Seraphina’s POV
He stared at me, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.
“That’s what you think? That I’m no better than Damon? That I’m some cheating asshole on the same level as him?” he growled.
“Caden, I’m sorry…”
“Don’t apologize!” he snapped, his tone cutting. “At least now I know where I stand with you!”
The room fell silent, the air thick with tension. His anger radiated off him, but I couldn’t blame him. What I’d said came from a place of fear and insecurity.
He was Alpha Caden, the wealthiest, most powerful bachelor in the world—a man every woman dreamed of. And me? I was just an ordinary girl from the North, scarred by a failed marriage. How could I believe that anything between us could last?
The fear of being hurt again was suffocating.
Taking a deep breath, I broke the silence, my voice soft.
“I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me—for Carnival City, for helping me get through my divorce. You’ve been amazing. And I was a fool for lying to you and running away without a goodbye—”
His scoff interrupted me, his resentment still evident.
“But,” I continued, “I’m not ready to dive into another relationship, fake or real. My marriage shattered me. Right now, I need to heal, not risk reopening old wounds.”
My throat tightened as emotions welled up, but I forced myself to keep going.
“…That’s why I ran. I was too scared to admit that I was having second thoughts about the contract. I was afraid you’d think I was using you, that you’d hate me. So, I ran. I’m sorry for being such a coward.”
He muttered something under his breath and reached up, cupping my cheek with a warmth that made my heart ache.
“And now? What’s your point?” His voice was low, almost a growl.
I swallowed hard, gathering my courage.
“I’ll find a way to repay you for everything. I know money doesn’t matter to you, but I can work for you—anything you think I’m good for. But not… sex. It just feels wrong.”
The weight of my words lingered between us.
I didn’t want to use him. I cared too much to keep things casual, but I couldn’t let myself fall deeper either.
He didn’t reply, so I added softly, “Please, stop helping me. The more you do, the more I owe you, and… I can’t keep up—”
“No.” His answer was firm, absolute.
I stared at him, shocked.
He gripped my chin, his lips curling into a smirk. “You think if I stop now, you won’t owe me anymore? That you can just walk away guilt-free? Forget it. I’ll keep helping you, keep spoiling you, until you owe me so much you’ll never be able to leave!”
“You’re insane!” I blurted.
He leaned in, capturing my lips in a hard, possessive kiss. His teeth grazed my lips as he whispered darkly against my skin:
“Don’t even think about evening the score. I’ll make you owe me so much that one day, you’ll have no choice but to give yourself to me. Willingly.”
His words sent a shiver through me, and his kiss left me trembling. Rational thought slipped through my fingers like sand.
He trailed kisses down my neck, his touch igniting a fire in me that I couldn’t control. I tilted my head back, a soft moan escaping as his lips moved lower.
I didn’t want another toxic relationship, but resisting him felt impossible.
A knock at the door shattered the moment.
“Alpha Caden, it’s ready,” his bodyguard called from outside.
Caden didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he slid his tongue into my mouth for one last, deep kiss, leaving me gasping for air when he pulled away.
“You wanted to see Liam and Nora, but they wouldn’t let you,” he murmured in my ear, his voice like a devil’s temptation. “But I can make it happen. You’ll see them tonight. Whatever you can’t get from others, you can ask me. But remember… now you owe me even more.”
He opened the door and stepped aside, letting me out.
Blushing furiously, I followed his bodyguard, who said, “The prison is clear for you, Miss Seraphina. Nora and Liam are waiting.”
Caden was unstoppable, a man who could grant any wish, a man who had decided to spoil me relentlessly.
What could I possibly do against that?
