The Price of a Lie

ROMAN

The hallway stretched out before me like a tunnel, each step drawing me closer to a confrontation I'd been avoiding. My footsteps echoed against the marble floor, the familiar sound amplifying the tension coiling in my gut.

I found her in the solarium, exactly where Marcus said she'd be. Sunlight streamed through the glass ceiling, bathing Seraphina in golden light as she arranged fresh-cut flowers in a crystal vase. She looked peaceful, serene—completely unaware of the storm I was about to unleash.

"Your appointment went well?" I asked, voice deceptively calm as I stepped into the room.

Seraphina looked up, her hands stilling on a white lily. "Roman, I didn't hear you come in."

"I asked how your doctor's appointment went," I repeated, remaining near the entrance.

"Oh." She smiled, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "Fine. Just a routine check-up."