‘Best for everyone except me,’ I thought bitterly, but didn’t say it aloud.
When she left, silence pressed in. The villa felt cavernous at night-the waves distant, the air thick with salt and heat. I walked back to my room, each step heavier than the last.
I should have felt relieved. But all I could think of was how Sera had looked when she said she was content. That flash of defiance in her eyes. That quiet certainty.
And me? I felt anything but content.
In my room, I poured myself a glass of scotch, but it tasted like acid. I sat at the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees, staring at the dark ocean outside the window.
For years, I’d told myself the right path was clear: marry Celeste, the woman I’d chosen, the one who was beautiful, charming, socially, and politically aligned.
The one who hadn’t cost me my reputation. Who hadn’t been forced into my life by disaster and duty.
Sera was supposed to be the wrong choice.
So why, after all this time, did being near her feel more right than anything else ever had?
The memory of her unconscious on the beach earlier slammed into me. The panic. The sound of her cough when life returned to her.
The way her wet shirt had clung to her body-reminding me of her softness, her warmth, everything I wasn’t supposed to want.
The way she’d pushed me away.
I dragged a hand down my face, muttering a curse. I needed control. I needed order.
Celeste.
That was the answer. I had to remind myself what I was building toward. She was stability.
She was the match that made sense.
I picked up my phone before I could second-guess myself and found her name. It only rang once before she answered.
“Kieran?” Her voice was breathless, excited. “I was just thinking about you!”
I closed my eyes, pressing my fingers against my temple. “How are you?”
“Oh, you know me.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “I’ve been keeping busy. Pilates in the mornings, brunches with my friends, a little shopping”-yeah, my bank account knew all about her shopping spree-“did you know they’ve just released the most divine emerald collection at Cartier? It made me think of the ring I’ll be wearing soon.” She laughed, high and light.
I swallowed hard. “Celeste-“
“And you? How’s the island? I wish I were there. You must look so handsome against the ocean backdrop.” Her tone softened, honey dripping over every word. “I miss you.”
She always said the right things, always painted the picture we were supposed to fit into. A perfect pair, admired, envied, destined.
But as she spoke, all I could see was Sera kneeling on the sand, helping Daniel bury me, cheeks flushed, laughter bright and unrestrained.
“I…miss you too,” I forced out, though the words felt like gravel in my mouth.
Celeste gasped softly, delighted. “I can’t wait until you’re back. We’ll plan the engagement announcement, the party, everything. It’s going to be perfect.”
Perfect.
The word lodged in my throat like a splinter.
I made the right noises-agreed when she wanted me to, chuckled when she teased-but inside, I felt the emptiness widening.
When the call finally ended, she was glowing, dreaming aloud about our future. I was left staring at my reflection in the blackened window, the glass of scotch untouched beside
I’d done what I told myself I should. I’d reached for order. For the path I’d chosen. For the woman who represented everything safe, everything logical.
And yet, I’d never felt further from myself.
Because the truth was, no matter how many times I told myself to do the right thing-my fucking heart wasn’t listening.
KIERAN’S POV
The sun hadn’t fully cleared the horizon when I laced my running shoes.
The air was still thick with the residue of night, the scent of saltwater lingering over the island.
Running had always been my method of processing thoughts, a rhythm to chase clarity, and clear my head before the chaos of the day demanded my attention.
And gods knew I needed a clear head after the last couple of days.
I slipped out of the villa quietly, careful not to disturb anyone still asleep.
My mother would have left for her usual early walk, but I knew my father and Daniel would be asleep till the sun hung high in the sky.
I envied them, wishing I could give myself to the oblivion of sleep. My thoughts, however, refused to rest.
Sera’s words from last night echoed, repetitive and punishing: I’ve let go.
She had moved on, yet the mere sound of her voice lingering in the hall felt like a tether around my chest.
I exhaled sharply as I stepped out of the villa, the cool morning air filling my lungs. I pushed the memory away, focusing on the rhythm of my steps, the steady cadence of my heartbeat, the thrum of the earth beneath me.
Half a mile in, I spotted her.
Sera. Jogging along the crescent of beach that curved past the villa. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, sweat already glinting on her sun-kissed skin.
Her stride was determined but cautious, eyes darting occasionally to the sand and surf.
My heart skipped, a mix of delight and frustration surging through me-she’d plagued my mind so bad last night that I couldn’t sleep, and now my attempt to clear my head had been interrupted by the very reason I needed my head cleared.
A part of me-the sensible, logical part-told me to turn around. Go back inside and avoid what would inevitably be another clash.
But the reckless, brash part of me that had slowly and steadily been taking control wanted to stay.
I wasn’t stupid enough to approach her, but…
I told myself it was to keep her safe. After all, the last time she’d gone out to exercise in public, she’d gotten shot.
Yes, I would just stay behind her, silent, unseen. Making sure she was safe.
I adjusted my pace, keeping a careful distance.
She didn’t seem to notice me, lost in her morning ritual, the sun illuminating the curve of her jaw, the soft set of her shoulders, and the way her breath caught in the rhythm of her legs.
My lungs burned as I forced myself to slow. I wasn’t used to the leisurely pace, and I could feel Ashar chafe, wanting to run fast and hard.
But I liked this.
If I let myself get a little more delusional, I could pretend Sera and I were running side by side, enjoying watching the sun rise, basking in the sereness punctuated by the whisper of waves and the distant cry of seagulls.
And then it happened.
A flicker of movement caught my eye, and before I could process what it was, before I could reach Sera, the snake struck.
It was fast, a streak of venomous bronze coiling up from the grass edging the beach. Its fangs sank into her ankle before she realized what was happening.
Her sharp, startled cry sliced through the morning and straight through me.
My feet hammered against the sand, adrenaline igniting every fiber of my body.
“Sera!” I shouted, sprinting the final few meters.
She tried to jerk her leg away, panic and fear flashing across her features.
I reached her just in time, my hands clasping around her arm, steadying her. The snake recoiled at the sudden intrusion, giving me just enough time to act.
My instincts took over. Years of training, of controlling instinctual Alpha responses, collided with pure, raw urgency.
I grabbed the snake and, with a vicious jerk of my wrist, flung it to the side. It smashed against a rock with a sickening squelch, fluid smearing as it slid to the ground, unmoving.
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