Chapter 3

When the news got out, many people came to persuade me.

Eleanor Thorne, Damian's mother, flew all the way back from Europe, gently pleading with me not to do this.

"You have two children, and years of shared history with him. Who could ever compare to you?

"Those women he's with now? They're just pretty faces, nothing more. They don't have even a fraction of the history you share with him.

"The position of Mrs. Thorne is yours, Seraphina. You've waited a decade, why abandon it now?"

I hung my head, saying nothing.

I'd heard these words far too many times.

From when I first became an adult, to giving birth to two children, to their first birthdays.

Damian's girlfriends came and went, a revolving door.

Yet I, the "already destined" Mrs. Thorne, was still waiting for a wedding that had no end in sight.

"I'm sorry, Eleanor, but I don't want to wait anymore."

I looked up, softly cutting her off.

I pulled a deep red invitation card from my bag.

"I'm getting married next month, Eleanor. I hope you can attend.

"As my mother."

Eleanor's lips trembled.

But she sighed and took it.

She had brought me from the orphanage into the Thorne family, raising me as her own daughter.

I had always thought of her as my mother.

"Alright, I'll go. But please, think about it again.

"Damian cares about you, he's just... like that. His words aren't always true."

Eleanor spoke endless good words about Damian, until her throat was dry.

Just as she reached for her teacup, the invitation in her hand was snatched away by Damian.