Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 114: Chapter 114 - Alone

Early the next morning, Corvine arrived with a tray carrying a cup of warm herbal tea, expecting to find Seraphine resting the way she had been the past few days, pale and exhausted, yet the moment he stepped through the doorway he froze in place when the sight before him completely contradicted what he had prepared himself to see.

Seraphine was already awake and dressed.

Not only awake, but composed in a way that made the entire room feel different from the tense, fragile atmosphere that had surrounded her recovery.

The cream-colored jumpsuit she wore hugged her frame perfectly, tailored in a way that made it seem as though it had been created specifically for her body, its soft fabric accentuating her graceful posture while adding a touch of understated elegance that made her presence feel striking without trying too hard.

Corvine stood there for a moment, still holding the tray, because the woman in front of him looked nothing like someone who had nearly lost her life not long ago.

If anything, Seraphine looked even younger than before.

Her skin held a healthy glow that had been missing during the last few days of recovery, her hair falling neatly around her shoulders while the quiet confidence in her posture made it feel almost surreal that only recently she had been too weak to even stay awake for long conversations.

The thought unsettled him more than it reassured him.

Because the more he thought about Leon, the more a quiet unease settled into his chest.

Leon had been visiting every day.

For several days straight he had sent flowers of different kinds, each bouquet more elaborate than the last, even though Seraphine had never agreed to meet him face to face.

Instead, Corvine had taken the flowers to her room while she remained resting in bed, and each time she would accept the bouquet politely before speaking to Leon briefly over the phone with a soft, calm voice that never lasted longer than a few minutes before she ended the call and returned to sleep.

That routine had repeated itself again and again, which made what he was seeing now feel even stranger.

Because today it looked as though the pain had completely disappeared.

The monitors placed near her workspace glowed faintly, their light revealing several open files and notes scattered across the table, and it was clear from the organized mess that Seraphine had already been working for quite some time before he arrived.

Corvine finally placed the tray down on the table and studied her carefully.

”You look better,” he said while studying her carefully, his tone controlled even though the thoughts running through his mind were far from calm.

Seraphine lifted her gaze toward him and offered a soft smile that carried warmth, although beneath that gentle expression there was a quiet determination he had come to recognize very well over time.

”I feel better,” she replied softly, her voice steady enough to confirm that she truly had regained much of her strength.

She allowed a brief pause to settle between them before continuing, her expression grateful but also focused on something far beyond the room they were standing in.

”Thanks for taking care of me,” she said sincerely, ”but I have to see Voren today, so you can get me a driver.”

Corvine did not hesitate for even a moment after hearing that request.

He shook his head immediately, his expression firm as he remained exactly where he stood, making it obvious that he had absolutely no intention of stepping aside or pretending he had not heard what she said.

”I’m coming with you,” he replied in a calm yet decisive tone that left no room for argument or negotiation.

Seraphine studied him for a moment, recognizing the stubborn resolve in his tone, and although she could have argued she chose not to waste the time because she already had something far more important on her mind.

When they finally arrived at the building where Voren worked, Pete was standing near the reception desk reviewing some documents, but the moment he looked up and saw Seraphine walking through the entrance his eyes widened in visible surprise.

Not only did she look completely recovered, but the transformation in her appearance left him momentarily speechless.

The last time she had been there she looked fragile and distant, someone who seemed to carry a quiet weight around her shoulders.

Now she looked composed, confident, and effortlessly elegant.

Her expression carried a soft innocence that made her presence feel gentle, yet the professional aura surrounding her clothing and posture made it clear she was not someone to underestimate.

Pete quickly straightened his posture, trying to regain his composure.

”Ma’am, sir told me you would be here today,” he said carefully, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness as he checked the time. ”But you are thirty minutes early.”

Seraphine responded with an easy smile that softened the tension in the air. ”I’m an early bird,” she replied lightly.

Pete nodded politely while stepping out from behind the desk. ”I’ll show you to his office,” he offered. ”You can wait there until he arrives.”

Seraphine glanced around the lobby for a moment before walking toward one of the visitor couches placed near the large windows.

”No,” she said gently while lowering herself onto the couch, leaning back comfortably as though she had already made her decision. ”It’s comfortable here.”

Pete hesitated briefly, unsure whether to insist or simply accept her choice, and after a moment he offered a small, uncertain smile. ”If you say so.”

His gaze moved toward Corvine briefly and he gave him a polite nod before stepping back. ”I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”

Time passed quietly in the lobby until the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hallway.

When Voren stepped out of the elevator and caught sight of Seraphine sitting calmly on the couch, he slowed slightly, surprise flashing across his face before he quickly masked it behind his usual controlled expression.

He had expected to see signs of weakness or lingering pain after everything she had been through. Instead, there was not a single trace of discomfort on her face.

Her posture was straight, her gaze steady, and the calm confidence she carried made it seem as though nothing had ever happened to her.

Voren studied her carefully before speaking. ”I guess you recovered well,” he remarked, his tone carrying a faint trace of sarcasm as he turned toward his office.

Without stopping, he added over his shoulder, ”Come with me.”

Seraphine rose from the couch and began walking toward the office alongside Corvine, but just as they reached the doorway Voren paused and glanced back.

”Alone,” he said.