Chasing His Rejected Luna BackChapter 1: Bound by Betrayal, Freed by Resolve Freed by Resolve
Billianvista’s opulent streets lay shrouded in an early winter’s quiet, their calm betrayed by the storm within Seraphine Mancini. Eight years of devotion to Luther Harword had vanished like a puff of breath in the cold air. Now engaged to a stranger, Seraphine had yet to reveal the truth to Luther, the man she once believed was her forever.
Luther’s attention had drifted months ago, drawn to his beguiling secretary, Cornelia. What began as stolen glances escalated into a mortifying incident at Cornelia’s birthday party. Luther, in a moment of reckless charm, playfully smeared cake frosting on her face—oblivious to Seraphine’s severe dairy allergy. That small act left her gasping for air and fighting for her life in a hospital bed.
When she awoke, her mother’s solution came swift and sharp: an arranged marriage with the infamous Romano family, their power laced with whispers of underworld dealings.
Her phone buzzed relentlessly as she returned to the apartment she shared with Luther. A flurry of wedding plans filled her inbox, each more extravagant than the last. One message stood out:
[I’ve arranged everything. The wedding is in three days. It’s time to move on from Luther. Eight years is too long to wait.]
The words pierced her like ice. Staring at the screen, Seraphine’s laugh came brittle and cold. She recorded a terse reply.
"Mom, keep it simple. I trust you."
As she hit send, a voice broke the quiet behind her. “Wedding? What wedding?”
She turned to see Luther standing there, his expression unreadable.
Her thumb instinctively locked her phone, but Luther’s suspicion flared. He reached for it, only to be interrupted by the sharp ring of his own phone. He answered with a frown, his features darkening.
“Luther! Someone’s following me!” Cornelia’s voice was panicked. “He’s been behind me for blocks—I’m scared!”
Luther’s demeanor shifted in an instant. “Stay near the security post. I’m coming.” Without a second glance at Seraphine, he grabbed his coat and disappeared into the night.
Left alone in the dim apartment, Seraphine’s resolve solidified. This was her moment to leave.
She dialed a number, her voice calm but resolute. “Aunt Monica, I’m leaving.”
“Leaving? Finally marrying Luther, are you?” her aunt teased.