Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

- - -

​​

Some of the things Serina told me I already knew, but some were difficult to accept. It's not that I didn't believe her, but I wished that it was not true.

"You lost your memories?", I asked.

Serina nodded in confirmation. "Aldus gave me this name and introduced me as his daughter. It took some time for my memories to start trickling in. It was in bits and pieces, mostly in my sleep, like dreams and during the day I would try to distinguish if those scenes were real and where they fit. I was confused why there was no missing person fitting my description. By the time I remembered who I was, people at home were talking that I eloped with a sexy Italian. Aldus offered me to keep my current identity and here I am."

I wondered why she was not coming back and now I understood that she didn't know where to come.

I thought that Serina finished talking, but then she spoke some more, "I know that Ruby, Willow, and Adele set me up, but I have difficulty understanding their motive. They were mean to me, but it was mostly verbal insults. Drugging me, leaving me with a violent stranger, and returning home without me as nothing happened was too much."

It hit me hard that Serina knew about those three betraying her. She must have suffered a lot to find out that girls who were her classmates would do such a thing.

Pure rage rolled through me. Magda. That deranged bitch!

Magda was aware that with Sanya graduating, she will be out of any blackmail material against me, and she got those three wenches to do her dirty work.

It all happened because of me. I can't imagine the horrible experience of being helpless at the mercy of a ruffian. Serina probably lost her memories because her mind shut down.

I hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry, Serina. I'm so sorry…"

"There is no reason for you to feel bad.", she comforted me, and I felt horrible.

Should I tell her that Magda was behind all of that? Will Serina hate me if she finds out that she was drugged and assaulted because of me?

- - -

Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

- - -

I heard Duke apologizing repeatedly and I felt at a loss of what to do.

Why was he feeling bad?

"Don't…", I said. "It's not your fault."

"Actually…", he paused. "When you went missing, I did an investigation on your whereabouts. I knew that Adele, Willow, and Ruby left you behind in Venice. I confronted them, and their story was how you found a guy and stayed behind, and that they were unable to convince you otherwise. I didn't believe them, and I tried finding you, but there were no traces."

I felt warm and fuzzy in my chest. "You were looking for me?"

"Like a lunatic. I lost count of how many detectives I hired, but you disappeared without a trace. I made sure to make Adele's, Willow's, and Ruby's lives difficult by telling my business partners to mark them as unemployable."

"Is that why neither of them can find a decent job?"

Duke nodded in confirmation and looked at me seriously. "Serina, I believe that I know who might be behind them."

The way he said it hinted that I should know that person, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. "Who?"

"Magda."

I felt a lump in my throat. "Are you sure?"

"I don't have firm evidence. However, after I confronted Adele, Willow, and Ruby, Ruby made a phone call and I heard parts of it. She called Magda and… now that you told me what happened, I'm quite confident."

"Magda? Why?", I had to ask but then I saw that Duke's face fell and I understood that it's related to him.

Magda blackmailed him with my school funds and then she tried to eliminate me permanently.

Now I understood why he was apologizing.

Duke feels guilty for what happened to me. In a way, it did happen because of him, but I can't blame him. After all, Duke was responsible for keeping bullies away from me during high school, and he always protected me. It wouldn't be fair to put this on him, as he can't control Magda's actions.

I realized that Magda is dangerous. Very dangerous.

"How deranged is she?"

Duke shook his head helplessly. "I have no idea how to get rid of her. Her father is influential, and he neutralized everything I tried so far. Unless we have hard evidence that can put her in jail and we find people who can't be bribed or threatened, it's no use. I told her I'm not interested, I even went on a few dates with some girl to make Magda believe I'm taken." His eyes flashed in panic, and he spoke in urgency, "It didn't mean anything. It was just to get Magda off my back."

I didn't want to bicker about it. After all, we were not dating, and he doesn't need to explain himself. "And? Did it work?"

Duke's expression told me that it didn't.

"Magda ruined that girl in the social circle and used her father's connections to bankrupt the girl's family's business. I felt guilty so I sent them money as an apology, but Richard Thompson blocked all their possibilities to get back on their feet and the whole family ended up moving out of the country."

"She is crazy.", I shared my thoughts.

"Crazy is a mild word for Magda."

"Do you think that she will attack me if she finds out I'm back?"

"I will not let her.", Duke said with confidence that warmed my heart. "Remember what I told you? I have my connections and my people. She won't be able to touch you. I promise. Please, don't let a delusional woman stand between us."

Duke's concern was genuine, but the only thing I could do was laugh. Does he really think that I will be afraid of Magda?

Duke has no idea that I'm dealing with werewolves, witches, and dragons, my father is a vampire, and my best friend is a ghoul. One crazy woman is nothing compared to them.

The only thing that could harm me was Duke's rejection, but now that I know about his feelings, I will not allow anything to break us apart.

I put my hand on his cheek to get his attention and looked him straight in the eyes. "No one can stand between us, Duke. Not her, not anyone. You are mine now and I have no intention of letting go of you."

Duke's hold on me tightened and his eyes that smiled spoke volumes about the joy that stirred within him at my words.

He licked his lips slowly and swallowed hard.

"Serina… I would kiss you if not for that promise how I will wait for you to ask or kiss me first."

Damn it! I wanted a kiss also!

I bit my lower lip while figuring out what to do. Should I just give in? What's the point of coming up with rules if I'm going to break them a few hours later?

But this was such a kissing moment, it would be a sin to waste it.

Maybe there is some middle ground.

I hitched higher on him, and his eyes lit up expectantly.

"I'm not asking you to kiss me…", I whispered into his lips. "But a taste will be fine… Just a taste…"

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