Ashes of His Regret: The Mafia Queen's Twins

The ultrasound photo was no bigger than a postcard, but to Seraphina, it held the weight of the entire world. Her thumb gently traced the glossy paper, hovering over the two tiny, blurry shapes. Twins. A watery smile broke across her pale face. After three years of a cold, loveless marriage, she finally had something that could thaw the ice around Alexander’s heart. A family. His heirs. She glanced at the grand grandfather clock in the hallway of the Sterling mansion. 11:45 PM. He was late, as usual. But tonight, Seraphina didn't mind. She had prepared his favorite black coffee and sat on the velvet sofa, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. How will he react? she thought, biting her lower lip. Will he finally look at me with warmth? Will he finally touch me like a husband should? The heavy oak front doors suddenly clicked open. Seraphina stood up instantly, smoothing down her simple white dress. She hid the ultrasound photo in the deep pocket of her cardigan, wanting to surprise him. "Alexander, you're home. I have something important to—" The words died in her throat. Alexander stepped into the foyer. He looked like a god carved from marble—impeccably tailored charcoal suit, sharp jawline, and eyes as cold and unforgiving as a winter storm. But it wasn't his intimidating presence that made Seraphina’s blood run cold. It was the woman clinging to his arm. Chloe. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled in loose waves, her lips painted a victorious shade of crimson. She was wearing Alexander’s oversized suit jacket over her shoulders, shivering delicately as she pressed her body against his side. "Alex, it's so cold outside," Chloe murmured, her voice sickly sweet. Alexander didn't push her away. Instead, his large hand rested protectively on Chloe’s lower back. That simple, gentle gesture—something he had never, ever given Seraphina in three years of marriage—felt like a physical blow to her chest. "Alexander?" Seraphina’s voice trembled. "What is she doing here?" Alexander finally looked at her. There was no guilt in his dark eyes. No hesitation. Only a chilling indifference that made Seraphina want to throw up. He walked past her, leading Chloe to the sofa opposite hers, before tossing a thick manila folder onto the glass coffee table. The sound echoed sharply in the quiet room. Smack. "Sign them," Alexander commanded. His voice was a low baritone, devoid of any emotion. Seraphina stared at the folder. Her hands began to shake. "What... what is this?" "Don't play dumb, Seraphina. It doesn't suit you," he said, unbuttoning his suit jacket and sitting down. "Those are divorce papers. My lawyers have already drafted the terms. You will get the house in the Hamptons and a five-million-dollar settlement. More than enough for a woman of your... background." The air in the room suddenly felt too thin to breathe. Seraphina’s hand instinctively flew to her pocket, her fingers brushing against the ultrasound photo. "Divorce?" she choked out, a tear finally escaping and rolling down her cheek. "Why? Alexander, I am your wife. I've done everything for you. I took care of your mother when she was sick, I managed this empty house, I—" "And I paid you for it," Alexander cut her off ruthlessly. "Let’s not pretend this marriage was born out of love. It was a business arrangement to please my grandfather. He is dead now. The arrangement is over." "But..." Seraphina’s voice broke. She looked at Chloe, who was watching her with a hidden, mocking smirk. "Why now?" Alexander’s gaze softened for a fraction of a second, but not for Seraphina. He looked down at Chloe. "Because Chloe is pregnant," Alexander said. The words hit Seraphina like a freight train. The room spun. A high-pitched ringing filled her ears. Pregnant. "She is carrying my heir," Alexander continued, his tone leaving no room for argument. "She needs a stable environment, without the stress of a bitter ex-wife lingering around. You are barren, Seraphina. Three years and you couldn't give me a child. Chloe did it in three months." A phantom blade twisted in Seraphina’s gut. Barren. He called her barren. Her fingers gripped the ultrasound photo in her pocket so hard the edges crumpled. She wanted to scream. She wanted to pull the photo out and throw it at his arrogant face. I am pregnant too! With twins! Your children! But as she looked at Alexander—at the protective way he shielded Chloe, at the absolute disgust in his eyes when he looked at her—a terrifying realization washed over her. If she told him about the babies now, he wouldn't love them. He would think she was using them to trap him. Worse, Chloe would never let her children live in peace. Her babies would be treated as mistakes, while Chloe’s child would be the golden heir. No, Seraphina thought, her tears suddenly stopping. A strange, icy numbness began to spread through her veins. My children deserve better than a father who looks at their mother like she is trash. "I see," Seraphina whispered. The tremor in her voice was gone. Alexander frowned slightly, clearly expecting her to fall to her knees and beg. "Sign the papers, Seraphina. Don't make this ugly." "Oh, I won't." Seraphina reached for the Montblanc pen on the table. She didn't read the terms. She didn't care about the millions or the house in the Hamptons. She flipped to the last page. Her hand didn't shake anymore as she signed her name in bold, sharp strokes. She stood up, taking off the three-carat diamond wedding ring from her finger. It felt heavy, like a shackle she was finally taking off. She dropped it onto the divorce papers. It landed with a hollow clink. "Keep your money, Mr. Sterling," Seraphina said, her voice eerily calm. She looked dead into his eyes, and for the first time, Alexander felt a strange, unsettling twist in his chest. "I don't want a single cent from you." Chloe scoffed softly. "Don't act so proud, Seraphina. You'll be begging on the streets by tomorrow." Seraphina ignored the mistress completely. She kept her eyes locked on Alexander. "Remember this night, Alexander," she said softly, turning around and walking toward the door. She didn't pack a bag. She didn't take a coat. She only had the clothes on her back and the secret in her pocket. "Because once I walk out that door," Seraphina promised to the empty air, "you will never see me again." She walked out into the freezing rain, leaving the Sterling mansion behind. She didn't know that in less than an hour, the brakes on her car would fail. She didn't know she was driving straight into a fiery abyss. And Alexander didn't know that he had just thrown away the only woman who would ever truly love him—and the two little lives growing inside her.