A Calculated Plea

I stared at Julian's retreating figure, my body frozen in shock. My fiancé. My beautiful, perfect fiancé had just been pinned against a tree by my father for touching another woman.

Not just any woman. Seraphina Beaumont.

The betrayal cut through me like shards of glass, slicing into every dream I'd carefully constructed about our future together. All those nights Julian had whispered promises of forever, all while he was still obsessed with his former mate.

I pressed my palm harder against my mouth, forcing myself to stay silent as my father and Seraphina spoke in hushed tones. Their conversation was brief, but the way they looked at each other... There was something there that I couldn't—wouldn't—name.

When they finally walked away, I remained hidden, trembling behind the birch trees until I was certain they were gone. Then I sank to my knees, allowing the tears I'd been holding back to flow freely.