Seraphina's POV

Running away wasn't even supposed to be an option. I had to show them they chose the wrong person to mess with. Especially Cristian.

“Seems like your head was injured badly. Did it perhaps affect your way of thinking?” I spat, and Cristian’s smile faded instantly as he stepped forward to intimidate me, but I remained rooted to the ground, meeting his gaze fiercely.

“I told you I'd make you regret that stunt you pulled the other day. Watch your back, little girl.” Cristian growled lowly, and I sneered, an amused look on my face, causing him to stare at me in confusion.

“Do the people here know that your injuries were caused by a little girl like me? Or did you lie to them so you wouldn't look like a weakling?” I retorted mockingly, and Cristian suddenly grabbed my neck, my eyes widening in fear as he stepped closer.

His hand tightened, and my vision blurred as I scratched at his arms, but he didn't let go. He was hellbent on killing me, and no one would hold him responsible. As my eyes rolled back and my breath seized, I couldn't help but wonder if this was my end.

Just when I was about to lose consciousness, Carlo was beside him as he grabbed his hand gently and gestured for him to stop. Cristian seethed as he stepped back, and I was suddenly face-to-face with Carlo. For the first time in a long time, I was finally seeing him up close, and I couldn't help but gulp at how attractive he was.

Goodness, he was even more handsome than Cristian.

I thought he was going to say something as he stared at me coldly, but suddenly, his hands shot forward and he pushed me to the ground. I was caught off guard, and I fell butt first to the ground, my left wrist twisting in the process when I tried to stop myself from falling hard.

“Ah…” I cried out as pain shot through my body, and I looked up to see that Carlo had crouched beside me with his cold gaze staring me down.

“Count your days, princess. You're in the enemy's territory, and we'll make your life unbearable.” He threatened, and I shrank back in fear as he stood up before walking away.

Cristian snickered at him and walked away as well, while I winced in pain. I looked up to see that quite a number of people were staring at me, and all I wanted was for the ground to open up and swallow me instantly.

I gritted my teeth and got up, brushing the dust off my clothes as I dragged my luggage behind me. It seemed trouble had a way of following me wherever I went. All I wanted was the freedom to live life happily without feeling scared.

But now I had to count my days because my stepbrothers were after my life. I had thought Carlo was rational. It turned out they were both devils with different personalities. Stares and whispers followed me as I walked into the huge building, and I couldn't help but sigh.

I couldn't even keep a low profile in peace.

I eventually got lost and had no idea where to go, and I couldn't bring myself to ask a student because of how embarrassed I felt.

I had just turned down a corner when I bumped into a hard chest, which sent me stumbling backward immediately. A yelp escaped my lips as I braced myself for a fall, but just then, strong hands grabbed my waist gently and pulled me upright.

I opened my eyes instantly, ready to thank whoever it was that saved me, but my throat immediately ran dry when I laid my eyes on him.

No freaking way. He was here, too?

His smirk widened when he saw my face, and I froze, unable to move from his strong grip. His blue eyes twinkled like stars when he looked down at me, and all the words I wanted to say dissolved in my mouth.

“Ah, the broken princess is here?” He mocked softly, and every blood in my body ran cold as he pulled me even closer.

“Who the hell are you calling broken?” I finally found my voice as I pushed him away from me, pain shooting through my wrist in the process, and I winced in pain.

“How about you watch where you're going, princess.” He mocked me, and I clenched my jaw in anger.

“You bumped into me, asshole. You're still as disrespectful as ever.” I muttered and turned only to see him standing in front of me with a cold gaze, causing me to flinch in fear.

“You sure have a lot of nerve for that weak, backstabbing mouth of yours. Would you like me to help quench all that fire, huh?” He muttered coldly, and I gulped, taking multiple steps away from him. As ethereal as he looked, he was still as scary as ever.

“An apology would have been nice. I almost fell because of you. Why is it so hard for you to admit you're wrong?” I retorted, and he sneered, his expression twisting into that of amusement as he circled me.

“An apology? When I'm wrong?” He suddenly stepped toward me, and I took a step backward, clutching my wrist tightly. “Did Matteo apologize to you for the humiliation he caused you?” He asked, and I froze, bile rising to my throat just at the sound of Nick's name.

“How did you—” I started, not able to find appropriate words, and he sneered before placing his hands in his pockets.

“Oh, darling Sera. News travels far and wide. And when the main topic is my nemesis, you think I won't be interested? See? That look on your face tells me he didn't. So why should I apologize for bumping into you when he didn't apologize for humiliating you?” He questioned mockingly, and I blinked multiple times, trying to stop the tears from forming as I gulped, my throat tightening in betrayal.

I couldn't cry in front of him.

He didn't say anything after that; he just sneered in mockery, watched me for a few seconds before walking away, while I slumped against the wall, my heart tightening around my chest.

I would make Matteo pay. Either with his life or his position. If I didn't watch him bleed, I wouldn't be satisfied.