Seraphina's POV
I creep through the Calabrese estate, my sneakers silent on the wood floor. It's late, way past midnight, and the house feels like it's holding its breath. Father Enzo's note is in my pocket, his words stuck in my head: Trust no one. The key opens the truth. The key he gave me is tiny, silver, and cold in my hand. It's for the safe in Papa's study, and I need to know what's inside. That photo of me as a toddler with a stranger won't leave my mind, and neither will Luca's secrets.
The study door squeaks when I push it open. I freeze, listening, but no one comes. Moonlight spills through the window, lighting up Papa's big desk. The safe's hidden behind a painting of our family crest, a lion with sharp claws. I slide the painting aside, my hands shaky, and slip the key into the lock. It clicks, and the safe opens with a soft groan.
Inside, there's cash, some rings, and a pile of papers tied with string. My heart pounds as I grab the papers. On top is an old envelope, sealed with red wax. I break it open and find letters, the paper yellow and crinkly. My sweet Seraphina, one says in a woman's handwriting. If you read this, I'm not here. My chest hurts. Mama died when I was little, but this doesn't sound like her.
Then I see a fancy paper, folded tight. It's a vellum certificate, and when I open it, my legs go weak. Adoption Decree, it says. My name's there, Seraphina Calabrese, but the mother's name isn't Mama's. It's Elena Moretti. The father's spot is empty. I sink to the floor, the papers slipping from my hands. I'm not a Calabrese. Not really. Who am I?
I'm still on the floor, my face wet with tears, when I hear a creak. I scramble to stuff the papers back in the safe, but I keep the adoption certificate, tucking it in my jacket. The door opens, and Dante's there, his grey eyes wide. "Sera, what are you doing?" he whispers, shutting the door quick.
I wipe my cheeks, trying to act normal. "Just looking for something," I say, but my voice shakes.
He kneels next to me, his tattoos dark in the moonlight. "You're crying. What happened?"
I want to tell him everything, but I can't. If I'm not a Calabrese, what does that make us? "It's nothing," I say. "Just tired."
Dante grabs my arm, gentle but strong. "Don't lie, Sera. Is it Luca? Did he hurt you?"
I shake my head. "No, it's not him. I found some old papers. Family stuff."
He looks at me, his eyes soft but worried. "You're my family, Sera. Always. Okay?"
I nod, but my heart's breaking. He doesn't know I'm not his real cousin. "Thanks, Dante," I say. "I gotta go."
He frowns but lets me go. "Watch your back. This place isn't safe at night."
I slip out, the certificate heavy in my jacket. My head's spinning. Elena Moretti. That name, Moretti. Like G. Moretti, the guy Luca's meeting. Are they connected? Is that why Luca's got that envelope with our crest?
I'm back at the Vitale penthouse before the sun's up, my eyes burning from no sleep. I'm in the kitchen, making coffee, when Natalia walks in. Her red hair's messy, and she's in a silk robe, but her eyes are sharp. "You look awful," she says, grabbing a mug. "Honeymoon not so sweet?"
I force a smile. "Just jet lag," I lie. "What's your excuse?"
She laughs, but it's cold. "I don't sleep much. Too many secrets in this house."
I sip my coffee, watching her. "Like what? Luca's late-night meetings?"
Her smile fades, and she steps closer. "You're nosy, Seraphina. That's dangerous around here."
I hold her gaze. "I can handle danger."
She shrugs and walks out, but her words stick. She knows something, and I need to find out what. I head to the bedroom, hoping to rest, but my mind's racing. The certificate's hidden in my bag, and I can't stop thinking about it. Elena Moretti. Why didn't Papa tell me?
I'm pacing the bedroom when Luca knocks. He steps in, his suit jacket off, his shirt sleeves rolled up. "You okay?" he asks, his voice soft. "You look like you saw a ghost."
I cross my arms, my heart pounding. "Maybe I did. Why do you care?"
He steps closer, his green eyes searching mine. "You're my wife, Seraphina. I care."
I laugh, sharp and bitter. "You care about your secrets more. Like that envelope with my family's crest. Or your meetings with G. Moretti."
His face doesn't change, but something dark flashes in his eyes. "You're digging in deep, aren't you?" he says, his voice low. "Be careful what you find."
I step toward him, my voice steady. "I'm not scared of you, Luca. I want the truth."
He looks at me, long and hard, like he's deciding something. "Truth's a funny thing," he says. "It hurts more than lies."
My temper flares. "Then hurt me. Tell me who I am."
His eyes narrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
I open my mouth to tell him about the certificate, about Elena Moretti, but I stop. I don't trust him. Not with this. "Forget it," I say, turning away.
He grabs my arm, gentle but firm. "Seraphina, talk to me. What's going on?"
I pull free, my heart racing. "Why should I? You're not honest with me."
He steps back, his jaw tight. "You're right," he says. "But neither are you."
I'm alone in the bedroom later, trying to calm down. I pull the certificate from my bag, staring at the name. Elena Moretti. I need answers, but I don't know where to start. My phone buzzes, Dante. I answer, keeping my voice low. "Hey."
"Sera, you okay?" he asks, his voice rough. "You sounded weird last night."
I swallow hard. "I'm fine. Just… found something. It's big."
He pauses. "What kind of big?"
I hesitate. "Family stuff. I can't talk now. You in the city?"
"Yeah," he says. "I'm coming by tomorrow. We'll figure it out."
I nod, even though he can't see. "Okay. Be careful."
We hang up, and I tuck the certificate away. I'm about to lie down when there's a knock at the door. My pulse jumps. "Who is it?" I call.
"Luca," he says, his voice muffled.
I open the door, and he's there, holding a folded paper. His face is serious, no trace of his usual smirk. "We need to talk," he says, stepping inside.
I cross my arms. "About what? More secrets?"
He holds up the paper. "This. It's our marriage contract."
My stomach drops. "What?"
He unfolds it, pointing to tiny writing at the bottom. "Read this," he says. "It's a clause your father added."
I grab the paper, my hands shaky. The words are small, hard to read, but they hit like a punch. If Luca Vitale betrays the Calabrese family, all Vitale assets transfer to Seraphina Calabrese. My head spins. It's a trap, a deadly one.
"What is this?" I whisper, my voice breaking.
Luca's eyes are dark, almost angry. "It means you were never just a bride, Seraphina. You're a weapon."