Chapter 8

Seraphina woke in a bed far more luxurious than the one she had ever known, her head resting against soft, silken pillows. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if it had all been a terrible dream—the confrontation with her father, Camden’s threats, her flight from home—but the warm, protective presence beside her told her otherwise.

She blinked slowly, adjusting to the morning light streaming through the heavy curtains, and turned her head to find Alexander sitting in an armchair nearby, watching her with an expression of quiet concern.

“You’re awake,” he said softly, his voice filled with relief.

She smiled weakly, sitting up and smoothing her tangled hair. “I didn’t mean to sleep so long.”

“You needed rest,” he said, rising to his feet and coming to sit beside her on the bed. “After everything that happened yesterday, you deserved it.”

Seraphina’s chest tightened as the memories of the previous day flooded back. She had defied her father, rejected Camden, and left behind everything she had ever known. Now, she was here—safe, but uncertain of what the future would hold.

Her eyes met Alexander’s, and she saw the unspoken question there. “What do we do now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He reached out, taking her hand in his, his thumb gently stroking the back of her palm. “We figure this out together,” he said, his voice steady. “But first, you need to know something—something I’ve kept from you for far too long.”

Seraphina’s heart skipped a beat. “What is it?”

Alexander hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. “I never wanted you to be caught up in the storm that surrounds me. I thought I could protect you from it, but I see now that keeping secrets has only made things worse.”

She frowned, her stomach knotting with worry. “What are you talking about?”

He released her hand and stood, pacing the room with a restless energy. “The rumors about me—about my family—they’re not entirely unfounded. But they’re not what they seem, either.” His gaze flickered back to her, filled with regret. “I’ve been investigating something for years, something that involves my family’s downfall, and… Camden is involved.”

Her breath caught. “Camden?”

Alexander nodded, his expression grim. “He’s not the man he pretends to be. My father’s death, the scandal that ruined our name—it wasn’t a tragic accident or a matter of financial ruin. It was sabotage. And I believe Camden had a hand in it.”

Seraphina felt the ground shift beneath her. “But why? What would he gain?”

“Power. Influence.” Alexander’s jaw tightened. “When my father was alive, our family held considerable sway in the aristocracy. Camden was always ambitious, always looking for ways to increase his wealth and connections. I suspect he saw my family as a threat, and when the opportunity arose to destroy us, he took it.”

Seraphina’s mind raced as she tried to process the gravity of what he was saying. “You think Camden killed your father?”

“I don’t know if he did it directly,” Alexander admitted, “but I believe he orchestrated the events that led to my father’s death and the financial ruin that followed. I’ve spent years trying to uncover the truth, but Camden is careful, and his influence runs deep.”

Seraphina’s heart pounded in her chest as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. Camden’s relentless pursuit of her, his obsession with marrying into her family, his cold, calculating demeanor—it all made sense now. He was trying to consolidate power, to erase any remaining threat that Alexander might pose.

She looked up at Alexander, her voice trembling. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“I didn’t want to drag you into this,” he said softly, his eyes filled with regret. “I thought if I kept my distance, if I let you live your life without getting involved in my family’s affairs, you’d be safe. But I was wrong. Camden targeted you because of me. I never wanted you to get hurt.”

Seraphina’s heart swelled with emotion. Alexander had been fighting this battle alone for so long, and now she understood the weight he had been carrying. But she wasn’t afraid—she was angry. Angry at Camden for his manipulation, for the lies he had spun, for the way he had tried to control her life.

“What can we do?” she asked, her voice steadier now. “How do we stop him?”

Alexander’s expression softened as he looked at her, admiration flickering in his eyes. “I have a plan,” he said, sitting beside her again. “But it’s risky. Camden’s connections run deep, and he won’t go down without a fight. I’ve been gathering evidence—documents, testimonies from those who were close to my father—but I need more. I need something that ties Camden directly to the events that led to my family’s ruin.”

Seraphina’s mind raced. “He must have kept records, letters, something that proves his involvement.”

Alexander nodded. “That’s what I’m hoping. But Camden is careful. His estate is heavily guarded, and I suspect anything incriminating would be well hidden.”

A plan began to form in Seraphina’s mind, reckless but necessary. “What if I could get close to him? What if I could find those documents?”

Alexander’s eyes widened in alarm. “No, Seraphina. It’s too dangerous. Camden’s already suspicious of you, especially after what happened yesterday. If he catches wind of what you’re doing…”

“He won’t,” she insisted, her heart pounding in her chest. “I can play the part. Camden still believes I’m under my father’s thumb. If I go to him, pretend to reconsider the engagement, he won’t suspect a thing.”

Alexander’s expression hardened, his protective instincts kicking in. “I can’t let you put yourself in harm’s way. I won’t lose you, Seraphina.”

“You won’t,” she said softly, placing a hand on his chest. “But I can’t stand by and let Camden win. Not after everything he’s done to you, to us.”

Alexander looked torn, his brow furrowed in thought. He wanted to protect her, she knew that, but he also understood the importance of what she was offering. They needed to stop Camden, and Seraphina was their best chance of getting close enough to uncover the truth.

Finally, he let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping. “If we’re going to do this, we do it together,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “But the moment things get dangerous, you pull back. Promise me.”

“I promise,” Seraphina whispered, though she wasn’t sure if she could keep that promise if it came to it.

Alexander pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. “We’ll bring Camden down,” he whispered into her hair. “And when this is over, we’ll be free.”

Seraphina clung to him, her heart filled with a mixture of fear and hope. The road ahead was treacherous, but with Alexander by her side, she felt stronger than ever. Together, they would face whatever dangers lay ahead. Together, they would uncover the truth.

And together, they would bring the forbidden Duke to his knees.