The morning light fell soft against Sera's skin as she stepped into her office.
She had barely slept, yet she felt strangely calm. Not peaceful. Just… quiet inside.
Last night had been different. No games. No power struggles. Just truth between two people who rarely showed it.
Lucien had exposed a wound. And she had not mocked it.
She had given him a piece of hers, too.
And now, she wasn't sure what that meant.
"Ma'am," Collins, her head of security, knocked and stepped in. "There's something you need to see."
He handed her a tablet.
On screen was a video clip — grainy, taken from someone's phone. The angle was far, but clear enough.
Lucien and Sera. Together. In the library.
Talking. Walking close. Holding hands.
She blinked once.
"Where did this come from?" she asked.
"Anonymous tip. We traced the source — it was posted in a private business group. Most of Delgado's people are in it."
Sera's eyes narrowed.
"Then he's watching," she muttered.
Collins nodded. "He knows about you and Cain."
Sera stood still for a moment, thinking.
Then she straightened. "Double the guards at all my properties. No questions asked. And get my legal team ready — we're going after Delgado's Singapore port holdings. Quietly. Now."
"Yes, ma'am."
Collins left. Sera stared out the window, jaw tight.
So it begins.
⎯
Meanwhile, in a quiet lounge at Cain Enterprises, Lucien Cain sat with Jax, going through names on a digital file.
"They're watching her," Jax said. "Delgado planted a leak inside Moretti Holdings. Small, but effective. They're tracking her routines."
Lucien said nothing at first. Then he leaned back, eyes dark.
"Kill the leak."
"Already working on it," Jax said. "But there's more. Delgado's lawyers filed notice to dispute the Riyadh contract — the one Sera's group won last quarter. He's coming for her financially too."
Lucien looked out the window.
They weren't just targeting her business now.
They were targeting her because of him.
And that was a mistake.
"I want eyes on everyone Delgado talks to. Investors. Lawyers. Even his cook. If he breathes funny, I want to know."
"Got it."
Lucien leaned forward, voice low.
"If he wants war, I'll give him one."
⎯
That evening, Sera attended a private auction at an art gallery in the heart of the city. She came alone, dressed in deep emerald silk that hugged her like shadow.
She didn't come to bid.
She came to be seen.
A message.
I'm still in control.
The room was full of power: business moguls, investors, foreign diplomats. And near the far wall, Delgado.
He spotted her instantly.
She gave him a soft, controlled smile and turned away, her eyes cool. As if he didn't matter.
But she could feel him watching.
She stayed for twenty minutes.
Then she left.
On the way out, someone brushed against her shoulder.
A whisper followed.
"He's planning something big. Don't trust your board."
She turned quickly — but the man was gone. Blended into the crowd. Face forgotten.
Her heart quickened.
She didn't know who he was. But the warning felt real.
⎯
Later that night, Lucien's penthouse was quiet.
He sat in the dark, the city glowing far below.
His phone lit up.
Sera: I need to see you.
He replied instantly: Come up.
Two minutes later, the elevator opened.
She stepped out, heels silent, eyes unreadable.
Lucien stood from the couch. "What happened?"
Sera didn't speak right away. She walked to the edge of the window, arms crossed.
"They're moving fast," she said finally. "Leaking footage. Filing lawsuits. And someone warned me about my own board."
Lucien watched her closely. "You're worried."
"No," she said. "I'm ready."
He stepped beside her. Quiet. Still.
She turned to him, voice low.
"If I fall, I fall alone."
"You won't fall."
"You can't promise that."
"I can promise I'll fall with you."
She stared at him.
That wasn't what she expected him to say.
It wasn't power. It wasn't control.
It was something else.
Real.
"You're dangerous," she whispered.
"So are you," he said. "That's why this works."
She should've walked away.
But she didn't.
She stepped closer. Inches from him now.
Lucien raised a hand and touched her jaw. Slowly. Lightly.
She didn't move.
He leaned in.
And this time… she didn't stop him.
Their lips met.
Not rushed. Not rough.
Just quiet.
And then, it deepened.
Months of tension spilled into seconds. Her fingers gripped his shirt. His arms wrapped around her waist. The kiss burned slow — like fire rising under ice.
They weren't sweet.
They weren't safe.
They were powerful. And broken. And finally unguarded.
When they pulled apart, both of them breathed heavy.
Lucien looked into her eyes.
"You're not mine," he said. "But I will protect you like you are."
Sera said nothing.
But her silence was not refusal.
It was surrender.
⎯
In another part of the city, Delgado received a text.
"Tomorrow. 9:00 AM. The board meets. Her vote is going down."
He smiled.
"Good," he typed back. "Let her have tonight."
"Tomorrow, she loses everything."