The mansion felt colder than usual.
Seraphina's footsteps echoed down the marble hallway like a judge's gavel.
Her mother, Vivienne Vale, sat by the grand fireplace, sipping tea with the same poised calm that had suffocated Seraphina for years.
Seraphina didn't ask for permission.
She dropped the fragile letter onto the polished table.
Vivienne's eyes flicked up, sharp as knives.
"You found it," she said softly, voice smooth but brittle underneath.
"Half-sister," Seraphina spat. "Lila Carter was my half-sister. And you didn't tell me."
Vivienne smiled the kind of smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Some truths are better left buried, darling."
Seraphina laughed bitterly. "You buried her. You buried my family's shame while I lived wrapped in a cage of your lies."
"Shame?" Vivienne leaned forward. "Lila was a mistake. A rebellion. Your father and I"
"Don't," Seraphina cut her off. "I'm not a child who needs protecting anymore."
"Then why are you here? To destroy everything I built?"
"No." Seraphina's voice dropped, cold and deadly. "To free myself. And expose the truth."
Vivienne's face hardened. "You'll regret this."
"Maybe." Seraphina took a step back, fierce fire burning in her eyes. "But at least I'll own my crown. Not be its prisoner."
Later, when Kai called, she ignored it.
When Levi texted, she didn't reply.
She had bigger battles to fight now.
Because being pampered by all?
It didn't mean you were safe.
It meant everyone had a reason to keep you trapped.