CHAPTER 6 THE LAST FORGIVENESS
By Friday morning, Seraphina had convinced herself that she was finished being surprised.
She had spent three years learning how to lower her expectations.
Still, when she entered the Armand estate and saw Arabella Voss walking down the staircase, wearing a silk robe that unmistakably belonged to her, something inside her went cold.
Arabella stopped.
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Then Arabella smiled.
"Seraphina."
Seraphina looked at the robe.
"That's mine."
Arabella glanced down as though noticing it for the first time.
"Oh."
She touched the fabric.
"Eveline told me I could borrow it."
Seraphina's fingers tightened around her handbag.
"Why would Eveline give you my clothes?"
Arabella smiled.
"You should ask her."
Before Seraphina could answer, Eveline appeared from the sitting room.
"Seraphina."
Her gaze moved briefly between the two women.
Then she smiled.
"You're here early."
Seraphina stared at her.
"Why is Arabella wearing my clothes?"
Eveline shrugged.
"She needed something comfortable."
"She has her own clothes."
"Don't be childish."
The insult landed quietly.
Seraphina looked toward the staircase.
She could hear footsteps above them.
Then Lucien appeared.
He stopped when he saw the three women.
His eyes moved to Arabella.
Then to Seraphina.
"What is happening?"
Seraphina waited.
She wanted to see whether he would understand without her explaining.
Eveline answered first.
"Arabella stayed here last night."
Seraphina's stomach dropped.
Lucien's expression changed.
"She did what?"
Arabella quickly stepped forward.
"There was a problem with the project. It became too late to drive home, and your mother insisted I stay."
Seraphina looked at Lucien.
"Did you know?"
"No."
His answer came immediately.
"I didn't know."
She believed him.
That should have made things better.
It didn't.
Because he had been away all night.
He had never told her.
And now his former lover was standing inside their home wearing his wife's clothes.
Seraphina looked at Eveline.
"You invited her here?"
"Yes."
"Without telling me?"
"This is my family home."
Seraphina's voice became quiet.
"This is my home too."
Eveline smiled coldly.
"That depends on how long you remain an Armand."
Silence filled the room.
Lucien's face hardened.
"Mother."
Eveline looked at him.
"What?"
He said nothing else.
Seraphina watched him.
Again, she waited.
Defend me.
Tell her she crossed the line.
Tell Arabella to leave.
Tell everyone that this is my home.
But Lucien remained silent.
Arabella looked uncomfortable.
"I don't want to cause problems."
Seraphina looked at her.
"Then don't."
Arabella lowered her eyes.
Lucien finally spoke.
"Seraphina, let's talk privately."
She nodded.
They went into the library.
The moment the doors closed, Seraphina turned toward him.
"How long?"
"What?"
"How long have you known Arabella was spending time with your mother?"
"I told you she's involved with the foundation project."
"That's not what I asked."
Lucien sighed.
"I didn't know she'd be staying here."
"But you knew she was close to your mother."
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell me."
"I didn't think it mattered."
Seraphina stared at him.
"Of course you didn't."
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Turn everything into a betrayal."
Her eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall.
"Lucien, I'm not asking you to choose between me and your mother."
"Then what are you asking?"
"For you to notice when I'm being humiliated."
He looked away.
Seraphina stepped closer.
"You keep telling me you love me. But every time someone hurts me, you ask me to understand them."
Lucien's expression softened.
"I'm sorry."
She looked at him.
He reached for her hand.
"You're right."
That surprised her.
"I should have handled this differently."
Seraphina swallowed.
"Then handle it."
"I will."
"Now."
Lucien hesitated.
And that hesitation destroyed the small piece of hope she had left.
He didn't want to confront his mother.
Not really.
He wanted peace.
He wanted everyone to stop fighting.
And somehow, Seraphina was always the easiest person to ask for forgiveness.
She pulled her hand away.
"I can't do this anymore."
Lucien's face changed.
"What does that mean?"
"I don't know."
She walked toward the door.
He followed.
"Seraphina, wait."
She stopped.
Lucien came closer.
"I'll fix it."
She turned around.
"You've said that before."
"This time is different."
"How?"
He had no answer.
Her eyes burned.
"I have forgiven you for forgetting our anniversary."
She counted quietly.
"I forgave you for missing my birthday."
Another breath.
"I forgave you for leaving me alone at family events."
Her voice trembled.
"I forgave you every time your mother insulted me and you told me she didn't mean it."
Lucien looked devastated.
"I know."
"No, you don't."
She shook her head.
"You don't know what it costs me to keep forgiving you."
He reached for her.
She stepped back.
"I love you, Lucien."
He froze.
The words sounded like hope.
Until she continued.
"But I don't know how much longer I can survive loving you like this."
He stared at her.
"Please."
She wiped away the single tear that escaped.
"This is the last time I'm going to forgive you for something you refuse to change."
Lucien's voice dropped.
"You're not leaving."
She looked at him.
He said it with certainty.
Almost confidence.
As though the possibility was impossible.
Seraphina gave him a sad smile.
"That's what you always believe."
She walked away.
Lucien remained in the library.
For the first time, the thought of losing his wife entered his mind.
But even then, he couldn't truly believe she would go.
Because Seraphina had always stayed.
She had stayed through every disappointment.
Every insult.
Every broken promise.
Every lonely night.
And Lucien had mistaken her patience for permanence.
He didn't understand yet that patience had an ending.
And Seraphina had just reached hers.