Echoes of a Betrayal

I watched with growing unease as Beta Blaise's eyes lingered on Seraphina. His bold declaration hung in the air, heavy with implication. Julian's face darkened instantly, his fingers clenching at his sides.

"Sera isn't interested," Julian said, his voice tight with barely controlled anger.

Blaise raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smirk. "Shouldn't she be the one to decide that?" He turned to Seraphina, whose face had gone pale. "What do you say, beautiful? Dinner sometime, just the two of us?"

Sera shifted uncomfortably, shooting me a pleading glance. "I—I'm quite busy with the fashion line right now..."

"I insist," Blaise pressed, stepping closer to her. "A woman like you deserves to be properly courted."

Julian's eyes flashed dangerously. "She said she's busy."

The tension was unbearable. I glanced at Rhys, who seemed oddly amused by the standoff. His eyes met mine briefly before he turned away, pulling a cigarette from his pocket.