Seraphina's smirk lingered as she typed a quick response.
Then—movement.
A shadow shifting.
She didn't look immediately, but she felt it.
A presence. A retreating step.
Ezrin.
She knew it without needing to confirm.
Her fingers hovered over the phone screen, but her amusement faded.
Why did he leave like that?
It wasn't unusual for him to walk away without a word—but this time felt different.
She exhaled, shaking her head. It didn't matter.
At least, it shouldn't.
But as she turned her phone off and focused back on work—
The thought refused to leave.
After two straight hours of work, Seraphina finally leaned back in her seat, stretching her stiff muscles.
She glanced at the time. Late.
The car was already waiting outside, ready to take her home. But as they drove through the quiet city, a craving hit.
"Take a detour. Ice cream parlor."
The driver didn't question it. Moments later, she stepped out, hands tucked into her coat as she approached the glass counter.
"Three scoops—Earl Grey and lavender."
Once she had it, she settled back into the car, savoring each bite. Sweet. Cold. Exactly what she needed.
By the time she reached her apartment, half of it was already gone.
She stepped inside, still eating, completely lost in the simple joy of it.
Only after she finished did she change into a nightdress, crawl into bed, and let exhaustion finally take over.
Elsewhere, at Oblivion Division—
Ezrin's gaze flicked to the notification on his screen.
The car had returned unusually late.
His fingers tapped once against the desk before he reached for his phone.
"Why the delay?"
The head of the transport department answered almost immediately."Ma'am wanted to stop for ice cream."
Ezrin stilled.
Ice cream.
His grip on the phone tightened—a reaction he didn't care to acknowledge.
"Noted," he said flatly, ending the call.
But for a reason he couldn't explain, he remained seated, staring at the dark screen of his phone.
The next morning
Ezrin leaned against the sleek kitchen counter of his penthouse, the city lights flickering against the glass walls. The world outside was quiet, but his mind? Not so much.
A steaming black coffee sat untouched beside him.
His fingers tapped lightly against the counter. A habit. A tell.
Ice cream.
The thought surfaced out of nowhere—unwanted, unnecessary.
Seraphina, sitting in the back of the car, probably half-lost in her own world, enjoying flavored dessert.
Ezrin exhaled, pushing the thought away. Why did he even remember that?
It wasn't important.
She could do whatever she wanted. It had nothing to do with him.
And yet—
He imagined her there, taking her time, savoring every bite. Not rushing. Not calculating.
Just existing.
His jaw clenched.
He turned away from the window, grabbing the coffee. Pushing the thought out as easily as it came.
But as he took a slow sip, it lingered.
And that irritated him the most.
The morning was slow, peaceful.
Seraphina woke up, stretching lazily before heading to the bathroom. No rush, no urgency.
She didn't even bother changing out of her night suit as she moved to the kitchen, making herself a filling breakfast.
With a cup of warm tea in hand, she reached for her phone.
To her mild amusement, there it was—a message from an old friend.
University days. A time that felt both distant and familiar.
Friend: Hey, it's been too long! There's a small get-together today. 1 PM to 4:30 PM. You in?
Seraphina leaned back, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
A break from Oblivion Division. From murder cases, training, and the ever-present weight of control.
She replied quickly.Seraphina: I'll be there.
But before that—logistics.
She tapped into her contacts and called Kieran.
He picked up on the second ring. "What do you want?"
"I need the driver's number."
Kieran huffed a laugh. "Going somewhere?"
"Why do you care?" she mimicked playfully.
He snorted. "Fine. I'll send it. Don't get yourself kidnapped."
"Funny," she muttered, hanging up.
Moments later, a text popped up. The driver's number.
She typed a quick message:Pick me up at 4:30 PM. I'll send the location later.
Message sent.
Now—she had a few hours to herself.
It was already 11 AM, and Seraphina still hadn't decided what to wear.
She stepped into her closet, arms crossed, scanning her usual options—sleek, practical, dark.
But today?
Today felt different.
A dress.
Not her usual choice, but something about the idea felt right. A shift.
She pulled out outfit after outfit before finally settling on one.
Perfect.
Something about it made her smirk.
She placed it on the bed, unaware that this small choice wouldn't go unnoticed.
After a quick shower, she dressed in a deep navy satin midi dress. The fabric was smooth, elegant yet comfortable. Her hair, styled half-up, half-down, framed her face perfectly.
She gave herself a final glance in the mirror. Different—but right.
By the time she arrived at the get-together, the atmosphere was already warm and buzzing.
Laughter. Old memories. Familiar faces.
It was nice—a break from the shadows.
She kept her conversations light, her presence effortless. When drinks were passed around, she declined.
She had work later. And she never forgot that.
At exactly 4:30 PM, her phone lit up—Your car has arrived.
She excused herself politely and headed outside.
The black car idled by the curb, waiting.
She stepped inside—back to the life that never paused for long.
As Seraphina entered the main gate of Oblivion Division, the elevator doors slid open—revealing Ezrin and Kieran.
Ezrin's gaze locked onto her.
Dark. Intense.
His eyes scanned her—not just a glance, but a deliberate assessment.
The dress.The color.The way it fit her.
It was perfect.
And yet—he dismissed the thought.
Unnecessary. Irrelevant.
Before the moment stretched, Kieran's voice cut in.
"You look hot," he said, smirking. "I think that man is really something."
Unfazed, Seraphina arched a brow, a smirk playing on her lips."Oh, absolutely. I got all dressed up just for him."
Her tone was effortlessly mocking.
Kieran laughed, clearly entertained.
Ezrin didn't react.
No smirk. No scoff.
Just silence.
His gaze lingered a second too long before he brushed past her.
Her smirk didn't fade—but the silence stayed with her.
As Seraphina walked toward her office, her mind wouldn't let it go.
Ezrin's silence.
Why didn't he react?
Kieran had teased her, as expected.But Ezrin? Nothing.
No smirk. No remark. Not even disapproval.
It was unlike him.
She shook her head. It didn't matter.
Without a thought, she entered the bathroom and peeled off the dress. It had served its purpose.
Back to normal.
Meanwhile, Kieran leaned against his chair, arms crossed, watching Ezrin with amusement.
"So… not going to say anything about Seraphina?"
Ezrin didn't look up. "What about her?"
Kieran scoffed. "Oh, I don't know—maybe the fact she looked completely different? Every man in Oblivion turned their heads. But you—silent."
"She looked fine."
"Just fine?"
Ezrin blinked once and turned back to his screen.
Kieran wasn't buying it.
He glanced at the time. "It's been a while. Why isn't she here yet?"
Ezrin exhaled. "Call her."
Kieran shot her a quick message. No response.
Five minutes passed.
Ezrin's fingers tapped against the desk once. Then twice.
"Go see her. Why isn't she coming?"
Kieran smirked. "Missing her already?"
Ezrin's jaw tightened.
Before he could respond, the door opened.
Seraphina walked in—back in her usual attire, sharp and composed.
Ezrin's eyes flicked to her.
Something settled.
Back to normal.
"Took you long enough," he said neutrally.
Seraphina arched a brow. "Didn't know you were keeping time on me."
Ezrin smirked, slow and deliberate. "I don't. But it's unlike you to take your time changing."
A subtle test.
Seraphina didn't blink. "Guess I needed a moment."
Ezrin leaned back, accepting the answer. But he didn't stop watching her.
And Seraphina?
She didn't know why—but that one remark lingered.
She settled into the chair, posture composed. But her mind wasn't.
"It's unlike you to take your time changing."
Why did he say that?
It wasn't what he said—it was how he said it.
Like he noticed.
Like he paid attention.
Her fingers drummed lightly against the armrest.
It was ridiculous to overthink.
And yet, here she was.
She was still lost in thought when Kieran's voice broke the silence.
"I found the main organization."
Both Seraphina and Ezrin turned.
Ezrin leaned forward slightly. "Talk."
Kieran slid a file across the desk. "The researchers. The staged murders. The transactions. Everything leads to one place."
Seraphina flipped it open, her mind already working.
The name at the top caught her eye.
Horizon Initiative.
Well-known. Respected. Untouchable.
To the world, they were pioneers. Beneath the surface—something darker.
Ezrin's eyes flickered over the details. "They don't even try to hide. Which means they don't have to."
"Which means," Seraphina added, "someone powerful is protecting them."
Kieran exhaled. "This isn't just another criminal group. It's political. Corporate. Maybe international."
Ezrin's gaze darkened.
"Then we dig deeper."
The weight of those words settled between them.
This wasn't just about a manipulator anymore.
They were stepping into something far more dangerous.
Ezrin closed the file, tapping the desk once.
"We're not walking into this blind. We each take an angle."
His voice was steady. Commanding.
His eyes moved to Seraphina.
"You're going undercover. Horizon recruits the best. You fit the profile. We'll plant you as a researcher."
She didn't flinch. Expected.
"Kieran," he said, turning. "Track the money. Find out who's funding them."
"Follow the money, find the puppeteer."
Ezrin nodded. "And I'll go through my own channels. Someone powerful is shielding them—I'll find out who."
A pause.
Then, his eyes locked with theirs.
"We don't stop until we tear them apart."
Seraphina smirked. "Good. I was getting bored."
Kieran groaned. "And here I thought we'd get a break."
Ezrin didn't smile.
This wasn't a game.
And he wouldn't let them walk in unprepared.
His gaze shifted back to Seraphina, firm and final.
"In two days, you'll be inside Horizon Initiative. Study. Prepare. But for now—training. You need it more than ever."
She nodded and left to get dressed.
Ezrin turned to Kieran."You have two days. Change her identity flawlessly."
Kieran smirked. "Consider it done."
Then, after a pause—"You should go easy on her today."
Ezrin's voice was flat."Not happening."
Kieran chuckled.
Of course.
Seraphina didn't know it yet—but tonight's training would push her further than ever.