Tangled in His Obsession



As Lionel stepped out of Simon's office, he nearly bumped into Bowen, who had come rushing over after catching wind of the commotion.

Bowen's concern was immediate. "Uncle Lionel, I heard the cops were here?"

Lionel's face was a mask of strained calm as he glanced at Bowen and offered a noncommittal grunt in response.

"Is everything alright?" Bowen pressed.

"What do you think?" Lionel retorted.

"Just looking out is all," Bowen replied, his tone earnest. "With Seraphina in danger and the Carney Artful Reverie nearly torched, if Leandro pins all this on our family, we'll be in a real pickle."

"Don't worry about that," Lionel said tersely. "Just focus on your own tasks."

Bowen offered a slight smile. "Of course."

As Lionel turned to leave, he paused and looked back at Bowen. "I know why you sided with the Martins, but let me remind you, keep those ambitions in check. Don't think for a second. I'm watching you, and my brother might have changed sides."

With those final words, Lionel left without looking back.

Bowen stood there for a moment before turning towards Simon's office door.

Previously, Simon had held a grudge against Leandro due to a past sabotage, which had led him to ally with Bowen against the Reynolds Group. Simon's sudden move against Seraphina had taken Bowen by surprise. And Lionel's pointed words suggested that Simon might have shifted his stance after the day's events.

With a deliberate pace, Bowen approached Simon's office and addressed the secretary. "I need to see Mr. Martin."

"Sorry, Mr. Smith," the secretary replied. "Mr. Martin isn't taking visitors right now."

Bowen didn't push further. He nodded and left.

That evening, after work, Bowen returned to the Martin family estate.

The Martin brothers, known for their close bonds, had built a compound of homes on the same estate. Now married to Tania, Bowen had moved into a freshly built house on the grounds.

Entering his home, Bowen had barely settled on the couch when the front door slammed open, and Tania stormed in, fuming.

Bowen extended his arms, embracing her as she came close. "What did he tell you?"Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Her anger was palpable. "Do you know why Uncle Simon flipped his stance so suddenly?" Tania asked.

Bowen shook his head.

Tania bit her lip in frustration. "For a reason you'd never guess!"

Bowen's laughter was low and warm. "Spill the beans, come on."

Tania took a deep breath and revealed, "Because Seraphina is his daughter! His own flesh and blood!"

Bowen's expression tightened.

Tania almost laughed in disbelief. "Can you believe it? Seraphina, raised by the Reynolds, is now suddenly Uncle Simon's daughter! This might be a meticulous lie she conjured to target our family!"

Bowen remained silent for a while before chuckling softly. This was indeed a twist he hadn't anticipated-Seraphina as Simon's daughter, and thus, Andrea's sister.

No wonder Andrea and Seraphina had become close; there was family blood between them all along.

This was a miscalculation on his part. Yet, for someone like Seraphina, and in the current tangled scenario, things were bound to get interesting. That night, Seraphina stayed in the hospital for a minor lung infection, Valerio went home with Conway, and Leandro stayed with her at the hospital. After the day's ordeal and medication, Seraphina fell into a deep sleep. She didn't stir as Leandro moved in and out of the room, finally lying beside her without disturbing her.

Watching her in the dim light spilling from the hallway, Leandro was filled with unease. Even though the immediate danger had passed, the thought of being just a minute too late haunted him. He had almost forgotten what it was like to have something to lose until now.

His restlessness only reminded him that they were still surrounded by threats. Anyone who had hurt her or the Reynold family had to pay.

Leandro pulled Seraphina closer, adjusting the blanket around her.

Suddenly, she twitched in his arms.

Leandro tensed, then drew her in closer, trying to soothe her.

Instead of calming down, Seraphina shivered violently and woke up with a start, gasping for air in the dark room, her eyes wide but unfocused. "Nightmare?" Leandro stroked her back gently. "It's okay, I'm here."

After a moment, her gaze finally settled on him, and clarity returned to her eyes.

"Leandro..." she called out to him softly, a hint of a tremor in her voice, "I just remembered something."

Leandro's gaze was deep and steady as he looked at her, waiting silently for her to continue.

Seraphina clenched her teeth, struggling for a moment before she managed to speak. "Simon once told me that I reminded him of someone from his past, someone dear to him. I believe he meant my birth mother."

"Mhm," Leandro hummed in response.

"He tolerated me in the beginning because he thought I resembled my biological mother..." Seraphina went on, "But now, he says I don't remind him of her at all."

The hand Leandro had on her back stilled for a fraction of a second before he pulled her even closer.

"Because I'm no longer the image of the person he remembers, he no longer wishes to tolerate my existence. He has chosen to act against me, to seek my demise. In his eyes, I'm an abomination, a source of disgrace, and he can't bear the sight of me.

If he can be so cold to his own flesh and blood, what about someone who 'betrayed' him?"

The more Seraphina spoke, the slower her words became, her body growing colder with each syllable. "My biological mother died early, beyond his reach... but my dad, he died after Simon had met me."