Seraphina awoke slowly, her senses coming back to her with each soft breath she took. The scent of chai candles still lingered in the air, and she could feel the warmth of the blankets around her, the weight of Cassian's arm draped protectively over her. Her eyes fluttered open to the soft, intimate sight of him sleeping, his features relaxed in the quiet serenity of the morning. His face, though shadowed with exhaustion, looked at peace for the first time in what felt like forever.Her heart swelled, and an almost involuntary smile stretched across her lips. This was the man who had saved her. The man who had promised to keep her safe. And in this moment, as the early morning light filtered through the windows, she could see the depth of everything between them—the shared understanding, the unspoken bond that had grown between them.She couldn't help herself. Slowly, gently, she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, just light enough to wake him without disturbing the peace of the moment.Cassian's eyes fluttered open, and for a brief second, he looked confused, as if he wasn't quite sure where he was. Then, as his gaze focused on her, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. His arm tightened around her instinctively, pulling her closer."You're awake," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.Sera nodded, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. "I am."There was a moment of quiet between them, and in that moment, everything felt right. She felt safe. She felt loved. And, as she lay there, her fingers tracing the lines of his jaw, she realized that this was something she had never expected. The connection they shared was more than just a promise—it was a shared future, even if they hadn't fully grasped what that meant yet.Cassian, still half asleep, tilted his head toward her, his fingers gently cupping her face. "I'll be home tonight. I promise."The words struck her in a way she wasn't expecting, a warmth blooming in her chest. Home. The word sounded foreign on his lips but also so right. She had never thought of herself as someone who could find a place to call home. But here, with him, in this house, it felt like more than just a building. It felt like the beginning of something bigger."Home," she repeated softly, testing the word as it left her lips. She looked up into his eyes, and there was a shared understanding in the way they both looked at each other. The thought of home had never seemed so real.Cassian kissed her forehead gently, his voice a soft promise. "I'll be back soon. Stay safe."She nodded, letting her hand linger on his chest for a moment longer before letting go, watching as he reluctantly slid out of bed and dressed for the day. The moment between them lingered, silent but full of meaning.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------After Cassian left, Seraphina lay in bed for a few more minutes, the stillness of the house settling around her. She was tempted to fall back into sleep, but she was too awake now, the thought of exploring this new place pulling her from the warmth of the bed.She moved slowly, still adjusting to the house, still getting used to the idea of being here with him. She took her time, stepping out into the hallway, taking in the house around her. The space was much larger than she was used to, but there was a comforting warmth to it. The combination of his cool, calculated style and the earthy tones she had come to associate with her own comfort filled the space.She walked through the kitchen, finding the morning light filtering through the windows and casting long shadows across the floor. She smiled to herself, imagining what it would be like to live here. To stay here.The sounds of the house were peaceful—nothing like the chaos of the outside world. Her eyes settled on the French doors that led out onto the porch. There, strung up like delicate stars, were tiny fairy lights, the same ones she'd seen at her apartment before everything had changed. The thought made her heart tighten, but she pushed it away. This was where she was now.She continued to explore, her fingers brushing over the smooth surfaces of furniture, the soft throw pillows on the couch, each little detail that made the house feel like more than just a shelter. It felt like home. Her home, she thought with a quiet smile.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Meanwhile, Cassian was on his way to the office, but his mind was far from work. The conversation with his father was still fresh in his mind, a burning reminder of just how deep the rift between them had become.As he walked into his office, his father was waiting for him, sitting in one of the chairs with his hands steepled in front of him, as though he were already preparing for a battle."You've been gone a lot lately," Victor said in his usual, condescending tone. "You don't even know what's going on in the company. We need to talk about your priorities, Cassian. You can't just disappear and hide away forever."Cassian stood at the door for a moment, his cold eyes narrowing as he looked his father over. There was no anger on his face, only a quiet, deadly calm. His voice was flat, like ice. "I'm not hiding. I'm just… no longer interested in playing your games."Victor narrowed his eyes, not used to being dismissed so easily. "What's that supposed to mean?""It means," Cassian said, his voice hardening as he stepped forward, "I don't care what you think about where I'm spending my time. But I'll tell you this—don't ever touch her again." His words were slow, deliberate, and heavy with threat.For a moment, his father stared at him, the flicker of a smile curling at the edge of his lips. "You think you can stop me?"Cassian's expression remained unchanged. "I'll make you regret ever thinking you could control me. Or her."Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the office, the air between him and his father charged with something dangerous.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cassian's first move in his plan had begun. He was going to take everything from his father—his control, his power, his empire—and destroy it all. But not just for himself. For Seraphina. For them both.And he would make sure no one would stand in his way.