Seraphina’s POV
Cadenmoved closer, his presence overwhelming, his sharp green eyes locked on mine.
Panic surged through me, and I instinctively stepped back, but my heel caught on one of my shoes, nearly sending me tumbling.
He reached out, steadying me effortlessly.
“I expected to see you fully dressed in that white gown,” he said, his gaze trailing over my bare shoulder. “But this works too.”
My face burned with embarrassment as I pulled away, rushing to the mirror to adjust my clothes and compose myself.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice strained, keeping my back to him.
“You know why I’m here.”
My stomach knotted.
Of course, he was here for my answer. The one I had been delaying for too long.
“What are you thinking?”
His voice was low, almost a whisper.
I felt his presence right behind me, the heat from his body radiating against my back. His nearness sent a shiver down my spine, and I trembled like I’d been shocked.
“You’re hiding something,” he murmured, his breath brushing my ear.
“N-no… I…” I stammered, avoiding his gaze.
But then his hand wrapped gently yet firmly around the front of my neck, tilting my head up so I had no choice but to meet his gaze in the mirror.
“Tell me, Seraphina.”
The intensity in his eyes froze me in place. My mind raced, a mess of tangled thoughts.
I couldn’t tell him I hadn’t decided yet—he wouldn’t leave without an answer tonight. I couldn’t say no—not now, when so much was at stake, with Eason and my soldiers back home waiting for me.
That left only one option.
“…Yes.”
The word escaped my lips in a soft whisper.
His grip loosened as his eyes lit up. In the next instant, he spun me around, pressing me against the mirror.
“Yes?” His voice was filled with restrained excitement.
My heart pounded from the lie, but I forced myself to look into his piercing gaze.
“Yes, I’ve made my decision. I’ll be your contract Luna. One year. Have your lawyer prepare the paperwork, and I’ll sign it in the morning.”
His lips curved into a satisfied smile.
“The contract’s already in my office. We can do it right now.”
…Shit.
That wasn’t part of the plan. I needed more time.
“There are terms I want to add,” I said quickly, grasping for an excuse. “Your lawyer needs to make the changes first.”
He stepped back, his sharp gaze assessing me.
“What terms?” he asked, his tone calm but commanding.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “Our assets remain separate. Marriage doesn’t mean my soldiers will belong to Storm Fang Pack.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
“And when a crisis happens in our marriage, it won’t affect the Carnival City project.”
“A crisis,” he repeated, his lips twitching slightly in displeasure.
“Every marriage has its crises—it’s unavoidable,” I said, meeting his gaze. “My relationship with Damon is the perfect example.”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “Not all men seek pleasure in a mistress’s bed. But fine. What else?”
I hesitated before taking another deep breath.
“And lastly… our relationship is fake. Nothing else should happen.”
His expression grew unreadable.
“No sex,” I clarified, my voice firm.
The silence that followed was heavy, almost oppressive.
He lifted a hand, tucking a stray strand of my hair behind my ear.
“…That’s what you want?” he asked, his voice low and husky.
I straightened, ignoring the shiver his touch sent through me. “Yes… yes, it is.”
His index finger toyed with the pearl earring I was still wearing, his touch light yet electrifying.
My mind blanked, and it took every ounce of willpower to resist the pull of his proximity.
In that moment, I couldn’t deny the truth—no matter what I’d just said, staying detached from this man was going to be the hardest battle of my life.
