Episode 4 — The Rules

Gunshots echoed violently through the hospital hallway.

Nurses screamed while people ran in panic, trying to escape the chaos. The sound of footsteps grew louder outside the room, mixed with shouting and crashing metal carts.

Seraphina’s breathing became uneven.

Everything was happening too fast.

One moment she was talking to her father.

The next moment armed men were attacking the hospital.

Damian stood in front of her calmly, holding the gun like it was second nature.

His expression remained cold and unreadable.

Dangerously calm.

Alexander Vale looked terrified on the hospital bed.

“You brought them here,” he whispered angrily to Damian.

Damian didn’t answer.

Instead, he glanced toward the hallway as more gunshots rang out.

“Stay inside,” he ordered Seraphina.

Her eyes widened.

“Are you seriously leaving right now?!”

Damian removed his expensive watch and placed it on the table beside her.

“They’re not after you,” he said coldly. “They’re after me.”

Before Seraphina could respond, Damian stepped outside the room.

More gunshots exploded immediately.

Seraphina flinched at every sound.

She could hear men yelling.

Furniture breaking.

People screaming.

Her hands trembled slightly as she looked toward the doorway.

“What kind of life does he live…?” she whispered.

Alexander sighed weakly.

“A dangerous one.”

Seraphina turned toward her father quickly.

“You know him, don’t you?”

Alexander hesitated.

Years of tension filled his expression.

“Damian De Luca is not just a CEO,” he said quietly. “His family controls half the city from the shadows.”

Seraphina frowned.

“Mafia?”

Alexander nodded slowly.

“And once someone enters their world…” His voice lowered. “There’s no leaving.”

Her chest tightened.

Was that her future now?

A life filled with violence and blood?

Another loud gunshot echoed outside, followed by silence.

Then footsteps approached.

Seraphina instinctively stepped back.

The door opened.

Damian walked inside calmly, adjusting his sleeves like nothing happened.

Not a single scratch on him.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“That’s it?” she asked. “You just fought armed men and came back looking normal?”

Damian picked up his watch casually.

“They underestimated me.”

Seraphina stared at him.

This man talked about violence the same way people talked about the weather.

It was terrifying.

And strangely impressive.

———

Later that night, they returned to Damian’s penthouse.

The city lights glowed beautifully outside the massive windows while rain continued falling across the streets below.

Seraphina stood quietly near the balcony, deep in thought.

She still couldn’t process everything.

The betrayal.

The marriage.

The attack.

Her entire life had changed in less than two days.

Behind her, Damian loosened his tie and sat on the couch.

“You’re thinking too loudly,” he said calmly.

Seraphina rolled her eyes.

“You almost died today.”

“No,” Damian corrected. “They almost died.”

She turned toward him with disbelief.

“Do you always talk like a villain?”

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

“Usually worse.”

Seraphina shook her head before sitting across from him.

“Tell me something honestly.”

Damian looked at her silently.

“Why me?” she asked softly. “You could’ve chosen anyone for this marriage.”

For the first time, Damian paused before answering.

“Because you’re useful.”

Her expression darkened immediately.

“Wow. How romantic.”

“You wanted honesty.”

Seraphina looked away bitterly.

But deep down, his answer bothered her less than it should have.

Because she was using him too.

For revenge.

For protection.

For survival.

Damian suddenly stood and walked toward her slowly.

“Three rules,” he said.

She sighed dramatically.

“Of course there are rules.”

“There are always rules.”

He stopped in front of her.

“First. Never lie to me.”

Seraphina nodded slowly.

“Second. Never leave without telling me.”

“That sounds controlling.”

“That sounds alive.”

Silence filled the room.

Then she crossed her arms.

“And the third?”

Damian stared directly into her eyes.

“Never fall in love with me.”

For a second, Seraphina blinked.

Then she laughed.

Actually laughed.

“You seriously think that’ll happen?”

Damian leaned closer slightly.

“You’d be surprised.”

Her heartbeat betrayed her immediately.

Annoyed, she stood quickly.

“Relax. I’d rather kiss a snake.”

Damian smirked darkly.

“Careful.”

He leaned closer near her ear.

“I bite harder.”

Seraphina’s face heated instantly.

And Damian walked away like he hadn’t just destroyed her ability to think properly.

She stared after him speechlessly.

Then muttered quietly to herself—

“This marriage is going to kill me.”

From the other side of the room, Damian’s low chuckle echoed softly.

And somehow…

For the first time after everything—

Seraphina smiled a little too.

END OF EPISODE 4

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