CHAPTER 4 THE WOMAN FROM HIS PAST
Seraphina first heard Arabella Voss's name on a Tuesday morning.
It came from Lucien.
He was standing in front of the mirror, fastening his watch while Seraphina sat at the edge of the bed.
"Arabella is coming back to the city."
Seraphina's fingers stopped moving.
She looked at his reflection.
"Arabella?"
Lucien hesitated.
"Voss."
She knew exactly who he meant.
Everyone in Lucien's old social circle knew the name.
Arabella Voss had been his first serious love. The woman who had occupied the pages of society magazines before Seraphina ever entered Lucien's life.
She had disappeared overseas after their relationship ended.
At least, that was what Seraphina had been told.
"When?"
"She's already here."
Seraphina stared at him.
"And you're telling me now?"
"I only found out yesterday."
She nodded.
"Why is she coming back?"
Lucien adjusted his cuff.
"Business."
"Of course."
He looked at her.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
Seraphina stood.
She walked toward the wardrobe.
She didn't want to ask the questions forming in her mind.
Was Arabella still in love with him?
Did Lucien still have feelings for her?
Why had his mother never mentioned her?
Instead, she asked the safest question.
"Will you be working with her?"
"Possibly."
"How closely?"
Lucien sighed.
"Seraphina."
She turned.
"I'm just asking."
"She's involved in a project our company is considering. That's all."
Seraphina nodded.
"All right."
Lucien approached her.
He touched her cheek.
"You trust me."
It wasn't a question.
Seraphina looked into his eyes.
"I want to."
Something flickered across his face.
Then he kissed her forehead.
"I'll be late tonight."
He left.
Seraphina stood alone in the bedroom.
She didn't know why the conversation bothered her so much.
Perhaps because Lucien had spoken about Arabella differently.
Not affectionately.
Not romantically.
Just carefully.
As though the past were something fragile he didn't want disturbed.
Three days later, Seraphina attended a charity event with Lucien.
She knew Arabella would be there before she saw her.
The room changed when the woman entered.
Conversations lowered.
Heads turned.
Arabella Voss walked into the ballroom wearing a simple black gown that somehow drew more attention than the elaborate dresses around her.
She was beautiful.
Confident.
Composed.
And completely comfortable in Lucien's world.
Seraphina watched Lucien's expression.
He had been speaking to an investor.
Then he saw Arabella.
He stopped.
Only for a second.
But Seraphina noticed.
Arabella smiled.
"Lucien."
He walked toward her.
"Arabella."
They shook hands.
She laughed softly.
"You haven't changed."
"Neither have you."
Seraphina looked away.
She hated that exchange.
Not because it was intimate.
Because it was effortless.
Lucien never spoke to her that way anymore.
With Arabella, there was history.
With Seraphina, there was routine.
A few minutes later, Lucien returned.
"Seraphina, you remember Arabella."
Arabella turned toward her.
"Of course."
She smiled.
"Mrs. Armand."
"Ms. Voss."
"I've heard so much about you."
Seraphina's smile remained polite.
"I doubt that."
Arabella laughed.
"You're funny."
Lucien placed a hand lightly against Seraphina's back.
"Arabella is helping with the foundation project."
"I heard."
Arabella looked between them.
"You two look happy."
Seraphina opened her mouth.
Lucien answered first.
"We are."
The words should have comforted her.
Instead, she wondered why he had sounded so certain when their marriage had felt anything but happy lately.
Later that evening, Seraphina went to find Lucien.
She heard voices coming from the terrace.
She stopped before stepping outside.
Arabella was speaking.
"I never thought I'd see you married."
Lucien laughed quietly.
"Life changes."
"Do you love her?"
Seraphina froze.
There was silence.
Long enough to hurt.
Then Lucien answered.
"Seraphina is my wife."
Arabella gave a soft laugh.
"That's not what I asked."
Seraphina didn't wait for his answer.
She turned and walked away.
She didn't want to hear it.
She returned to the ballroom and pretended nothing had happened.
When Lucien found her, she was speaking with another guest.
"Ready to go?"
"Yes."
The drive home was quiet.
Finally, Lucien glanced at her.
"You're unusually quiet."
"I'm tired."
"You didn't enjoy the evening?"
"It was fine."
He studied her.
"Did something happen?"
"No."
She looked out the window.
He reached for her hand.
She allowed him to hold it.
But the question remained between them.
Do you love her?
And his silence had been louder than any answer.
The next morning, Seraphina found a bouquet of white roses waiting on the breakfast table.
There was a card.
Welcome back to the city. A.V.
She stared at it.
Lucien entered the room.
His eyes immediately went to the flowers.
"Where did those come from?"
"Arabella."
He picked up the card.
His expression tightened.
"Why would she send these?"
"I don't know."
Lucien took out his phone.
"I'll deal with it."
Seraphina watched him type.
Then he stopped.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She looked at him.
"You hesitated."
"I didn't."
"You did."
Lucien put the phone down.
"Seraphina, you're reading too much into this."
Her shoulders dropped.
Again.
She was reading too much into things.
The missed dinners.
The empty chair.
His mother's insults.
Arabella's return.
His silence.
Maybe she was simply becoming suspicious because she had stopped feeling secure.
She forced a smile.
"I'm sorry."
Lucien walked toward her.
He kissed her forehead.
"I know you're worried."
"I'm not."
"You don't have to be."
She looked up at him.
"Then don't give me reasons to be."
Lucien went quiet.
For once, he had no immediate answer.
That evening, Seraphina received another message.
Arabella Voss would like to speak with you.
No explanation.
No reason.
Just an invitation to meet privately.
Seraphina stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
There are things about Lucien you deserve to know.
Her heart began beating faster.
She should have deleted it.
She should have ignored it.
Instead, she read it again.
And again.
Because somewhere beneath her fear was a terrible suspicion.
Perhaps Arabella had not returned to Lucien's life by accident.
Perhaps someone had opened the door for her.
And Seraphina was beginning to wonder who.