THE FIRST STRIKE
1152 Words
The city didn’t sleep.
Neither did Seraphina.
She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in her bedroom, a glass of untouched wine in her hand as the lights of the city flickered below.
Everything looked normal.
Peaceful.
But beneath it—
War was beginning.
Her phone buzzed softly on the table behind her.
She didn’t turn immediately.
Didn’t rush.
Control.
Only after a few seconds did she walk back and pick it up.
A message.
Dante:
It’s time.
Her lips curved slightly.
So it begins.
She typed back:
Tell me where.
The reply came almost instantly.
Your husband has a meeting tomorrow morning.
Investors.
Her eyes sharpened.
Perfect.
And? she typed.
A pause.
Then—
We ruin him.
Morning came fast.
Too fast.
Seraphina walked into the dining room dressed in elegance—soft cream blouse, fitted skirt, heels that echoed confidence with every step.
Adrian was already seated.
Waiting.
His eyes followed her carefully as she took her seat.
“You’re up early,” he said.
Seraphina poured herself coffee.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she replied calmly.
That wasn’t a lie.
He hesitated.
“We need to talk,” he said.
She didn’t look up.
“Do we?”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“Yes.”
Finally, she lifted her gaze.
“Then talk.”
Adrian leaned forward.
“Whatever you think is going on—”
She laughed softly.
And that stopped him.
Because it wasn’t emotional.
It was cold.
“I don’t think,” she said.
“I know.”
Silence fell between them.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Adrian exhaled sharply.
“You’re making a mistake,” he said.
Seraphina tilted her head slightly.
“Am I?”
“Yes,” he snapped. “You’re acting out of anger.”
That made her smile.
“Is that what you tell yourself?” she asked softly.
His expression hardened.
“You’re my wife.”
Seraphina leaned back slowly.
“And you’re my biggest mistake.”
The words hit harder than a slap.
Adrian stood up abruptly.
“I don’t have time for this,” he muttered.
Seraphina’s eyes followed him.
“Good,” she said calmly.
“Because neither do I.”
He paused at the door.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“A meeting,” he replied shortly.
Her lips curved slightly.
“I know.”
Something about the way she said it made him hesitate—
But then he walked out.
An hour later—
The conference room at Vale Corporation was filled with investors.
Serious men.
Powerful men.
Money sat at that table.
And Adrian needed it.
“Gentlemen,” Adrian began smoothly, “I appreciate your time today—”
The doors opened.
All heads turned.
Seraphina walked in.
Calm.
Elegant.
Uninvited.
Adrian froze.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded under his breath.
She ignored him.
Instead, she smiled at the room.
“I apologize for the interruption,” she said gracefully.
“But I believe you all deserve the truth before making any decisions.”
The room shifted.
Adrian’s pulse spiked.
“Seraphina,” he warned.
Too late.
She stepped forward.
“Vale Corporation is currently under financial instability,” she said calmly.
Murmurs spread instantly.
Adrian’s face darkened.
“That’s not true,” he snapped.
Seraphina turned to him slowly.
“Isn’t it?”
She reached into her bag and pulled out a document.
Then placed it on the table.
“Withdrawn investments,” she said.
“Terminated partnerships.”
Her eyes locked with his.
“All from my family.”
Silence.
Dead silence.
One of the investors leaned forward, flipping through the document.
“This is… significant,” he muttered.
Another spoke.
“You didn’t disclose this.”
Adrian’s control was slipping.
“It’s temporary,” he said quickly. “We’re resolving it—”
“Are you?” Seraphina cut in softly.
The room turned colder.
Because now—
They were watching him.
Doubting him.
Exactly what she wanted.
“Why would your wife’s family pull out?” someone asked.
Seraphina answered before Adrian could.
“Because they no longer trust him.”
That was the final blow.
The room erupted into quiet chaos.
Questions.
Doubt.
Suspicion.
Adrian’s empire—
Cracking.
“Enough!” he snapped.
But it was already too late.
Seraphina stepped back.
Composed.
Untouched.
“Gentlemen,” she said calmly, “invest wisely.”
Then she turned—
And walked out.
Without looking back.
Outside—
The air felt lighter.
Seraphina exhaled slowly as she walked toward the waiting car.
The door opened.
She stepped in—
And froze.
Dante was inside.
Of course he was.
Watching her.
Waiting.
“Well,” he said, his voice low.
“That was impressive.”
Seraphina closed the door calmly.
“I told you,” she said.
“I don’t lose wars.”
Dante’s eyes darkened slightly.
“No,” he murmured.
“You don’t.”
Silence filled the car.
But it wasn’t empty.
It was charged.
“You enjoyed that,” he added.
Seraphina turned her head slightly.
“I’m just getting started.”
A slow smile spread across his lips.
“I can see that.”
He leaned slightly closer.
“Be careful,” he said.
“Humiliating a man like that in public…”
His voice dropped.
“Comes with consequences.”
Seraphina didn’t move.
“Let him try,” she replied.
Dante watched her carefully.
Then nodded once.
“Good.”
Meanwhile—
Adrian slammed his fist against the table.
“They’re pulling out,” one of his executives said nervously.
“All of them.”
Adrian’s chest rose and fell rapidly.
“This isn’t over,” he muttered.
His eyes darkened.
“Not even close.”
Across the room—
Lila stood frozen.
Watching everything fall apart.
“This is your fault,” Adrian snapped suddenly.
Her head snapped up.
“My fault?”
“You should’ve handled her,” he growled.
Fear flickered in her eyes.
“She’s not the same anymore,” she whispered.
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Then we make sure she doesn’t get the chance to finish this.”
Lila hesitated.
Then slowly—
She nodded.
Back in the car—
Seraphina looked out the window as the city moved around her.
Different now.
Everything felt different.
Behind her—
The past was burning.
Ahead—
Something darker waited.
But she wasn’t afraid.
Not anymore.
Dante’s voice broke the silence.
“This was your first strike,” he said.
She didn’t turn.
“I know.”
A pause.
“Are you ready for what comes next?” he asked.
Seraphina’s eyes hardened slightly.
“Yes.”
Her voice was calm.
Certain.
“Because I’m not stopping.”
Dante smiled.
“Good.”
His gaze lingered on her.
“Because neither am I.”
The war had officially begun.
And this time—
There would be no mercy.
- Writer
