit of hope in my heart died. I had forgotten that between me and Sienna, he would never choose me.

I crawled to my feet and wiped the blood from my lips. I began to walk away.

I hadn't gone far down the hallway when Sterling came running after me.

"Seraphina! Stop!"