Chapter 7 The Night Just Got Worse
“Julian!”
Julian’s piercing gaze intensified as he got the full view of the man who had just barked his name like he hated it. Seraphina was still reeling with shock but Victor Thorne was now the object of their distraction. He approached, flanked by his guards in all black suits.
‘Julian’ That was his name. The name of her child’s father. She looked back at him, heart beating fast. He was real.
“You bastard,” he growled. “Don’t insult me by pretending you didn’t know I’d come for the journal.”
Victor fumed as he stopped in front of his son.
Julian’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t falter. He simply crossed his arms around his body and tilted his chin up. “Not a pleasant way to welcome your exiled son. Is it?”
Victor snapped as he took an impossible step closer, his body almost touching his son’s. “I would have offered more for the journal, but it was becoming embarrassing competing with my own son. What do you think the world would say?”
And just like that, Julian’s expression shifted to a menacing one. “So you do admit I’m your son. You didn’t think about what the world would say when you sent me into exile. Why do you care now?”
Victor snorted. “No. I don’t care. But if I would ever be a source of entertainment to people, it won’t be a situation for them to mock, but to praise.”
Julian’s lips tilted with disgust. “That’s all you ever cared about. The praise.”
“I won’t argue with you kid. If you know what’s good for you, then you should hand over the journal to me. I will pay the money.”
Julian wanted to respond, but he was too repulsed by his father’s audacity to afford words at that moment. So he laughed. It was a short demeaning one that had Victor reacting with a deep frown.
“And if you know what’s good for you, father, you will pretend you never saw me today. I am no more the same boy you sent away years ago.” Every word he uttered was dipped in ice and fact.
Even Victor had to do a double take. But he wouldn’t let his son win him. Maybe he had won with the journal, but not with words.
“This is why Damien will always be a better son. You are cursed, Julian.”
As if the ongoing drama wasn’t enough to send Seraphina going dizzy, the mention of the name ‘Damien’ sent her stomach twisting. It didn’t matter that their Damien could be different from hers; of course it was different, but that name was the last thing she wanted to hear at the moment.
Julian’s sharp eyes fell into squints. “I thought you once said I’m your favorite son.”
“Was.” Victor emphasized.
Julian nodded. “Of course. Was. It’s the child you get to use as a tool you name favorite. It took me so long to realize you loved no one but yourself, Victor.”
Victor blinked at that moment. Never in Julian’s entire thirty years on earth had he ever called him by his name ‘Victor’
And yet, he looked as relaxed as ever calling him by his name. Julian looked from his father to Seraphina, the actual person he wanted to deal with right now. His father had only being a distraction. He didn’t care that he was fuming in front of him like he could pull out a gun and send a bullet flying through his skull.
But before he could address her, another voice joined them.
“Seraphina, is that you?” The voice said at the same time Victor turned angrily and left with two of his bodyguards men flanking him.
Seraphina, who was currently having trouble keeping herself together looked towards the voice she recognized. She thought the night couldn’t get worse, but seeing Talia Moreau made her wish she had been able to get the journal earlier and left.
She thought Talia was in Seattle with Damien. She approached, dressed in an armless white body hug gown that stopped at the upper part of her thighs. Her lips were painted in her signature red color and hair was packed into a high bun. Her dress was matched with red high heels that made her appear taller than Seraphina.
“Talia. Hi,” Seraphina managed to say, pretending like there was nothing heavy between them. Julian now looked more interested, looking from Talia to Seraphina.
“Why are you here? We can’t afford anyone knowing another Moreau’s daughter…” Talia was going to go hard on her then she noticed Julian standing nearby. Her hardened demeanor faltered. But Julian already heard her. His brows furrowed slightly with curiosity.
“Hi Julian. Congratulations. You went hard on my father’s journal and got it.” Her grin was all soft as she approached him, looking away from Seraphina as if she wasn’t the one she came for at first.
“What did you just say?” Julian couldn’t stop the question from rolling off his tongue.
Talia blinked. “I just congratulated…”
“No. Not that part. You said…” His gaze shifted to Seraphina. “You just said she’s another Moreau daughter?”
Tension suddenly enveloped the air around them. Seraphina wished she could disappear. She was already feeling sick and nauseous.
Talia looked back and forth between them. “You know Sera?” Her voice cracked as she asked. Julian looked at Seraphina, his gaze as intense as ever. “Yes. I do.”
Seraphina swallowed. She couldn’t wait to get out of here.
Julian was still staring at her. “But I guess not well enough. Is she your sister?”
Talia blinked. “What? No…I mean…all you might need to know is that she’s fucking your brother so if there is any chance that she’s trying anything with you, just know that.”
That was it. Seraphina couldn’t breath. Julian’s confusion deepened. “What are you talking about, Talia?” He asked, desperate to gain clarity.
“Damien…is his brother?” Seraphina asked amidst the chaos going on in her head and body.
Talia eyed her with disgust. “Yes. His twin brother, actually.”
Seraphina’s panick didn’t hold back. She started to walk away, but Julian caught her by her wrist before she could make it past him.