In an hour, I'll be Seraphina Nero.
And I'm not going to let this family break me.
The door opens. Someone tells me it's time.
I take a breath. Smooth down my dress. Adjust my veil.
Then I walk.
Through the mansion halls. Past security who won't meet my eyes. Past rooms full of priceless art and cold marble floors.
To a set of double doors.
I can hear music beyond them. Soft and elegant. I can hear the murmur of a thousand voices.
A thousand witnesses.
My hands are shaking. My heart is pounding so hard I'm sure everyone can hear it.
The doors open.
And I see him.
Adrian. Standing at the end of a white aisle, between twomassive floral arrangements. He's in his tuxedo, perfectly composed, silver eyes fixed on me.
On either side, rows and rows of people. The entire New York elite. Watching me. Judging me.
I'm frozen.
I can't do this. I can't walk down there. Can't give myself to him in front of all these people.
Can't—
Then I remember Bianca's words.
Power doesn't come from freedom. It comes from knowing how to work within constraints.
I remember Gemma's warning.
Figure out how to survive being a Nero.
I remember the video of Gabe. Bruised and scared and saying he's sorry.
I remember the child growing inside me. The one who will inherit all of this whether I want it or not.
And I make a choice.
Not to submit.
Not to be a victim.
But to survive.
I straighten my spine. Lift my chin. Let my hands fall to my sides.
And I walk.
Each step is deliberate. Careful. My dress rustles with every movement, the veil floating behind me like a ghost.
