My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Chapter 7 ROCKY RELATIONSHIP

SERAPHINA’S POV

"Mom!"

Daniel unfolded himself from Christian Blackthorne’s lap and raced to me as soon as I stepped in through the front door.

I exhaled, catching his body against mine in a one-armed hug. I pressed his head against my chest, feeling his little heart thunder against me.

He was fine; he was safe. My family had failed me in countless ways, but at least they’d protected him. I was so thankful for that.

"Hi, baby," I whispered into his curls.

Daniel pulled back and eyed my injured arm, wrapped in bandages and a sling, his face tightening. "You’re hurt." His voice wobbled.

I shook my head, cupping his cheek to pull his gaze away. "It’s okay, my love." I pressed his head against my chest again, kissing his hair. "I’m okay."

He clutched onto the fabric of the shirt I’d borrowed from a nurse, and the shudder that ran through him seemed to reverberate through me.

"It’s okay, Mom." His voice was muffled. "I’ll take care of you."

I closed my eyes as a tear slid down my cheek. "I know you will, baby." My strong, beautiful boy who loved me in a world where no one else did. "We’ll take care of each other."

"Is this how you conduct yourself?" Leona’s voice sliced through the moment. "Entering my home without so much as an acknowledgment?"

I looked up. The Blackthornes sat entwined on the couch, Leona’s glare as sharp as ever. Once, that look would’ve sent me scrambling to apologize, to prove myself worthy. Yet now, looking between Leona and Christian, I waited for that pathetic part of me that always sought their validation to flare up. But—nothing.

No fear. No anger. Just hollow acceptance. The chaos of today had changed something. It felt like a switch had been flipped inside me, and I just... didn’t care anymore.

This family had drained me dry, and I was done bleeding for them.

I ruffled Daniel’s curls. "Go say goodbye to your grandparents, hon," I said, my voice steady.

Daniel’s arms reluctantly dropped from around my waist, and he moved to Leona and Christian.

I tried not to notice how Christian’s arms circled Leona’s waist—how natural their affection was. A lifetime ago, I’d foolishly dreamed Kieran might one day hold me like that.

The memory almost made me laugh.

After Daniel had hugged his grandparents, I took his hand and walked out of the house wordlessly and—

Speaking of sights that stung my eyes.

Kieran’s familiar black G-Wagon was in the driveway. He was at the passenger side, and I watched as he grabbed Celeste’s tiny waist and helped her out of the car.

Bracing her hands on his shoulder, she looked up at him with adoration, and he looked at her with a tenderness he’d never once shown me.

I waited for jealousy and bitterness to pull in my belly, but again—that nothing feeling. Just a dull ache behind my eyes.

"Is she why?"

Daniel’s quiet voice stopped me cold. I turned to see my son staring ahead—at Kieran and Celeste—stonily, his dark eyes narrowed. "Is she the reason why Dad is leaving us?"

I inhaled sharply. Celeste had left before Daniel was born, and he’d never met her. I wondered if any of my parents had told him about his aunt—the one whose man his mother allegedly stole.

At that moment, Kieran and Celeste saw us. A muscle ticked in his jaw, and his hand dropped from around her waist. A brief expression crossed Kieran’s face, and I must have been hallucinating from my painkillers because it looked a little bit like... guilt?

I remembered the question I’d asked Kieran when he dropped the divorce bomb.

"It’s because of Celeste, isn’t it?"

"No," he’d lied. "Of course not."

I forced a smile, cupping Daniel’s chin. "No, baby," I lied, my voice too bright. "Of course not."

The words tasted like ash. I hated lying to my son, but even more than that, I hated the idea of him getting hurt in any way. Whatever rocky relationship Kieran and I had was between both of us. I didn’t want to expose Daniel to any unnecessary drama.

Daniel’s shoulders relaxed. He believed me—for now.

"Come on." I took his hand, steering us away.

Hot enough to scar. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

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