My Sister Stole My Mate, And I Let Her Chapter 4 WHERE’S THE FIRE?

SERAPHINA’S POV

Emerging from the lawyer’s office, my spirit felt utterly ravaged. The anxiety that washed over me as I walked through the front door was profound, a grim premonition that this would likely be one of the final times I set foot within these walls.

My eyes traced the familiar details of the foyer: Daniel’s baby photograph gracing the mantelpiece, a solemn portrait of Kieran from his Alpha ordination, and a cherished picture of Daniel and me on his fifth birthday. Curiously, no images of Kieran and me together adorned the space. A predictable outcome, I thought wryly.

I made a direct line for Kieran’s office. It had been my intention to leave early this morning, thereby sidestepping any uncomfortable discussions about our impending divorce. I suspected I had also been unconsciously avoiding Daniel, perhaps finding it difficult to face his innocent gaze and explain the dissolution of his family.

"I don’t... understand."

Daniel’s small, bewildered voice reached me as I stood just outside Kieran’s office. The door was ajar, revealing Daniel seated in front of Kieran’s desk, looking like a guest. Kieran sat opposite him, his gaze fixed on our son with an affection he had never once directed at me. He leaned forward, taking Daniel’s hands in his. "Mommy and Daddy won’t be living together anymore, champ."

"But... why?" Daniel’s lower lip quivered. "Don’t you love Mom?"

A knot formed in my chest. How would Kieran respond? It seemed unlikely he would tell our son he harbored no love for his mother. Yet, the alternative was to resort to falsehood.

Kieran let out a sigh and rose from his chair. Moving to Daniel’s side, he took his hands once more, crouching to meet our son’s eye level. "You know, your mom gave me the greatest gift in the world," he stated, reaching up to gently pat Daniel’s head. "You. And for that? I’ll always love her."

My breath hitched. For ten long years, I had yearned to hear such words from Kieran, and now, they were spoken as I clutched divorce papers. Yet, I understood their true implication: Kieran had married me solely for Daniel’s existence. He had endured our union for a decade only because I was the mother of his heir. It merely reaffirmed the one-sided nature of our marriage.

His genuine, unwavering affection was clearly reserved for Celeste.

A stifled sound escaped my lips.

Kieran’s body stiffened. His head whipped around with wolf-like swiftness, his gold-flecked eyes narrowing as they fixed on the doorway. "We don't spy on private conversations," he stated coolly, rising to his full imposing height. The Alpha voice, the one that compelled pack members into automatic submission, resonated in the air.

Taking a steadying breath, I pushed the door open.

"Mommy!" Daniel exclaimed, jumping up and rushing to me, his arms encircling my waist.

"Hi, honey." I pressed a kiss to the crown of his head.

"Is it true?" he asked, looking up at me, his eyes wide and glistening.

I stroked his hair. "I—"

"Danny, give your mom and me some space, okay? Go help Chef with dinner preparations."

Daniel’s brow furrowed in a pout. "But—"

"Now." That single word carried the undeniable weight of command.

I squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "We’ll talk more at home, baby. Go on."

With a sigh, Daniel departed, his shoulders slumped slightly.

I closed the door, turning back to face Kieran. His gaze immediately fell upon the papers clutched in my hand. A fleeting, unreadable expression crossed his features.

"I assume those are the papers?"

I nodded, a sudden wave of nervousness washing over me. "My lawyer drafted the agreement, stating the custody terms." I moved forward, placing the document on his desk. "Everything’s clearly outlined—visitation schedules, holidays, education decisions..."

Kieran opened the folder, withdrawing the documents. His eyebrows drew together in concentration as his eyes scanned the pages swiftly. "Um, I also met with a realtor she suggested," I continued, clasping my hands before me. "She showed me a lovely house about thirty minutes from here. It’s fully furnished—ready to move in—and the mortgage is very reasonable. It’s in neutral territory, so you can visit anyt—"

"Where’s the fire?"

I faltered, confused by his question. "What?"

"I’m the one who asked for a divorce." He dropped the papers back onto the desk, his voice laced with a challenging tone. "Yet here you are with moving plans and legal documents before the ink’s even dry. Were you counting down the days?"

The truth burned on my tongue—yes, for all 3,652 days of our marriage. However, confessing it would only provide him with further ammunition in the impending custody battle I dreaded. Kieran scoffed at my silence and leaned back in his chair. "Leave the address of your new home," he commanded. "My son and I will have dinner, then I’ll send him your way, along with your signed copy of the papers."

The unyielding finality in his tone extinguished my lingering hope for one final, shared family meal. It was as I expected; the esteemed Alpha Kieran would hardly deign to dine with his soon-to-be ex-wife.

I departed Kieran’s office, the emptiness in my chest widening. Unable to sleep last night after receiving the news, I had utilized the time to meticulously pack all my belongings.

With my possessions fitting neatly into two suitcases, it was clear I had never been given the opportunity to truly call this place home.

After placing them in my car, I didn't drive away. Instead, I remained seated in the driver's seat, my gaze fixed on the house before me.

Memories flooded my mind. The times spent with Daniel were vivid and joyful, brimming with affection and laughter. But the recollections of Kieran were bleak and hollow. Their conversations were stilted, their touches withheld, and his smiles were always reserved for someone else.

A piercing ringtone shattered my reflection. Seeing my mother's name on the screen sent a shock of ice through my veins. Two calls in two days after a decade of silence? The universe certainly had a twisted sense of humor.

"Hi, Mom," I managed, injecting false cheer into my voice. "How are you holding up?"

As usual, she skipped the pleasantries. "Is it true?"

My grip tightened on the phone. "Is what true?"

"That you're finally divorcing Kieran."

My breath hitched. Of course, she knew. Kieran had likely already informed Celeste the previous night.

"Yes," I ground out, my teeth clenched.

The sound of my mother's sigh of relief stung more than any physical wound. Actual, unbelievable relief.

"It's for the best," she stated. "The marriage was a mistake from the start. This... this is the correction we've all been anticipating."

My jaw dropped. A single, betrayed tear escaped, tracing a path down my cheek. What kind of mother found joy in her daughter's suffering? The bitter answer came swiftly: the kind who always favored her other daughter.

I ended the call without another word, turning off my phone to prevent further emotional injury.

Just then, the front door opened, and Daniel emerged. Kieran followed, a large duffel bag slung over his shoulder. I frowned. There was no way that was all Daniel's belongings. Kieran was making a statement: regardless of my move, Daniel's home was still here.

Daniel's face lit up when he spotted me in the car. He rushed towards me as I got out, and I embraced him.

"I said I'd bring him over," Kieran's sharp voice cut through the air as he approached.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted—"

"Is this how it's going to be?" he interrupted. "It's bad enough you're taking my son away, but now you're also cutting into my time with him?"

Daniel's small hand tugged at Kieran's sleeve. "Dad... It's okay," he said softly but firmly. "We'll see each other tomorrow. At Grandpa's funeral."

Kieran's jaw tightened visibly, a testament to his barely contained emotion. For a fleeting moment, I thought he might retort, but then he expelled a sharp breath and ruffled Daniel's hair.

"Yeah. Tomorrow, champ," he agreed. His gaze met mine, cold and dismissive. "Be good for your mother."

He handed the duffel bag to me and retreated back inside without another word.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and silently placed the bag in the car. Daniel climbed into the passenger seat without protest, his unnervingly mature eyes observing me closely. As I pulled away, I forced myself not to look back—not at the house, not at the life that had failed to materialize.

Two minutes into our drive, Daniel rummaged through his backpack and retrieved a slightly crushed sandwich.

"You didn't eat dinner," he stated simply, placing it in my hand.

The tears I had fought so hard to suppress finally broke free.

"Daniel..." My voice trembled. "Do you hate me? For this? For taking you away from your dad?"

He considered my question with a solemnity far beyond his nine years. My heart seized, anticipating the painful answer—

"No." He fumbled with his seatbelt. "I know you were sad a lot. Maybe now you can be happy."

A sob escaped me, blurring the road ahead. His small hand found mine, squeezing it tightly.

"Don't cry, Mom," he whispered, his voice filled with a fierce promise. "You have me. I'll make you happy."

I brought his small knuckles to my lips, tasting the salty sting of tears mixed with a burgeoning hope. So what if Kieran had never loved me? This incredible boy did—with his whole heart, unconditionally—and in that moment, it was enough.

More than enough.