Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

Chapter 185

185 Chapter 185

Seraphina’s POV

The little girl’s chubby arms around my waist. Her sticky face pressed against my stomach. That word-*Mama“-echoing in my ears.

I couldn’t shake it.

Back at Margaret’s place, I went through the motions. Helped set up for her birthday dinner. Smiled at the right times. Laughed when

everyone else did. But my mind kept drifting back to that street corner, to those innocent eyes looking up at me with such certainty.

“Sera, honey, you’re burning the garlic bread.”

Margaret’s voice snapped me back. Smoke curled up from the oven.

“Shit!” I yanked the tray out, nearly dropping it. The bread was charcoal black.

Margaret took the tray from my hands, her eyes soft with concern. “What’s going on with you tonight?”

“Nothing. Sorry. I’ll make another batch.”

“We have plenty of food.” She set the ruined bread aside. “Talk to me.”

“I’m fine. Really.” I forced a smile. “Just tired from the drive.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she let it go. For now.

Dinner was loud and chaotic in the best way. Margaret’s friends filled her dining room with laughter and wine and terrible dad jokes. I

sat at the corner of the table, picking at my pasta, trying to be present.

“So Sera,” one of Margaret’s book club friends–Linda? Lydia?—leaned toward me. “Margaret says you’re a professional boxer. That must

be so glamorous.”

“It has its moments.”

“Do you travel a lot?”

“Yeah. Constantly.”

“That sounds exhausting.” She took a sip of wine. “Do you ever think about settling down? Starting a family?”

The pasta turned to cement in my mouth. I forced myself to swallow.

“Linda,” Margaret cut in smoothly. “Sera’s only twenty–six. Plenty of time for all that.”

“Oh, I know! I just meant—” Linda backpedaled. “My daughter’s your age and she’s already talking about freezing her eggs. These young

women today, so practical about these things.”

I excused myself to the bathroom. Locked the door. Stared at my reflection.

*Mama.*

15:06

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185 Chapter 185

girl’s face swam in my vision. I gripped the edge

Get it together, Seraphina.

we cut the cake and sang Happy

think you’re going?” Margaret materialized in front of the door, arms

“Home. It’s getting late.”

It wasn’t a request. “The guest room’s all made

“Margaret, I can’t—”

burned down my kitchen. You almost gave yourself second–degree burns.” She

I’m letting you

“I’m fine to drive.”

opened my mouth to argue. “One night. That’s all I’m

you for once.”

the command–made my defenses

The word came out defeated. “But I’m leaving first thing Saturday morning. I have a match

practice.”

softened with relief.

early, sunlight stabbing through the curtains like an accusation. I felt

alcohol. My head pounded. My eyes

good on her pancake promise, piling my plate high with blueberry ones–my favorite,

remembered.

she said, sliding the syrup across

into knots. The sweetness made me

“It’s barely nine.”

add to the growing pile. “And I want to hit the gym when

like

“Alright. But drive carefully.”

inhaling her familiar lavender perfume, trying to memorize the feeling of being held. “Thank

15.05

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185 Chapter 185

GPS cheerfully informed me that my usual route was closed due to an

Take Highway 7

tightened on the steering wheel until my knuckles

No. No way.

Any other route. But the

on

I have already wasted 3

people. I’d be in my car the whole time. Just passing

know

hands shook as I merged onto Highway

the radio, some mindless pop song about love and heartbreak, because of course that’s what the

letting the bass

a crawl. Of course. Saturday afternoon in downtown, everyone out for shopping, living their perfect little

then my palm, then my whole hand, trying to burn off

Red light.

trapped. Waiting. My eyes wandered out of habit, scanning

across the street, tucked between two

grass

with cheerful yellow umbrellas. People laughing, talking, enjoying their

and their

I

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