~ Seraphina ~
The silence in the penthouse had changed. It was no longer the heavy, ignored quiet of two people living parallel lives. Now, it was vibrating with something sharp and hidden.
I sat across from Adrian at the breakfast table, my fingers curled tightly around a cup of herbal tea. I hadn’t touched the coffee in weeks, a small change I hoped he hadn't noticed. Across from me, Adrian was the picture of corporate grace, his silk tie perfectly knotted, his expression smoothed into a mask of benign concern.
“You’ve seemed distant lately, Seraphina,” he said, his voice smooth and solicitous. He didn't look up from his tablet, but I felt the weight of his attention. “Everything alright? You’ve been staying in quite a bit. It isn’t like you to miss the Botanical Society brunch.”
“Ju
