My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 282

Chapter 282: Chapter 282 TIME TO GO HOME

SERAPHINA’S POV

Seabreeze did not let go easily.

I’d known my time here was finite, but that didn’t soften the ache when the end finally arrived.

The final days blurred together, a bittersweet rush of tender moments.

Corin was relentless but kind, pushing me through variations of psychic exercises until my head buzzed and my limbs felt like jelly attachments.

By then, he’d stopped hovering, stopped correcting every breath and every misstep. He only intervened when I genuinely lost my footing—psychically or otherwise.

“The rest,” he told me one morning as we stood barefoot at the edge of the water, foam licking at our ankles, “you’ll have to do on your own.”

I glanced at him sideways. “That’s it? No ominous warnings? No cryptic prophecy?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “You’ll hear enough of those without my help.”

He handed me a small, smooth stone, pale and veined faintly with blue. Warm. Steady.

“In the midst of the storms of the Ethereal Sea, be a rock. Sturdy. Unmoved.”

I closed my fingers around it, smiling softly. “Thank you, but I prefer to be a tree.”

He arched a brow. “Want me to uproot a palm tree and fold it into your suitcase?”

I laughed, the roar of the waves drowning out the sound.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely. “For...everything.”

His gaze lingered on me a moment longer than usual—careful, searching—but he only nodded. “You did the work, Sera. I just pointed at the tide.”

“And made sure I didn’t drown.”

He smiled. “You call me if you ever need anything. And I mean anything.”

I cocked my head. “Even if I like, forget my keys?”

He rolled his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. “I can’t wait to go back to training in peace and quiet."

“Oh, please,” I nudged his shoulder. “You’ll miss the company.”

He looked down at me, and his smile melted into something soft and tender. “You know what? Yes. Yes, I will.”

***

The children were another matter entirely.

They followed me everywhere those last days, like I might evaporate if they let me out of their sight.

Dora insisted on packing with me, her tiny hands placing each item in my bag with exaggerated, solemn care.

Reef lingered in doorways, feigning indifference but watching every move I made.

Neri cried twice: once loudly, once in silence, both times trying to be brave.

“I wish you could stay for Christmas,” Kai said hopefully, arms folded like he could will it into existence.

Selene watched from the doorway, expression soft but resolute. “Sera’s son is waiting at home to spend Christmas with her. You wouldn’t want to be separated from your family on Christmas, would you?”

Dora sniffed. “You’ll...come back, right?”

I crouched in front of her, brushing my thumbs beneath her eyes. “I’ll visit so often you’ll be sick of me.”

“That’s not possible,” Reef declared.

I smiled at him. “Wanna bet?”

***

I left Seabreeze two days before Christmas, laden with gifts—shell bracelets, woven scarves, hand-carved trinkets, books on sea myths—for my loved ones back home.

The transport Selene arranged was discreet and efficient, a sleek black vehicle waiting at the edge of the beach.

The children clung to me until the last possible moment, arms wrapped around my waist and shoulders, as if their grip alone could anchor me there.

“I’ll come visit,” I promised for what felt like the hundredth time, pressing a kiss into Dora’s hair, then Neri’s. “And you’re all welcome to visit me too.”

“You mean it?” Reef asked, his grip tightening.

“I mean it,” I said softly. “You and Daniel will get along like a house on fire.”

His eyes lit up, and mine widened. “That is in no way an invitation to set any houses on fire.”

That drew a watery laugh out of him.

Corin hung back, giving the kids space, his hands tucked loosely into his pockets. When they finally—reluctantly—peeled away, he stepped forward and pulled me into a brief, careful hug.

“Call,” he murmured.

“I will,” I promised.

Afterward, Maris pulled me in a firm, full-bodied hug. “Good luck with everything, Sera.” She pulled back and winked. “You and your friend.”

I chuckled, squeezing her arms. “Thank you”

Over her shoulder, Brett caught my eye from where he stood a few steps away, hands folded loosely in front of him.

He didn’t intrude, just met my gaze and offered a small, steady smile and a knowing nod.

I returned it, raising my hand slightly in a mock toast.

Last was Selene.

She drew me into her arms with the kind of embrace that felt less like a farewell and more like a benediction.

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