Chapter 74 The Vault
Talia approached her slowly, the click of her heels echoing against the concrete floor like a taunting countdown. Her lips curved into a sultry smile as she tilted her head, studying Seraphina’s restrained form with mock amusement.
“Now isn’t the time to act shocked, is it, stepsis?” she said softly.
Seraphina swallowed, her throat dry, her eyes fixed on her stepsister. “So stealing my father’s wealth with your mother wasn’t enough?” she asked, her voice strained but steady. “You still want to harm me too?”
Talia chuckled, the sound light and hollow. “I’m not done,” she replied lazily, then her voice dropped into a colder tone. “Not until you thumb the vault.”
“Oh my God,” Seraphina breathed, shaking her head weakly out of thick disappointment. “You’re all so obsessed with power.”
Talia’s expression sharpened instantly. “At least I wasn’t dangling between two brothers for validation,” she shrugged carelessly.
Seraphina let out a tired breath, her chest rising unevenly. “The audacity,” she muttered. “You dare gaslight me when you were the one who sent Damien to me in the first place.”
Talia smirked. “But you clung to him so fast like a lost pet, didn’t you?” she drawled. “Then you jumped on his twin the moment you had the chance. You’re a desperate whore.”
Anger flared through Seraphina’s veins despite her exhaustion. She scoffed faintly. “At least both brothers wanted me. But the last time I checked, Julian never wanted to breathe in the same space as you. Yet you kept pushing and begging for his attention. Weren’t you two betrothed once? And he rejected you like a plag—”
Her words were cut off.
Talia’s hand flew across her face with a sharp crack.
Seraphina gasped, her head snapping to the side as heat exploded across her cheek. The sting came instantly, her skin burning as redness bloomed on its surface. She blinked slowly, steadying her breathing before lifting her gaze back to Talia.
Her voice came out hoarsely, “I guess, I struck a delicate nerve right there.”
Talia’s eyes darkened as she raised her hand to slap her again.
“That’s enough.” Balto’s voice interrupted them.
Talia froze mid-motion, then slowly lowered her hand, exhaling through her nose. “That’s true,” she muttered. “I shouldn’t waste my energy on a piece of shit like you.”
Seraphina’s gaze moved between the two of them, dread pooling in her stomach. “What do you want me to do? What am I to expect from both of you?” she asked, trying hard to suppress her fear..
Talia smiled sweetly. “Simple. You’ll be taken to your father’s vault and thumb it open. That’s all.”
Seraphina gasped, her eyes glazing with unshed tears against her will. “You’re impossible.”
“Well, that doesn’t change the reality that you’ll die today after thumbing the vault.”
Balto let out a low whistle.
A bulky man emerged from the corner and moved toward Seraphina. He untied the ropes securing her to the chair but left her wrists tightly bound together.
The moment she stood, her legs nearly gave out beneath her.
Blood rushed painfully back into them, sending sharp tingles up her calves. She swayed, barely steadying herself.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said weakly.
Talia’s expression twisted. She stepped forward and grabbed a fistful of Seraphina’s hair, yanking it brutally.
Seraphina whimpered as pain shot across her scalp.
“Daughter of a witch,” Talia hissed, dragging her forward. “You will follow me now.”
Seraphina turned her head and spat directly into her face.
Silence fell for a split second.
Talia recoiled, stunned, her eyes widening as she processed what had just happened.
Then—
Smack!
Her hand struck Seraphina’s face again, harder this time.
Seraphina’s body collided with the wall behind her, her lips splitting as the metallic taste of blood flooded her mouth. Her forehead scraped against the surface, a thin line of blood forming as dizziness washed over her vision.
Balto clicked his tongue. “As much as I’m enjoying thos interesting show,” he said casually, “it’s time to get to the real deal, Talia. Don’t be so vicious now.”
~
Seraphina remained dizzy the entire ride.
Her head lolled slightly as the car moved, her throat painfully dry as she coughed weakly. Balto hadn’t come with them. Only Talia and two armed guards sat beside her, their guns resting visibly in their hands.
The car finally stopped in front of a tall, silent building.
She was dragged out and taken through the elevator, her feet barely steady as the doors slid shut behind them.
Her throat felt like sandpaper. She coughed again before forcing her gaze toward Talia. “You’re full of betrayal,” she rasped.
Talia chuckled softly. “If you think I’m the big betrayal,” she said, her tone laced with amusement, “you should wait for it. A bigger shock is waiting for you.”
Seraphina frowned weakly. “What do you mean?”
Talia only smiled. “You’ll see.”
When the elevator doors opened, they stepped into a dimly lit floor. One of the guards used a remote, and a heavy door unlocked with a mechanical hiss.
The vault came into view- Massive, metallic, and imposing.
Talia’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming as they ran over it like it was her ticket to eternity. “Finally,” she whispered. “I’m about to own everything I’ve ever wished for.”
Tears finally slid silently down Seraphina’s cheeks as she started to lose hope.
Her thoughts drifted to Phoenix.
There was no doubt in her mind what would happen after she opened the vault. Talia would never risk leaving her alive. She would order her shooting right here.
Her tongue turned sour.
Then her mind drifted to Julian. He was cold, ruthless, and dangerous.
And yet…
He saved children.
He protected their son with everything he had.
And beneath that dark, guarded exterior, she knew there was still something good inside him. She had seen it. Felt it.
Her lips trembled faintly as clarity dawned on her.
She was in love with him.
She realized it fully now, standing at the edge of what felt like her end.
At least Julian would be safe.
At least he would protect their child.
That thought alone brought her a strange, quiet peace.
“Untie her,” Talia ordered.
The guards obeyed, removing the ropes from her wrists.
The thumbprint panel on the vault glowed to life, casting a pale blue light across her face.
“Place your thumb directly on it,” Talia commanded.
Seraphina didn’t move immediately.
A gun was immediately raised and pointed at her head.
She closed her eyes, feeling her fate seal.
Slowly, with trembling fingers, she lifted her right hand and placed her thumb on the scanner.
A soft beep sounded.
Then—
Red.
Access Denied.
Her eyes snapped open.
Talia’s brows furrowed, worry growing in her chest. “Try again.”
Seraphina pressed her thumb once more.
It beeped and showed red again.
Talia suddenly grabbed her face, her grip tightening around her face, nails digging into her cheeks. “Do it properly!”
“I am!” Seraphina gasped I pain.
“Use your left thumb dummy!.”
They forced her other hand forward.
She pressed her left thumb onto the scanner.
It beeped again then showed red.
Silence filled the room.
Even Seraphina stared at the panel in disbelief.
Her father had told her long ago that her thumb would open the vault. She remembered it clearly. He had used her thumb to open and lock it himself when she was only fourteen.
Her breathing grew uneven, but a part of her was relieved.
Talia stepped back, her expression twisting with confusion and fury.
“What the fuck is happening?” she snapped.