Tangled in His Obsession



Renee's excitement was palpable, an electric charge in the air, when she heard Seraphina mention Lorenzo's name. She wriggled free from Mae's grip and bolted towards Seraphina, grabbing her hands with an enthusiasm that could light up the night sky. "He's your brother?"

Seraphina's gaze flickered to her trembling hands, then met Renee's eyes, which shimmered like stars in a clear night sky. A laugh escaped her lips as she nodded. "Yeah, he's my big bro."

Renee's mouth opened, ready to spill a million questions, but the words got lost in her excitement. She just stared at Seraphina, her eyes dancing with curiosity.

"Renee," Lionel's voice came with a stone-cold edge. "Go to your room."

Renee flinched at his voice, clearly not ready to end the conversation. "But I just wanna chat with her."

"No means no," Lionel insisted, firm as granite. "Go to your room. Now."

Renee's bright eyes dimmed, and she cast a longing look at Seraphina, full of silent pleas.

Seraphina turned to Lionel with a sweet smile as she said, "Mr. Martin, it's just a little chat. I'm not going to hurt your little girl. What's there to worry about?"

Lionel glanced at her with a look that could curdle milk. "What you want doesn't matter. This is my house, my rules. Andrea, take your friend and leave."

Andrea stepped forward, her voice a whisper. "I'm sorry, Lionel. We didn't mean to intrude."

Lionel wasn't having any of it. His silence was louder than thunder as he took Renee's hand to escort her away.

That's when Simon's laughter echoed down the staircase. "Seems like there's quite the party going on here."

All eyes turned to the stairway where Simon and Leandro had appeared, attracted by the commotion. Lionel's mood turned stormier with every added guest.

Leandro stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Seraphina. "What brings you here?"

"Just chasing after the dog that ran inside," Seraphina explained. "Didn't expect to run into familiar faces."

Leandro followed her gaze to the little girl in Lionel's grasp, then quickly looked away.

"Yes, we know each other!" Renee piped up, seizing the moment.

Seraphina faced Lionel again with a playful smile. "Mr. Martin, your daughter has every right to make friends."

Lionel didn't meet her eyes, instead turning to Simon. "Take your people and get out of my house."

Simon's brow furrowed slightly. "We're family, little brother. Why so hostile?"

"I'm being civil by letting them stand here," Lionel shot back. "If not for "

His gaze swept over Seraphina, who could guess that if not for Simon's presence, Lionel would've had them thrown out by now.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Martin?" Seraphina asked. "Your daughter is growing up, she might even have her first crush. It's natural she'd wanna talk about it with her friend, not with her overprotective father."

Seraphina locked eyes with Lionel, missing neither the vein throbbing on his forehead nor his hand inching towards his back-a familiar gesture.

If he'd been armed, Seraphina mused, she'd likely be staring down the barrel of a gun by now. Leandro pulled her closer protectively as Simon stepped in front of them, his voice low and firm. "Lionel!"

Realizing he had nothing to draw, Lionel dropped his hand, his face a mask of barely contained fury. "Get them out!"

Simon's expression darkened. "You really want to push this?"

Lionel hesitated, considering Simon's stance, then turned his glare back to Seraphina.

Renee, sensing the tension, clung to Lionel. "I just wanted to talk to her. Please don't be mad..."

Lionel finally softened, his gaze

shifting between Renee and Simon before retenting. "Renee needs her rest. Please leave." With that, he led Renee away, her final glance thrown over her shoulder at Seraphina.

Seraphina waved, her smile undiminished. "We'll chat another time!"

As Lionel and Renee vanished, Seraphina turned to the Samoyed. "Let's get you back home, buddy."

She didn't linger or look back; she just walked out, the dog in tow.

Andrea followed, her face pale. "Were you trying to drive Lionel mad?"

"How else to test Renee's place in his heart?" Seraphina replied.

Andrea paused before speaking again. "Just be careful. Lionel can be more dangerous than Dad when provoked."

"That was very dangerous for me, right?" Seraphina cocked an eyebrow.

Andrea shot her a sidelong glance,

her tone laced with irritation. "Not even close. After all, Dad wouldn't let anything happen to you..."

Mid-sentence, something seemed to strike Andrea, and she peered at Seraphina with suspicion. "You're not trying to test Dad on purpose, are you?"

Seraphina let out a snort of laughter. "Do I look like that sort of person?"

Andrea fell silent, thinking, “Like that? You're exactly that type!"

net

Seraphina, leash in hand, led the dog back to the clearing they'd come from, returning the pup to its grateful owner after exchanging pleasantries. As she turned to leave, she spotted Simon and Leandro standing a short distance away, chatting and glancing in her direction.

With swift steps, Seraphina approached them and threw herself into Leandro's arms, looking up at him. "Shall we head back?"

Before Leandro could reply, Simon chimed in. "It's still early. Why don't you stay a bit longer? Come in for a cup of coffee, I'll make it myself."

Saying this, Simon turned and headed towards the townhouse he called home.

Seraphina gazed up at Leandro, "Shall we?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Leandro wrapped an arm around her waist and followed Simon's lead into the welcoming embrace of the villa.