Ex-Mate Wants Me Back (Seraphina and Mortimer) novel Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Third Person’s POV

Countless times before, just as Mortimer was about to step through the doors of the main estate, Vivian would call him away with one crisis or another.

Back then, his logic was simple: Seraphina was stale, she was a doctor, she could handle a family dinner alone. No big deal.

But standing here now, watching the venomous smirk on his aunt’s face and the open mockery in the eyes of the maids, the truth hit him like a physical blow. He realized exactly how many “silent arrows” Seraphina had caught for him, alone and undefended, while he was busy playing hero for Vivian.

Mortimer felt like his lungs were filling with broken glass.

He’d written it into the contract: His mate must maintain his reputation in public.

Seraphina had followed that rule to the letter.

But him? He’d chased his own whims, never once stopping to think about the whispers she had to endure because of his neglect.

No wonder she’d snapped after Alaska.

It wasn’t a sudden change; it was the sound of a heart finally shattering after the last straw.

He looked at her profile, feeling a raw, visceral panic clawing at his throat.

Seraphina, however, looked like she was watching a boring movie.

Felicity’s insults didn’t even leave a scratch.

“What are we all doing standing around the door? Auditioning for guard duty?” A sharp, clear voice cut through the tension.

“Alpha Vernon. Susan,” Felicity said, her snarky mask instantly replaced by a polite, socialite smile.

Mortimer’s father, Vernon, and his stepmother, Susan, stepped into the light.

“Dad. Susan,” Mortimer muttered, his voice sounding wrecked.

Seraphina offered her usual, professional greetings.

Susan looked at Mortimer like he was a rare, confusing specimen at a zoo.

She let out a dry laugh. “Well, look at that. The sun must be rising in the west today. I fully expected you to be halfway to the Davis’ house by now, answering another one of Vivian’s SOS calls.”

Unlike Felicity’s side-eye, Susan’s words were a direct slap to the face. Mortimer’s skin burned.

Susan didn’t wait for him to recover. She walked over to Seraphina and took her hand. “I heard you were coming, so I had the kitchen make all your favorites. Let’s get inside-your grandpa is losing his patience.”

“Thanks, Susan,” Seraphina said, following her into the house without a single backward glance at Mortimer.

Vernon trailed behind, cutting his son a look of pure, unadulterated contempt. “Impressive,” he drawled. “How did you manage to tear yourself away from the Davis girl tonight?”

Before Mortimer could even open his mouth, Vernon added with mock realization, “Oh, right. I heard Vivian spent the day in a holding cell. Hard to send a ‘damsel in distress’ signal when the cops have your phone, isn’t it? I guess that leaves you with nothing better to do than spend time with your wife.” ?

He let out a sharp huff and walked past, leaving Mortimer standing alone in the entryway.

Chapter

+15 Bonus

Mortimer felt like his head was going to explode.

This house was a minefield. His own family was practically cheering for Seraphina to dump him.

At twenty-five, the legendary CEO of Craig Group suddenly found himself wishing his birth mother was still around to tell everyone to shut up.

He stood there for a long minute, grounding himself before heading inside.

As he walked into the living room, he saw his sister, Velda, leaning over Seraphina like a high-energy salesperson. She was shoving her phone screen into Seraphina’s face.

“Sera! Look at this one! He’s a total ‘soft-boy’ -don’t you just want to pet him?” Velda was vibrating with excitement.

Seraphina usually didn’t go for the ‘fragile” type, but she humored her. “He’s… cute, I guess.”

“Cute? He’s a masterpiece! And his brothers? Their builds are insane. Stamina for days.”

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