Chapter 20: A Long Way to Spain

Damien’s POV

For the past few weeks I haven't been able to reach out to Steven and ask about Seraphina.

Not because I can’t, but because the moment I try, Mom will know exactly where she is. I’m being monitored. Every call, every message, every move. Her I.T. guys track everything connected to my name or any device linked to me.

I miss Seraphina. Badly.

But right now the best thing I can do for her is stay away until I figure out how to get back to Spain without leaving a trace.

As for Victoria, I already told her the truth: I don’t love her, and I never will. If we end up married, I will make sure she regrets it so much she begs to be left alone.

I go to the usual bar, like I’ve been doing for days. Drink until I feel nothing. Drive home like someone who has no business holding car keys. I almost hit the fountain when I pull up.

I push the car door open and try to walk, but my legs don’t feel like mine. A few servants rush to help, but Victoria comes out and sends them away. She takes their place instead.

I want to shove her off, but I don’t even have the strength to lift a hand. So I mutter things… bitter things I know will hurt her. But she doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even respond.

She helps me up the stairs. Nicholas tries to assist, but she tells him she needs to learn how to handle it alone, for when we get married someday.

“Learn how to handle it alone?” I think. “For when we get married someday?”

I wish I could tell her that day will never come. I wish I could free her before she ruins herself with hope. But my tongue feels heavy.

By the time we reach my room I’m barely conscious. She tries to settle me gently on the bed but I drop like dead weight.

She removes my shoes, my jacket, then loosens my tie… quiet and careful, like she’s practiced this.

She goes to put my things in the closet, and that’s when it hits me.

My stomach turns. A hot wave claws up my throat.

I push myself to the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees, trying to breathe slow… but my body doesn’t care what I want.

A hard, sudden heave drags everything up. The alcohol comes out in one bitter rush. It burns my throat, my nose… everything. The taste is awful. The smell worse. But the relief is real.

After that, my muscles just… let go. I feel heavy. Tired.

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and slide down onto the bed. I don’t lie on my back… even while drunk I know better, so I turn onto my side, arm under my head.

The room shifts. Slow. Like it’s floating.

My head feels tight. My heartbeat is loud. My eyes sting.

And then I’m gone.

…

I don’t know how long I’m out. Minutes? Hours? I can’t tell. Everything is heavy. My head. My eyes. My whole body.

There’s a faint sound, something being wiped, fabric being wrung, water being poured. I don’t open my eyes completely, but I know it’s her.

Victoria.

She’s cleaning the floor. Quiet. Careful. Like this is normal. Like she’s done it before. Then I remember Seraphina… this is her work, not Victoria’s.

I want to tell Victoria to just leave. To stop trying to be Seraphina. To stop pretending. But even breathing feels like work.

The bed dips slightly when she sits. I can feel the shift in weight beside me. Her hand hovers close… not touching, just near. Like she wants to, but doesn’t dare.

“Damien…” she whispers. Not to wake me. Not a question. Just a name. Someone holding on to something that was never theirs to begin with.

I don’t respond. I couldn’t if I tried. My body won’t move.

Eventually she stands. The warmth of her presence pulls away.

The room goes quiet again.

…

Morning comes. The sunlight cuts through the curtains like it has something against me. My mouth tastes like metal and regret. My head feels like someone split it open and stitched it back with electricity.

I pull myself up slowly and sit on the edge of the bed. The floor beside the bed is spotless, but I remember exactly what happened.

I grab a glass of water from the nightstand. There are painkillers beside it.

Of course there are.

I take them.

I should feel grateful.

I don’t. I feel trapped.

My phone buzzes.

I check it.

It’s a text from Nicholas: “Your mother expects you at breakfast.”

Of course she does. She always wants to see the damage she causes.

I stand and steady myself, splash water on my face, and meet my reflection. I look like I’ve been fighting something I can’t name… and losing.

Spain feels far. Too far.

But I’m going… without leaving a trace.

I don’t know how yet. I just need one opening. One gap. One moment. And when I get to Seraphina, I won’t leave her again. No matter what.

When I arrive at the dining room, a chair is set for me beside Victoria. Nicholas sits opposite. Mom sits at the short end of the table, Diaz at the other short end.

I want to sit elsewhere, but Mom tells me to sit close to Victoria. Angry, I almost go berserk and storm out of the dining room, but I know that will only make reaching Seraphina harder. I force myself to stay calm.

I do as told. Victoria serves me. She won’t let the servants do their job.

We eat in quiet. I keep glaring at Nicholas; he avoids my eyes. He knows I can’t forgive him for what he did.

The clink of cutlery fills the room until Mom’s phone rings. She answers and her expression changes… bright, triumphal. She clears her throat. “You found her in Madrid? Wow, that’s great!” she says, holding the phone to her ear.

Found who in Madrid?

My mind goes cold. Are they talking about Seraphina?

Mom glances at me with a triumphant smile. “Get her back here as soon as you can. I will double your payment.”