After The Divorce, He Begged Me Back

CHAPTER 7

Seraphina’s pov

The elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss, spilling me into the quiet, dimly lit corridor of Bishop’s private floor. Everything here felt expensive, deliberate—the faint scent of leather and cedarwood lingering in the air, the muted gold lights casting long shadows on the black marble walls.

My heels clicked sharply against the floor as I approached his office. I hated that I’d come here, but I needed answers… and maybe, if I was honest, an outlet for the storm Cassian had stirred in me.

Bishop was already standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows when I stepped inside. The city stretched out behind him, glimmering like a thousand watchful eyes. He turned slowly, his smile curling with dangerous amusement.

He stood at six feet. Hair neatly combed. The white T shirt exposed his ripped chest, and tattooed biceps. His body was a work of art, I slightly admired his chiseled jaw.

Oh gosh, I was not supposed to be having such thoughts about such a dangerous man.

"I didn’t expect you so soon, sweetheart." His voice was low, velvety, laced with that quiet arrogance only men like him could pull off.

"I came for answers," I said, keeping my tone clipped. "I hope you sabotaged those DNA results too."

His gaze traveled over me, unapologetic, lingering like a touch I didn’t want but couldn’t ignore. "of course my sexy girl."

My lips tightened. "You knew what he did to me, Bishop. And you are now poisoning him. Is death the only answer to your problems?"

He took a slow step toward me, the sound of his shoes muffled on the thick rug.

"Death is my delicacy. Sera. Maybe you are having a shot spot for him." His eyes caught mine, unflinching.

"I remember the night you were broken because of him. I remember every tear, every shattered look you tried to hide from the world." He growled. His blue eyes locked into mine.

Gosh he was so f*****g handsome. But not more handsome than Cassian.

My chest tightened, but I refused to look away. I almost drooled at his godly figure, but I kept my emotions intact. I did not want any man right now in my life.

"And yet," he continued, voice dipping lower, "you still let him get close enough to hurt you again."

I opened my mouth to speak, but suddenly Bishop’s arm shot out, pressing against the wall beside my head, pinning me there without touching me. The scent of his cologne—sharp spice and musk over warm smoke—wrapped around me like a net.

"You want to know the truth, Sera?" he murmured, leaning closer until his breath fanned against my ear.

"He’s poisonous. And the sooner you remember how much he made you bleed, the sooner you’ll stop thinking there’s anything worth saving."

A flicker of rage ignited in my chest—not just at Cassian, but at Bishop for using my wounds like weapons.

"Get out of my way," I said, my voice steady even though my pulse was racing.

But Bishop Kane didn’t move. His eyes darkened, and before I could react, he lowered his head and brushed his lips against my neck—light, deliberate, the ghost of a kiss meant to provoke.

My stomach twisted, part revulsion, part… something I didn’t want to name.

I shoved him back, my hands flat against his chest. "Don’t."

For a second, surprise flashed in his eyes. Then his mouth curved into a slow, knowing smile. "Still feisty. I like that. Maybe you should ride me like last time."

"I’m not yours to boss around." My voice was cold. "And that moment was a mistake."

I stepped around him and walked toward the door.

I regretted every moment. I regretted falling weak and hypnotizing myself into bed last summer. When his handsome tall figure was the only thing that almost made me break.

Behind me, his low chuckle followed like a shadow. "Nothing is a mistake." He chuckled slightly.

I didn’t look back. I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

****

Cassian’s POV

I watched her from the tinted glass of my car, the way she walked out of Bishop’s building with her chin high, her steps quick and precise. My jaw tightened.

What the hell was she doing here?

I didn’t give myself time to think—only to move. By the time she reached her office, I was already there, leaning against her desk as if I owned the place.

She froze in the doorway, those dark eyes of hers narrowing instantly. "Cassian. What are you doing here?"

I pushed off the desk, closing the distance between us with slow, deliberate steps. "You tell me, Sera. Why were you meeting Bishop Kane? You know the man is very dangerous"

Her expression didn’t change, but I saw the faint flicker in her eyes—the one she always got when she was hiding something.

"Business," she said simply.

"Business?" I echoed, tilting my head. "Funny. People don’t usually leave business meetings looking like they’re from having sex."

She didn’t answer, just brushed past me toward the cabinet, pretending to sort through files.

"Was it you?" I asked quietly. "The poison."

Her hand stilled on the file drawer, but she didn’t turn.

I stepped closer, the heat between us sparking the moment my shadow fell over her. "You don’t have to answer," I murmured, leaning in. "I can see it in your eyes."

Finally, she turned, her gaze cold and unflinching.

"Maybe it was me. Maybe it wasn’t. Does it matter? And shouldn't you be recovering in a hospital or something?”

"It matters to me, and I have the best doctors in the state, with seven hospitals. I am fine.”

Our eyes locked, the air tightening like a rope pulled taut. I don’t know which of us moved first, but suddenly I had her against the wall, my hands on her hips, my mouth hovering just above hers. I smashed my lips against hers. Hardly gasping for air.

She didn’t push me away—not yet. Her breath came faster, her lips parted, and the sound she made when my hand slid down, slipping under her skirt, was enough to undo every wall I’d built in the last two years.

I touched her, slow at first, then deeper, my name slipping past her lips in a breathless gasp she tried to swallow. Her hands fisted in my shirt, nails biting through the fabric as her body trembled against mine.

God, I’d missed this. Missed her. Why did I leave her? Cassian, you're so stupid.

But just as the heat threatened to consume us both, she stilled. Her eyes, when they met mine, were ice.

She pushed my hand away and stepped out of reach, smoothing her skirt as if nothing had happened.

"Don’t think this changes anything," she said, her voice low, almost cutting.

I stood there, my pulse still hammering, my hand tingling from where I’d touched her. "Sera—"

She didn’t look back as she walked to her desk. "Close the door on your way out, Cassian."

I left without another word, but the question burned in my chest like acid—would I ever break through that wall she’d built around her heart… or had I already lost her for good?

I wanted to ask her about the little girl, but I knew I would get any answers from her. Not now.