Chapter 5

Moonlight poured into the living room like water.

I stood behind the door, peeking through the half-open crack, watching Adrian lean down and kiss Seraphina.

His breath was ragged, as if scattered by a hurricane, and his fingers tightly gripped her waist, as if he wanted to unleash all the pent-up emotions of the past five years.

"Seraphina…"

He murmured her name, his voice lingering in a way I’d never heard before.

I don't know how long they kissed.

Until Adrian seemed to suddenly regain his senses, his fingertips gently wiping away the dampness from her lips.

He re-adjusted his specialized robe, returning to the cold, unapproachable recluse he usually was.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms.

The pain barely kept me from fainting.

I spun around abruptly, silently closing the door, and buried myself under the covers.

Outside, the footsteps gradually faded.

I knew he had gone back to his study.

I closed my eyes.

My mind, however, was flooded with images of all the times I had tried to seduce him over the years.

I once wore a nightgown as thin as gauze, pretending to trip and fall while he was working on his symbols, only for him to catch me with his palm cushioned by a piece of paper.

I deliberately brought him a towel when he was showering, but he opened the door only after wrapping himself completely.

I feigned drunkenness and threw myself onto him, but he merely frowned and pushed me away with a single finger.

He had never wavered.

I thought he was truly without desires.

But it turned out, if it was Seraphina, even a single glance could make him lose all self-control.

Tears streamed down my face.

I fiercely wiped them away.

It's okay. I, Claire Thorne, am not unwanted.

From now on, he could have his kindred spirit, and I would live my own life.

The next morning, when I went downstairs, Adrian and Seraphina were already eating breakfast.

Seraphina touched her lips and grumbled, "Adrian, do you guys have bugs in this house? My lips are all swollen when I woke up."

Adrian's hand paused as he was serving food.

His voice was deep. "I'll have the house staff get you some cream for it later."

I picked up the gift box on the table. Opening it, I saw a priceless jade pendant.

I tugged at the corner of my mouth, my tone a bit sarcastic. "You're quite generous with your efforts."

Seraphina leaned over to peek, then said sourly, "Adrian, you're usually this good to Claire? I thought you were just focused on your studies all the time, not even knowing how to spoil someone."

I looked up at Adrian.

His eyes slightly narrowed. He had no intention of explaining that the jade pendant was actually compensation for Seraphina hitting my head.

Normally, he wouldn’t care what I liked, let alone buy me gifts.

He simply gave a faint "Mm" and stood up, saying, "I have something to do at my study. I'm leaving now."

Before he left, he glanced at Seraphina, his voice deepening. "Stay put at home. You can go anywhere in the villa, just don't go into my study."

"Why not?" Seraphina tilted her head and asked.

"There are a lot of things in there. Don't mess them up," he casually brushed her off.

But I knew.

His study hid his most unspeakable secrets.

I finished breakfast and went straight back to my room.

I didn't want to spend another second with Seraphina.

But when I woke up from my nap and touched my hair, I found my long hair had been cut messily, like a cat had clawed it.

I rushed out.

Seraphina sat on the sofa, clutching strands of my hair, smiling as she braided something.

I instantly understood.

"You cut my hair?"

My voice trembled like a leaf in the wind.

She looked up, smiling defiantly. "Yeah, our school assignment is due, and I'm making a hair accessory."

She twirled the strands of hair in her hand. "Claire's hair is so beautiful, so black and soft."

I felt a chill run through me.

Unable to suppress my anger any longer, I lunged forward and slapped her hard across the face.

*Smack!*