The Heiress's Revenge - A Bloody Affair - Chapter 105

Chapter 105: [105 – For Better, For Worse]
Seraphina stepped out of her mansion looking like any other blushing bride. If someone to see her now, those who did not know her like Asher, Madison, Natasha, Gina, and others did, the would not be able to guess the true intentions that lie behind those sparkling eyes, that shy gaze, that smiling face.

No one would ever be able to point that flaw because the mask that Seraphina wore was unlike any other. She had mastered this art, it took her years to do so but it was a requirement that needed to be fulfilled. Sitting in the backseat of her car, Seraphina sent a quick message to Elijah –

Just left home, on the way to meet you at the registrar’s office.

Can’t wit to marry you.

Love you, my dear husband to be.

Elijah was quick to respond to her message. He sent her a sticker first with a cute robot character that had a heart shaped antenna. Hearts sparkled around him as the sticker character melted down with happiness.

Along with that sticker, Elijah had sent her a message as well;

Can’t wait to see you, my love. The beginning of our forever starts today.

Seraphina smiled as she read Elijah’s message. She knew he was sincere, he always had been. He was kind, gentle, and utterly devoted to her. For a moment, a pang of guilt flickered in her heart, but she quickly brushed it aside. There was no room for doubt now. She had a plan, and nothing would deter her.

As the car moved through the bustling city streets, Seraphina’s mind drifted to the series of events that had led her here. Her eyes hardened, remembering the betrayal, the lies, and the deceit she had endured. Trust was a luxury she could no longer afford, and Elijah, despite his innocence, was simply a means to an end. A pawn in her carefully constructed game.

But she could not deny that this pawn had become a little more than that to her. She had already stopped denying that and embraced it completely but it made her feel nervous and slightly anxious, filling her up with the anticipation of what the result of this attraction, this attachment would be in the future.

The car stopped at a red light, and she glanced at herself in the rearview mirror. Her veil, that she had opted for at the last minutes, found it in the garment bag, was perfectly arranged, her makeup flawless. She looked every bit the perfect bride. But beneath that delicate facade lay a heart hardened by past betrayals, a mind sharpened by years of strategy and planning.

She took a deep breath and glanced at the driver and asked, “How much longer?”

“About fifteen minutes, ma’am.” he replied, eyes focused on the road ahead.

Fifteen minutes. Just enough time to mentally rehearse her next steps. Seraphina was always meticulous, always prepared. Her thoughts were a calculated mix of anticipation and determination. Today was the day everything would change, the day she would finally have what she wanted. Not love, no, love was for the naive. Today, she sought control, power, and freedom.

As the car pulled up to the registrar’s office, she spotted Elijah waiting outside, nervously adjusting his tie. His face lit up the moment he saw her, and he started toward the car with a bright, hopeful smile.

Seraphina’s lips curled into a smile of her own, a perfectly practiced one, as she stepped out of the car. “Elijah,” she called out warmly, her voice dripping with the sweetness she knew he adored. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I’m always here for you.” he replied, his eyes full of adoration. “Are you ready?”

“Oh, Elijah,” she said, taking his hand in hers, “I’ve never been more ready in my life.”

And as they walked hand in hand toward the building, the mask she wore remained firmly in place, her true intentions hidden behind the guise of love and happiness. Today was a day of beginnings, just not the kind Elijah had in mind.

As the two of them stepped inside the registrar’s office, Seraphina spotted all four of their witnesses standing there, looking happy and cheerful. Gina and Jaxon from her side, both of them aware of what Seraphina truly wanted.

She was glad to see that both of them also did not let their emotions show at being in the presence of Marcus and Katherine, who stood their with happy and excited smiles oblivious to the fact that they were not here to sign the marriage certificate as witnesses but sign their own death certificate.

Seraphina maintained her poise as she approached the group, her smile unwavering. She could feel the tension crackling in the air, an invisible thread connecting those who knew the truth and those who were blissfully ignorant. The room seemed smaller, the walls pressing in as if aware of the secrets that were about to be buried within them.

“Marcus, Katherine,” she greeted warmly, extending a hand to each in turn. “I’m so glad you could both be here on such a special day.”

Marcus smiled warmly, which was surprising to Seraphina and clearly looked fake as he shook her hand firmly, “We wouldn’t miss it for the world, Seraphina. My son is a lucky man.” he chuckled and patted Elijah on the back.

Katherine, with her bright eyes and infectious smile, pulled Seraphina into a quick hug. “You look stunning! And so happy. This is going to be a beautiful start to a beautiful life.”

Seraphina nodded, her smile never faltering. “Yes, it will be.” she replied, a note of finality in her voice that went unnoticed by everyone but Gina and Jaxon, who exchanged a quick, knowing glance.

Elijah, still standing by her side, looked at her with adoration, his eyes filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He squeezed her hand gently. “Shall we?”

She nodded, allowing him to lead her toward the registrar. As they moved to the front of the room, she caught Gina’s eye. A slight nod passed between them, a silent acknowledgment of what was to come.

The registrar, an older woman with kind eyes, looked up from her desk with a warm smile. “Good afternoon,” she said, her voice soothing and calm. “Are we ready to begin?”

“Absolutely!” Elijah answered, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

Seraphina glanced at him, a fleeting moment of softness touching her gaze. For a split second, she almost wavered, almost reconsidered the plan she had meticulously crafted. But the memory of past betrayals, of the scars that still ached, steeled her resolve once more.

The registrar began to speak, her words a blur in Seraphina’s ears. Her focus was elsewhere—on the documents laid out on the table, on the people standing around her, on the future she was carving out for herself. She had chosen this path with careful consideration, and there was no turning back now.

“Seraphina?” Elijah’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. “Is everything okay?”

She blinked, realizing she had momentarily drifted away. “Yes, I’m fine,” she replied with a reassuring smile. “Just a lot to take in, you know?”

He smiled softly. “I understand. It’s a big day.”

It was, indeed. But not in the way he imagined.

The registrar continued, “If there are no objections, we can proceed with the signing of the marriage certificate.”

Seraphina watched as Elijah took the pen, his hand steady as he signed his name with a flourish. He turned to her, offering the pen with a grin that was pure, unadulterated happiness.

She took it, her fingers brushing against his, and for a moment, she hesitated. But then she remembered the reason she was here, the reason she had gone through all of this, and her hesitation vanished. She signed her name with a flourish as well, sealing not just their marriage but the fate of everyone in the room.

“Now for the witnesses,” the registrar announced.

Gina and Jaxon stepped forward first, their expressions calm and composed as they added their signatures. Marcus and Katherine followed, still smiling, still blissfully unaware of the truth. They signed with enthusiasm, congratulating Seraphina and Elijah as they stepped back.

As the final signature was placed on the document, the registrar looked up with a smile. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Grayson. You’re officially married.”

There was applause, hugs, and well-wishes all around. Elijah pulled Seraphina into a tight embrace, whispering in her ear, “I love you, Seraphina. Today is the start of our forever.”

She smiled, a real one this time, because he was right. Today was the start of forever, just not the forever he imagined.

“Yes,” she whispered back, “it is.”

As the celebration continued, Seraphina caught Gina’s eye once more. It was time. She nodded subtly, and Gina understood. The next phase of the plan was about to unfold, and there was no turning back.

The mask remained firmly in place, but underneath, Seraphina was ready, absolutely ready to claim what was rightfully hers, ready to exact the revenge she had so carefully planned, and ready to see this game through to the very end.