When Serene stirred, the room was silent. A thick golden haze slipped in through the parted curtains, touching her face with warmth that felt foreign.
But it wasn't the light that woke her. It was the stillness inside her head. For the first time in what felt like forever, there were no foggy dreams. No sweet lullabies laced with false laughter. No forced smiles.
Just…clarity.
Her heart beat slowly, rhythmically, like a drum from deep within her chest. Her fingers curled against silk sheets, and she blinked up at the ceiling. She didn't move—not right away.
Because the moment she did, everything would come crashing back.
And it did.
The screams. The cage. The chains. The man's blood. That gunshot. The way Roman's eyes gleamed in the darkness.
Roman.
He hadn't pulled the trigger—but he didn't have to.
Serene's breath caught, and suddenly the silence wasn't silence anymore. It was a scream buried beneath her ribs, trying to claw its way out.
She sat up. Slowly. Carefully.
She was back in her room—no, not her room. The mansion. The pristine white walls. The soft roses on the nightstand. Her slippers by the bed, perfectly aligned like a doll's.
The door opened.
A maid stepped in with a wide smile. "Good morning, madam. You're awake! We were starting to worry."
Madam.
Serene smiled tightly. "I guess I was just tired."
The lie tasted bitter.
"I'll bring your breakfast," the maid said, then paused. "Oh—and congratulations. I'll send in the doctor for your checkup."
Serene's smile faltered. "Checkup?"
The maid looked confused for a moment, then laughed. "Oh, my apologies. I thought you knew. Mr. Ashborne said you'd be thrilled. But maybe he wanted to surprise you."
Her heart skipped a beat. A cold sweat began to form at the back of her neck.
"Surprise me with what?"
The maid leaned in, whispering like it was a secret wrapped in silk. "The baby, madam. You're almost two months along."
Serene's world shattered.
She didn't remember getting out of bed. She didn't remember walking to the bathroom. But the next thing she knew, she was gripping the edge of the marble sink, staring at her reflection.
It was her face. Her skin. Her curls.
But behind her eyes was something she didn't recognize: terror.
They had taken everything. Her memories. Her voice. Her freedom. And now…they had taken her body.
The child of a devil.
Of him.
The door creaked behind her. She didn't flinch.
"Serene."
Roman's voice.
She turned around.
He was dressed in tailored black, every inch of him sculpted in control. A faint smile curled on his lips, and he carried a bouquet of soft white lilies.
"For you," he said, stepping closer. "You've been resting beautifully."
Serene accepted the flowers without a word.
Roman kissed her forehead, his lips lingering. "The doctor said you're healthy. And the baby… perfect."
"Baby," she repeated, the word hollow.
He didn't notice.
"I thought we'd have a little celebration," he continued. "Just us, Lelo, and maybe my parents later. They were thrilled when they heard."
Serene stared at him.
"You knew," she said quietly. "You knew what you did to me."
Roman's smile softened. "I gave you what you always deserved. A life of peace. Of love."
Her hands clenched around the lilies.
"But I wasn't awake."
"You are now." He stepped closer. "And I'm never letting you go again."
She wanted to scream. To run. To tear the room apart. But she smiled. Sweet. Gentle. A mask.
Because she couldn't let him see that the real Serene was back.
Not yet.
As Roman turned to leave, Lelo peeked around the corner. "Mama?"
Serene turned, kneeling down as Lelo rushed into her arms.
"My baby," Serene whispered, hugging her tightly. Lelo's skin was warm. Her little fingers clung to Serene's dress.
"You're not going to leave again, right?"
Serene forced the lie from her lips. "Never."
But her eyes burned.
Because she would leave.
Even if it was the last thing she ever did.
She would run.
She would burn this house down if she had to.
Because now she remembered—everything.
And the angel wasn't theirs to keep.
Not anymore.
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