☆Chapter 15: The Battle of Logic: Seraphina vs. Lorenzo☆

For weeks, peace had settled in the De Luca mansion.

Seraphina was happy.

Lorenzo was… coping.

Matteo was alive (miraculously).

And Nonno?

He was thriving.

But as always…

Seraphina had a new idea.

☆☆☆

Lorenzo was reading reports in his office when Seraphina marched in.

"Sir."

Lorenzo glanced up, brow raised.

"Yes?"

Seraphina's expression was serious.

"I want to go to school."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Lorenzo stared.

"No."

Seraphina blinked.

"You didn't even think about it."

"No need."

"But—"

Lorenzo's gaze hardened.

"I said no."

Seraphina's lips pressed into a thin line.

"Why?"

Lorenzo's voice was calm.

"Because you're safer here."

☆☆☆

Seraphina crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing.

"Sir, I'm bored."

Lorenzo didn't even look up.

"Read a book."

"I read all of them."

"Draw something."

"Matteo laughed at my last drawing."

Lorenzo's lips twitched.

"Play chess with Nonno."

"I beat him too many times."

Lorenzo's eye twitched.

"Seraphina."

Seraphina huffed.

"Sir."

☆☆☆

Later that day…

Lorenzo was in his study when Nonno and Matteo entered.

"We need to talk."

Lorenzo didn't look up.

"No."

Nonno raised a brow.

"You don't even know what we're going to say."

"If it's about Seraphina going to school… no."

Matteo grinned.

"Actually, we brought you a gift."

Lorenzo finally looked up.

And froze.

A stack of books.

Parenting books.

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"What… is this?"

Matteo smirked.

"Homework."

☆☆☆

"Raising a Well-Rounded Child"

Lorenzo sat at his desk…

Staring at the first book.

"Raising a Well-Rounded Child."

His jaw tightened.

"A child's social development thrives in environments where they can interact with peers their age."

Lorenzo's frown deepened.

"School provides a foundation for social growth, teaching children teamwork, communication, and independence."

He gritted his teeth.

"Denying a child this critical experience may hinder their emotional growth."

Lorenzo slammed the book shut.

"Bullshit."

☆☆☆

Lorenzo grabbed the next book.

"How to Be a Supportive Parent."

"I am supportive."

Matteo, who was leaning against the wall, snorted.

"Sure, boss."

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"I keep her safe."

"Like a prisoner."

Lorenzo's jaw tightened.

"She's alive."

Nonno's voice echoed from behind.

"But is she living?"

Lorenzo's hand paused.

☆☆☆

For the next few days, Lorenzo was quiet.

Too quiet.

He barely spoke to Seraphina.

Matteo noticed.

"What's eating you?"

Lorenzo's voice was gruff.

"Nothing."

Matteo raised a brow.

"You've been brooding for days."

Lorenzo didn't respond.

Instead…

He looked at the books.

Stacked neatly on his desk.

Mocking him.

☆☆☆

Lorenzo was up late.

The mansion was silent.

But he couldn't sleep.

Not with the words from the books echoing in his mind.

"Children need social interaction to develop emotional intelligence."

"A sense of belonging is formed through shared experiences with peers."

"School environments teach children to navigate challenges and build resilience."

Lorenzo's fingers tapped against the desk.

Seraphina was smart.

Too smart.

She was already ahead in her homeschooling lessons.

But…

She was also lonely.

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

He hated this.

☆☆☆

"Sir."

Seraphina stood at the dining table the next morning.

Lorenzo's eyes met hers.

She was expecting another rejection.

But this time…

Lorenzo's voice was quiet.

"Fine."

Seraphina blinked.

"What?"

Lorenzo's expression was blank.

"You can go."

Seraphina's eyes widened.

"Really?"

Lorenzo's gaze darkened.

"On one condition."

Seraphina froze.

"You'll have guards. Everywhere."

Her lips twitched.

"Of course, sir!"

☆☆☆

"I told you."

Matteo's grin was impossible to ignore.

Lorenzo scowled.

"Shut up."

Nonno chuckled softly.

"You did good, Lorenzo."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"I hate this."

Matteo's laughter echoed.

"Welcome to parenthood, boss."

Lorenzo glared.

"I will kill you."

Matteo grinned.

"But not before Seraphina goes to school."

Lorenzo's silence was louder than words.

☆☆☆

That night…

Seraphina stood by her window.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

She had won.

Lorenzo may not say it…

But this?

This was a victory.

"Nonno was right," she whispered.

"De Luca approvals are worth millions."

And for the first time…

Seraphina felt something warm in her chest.

Because now?

She was one step closer to being free.