The storm she left behind
681 Words
The morning came grey and grim, as if the sky itself anticipated chaos. Inside the mansion, the air vibrated with unsaid words and cold glares.
Seraphina’s heels echoed sharply through the long hallway as she marched into Alexander’s study. Her arms were crossed, her silk blouse creased from tension, her lips painted red but twisted with rage.
“You’re unbelievable, Alexander!” she snapped, not bothering to sit. “She disrespected me. That... girl. That orphan. And you let her! In my house!”
Alexander didn’t look up from the file in his hand. “It's not your house,” he said simply, voice like iced stone.
Seraphina’s eyes flared. “Excuse me?”
He raised his gaze now slow, deliberate. “You don’t own this place, Seraphina. I do.”
The words sliced through the air like glass.
Her face paled, just for a second, before she leaned forward on his desk, voice low and trembling with fury. “You brought me here, made me believe I’d have some... some dignity in this engagement, and now you humiliate me in front of your staff?”
“I didn’t humiliate you,” he said, coolly. “You did that yourself.”
She flinched. “I’ve done everything to fit into this cold, lifeless cage of yours,” she continued. “I’ve smiled, I’ve played perfect fiancée for your shareholders, I’ve ignored your coldness. But this is the limit, Alexander.”
He stood slowly, shutting the file.
“For once,” he said, stepping around the desk, “take responsibility for your own behavior.”
Her lips trembled not with sorrow, but with fury. “You’re defending her?”
“I’m correcting you,” he replied sharply. “Something no one else has dared to do.”
“I gave up a contract in Milan for you!” she shouted, voice cracking.
“You should’ve signed it,” he replied, deadpan.
The silence that followed was thunderous.
Seraphina’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she looked at him like he was a stranger. A cruel, gorgeous stranger.
“You’re not a man, Alexander,” she said, almost breathless now. “You’re a stone.”
“And yet,” he said flatly, “you keep trying to mold me.”
That was it.
Her face crumpled for a second before she gathered herself like shattered porcelain. “I won’t stay here another minute.”
“Then leave.”
No hesitation.
No flicker of emotion.
No attempt to stop her.
Her hand flew to her suitcase handle where it had been waiting near the door. As she yanked it behind her with swift, angry strides, the staff parted like waves in a storm.
Louisiana stood near the staircase, frozen with a tray of silverware in her hands. Her eyes met Seraphina’s, and for a second, it was like staring into the eyes of a lioness on the verge of pouncing.
“Watch yourself,” Seraphina hissed low enough for only Louisiana to hear. “He’ll chew you up too.”
Before Louisiana could even blink, she was gone.
The grand doors slammed shut behind her, and the entire house exhaled in reliefor fear.
Alexander walked back into the study without a word.
Gladys peeked from the corner, eyes wide. “Well… that was a season finale.”
Louisiana blinked. “Did she just? Is she really gone?”
“She left the house,” Gladys said. “And from the look on his face, she’s not coming back.”
But the house didn’t warm. Not even close.
Alexander said nothing to anyone. His footsteps were quieter. His orders colder. He didn’t so much as glance in Louisiana’s direction.
She kept to herself, doing her work, cleaning everything twice, biting her tongue until it almost bled. Why am I the one walking on eggshells when she’s the one who packed her bags? She cursed him under her breath daily. And every time she did, she swore she caught the ghost of a smirk on his face. As if he knew.
As if he liked it.
- Writer
