My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Chapter 4 WHERE’S THE FIRE?

SERAPHINA’S POV

I returned from the lawyer’s office feeling like my soul had been put through a shredder.

Walking through the front door gave me a strange kind of anxiety. Maybe it was because I knew this was one of the last times I would be here again.

I let my gaze roam the foyer, taking in every detail—Daniel’s baby picture on the mantel, the portrait taken of Kieran when he was ordained Alpha, the picture of Daniel and me on his fifth birthday.

There were no pictures of Kieran and me. Shocker.

I headed straight to Kieran’s office. I had left early in the morning, not wanting to run into him and have an awkward conversation about the upcoming divorce. I’d also been avoiding Daniel, I think.

How could I look into those innocent eyes and explain that his family was breaking apart?

"I don’t... get it."

Daniel’s small, confused voice stopped me outside Kieran’s office. The door was slightly ajar, and I saw Daniel sitting in a chair in front of Kieran’s desk like a visitor. Kieran sat opposite him, looking at our son with a tenderness he never showed me.

He leaned forward and took Daniel’s hands in his. "Mommy and Daddy won’t be living together anymore, champ."

"But... why?" Daniel’s lower lip trembled. "Don’t you love Mom?"

I tensed. How was Kieran going to answer that? Surely he wouldn’t tell our son he didn’t love his mother. But the only other option was to lie.

Kieran sighed and stood from his seat. He walked over to Daniel’s side and took his hands again, crouching to our son’s level.

"You know, your mom gave me the greatest gift in the world," he said. He reached up and gently patted Daniel’s head. "You. And for that? I’ll always love her."

My chest tightened. For ten years, I’d desperately wanted to hear those words from Kieran, and now, there they were—while I held divorce papers in my hands.

But I knew what they truly meant—Kieran only married me because I gave him Daniel. He only tolerated me for a decade because I was the mother of his heir. It was more proof that our marriage was one-sided.

His true, unconditional love was reserved for Celeste.

A choked sound escaped me.

Kieran went rigid. His head snapped up, wolf-quick, those gold-flecked eyes narrowing at the door.

"We don’t spy on private conversations," he said coolly, rising to his full height. The Alpha voice. The one that made the pack members bow automatically.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

"Mommy!" Daniel stood and went to me, throwing his arms around my waist.

"Hi, honey." I kissed the top of his head.

"Is it true?" he asked, looking up at me with wide, glassy eyes.

I stroked his head. "I—"

"Danny, give your mom and me some space, okay? Go help Chef with dinner preparations."

Daniel pouted. "But—"

"Now." That single word carried the weight of command.

I squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "We’ll talk more at home, baby. Go on."

Daniel sighed and walked out, his shoulders slightly slumped.

I closed the door behind me.

Kieran’s gaze dropped to the papers in my hand. Something unreadable flickered across his face.

"I assume those are the papers?"

I nodded, suddenly feeling nervous.

"My lawyer drafted the agreement, stating the custody terms." I moved forward and placed the document on the desk. "Everything’s clearly outlined—visitation schedules, holidays, education decisions..."

Kieran opened the folder and pulled out the documents. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration as his eyes darted over the pages.

"Um, I also met with a realtor she suggested," I continued, clasping my hands before me. "She showed me a lovely house about thirty minutes from here. It’s fully furnished—ready to move in—and the mortgage is very reasonable. It’s in neutral territory, so you can visit anyt—"

"Where’s the fire?"

I paused, frowning at Kieran. "What?"

Daniel saw me in the car, and his eyes lit up. I exited the car as he rushed to me, and I hugged him.

"I said I’d bring him over," Kieran snapped, coming closer.

"I’m sorry, I just wanted—"

"Is this how it’s going to be?" he cut me off. "It’s bad enough you’re moving my son away from me, but you’re also cutting into my time with him?"

Daniel’s small hand tugged at Kieran’s sleeve. "Dad... It’s okay." His voice was soft but steady. "We’ll see each other tomorrow. At Grandpa’s funeral."

Kieran’s jaw clenched hard enough to crack stone. For a heartbeat, I thought he might argue—but then he exhaled sharply and ruffled Daniel’s hair.

"Yeah. Tomorrow, champ." His gaze flicked to me, cold and dismissive. "Be good for your mother."

He handed the duffle bag to me and went back inside without another word.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and loaded the bag in silence. Daniel climbed into the passenger seat without complaint, his too-wise eyes watching me carefully. As I pulled away, I forced myself not to look back—not at the house, not at the life I’d failed to make work.

Two minutes into the drive, Daniel rummaged through his backpack and produced a slightly squashed sandwich.

"You didn’t eat dinner," he said simply, pressing it into my hand.

The tears I’d been trying so hard to hold in spilled out.

"Daniel..." My voice cracked. "Do you hate me? For this? For taking you away from your dad?"

He considered it with a solemnity no nine-year-old should possess. My heart stalled, braced for the blow—

"No." He fiddled with his seatbelt. "I know you were sad a lot. Maybe now you can be happy."

A sob tore free. The road blurred. His small hand slipped into mine, squeezing tight.

"Don’t cry, Mom." His whisper was fierce with promise. "You’ve got me. I’ll make you happy."

I brought his knuckles to my lips, tasting salt and hope. So what if Kieran never loved me? This remarkable boy did—wholeheartedly, unconditionally—and in that moment, it was enough.

More than enough.