Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother (Seraphina and Damien) novel Chapter 234

Chapter 234

Seraphina’s Perspective

The apartment was far smaller than I had imagined it would be.

Just one bedroom. A cramped kitchen that barely fit a stove and a sink. The living room was scarcely large enough to hold a couch and a coffee table. The walls were painted a dull beige—generic and uninspired, like every rental unit designed to offend no one and please no one.

But it had windows. Real windows that let in natural sunlight. And, above all else, it wasn’t his house.

Without hesitation, I signed the lease, not bothering to read the fine print. I paid three months’ rent upfront and took the keys from the landlord, who didn’t ask a single question.

Perfect.

The moving truck arrived early the next morning. I didn’t own much—just a few changes of clothes, some books, and kitchen supplies I’d bought the day before because I couldn’t bear the thought of taking anything from that house anymore.

From our house.

*No. Stop. It’s not ours anymore. It’s his house now.*

I directed the movers on autopilot. “Put the bed over there. The couch goes here. Boxes in the corner.”

Within an hour, they were gone.

I stood alone in the middle of the living room, surrounded by cardboard boxes and walls that held no memories, no ghosts, no pain.

My phone buzzed.

**Damien: Can we talk?**

I deleted the message without replying.

Then it buzzed again.

I blocked his number. Finally, I sank onto the new couch in my unfamiliar apartment and stared blankly at the beige walls.

***

Telling the kids was harder than I’d anticipated.

I picked them up from school and drove them to an ice cream parlor. I let them order whatever they wanted.

Lily chose chocolate topped with gummy bears. Adrian went for vanilla—simple, safe.

They ate happily, chatting about their day, completely unaware that their world was about to shift once again.

“So,” I began, waiting until they finished their treats, their faces sticky and satisfied. “I need to talk to you both about something.”

Adrian’s face changed instantly, becoming guarded, as if he’d been bracing for bad news.

“What is it?” His voice was cautious.

“I found a new place,” I said, keeping my tone light and breezy. “An apartment closer to the training center. It’ll make work easier.”

Lily’s spoon froze halfway to her mouth. “A new place?”

“Yeah, sweetheart. Just a small apartment, but you can visit anytime you want!”

“But…” Lily’s face crumpled. “You’re leaving again?”

My chest tightened painfully. “No, no, I’m not leaving you. I’m just moving. But I’ll still be close. I’ll still pick you up from school. We can still have sleepovers and—”

“Why?” Adrian interrupted, his eyes glistening. “Why can’t you just stay home?”

That word—home—hit me harder than I expected.

“Because,” I struggled to find gentle words, “sometimes adults need their own space. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you. It just means Mama needs to be somewhere else for work.”

“But Dad works and he stays home,” Adrian argued.

“I know, buddy. But my situation is different—”

“Is it because of Dad?” His voice dropped lower. “Are you two fighting?”

Lily started to cry, quiet tears streaming down her cheeks. “I don’t want you to leave. Please don’t leave again.”

“I’m not leaving!” I grabbed both their hands tightly. “I promise I’m not leaving. I’ll be just ten minutes away. You can call me anytime—FaceTime, visit, whatever you want. And I’ll come get you all the time. We’ll have fun at my new place. We can decorate your rooms however you want—”

“We’re getting rooms?” Lily sniffled, hope flickering in her eyes.

“Of course! You think I’d have a place without rooms for you?”

“Really?” Some of the sadness lifted from her face. “Can I pick the colors?”

“Any color you want, baby.”

“Even pink with purple sparkles?”

“Even pink with purple sparkles.”

Lily wiped her tears with her sleeve. “And stuffed animals? Can I bring all my stuffed animals?”

“Absolutely.”

Adrian was quiet, his expression complicated.

“Adrian?” I squeezed his hand gently. “Are you okay?”

“Will you still come to my soccer games?” His voice cracked just a little.

My throat tightened. “Every single one. I promise.”

“And help with homework?”

“Whenever you need me.”

“And… and we can still have movie nights?”

“As many as you want.”

He nodded slowly, processing the news, trying to accept this new reality.

“It’s just for work, right?” He looked up at me, those too-wise eight-year-old eyes seeing far more than I wanted them to. “That’s the only reason?”

I forced myself to meet his gaze and lie directly to his face. “That’s the only reason.”

But I stayed awake, staring at the ceiling, listening to my children breathe.

***

Work became my sanctuary.

I threw myself into training, pushing the female warriors harder than ever. I stayed late and left early—anything to avoid returning to that empty apartment.

The trainees noticed, though they never said so outright.

I caught their concerned glances and overheard whispered conversations that stopped when I entered the room.

“Sera?” Jessica approached me after a grueling sparring session. “Can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“Are you okay?” Her voice was soft, tentative. “You’ve been… intense lately.”

“I’m fine.”

“You beat Riley so hard yesterday she could barely walk straight.”

“She asked me to go full force.”

“Yeah, but…” Jessica hesitated. “Look, I’m not trying to pry. But if something’s going on, you can talk to us. We’re not just your trainees. We… care about you.”

My throat tightened. “I appreciate that. But I’m really fine.”

Then Sophie chimed in, “Did you guys hear? Emma requested extended leave. Like, for months.”

My fork paused halfway to my mouth.

“Months?” Maya’s eyes widened. “Why?”

“Medical reasons, apparently. That’s all HR would say.”

“Medical? Is she sick?”

“I don’t know. But it must be serious if she needs that much time off.”

Was it because of what happened that night? Because of what Damien had done?

Or was she preparing for something else? Something that required her to step away from work?

Like becoming a Luna full-time?

The thought made my stomach churn.

The hallway was empty and cool. I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my breath.

I laughed—a bitter, harsh sound that echoed through the silent corridor.

Emma was probably at the house right now, moving her things in, redecorating, erasing any trace of me.

Making it hers.