Seraphine nodded. “And being a mother,” she added quietly, “And all the rest of it.”
For a moment, Thalia said nothing. Her gaze drifted towards the window, and Seraphine could almost see her reflecting upon the life she had built. The silence stretched just long enough to make Seraphine wonder whether she regretted asking.
Then a small smile appeared. “I never thought I would be,” Thalia admitted. A note of fond amusement entered her voice. “There was a time when the very idea sounded dreadful.”
Seraphine laughed softly at the memory. “I remember.”
“You should,” Thalia replied, arching a brow. “You agreed with me.” Thalia's smile widened, and she shook her head at her friend with affectionate disbelief.
“I was terrified when I married Caspian. Absolutely terrified. Yet somehow, he became my favorite person.” Her gaze driftedtowards the doorway where Jeremy had vanished. “And then came Jeremy.”
A look of such fierce affection crossed her face that Seraphine's chest tightened.
“I am exceptionally happy,” Thalia finished quietly.
The words settled heavily within her.
Exceptionally happy. Not merely content. Not merely comfortable. Genuinely happy.
Seraphine stared down at her clasped hands as a terrible realization slowly unfolded inside her.
She had spent days convincing herself that marriage was simply a solution.
Find a suitable husband. Escape William. Avoid the abbey. Problem solved.
Yet suddenly she saw the cost.
If she married the wrong man simply because time was running out, she would be surrendering the possibility of what Thalia had found. She would be trading away the chance of real happiness for safety.
The thought stole her breath. Lord Cunningham. Lord Shelding. Lord Everend. They were all good men. Suitable men. Men any sensible young lady would be pleased to consider. Yet none of them made her feel anything.
Her pulse quickened as an uncomfortable question forced its way into her mind.
What if I spend the rest of my life wondering whether I had settled too quickly? What if I chose safety now and regretted it forever?
The walls of the library suddenly felt too close, the air strangely oppressive.
“I need some air,” she blurted, rising so abruptly that Thalia startled.
“Seraphine?”
But she was already moving.
She hurried from the room before her friend could ask further questions. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she crossed the corridor and pushed through the nearest doors leading outside. Cool air immediately met her flushed skin. She stepped onto a garden path and drew a deep breath.
Then another, forcing herself to draw the cool air deep into her lungs until the frantic pounding of her heart began to settle.The panic eased slightly, though not nearly enough to restore her composure. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, willing herself to regain control before she made a complete fool of herself.
“Are you all right?” a deep voice asked from behind her. The sound nearly sent her heart into her throat.
Of course it’s him.
She turned. Damien stood only a few feet away; his dark brows furrowed with concern as he studied her face. The sight somehow made everything worse.
“I am quite alright,” she said quickly, forcing a smile she did not feel as she smoothed an unnecessary crease from her skirts. “I merely needed a little air.”
His gaze lingered on her face, unconvinced.
Her heart fluttered. She inhaled his masculine scent. Even now in a time of panic, his mere presence made her knees feel weak. He stepped closer. She looked up at him, looming over her.
