When Love Meets Wealth

through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the small living room. It had been five years since her world had been turned upsid

how Alexander had smiled at her with that disarming charm, his dark hair tousled and his deep blue eyes spark

ilence, the warmth of his embrace lost in the frigid distance that had grown between them. A single tear slid down her cheek, an

own curls bouncing as he raced into the room, holding up a cray

behind, his expression one of equal enthus

looks amazing, boys! I love the flowers." She knelt down to their level, her f

fridge?" Noah asked, hi

tor, where a hodgepodge of their creations was already displayed. Each piece of art was

he counter, cutting through the moment. She glanced at it, her sto

t shielded from the memories that surfaced whenever his name appeared. But the other part,

'm hosting a gala next week and would love for

ack into the world that had hurt her so deeply? What could he possibly

an asked, peering

d job," Seraphina replied, qu

ous, chimed in,

some distant figure, a ghost haunting their lives. "He's not just someone. He's... he's your father," she corrected gently, tryi

gh he didn't seem entirely

an piped up, "Can we have pancakes

eful for the distraction

mance, one that seemed straight out of a fairy tale. They had traveled the world, attended glamorous events, and

oked at her like she was the only person in the room, the tender moments they shared when

out in that warm, deep voice. "Come

tudy, surrounded by papers and plans for their future. "Look at this," he said, ho

perfect-unti

around her, demanding her attention. "Mom! Mom!"

e laughed, realizing how lost s

e enveloped her, and she picked up her phone, staring at Alexander's message once more. She weigh

"Thank you for the invitation,

Would he understand? Would he respect her decis

arrived. "Please think abo

verything? Seraphina felt a mix of anger and confusion. She didn't owe him a

ings. The invitation loomed over her like a dark cloud. She had built a life without him, and the thought

the night. Seraphina's heart raced as she stood up an

was Julian, her estranged brother, looking just as ruggedly handsome as she remembered. H

oice low and comforting. "I

d by the wave of relief that washed ove

de, his presence filling the room with a

admitted, gesturing toward

at and looking at her intent

settling heavily on her shoulders. "He invited me to

brow furrowing in concern. "You s

me wants to confront him, to see if he's changed. But

e to know the truth, Seraphina. If you think there's a chance

f it hurts

healing," he said softly. "You've

She had spent years keeping her heart guarded, afraid of what lay beyond the wa

cision swirling in her mind. Maybe she would go to the gala. Maybe it was t

ain, but she was ready to step into the unknown. It was time to reclaim

ix of fear and excitement. The past had shaped her, but it wouldn't define her future. She was Seraphina