SERAPHINA'S STOLEN HAPPINESS

PERSON

to an empty s

rested her palm against the pillow next to hers. It was slightly creased, the sheets stil

come home

eep because she wanted to see him. Eventually, she had admitted defeat and

of paper caught

it up and u

we talk later today? I'm taking th

twice before a smile slow

ing hours, and even his birthdays rarely persuaded him to step away from the office.

ealised how much they ha

uch a simple message had made her. Still, she couldn't help it. The last few weeks had be

reservation at La Vida, one of the finest restaurants in the city, and intended to share the news over d

illed her wit

ang out of bed, only to drop back o

oom t

briefly clouded her vision. She squeezed her eye

was

cts of pregnancy. She remembered Dr Bradford mentioning that her body would undergo se

tment was still

fade. She didn't want to turn an otherwise promising morning into a cause for u

she carefully got to her feet. T

robe and stepped into her matching fluffy

en was al

h so many buttons and settings that Seraphina suspected even the manufacturers hadn't discovered all thei

s of cookware when they barely used half of them. Olivia had simp

odded as though

etween an ordinary saucepan and an expensive one. Co

he was a tall, solidly built woman whose practical sky-blue shirt and d

ning, Mrs

orning,

. Breakfast will be re

one of the cushioned stools. "Ta

to a heated pan, then placed a c

uniforms. Demian considered the expense unnecessary, while Seraphina disliked the idea of makin

long enough to feel more like a mem

na glanced up, surprised by the unfamiliar face. He placed the flowers carefully o

was t

n he had gone while arranging

rted working

the flowers. "What

as le

hy

ression tightened slightly. "I warned

e idea of dismissing people, even when they deserved it. However, Olivia was re

ortunate,"

whole-wheat bread and a small serving of fruit. Beside the plat

some freshly s

ed, taking ano

re she never had to worry about the ordinary responsibilities of daily life. Her meals appeared without her having to ask, the

es suspected, he would arrange for

generosity, there were moment

watching her expenses and buying things only when she needed them. She had never been interested in designer labels or e

Surely, by now, he understood that she didn

anted to discuss with him when

k to him about her clothing allowance. Agnes seemed determined to spend every penny of the

n behalf of his various foundations. She didn't mind supporting the causes he cared about, but she ha

ssed p

ly stepped inside it since their marriage. She wanted to return to the canvas, mix colo

certain Demia

raised a request, his response was usually so

re was something about his easy agreemen

hes, or was he simply too occupi

ned at h

enerous with her. He had never tried to control what

becoming unneces

for problem

would probably blame them on pregnancy hormones. And Ser

d breakfast, her mood h

ly. During the past three years, they had gradually settled into separate routines. She had become increa

ess they once shared seemed to have slipped away wit

was a baby

n to slow down and remember what mattered. And Demian was t

eve that things we

d about fifteen

y at the waist by a broad white leather belt. A brown headband decorated with an oversized white

sed after gree

d to get

from her phone. "Goo

g. We're supposed to be at De

blinked. "

lready checking th

mber agreeing

ent me a message ask

say wh

ng about

at her. "Lunch?

nd headed towards the bedroom. "Come on.

more fashionable one between them. She could put together an outfit effortlessly, while Seraphi

es and a few special outfits she had bought from discount stores. She had k

her work to a gallery, much less held an exhibition. Painting remained something she did

rdrobe was a d

main bedroom. A separate door opened onto a service corridor, allowing the

ide, the lights cam

inable. There were designer handbags, neatly arranged acces

switch. A section of hanging rails began moving smoothly,

ss appeared. Its delicate straps rested on the

ised it im

never

still here?

k. "That's exactly what

the dresses Seraphina had owned before marrying Demian, the ones she had in

the mechanism a

l have al

They're perf

ress an entire boutique. Why are you hol

e I lik

not a

m when I'm in my studio. I don't need a four-tho

d her arms, co

hat's a rath

raised a

mous artist, someone might pay a fortune for a dress you've acci

ed. "You make i

just need to stop

hing. I simply paint

re very g

rtistic abilities, especially around people who belonged to Demian's social circle. They were accustom

. They held thoughts and feelings sh

who has seen most of the

w what I'm talking about. You

're exag

ng you. There'

After a few seconds, she stopped it agai

h dress. The other was a coral-pi

ch o

a didn't

black

t her in surprise

ha

o decide. Sometimes I think

ched for the Black dress.

d the label and

once. Do you know how m

glanced at

used the clo

and dollars,

kno

t spending the entire al

Demian has set aside a certain amount, s

t her before burs

a government department. Spend every

ing lik

on't remain untouched today.

she had no idea where to begin. She finally settled on a pair of black and

ted them and no

d ch

oft pink cashmere shawl

un planning the rest of Seraphina's appearance. Her hair needed a little

e her friend worked, occasio

ps he had planned something special. Maybe the lunch wa

ed the day would give th

tepped back, she looked

e. Pe

er complexion, while the pink shawl softened the overall look. Her

it," she

you do. I

ed and reached

we go

ok her by the arm. "I'

together, heading to

downstairs. She still had no idea what Demian had planned at

to spend the day wonderin

ng to spend