Tangled in His Obsession (Seraphina)

Back in 2009, at Reynolds Manor in Sunburst City.

Late at night, the mansion was all quiet. Seraphina Bennett carefully pushed open her bedroom door, tiptoeing down the stairs and into the kitchen.

At dinner, Bruce Reynolds and his wife Gloria started arguing again. The rest of the Reynolds family didn’t know how to deal with it, let alone Seraphina, a little girl fostered in this household.

Seraphina hid in her room and didn’t even eat her dinner. Now, it was midnight, and she couldn’t stand the hunger anymore, after all, she was at the age where her body was growing.

Opening the fridge, Seraphina found only two slices of bread. Not much, but enough to fill her rumbling belly a bit.

Suddenly, a bright light flashed outside the window. Someone was driving home.

Seraphina skillfully hid behind the kitchen door, munching on the bread while listening carefully.

The front door of the mansion creaked open, familiar footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Seraphina counted the steps as she listened, and when she reached thirty, she peeked out from the kitchen.

It was nighttime, the moon was bright, casting a frosty glow throughout the house.

The man walking in was tall and handsome, his broad shoulders bathed in the moonlight, making him look rather dashing.

After watching for a moment, Seraphina retreated back into the kitchen, contentedly finishing her bread.

Having not seen him for about a week, she didn’t expect to see him tonight, but there he was.

Suppressing the excitement in her heart, she quietly finished the last bite of bread. Hearing no more noise outside, she opened the door and stepped out.

Just as she walked out of the kitchen, she looked up, and then she froze.

Halfway up the winding staircase, Leandro Reynolds was leaning against the railing, smoking a cigarette. He had taken off his jacket, looking relaxed and casual, a far cry from his usually strict and meticulous demeanor. The moonlight poured over his crisp white shirt, creating a faint halo around him, making him seem like at mirage.

Seraphina stood at the kitchen door, like a frightened fawn.

Leandro turned his face towards her.

face, his

to be looking at her,

slender arms unconsciously moved behind her, nervously gripping her hand, before she finally walked up

Leandro, Seraphina looked up

his eyes seemed to hold a hint of curiosity, and there seemed to be

for dinner?” he

“Um.”

looked at her thin shoulders.

“What about now?”

slices of bread, I’m full now.”

illuminating the smile at the corner of

easy to feed.”

compliment or an insult, she looked up at him.

her, his

uneasy. She diverted her gaze and turned to go upstairs,

in his hand and reaching out

her soft body, something he

froze, and Leandro

her mind. Although her brain and her heart

didn’t avoid him, didn’t dodge. She just turned her head to look at Leandro.

sharp, clear eyes, bright and sparkling

at her.

17, and he was 25.

the first time, Leandro realized that the little girl who came to the Reynolds

18–year–old Seraphina was about to start her studies at

the woods, the light–colored curtains fluttering. Seraphina was lying on her desk, watching the ticking hands on her

tradition of hosting a family dinner, and all the family members would come

but she dared not hope too

past year, Leandro seemed to be busier and busier, often not coming home for

time.

of having a second dinner after the main meal a year ago, but she rarely saw Leandro late at night anymore. The last time they

a black car drove into the Reynolds‘ family gate.

watching the car stop in

later, Leandro got out