---- 10 Seraphina's POV I wasted no time, hailing a cab and heading straight for the big house. As I stepped inside, it hit me right away- something was off. "Hello? Is anyone home?" I called out, my voice breaking the silence. Mother almost rushed out of the living room, but stopped short, a meter away from me. Her words came out sharper than usual. "I thought you were never coming home again." Her tone was harsh, but her eyes told a different story. I could see the tears that had been threatening to spill. "How could I stay away when you're still here, Mom?" I replied, my voice softening. And then, she broke. Her tears spilled over as she cried out, "I'm sorry... I've misjudged you all these years..." ---- It turned out that Mother had discovered the full extent of Mireille's and Michael's betrayals. She had filed for divorce immediately and tried to reclaim what she had given them-everything they'd taken. But Mireille and Michael had acted faster, fleeing the country overnight and taking many of the valuable items with them. Luckily mother had some connections at the places Mireille and her father flee too. She pulled a few strings and have them arrested. "Now that you're back," she said, her voice steadying. "What are you going to do about Elias? I heard he's fallen ill..." "T didn't have the chance to tell you, but I got engaged, Mom." I smiled, flashing the ring on my finger. "Engaged?" She raised an eyebrow, her voice skeptical. "Are you sure he's a good man? I don't want him to end up like Elias..." "Ym sure," I said firmly, nodding. I wouldn't let one failed relationship dictate the rest of my life. "As long as you're happy, then I'm happy." She ---- pulled me into her arms, and for the first time ina long while, I felt the warmth of her embrace. It was a relief, a sense of closeness I hadn't realized I needed so much. I wasn't sure how Elias had managed to leave the hospital, but there he was, sitting in a wheelchair, watching me. "How are you, Sera?" His voice was weak, but sincere. He reached out for my hand, but I instinctively pulled away. It was one thing to return and meet him as friends, but I couldn't do more than that. In my attempt to pull back, he caught sight of the ring on my finger. "What's that?" he asked, his voice shaking. Ihesitated for a moment. But in the end, I decided to tell him the truth. "T got engaged..." I said softly. His face went pale, his hand tightening on his shirt. " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!