Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Seraphina stood frozen in the silence that followed Camden’s words. His warning hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Her gaze flickered between her father’s enraged face and Camden’s cold, unreadable expression. She could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on her, but there was only one truth she could cling to now—her heart belonged to Alexander, and no force on earth could make her betray that.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin and spoke, her voice trembling but firm. “I choose to follow my heart, not duty. I cannot marry you, Lord Camden. My heart belongs to Alexander.”

The room erupted in chaos.

Her father stormed toward her, his face contorted in disbelief and rage. “You foolish girl! Do you know what you are saying? You are throwing away your future—our family’s reputation—for a man who can never give you anything but disgrace!”

Lord Camden remained where he was, his eyes narrowing as he watched her, his jaw clenched tight. For a moment, Seraphina thought he might lash out, but he held his temper, his fury simmering beneath the surface.

“If you refuse me,” Camden said, his voice cold and measured, “you will be left with nothing. Your name will be dragged through the mud. You will become an outcast in society, and there will be no one to save you from it.”

Seraphina swallowed hard. She knew the consequences of her decision, but she had made up her mind. “I would rather face the scandal than live a lie,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry, but I will not marry you.”

Her father, who had been pacing like a caged lion, stopped in front of her, his hands clenched into fists. “You will marry him,” he growled, his voice shaking with anger. “I will not allow you to destroy everything we have built.”

Tears burned in her eyes, but she blinked them away. She had expected this reaction. She knew her father would never understand, but she could not bend to his will—not this time. “Father, please, try to understand—”

“Enough!” Lord Harrington barked, his face red with fury. “You will do as you are told! Do you hear me, Seraphina?”

But before she could respond, Camden stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “No, Lord Harrington. Let her speak. She has made her choice, and I will not force her hand. But she must understand the gravity of what she is doing.”

Seraphina turned to face Camden fully, her heart pounding in her chest. His calm demeanor only heightened her anxiety. She had expected him to be more volatile, but his restraint was far more unsettling.

Camden’s eyes bore into hers, cold and unfeeling. “I could ruin you,” he said quietly. “I could make sure that your name is whispered in every corner of London, that no respectable man would ever look your way again. I could ensure that your precious Duke of Ravenhall is disgraced beyond redemption.”

Seraphina’s breath caught in her throat. Camden’s threat hung in the air like a sword waiting to drop. She knew he had the power to make good on his word. He had connections, influence, and the ruthless determination to see his will done. But she also knew that giving in to him now would mean sacrificing her soul, her love for Alexander, and everything she held dear.

“I’m not afraid of you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “Do what you must, but I will not marry you.”

For a moment, Camden’s icy composure faltered. His eyes flickered with something—a flash of anger, perhaps even disappointment—but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He gave a curt nod, stepping back as if to signal that the discussion was over.

“Very well,” he said coolly. “I will not force you to marry me, Lady Seraphina. But make no mistake—you will regret this decision.”

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving her father standing there, red-faced and fuming.

The silence that followed was deafening. Seraphina stood rooted to the spot, her hands shaking, her heart racing. She had done it. She had refused Camden. But the consequences of her decision loomed over her like a dark cloud.

Lord Harrington finally spoke, his voice cold and clipped. “You are no daughter of mine,” he said, his words cutting through her like a knife. “If you will not do your duty to this family, then you are no longer welcome here. You have brought nothing but shame upon us.”

Seraphina’s heart shattered at his words. She had always known her father was a man of duty, a man who valued family reputation above all else, but to hear him disown her so callously—it was almost too much to bear.

“You can leave this house,” her father continued, his voice harsh and unrelenting. “Take your things and go. You have chosen your fate. Now live with it.”

Tears welled in Seraphina’s eyes, but she blinked them back, her throat tight with grief. She had known this moment would come, but it still hurt more than she could have imagined.

“Very well, Father,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I will go.”

Without another word, she turned and fled the room, her heart aching with every step. She ran to her chambers, tears spilling down her cheeks as she hastily packed a few belongings into a small travel bag. Her mind raced with thoughts of what would come next—where would she go? What would she do? But through the chaos of her emotions, one thing remained clear: she had to find Alexander. She had to be with him.

As she left the estate, Seraphina didn’t look back. The weight of her father’s rejection pressed heavily on her, but she knew she couldn’t stay. Her future, uncertain and fraught with danger, now lay with Alexander. The world she had once known was gone, and there was no turning back.

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Seraphina rode hard toward the only place she knew she could find refuge—the Duke of Ravenhall’s estate. She had no plan, no idea what she would say when she saw him again, but her heart pulled her toward him with a force she couldn’t deny.

The sun was setting by the time she arrived at the gates of the Duke’s estate. She dismounted, her legs weak from the ride, and approached the imposing iron gates. The guard stationed there recognized her and hesitated for a moment before opening the gates with a nod.

Seraphina’s heart pounded as she made her way up the long drive, her mind swirling with the events of the day. Her father had cast her out, Camden had vowed to ruin her, and now she was walking into the unknown, into Alexander’s world.

When she reached the door, she knocked hesitantly, her hands trembling. A servant opened it and, upon recognizing her, immediately led her inside without question. She followed him through the grand halls, her stomach churning with anticipation.

Finally, the servant led her to a drawing room and gestured for her to enter. Seraphina took a deep breath and stepped inside, her heart in her throat.

Alexander stood by the fireplace, his back to her. He turned as she entered, his expression one of shock and concern when he saw her standing there, disheveled and tear-streaked.

“Seraphina,” he breathed, crossing the room in a few swift strides. “What happened? Why are you here?”

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at him, her voice breaking. “I had to leave. I had no choice.”

Alexander’s face softened as he reached for her, pulling her into his arms. “You’re safe now,” he whispered, holding her tightly. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

For the first time in hours, Seraphina allowed herself to feel the weight of her emotions, and she clung to him as sobs wracked her body. The world outside was falling apart, but in Alexander’s arms, she felt safe, protected.

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him through tear-filled eyes. “I’ve lost everything,” she whispered. “My father… Camden… they’ve turned against me.”

Alexander cupped her face in his hands, his gaze filled with both love and determination. “You haven’t lost everything,” he said softly. “You still have me. And I will stand by you, no matter what.”

Seraphina nodded, her heart swelling with emotion. She had risked everything for this moment, for the chance to be with the man she loved. And now, as she stood in his arms, she knew she had made the right choice.

There was no turning back. But with Alexander by her side, she was ready to face whatever came next.