The Heiress's Revenge - A Bloody Affair - Chapter 114

Chapter 114: [104 – Choices & Desires]
Seraphina lay still in the dimly lit room, listening to the steady rhythm of Elijah’s breathing beside her. His arm was draped securely around her waist, pulling her close as if even in sleep. His fold felt possessive and protective as if he wanted to shield her from the world.

Resting his head against her shoulder, while Elijah was soundly asleep, Seraphina, on the other hand could not sleep. It was a peaceful moment but even the warmth of his breath on her skin, the comfort of his body against hers, did not bring her any relaxation. Instead, she laid there worried and lost in her thought.

Her thoughts, a whirlwind of emotions, memories, and doubts. She could not believe that Elijah still had that strawberry shaped pendant necklace with him that she gave him years ago.

He was so sweet, gentle and kind and Seraphin could not imagine how did she ever doubt him?. Her memories of Elijah were faint, but the one that stood out the clearest was the night of her 5th birthday.

She had been so excited that day, running around the farmhouse, playing with the other children, her laughter echoing through the trees. But Ethan had tricked her to wander deeper into the forest. The forest, which had seemed so inviting in the daylight, became a maze of darkness and fear. She had called out for help, her voice small and trembling, but there was no answer. The trees loomed overhead, and the sounds of the night grew louder, more threatening.

And then, just when she thought she would never find her way out, there he was, her Elijah. He had been only a few years older than her, but even then, he was so courageous and so nice. He had found her huddled by a tree, tears streaming down her face, and without a word, he had taken her back home.

She had been so grateful, so relieved, that she had given him her most treasured possession at the time, a strawberry-shaped pendant necklace. It was a small token, something a child would cherish, but she had been surprised to learn recently that he still kept it. Even after so many years.

Her heart ached as she thought about that necklace, wondering what Elijah would do with it once he found out the truth. Would he still cherish it, or would he discard it as a symbol of a betrayal after he finds out about her truth and reality? The thought of him throwing it away, of him turning his back on her, was almost too much to bear.

But then, as if sensing her turmoil, Elijah stirred beside her. In his sleep, he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, his soft hair brushing against her cheek. A small, contented sigh escaped his lips, and Seraphina could not help but chuckle softly. Despite everything, he seemed so at peace, so content just being close to her.

She lifted her hand and gently placed it on the top of his head, her fingers threading through his hair as she pressed a kiss to his temple. “I won’t let you find out,” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the night. “Whatever it takes, Elijah. I will keep you. I can’t lose you.”

As she lay there, holding him close, Seraphina made a silent vow. No matter what secrets she had to keep, no matter what lies she had to tell. No matter what schemes she had to weave, she would protect Elijah from the truth. She would never let him find out that she was the real Caroline Mae Sullivan, the true Sullivan heiress.

She would never let him found out that every wrong thing that happened with his closed ones, his family, every bad thing that is currently happening, and the destruction that was in their future, all of that was her plan. Because losing him was not an option. She couldn’t imagine a life without him by her side now, and she would do whatever it took to make sure that day never came.

With that resolution in her heart, Seraphina finally allowed herself to relax, her eyes growing heavy as sleep finally began to claim her. But even as she drifted off, her hand remained in Elijah’s hair, and her lips curled into a small, bittersweet smile. She would keep him, no matter the cost.

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On the other side of the city, Jaxon strode down the narrow hallway of the factory, his mind racing, yet his face remained a mask of cold indifference. The satisfaction he derived from seeing Chloe in such a pitiful state barely scratched the surface of the rage simmering within him.

He knew Seraphina was right, he couldn’t afford to be reckless. But every fiber of his being screamed for vengeance, and it took all his willpower to keep it in check. Chloe’s schemes were not helping it either. He was disgusted by the deal that he had just been offered.

Reaching the exit, Jaxon paused to glance back at the ominous interior of the factory. The shadows seemed to stretch out towards him as if the darkness itself was trying to pull him back. He shook off the feeling and pushed open the heavy door, stepping out into the cool night air. The factory loomed behind him, a silent witness to the horrors that had unfolded within its walls.

The ride back to the city was uneventful, yet the silence in the car was deafening. Jaxon’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white as he navigated the deserted roads. The lights of the city gradually appeared on the horizon, but they offered no comfort. His mind replayed the events of the day, the conversation with Seraphina, the sight of the men who had hurt Vivian, and Chloe’s pitiful attempts at bargaining.

Instead of going back home, he decided to go to the safehouse to pay Vivian and her mother a visit. Jaxon’s chest tightened, he hadn’t visited her since the day he promised her retribution and stopped her from removing the ventilator and other machines that kept Vivian alive even though she was brain dead.

The guilt weighed heavily on him, a constant reminder of the life that had been torn away from them both. Parking the car a short distance away, he took a deep breath, gathering the courage to face her.

After passing through the multiple security checks, security systems, Jaxon arrived in front of the room where Vivian’s mother was staying.

He raised his hand to knock but paused as he heard soft footsteps approaching the door from the other side. It swung open, and there she stood, Vivian’s mother, a frail woman with a tired smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She was holding an empty water jug and seemed surprised to see him.

“Jaxon.” she greeted softly, stepping aside to let him in. “It’s been a while.”

He nodded, stepping into the room, the familiar scent of jasmine filling the air. It was the same perfume that both Vivian and her mother used, “I’m sorry I haven’t been here sooner.” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “But I needed to see you and I -”

Vivian’s mother shook her head, her expression gentle. “It’s alright, Jaxon. Even I should have contacted you because I wanted to apologize for how I behaved last time. You know -”

She stopped mid sentence, knowing that Jaxon would understand what she was trying to say and that she did not actually need to tell him.

They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of everything unsaid hanging heavily in the air. Jaxon finally broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper, “I failed her.”

Vivian’s mother reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “You didn’t! Don’t carry that burden, Jaxon. Vivi wouldn’t want that.”

He looked down, unable to meet her eyes. The guilt gnawed at him, the feeling of helplessness that had haunted him since the night he saw Vivian’s lifeless body, “She deserved better. I should have protected her.”

A tear slipped down her cheek, but her voice remained steady. “We can’t change the past. But we can honor her memory by living, by making sure her death wasn’t in vain.” she had long accepted that Vivian was dead and so had Jaxon but he could not let her go, not until he is done punishing Chloe.

Jaxon nodded slowly, her words offering a small measure of comfort. He knew she was right, but the fire for vengeance still burned within him, threatening to consume everything in its path. He would honor Vivian’s memory, but he couldn’t let go of the need to make those responsible pay.

As he left the safe house, the weight on his shoulders felt a little lighter, but the darkness in his heart remained. He knew he was walking a dangerous line, one that could lead to his own destruction. But he didn’t care. Chloe and the others would pay tenfold, and he would make sure of it.

Jaxon slipped into the driver’s seat and started the car, his thoughts returning to Seraphina’s warning. He would be careful, have them go through the same pain before striking with all the fury he had kept bottled up inside. For Vivian, for the pain she endured, he would make sure they suffered a fate worse than death.