SERAPHINA
I stood in front of my full-length mirror, assessing my appearance with clinical precision. Dark circles under my eyes—perfect. Pallid complexion—achieved with the right makeup. Hair slightly disheveled, but not enough to look unkempt. I wore a loose dress that once hugged my fake baby bump but now hung oddly without it.
Today was the day my "pregnancy" would meet its unfortunate end.
Roman had been avoiding me for weeks now, consumed with his little family fantasy. It was pathetic how quickly he'd fallen back into Vanessa's trap, playing house with her and that child. But I knew Roman better than anyone—his sense of duty was his greatest weakness, and I was about to exploit it.
I dabbed a bit more concealer under my eyes, making myself look more exhausted. Men like Roman were drawn to damsels in distress. When a woman was strong, he grew distant. When she was broken, he couldn't stay away.