My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 158

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Chapter 158: Chapter 158 JOYOUS CHAOS

SERAPHINA’S POV

Finally, blessedly, the press conference came to an end.

We were ushered next to the family waiting area, where laughter and tears collided in a symphony of joy.

The space itself had been softened from the sharp grandeur of the hall. Warm lantern-light pooled in golden circles across the polished floor. Plush couches ringed the chamber, and fragrant sprays of lilies and winter roses lined the walls.

The air buzzed with relief and triumph, scented with salt of sweat and tears and the sweetness of flowers.

Finn’s parents nearly bowled him over the moment we crossed the threshold.

His father, a tall man with the same wiry frame and broad shoulders as his son, clapped him on the back so hard I thought Finn might crack a rib.

“That’s my boy!” he boomed, voice echoing. His mother swatted at him, tearfully scolding, “Not so hard, Harold, he’s bruised already!”

But her arms wound around Finn with crushing strength anyway, her head barely skimming his chin.

Talia collapsed into the arms of a young man, who’d been waiting right at the front. He was tall and stocky with wild blond hair that looked like he’d been pulling at it.

He caught her like he’d been waiting there all day for this moment, hugging her as though he might never let go.

She sobbed openly, the kind of deep, unguarded sob that had no shame in it, while he whispered into her hair. I caught pieces—“I knew you’d make it, baby, I knew”—and my chest tightened.

Judy’s boisterous family enveloped her in seconds.

Her mother pressed a trembling kiss to her forehead, pride etched firmly on her face. “My baby.” Her voice wavered as she cupped her daughter’s cheeks. Her eyes darted over her face and body, as if memorizing every scar and bruise she’d earned in the trials. “I’m so proud I could burst.”

Their tender moment was interrupted when Judy’s sisters and her swarm of nieces and nephews almost sent her to the ground.

Even Roxy—whom I’d imagined growing up alone in a cave—was smothered by a gaggle of brothers. There were four of them, each with the same jet black hair and sharp eyes.

They lifted her clean off the floor, cheering so loudly I was sure half of the West Coast heard. “Roxanne! You beast! You did it!” one of them bellowed, spinning her in a dizzying circle.

She shrieked and swatted at them, but the laughter breaking out of her cracked voice was pure exhilaration.

I stood back, watching them all. A pang tightened in my chest.

This was what victory was supposed to look like. Family. Arms to fall into. Faces glowing with pride and joy.

And me? I had none of that.

My parents weren’t here. Celeste (not that I would ever consider her family to begin with)—well, gods knew what she was doing, probably plotting how to spin her loss into some twisted form of martyrdom.

I had Lucian, yes. Maya too. Ethan...maybe.

But none of them were in sight. I didn’t even know if the no-contact ban had been lifted or not.

And in this moment, surrounded by the warm chaos of reunion, I felt the hollow absence of my own family more acutely than ever.

“Seraphina Blackthorne, you absolute fucking legend!”

A delighted gasp tore out of me as I spun—and was immediately swept off my feet.

“Maya!” My laughter bubbled out of me as the room spun around me, Maya’s arms tight around my waist.

I swayed a little when she set me on my feet. “Hi,” I giggled.

“Hi?” She threw her head back, and her laughter was like a champagne bottle popping open in my chest.

Her curls were wild and free around her face, and she wore what looked like ceremonial training gear—a polished leather jacket that bore OTS crests, and a fitted black skirt with combat boots.

The sight of her was like...like a high. Like an addict’s first hit after abstaining so long.

“I missed you so much!” My voice was thick, and the words came out choked.

She was grinning so hard I wondered if it hurt. “I didn’t miss you for one second!” she declared. “I watched every move you made like a hawk. Fuck, Sera! You dominated!”

I pulled her back to me, wrapping her in a hug that was both fierce and vulnerable. “It’s all thanks to you,” I mumbled against her jacket, inhaling her familiar scent. “I would have never made it without your training.”

Her arms tightened hard enough to aggravate my injuries, but I didn’t care. “Don’t you dare give me an ounce of credit,” she said, her voice thickening with emotion. “This was all you, you absolute badass.”

When we pulled back, I had to wipe the tears that were sliding down my cheeks.

“Hey, I’d like to think we helped at least a little.”

Maya turned her head, and her eyes narrowed, though her lips twitched. “Roxanne.” Something like challenge and...respect gleamed in her eyes. “When the Trials first started, I was sure I wanted to gut you open with my favorite knife, but now I think I might want to hug you.”

Roxy beamed, not a trace of sarcasm or snark to be seen. In fact, she looked a little...giddy, as if she were standing before her favorite celebrity.

Before Maya could make good on her promise—or threat—of hugging Roxy, her brothers—still loud, still half-drunk on joy—approached us like a pack of wolves cornering prey.

“So you’re the one,” the tallest said, folding his arms. His grin was all sharp teeth, but his eyes were warm as they scanned me. “The one who tamed our hellhound of a sister.”

Roxy shoved him, snarling. “I’m not a wild animal, idiot. I don’t need to be tamed.”

“Sure, sure,” another brother said breezily, throwing his arm around her shoulder. He turned to me, expression earnest. “She’ll die before admitting it, but we know she wouldn’t have made it without you.”