Bullying Seraphina.
Eleanor led Seraphina outside, her hand resting lightly on the younger woman's arm, her smile soft and coaxing.
"I hope you don't mind working with Eric?" she asked gently.
Seraphina's lips curved upward, but the smile never touched her eyes. Inside, the thought curdled like poison. She despised the very idea, yet she forced herself to play along.
"Of course not, Auntie," she murmured, though her heart screamed otherwise.
Eleanor leaned closer, lowering her voice to something conspiratorial.
"Think about it, working in the same space, seeing each other every day. You'll even go home together. You know what they say, closeness breeds connection," she finished with a wink. "So just relax. Do your part. Don't worry, I'll ask Eric to involve you more with Damien's office. If you're diligent, if you make yourself useful, perhaps something can grow from it. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mom," Seraphina replied, her tone syrupy sweet. But in her mind, another story was already unfolding. She imagined Eric, smug as ever, ordering her to fetch Damien a cup of coffee. She smirked darkly, she would slip something into that cup without hesitation if it meant forcing Damien's hand. For the first time, she considered that Eleanor's ridiculous plan might actually open a door for her, if only she used it wisely.
Her heart hardened. Shadows gathered in her thoughts.
But she hadn't expected what came next.
When she entered Eric's office, instead of the welcome she believed her beauty deserved, she was met with the sharp steel of his gaze. He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed, jaw tight.
"So this is what you've become," Eric said coldly. "Dragging Ma'am Eleanor all the way from California, manipulating her into covering for you? And coveting a position you're utterly unqualified for? Impressive, really. But let's set things straight."
His voice dropped, firm as iron.
"I don't care how you got here. If you're going to work with me, you follow my rules. No excuses. No late coming. If you're even one second late, you will be punished. Ever heard of the Zero-Code Unit? Try not taking your job seriously, and I'll have you transferred there without blinking an eye."
Seraphina's nostrils flared. She shot to her feet, fury igniting her veins.
"You dare? You, just a lowly right-hand man! How dare you talk to me like that?" Her voice trembled with venom. "Wait until I become Damien's wife. Mark my words, Eric, and I will come for you big time."
Eric rose too, his height and authority pressing down on her like a wall. His eyes blazed with unshakable certainty.
"Continue in your delusions, Seraphina," he spat. "That position? Damien's wife? That throne you're clawing for? It will never be yours. The sooner you hammer that into your thick skull, the less pathetic you'll look."
"I'll get there, Eric!" Seraphina snapped, her voice rising with determination. "My strongest watchword is never give up. If I can persevere, I can achieve anything. Damian will be mine, and it will happen right before your very eyes, you idiot! And you better watch yourself. I have the power to make you lose this precious job of yours. So tread carefully, you stupid lowly right-hand man!"
And Eric laughed, a deep, contemptuous sound that made her blood boil.
"Really? Want to hear the most interesting part?" he smirked, stepping closer. "The day you fail to do your part properly, this so-called lowly right-hand slave will be the one to fire you on the spot."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Not in your life, Eric! I'll report you to Ma'am Eleanor. I'll make sure you get fired before I ever do. Just wait and see!" She dug into her bag furiously, yanking out her phone, but Eric's calm approach froze her hand midair.
"Wanna hear something crazier, Seraphina?" His voice dropped low, laced with menace. "I'll be the one to end your misery. If you dare bring my name before Ma'am Eleanor, I'll strip you bare in front of her. You think you know how I got this position? It wasn't luck. It was intelligence, razor-sharp intelligence. And I wouldn't hesitate to unleash that level of intelligence on getting you off my boss's back, after all you are nothing but a pain in the ass to him. You better stay off my radar because Seraphina, I wouldn't mind going under to bring you down!"
With that, he spun around and yanked the door open, anger still burning in his chest. But just as he stepped out, he nearly collided with Cathy. She stopped, shot him a sharp, accusing glare, and brushed past him without a word.
"Hey Cathy!" Eric said as he followed after her. "How are you doing?"
She whirled around, her face tight with hurt. "What are you doing with her again?!"
Eric's jaw slackened. "Cathy, listen, I had an order from above to make her my PA. But I swear, I don't need one, much less her. Just give me some time, I'll get rid of her."
"You think I'm stupid?" Cathy's voice cracked with restrained anger. "I told you to stay away from her, and what do you do? You bring her closer to yourself! As your PA? So that you can continue your malicious actions, hiding under the pretence of work relation? How can you ever stop sleeping with her if she's working with you?"
"I won't do any of that, Cathy. I promise." He reached for her hand, his eyes searching hers desperately. "Look... I've never been in a relationship before. Never. But I want this, I want us. Please, just give me your trust."
Cathy's stern gaze faltered. She looked away shyly, her lips parting as though her anger was breaking. Eric gently squeezed her hand, his voice softening.
"How about we start with something simple? Our first date. Just you and me. What do you say?"
But before Cathy could answer, a sharp hiss sliced through the air. Seraphina stood a few feet away, arms crossed, her eyes glinting with scorn.
"Birds of the same feather flock together," she sneered, her heels clicking as she strutted away with a contemptuous scoff.
"Don't pay attention to her," Eric muttered quickly, still holding Cathy's hand. "She's just jealous."
But Cathy only folded her arms across her chest, her face clouded with confusion.
Damian was not in his office, he had gone for a business meeting, so Eva slipped inside to gather some files. She was scanning through papers when the sharp click of heels echoed behind her. The door swung open, and in sauntered Seraphina, her smirk curling like poison.
"The audacity," Seraphina sneered, folding her arms. "What do you think you're doing in the boss's office when he isn't even here? Who exactly do you think you are?"
Eva paused, lifting her eyes slowly to meet the familiar face that had haunted her past. But instead of fear, a confident smile spread across her lips. She carefully set the file down, then walked toward Seraphina with measured steps.
"I am Eva Lopez. Damian's wife." Her voice rang with pride, each word deliberate. "Which means I can do whatever I want, including walking into my husband's office whenever I please. Now tell me, who exactly are you? And what in God's name are you doing here?"
Seraphina froze, disbelief widening her eyes. Humiliation burned through her veins, first Eleanor had reduced her to a mere PA for a "lowly right-hand man," then Eric had shredded her pride with insults and chosen that foolish girl Cathy over her. And now, this? Eva daring to stand tall against her? No. She couldn't take it.
With a sharp intake of breath, Seraphina lifted her hand, ready to slap Eva across the face. But before the strike landed, Eva's fingers caught her wrist midair. In the same heartbeat, Eva snapped her hand away and returned fire, smack! a sharp, resounding slap across Seraphina's cheek.
Seraphina staggered back, eyes wide with shock. "You, you slapped me?" she stammered. "A nobody? A bumpkin girl? What?! I'll kill you!"
Her entire body trembled. Never in her life had she been the one slapped. She couldn't believe it. All her life, she had been the one holding power, the bully, never the bullied. She had always been the one dishing out the slaps, the insults, the humiliations. But now, to find herself on the receiving end, slapped by a nobody, it cut deeper than the sting on her cheek. Rage boiled inside her as she lunged at Eva, fingers outstretched, aiming for her hair.
But Eva was quicker. With a sudden, sharp shove, she sent Seraphina stumbling back, crashing hard onto the floor. She landed flat on her butt, the humiliation searing worse than the pain.
That was the sight that greeted Cathy when she stepped inside.
After Seraphina stormed off earlier, Cathy had also decided to leave, until she noticed Eva slip into the boss's office. Alarm bells rang instantly. No one was allowed in there, especially when he wasn't around. She had hurried to stop Eva, but froze when she caught sight of Seraphina trailing after her. Fear twisted in Cathy's stomach. Something wasn't right.
Her first instinct had been to help Eva, she had even resolved that if it came down to it, she would expose Seraphina's secret to protect her friend. But what Cathy walked into stunned her beyond words. Instead of Eva cornered, she saw Seraphina slapped and thrown to the floor. Eva, the supposed underdog had instead turned the tables.
Cathy gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth, her wide eyes betraying her shock as she shrank back into the shadows of the corner, unsure whether to intervene or stay hidden.
Seraphina's entire body shook with rage. Her cheeks burned red, her pride shattered. Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall, not in front of Eva. Not in front of anyone. Rising to her feet, she hissed through clenched teeth.
"You dare hit me? You'll regret this, Eva! I'll make you pay. I'll wipe out your entire generation! You'll regret ever crossing path with me!"
Eva only folded her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Go ahead," she challenged boldly. "Let's see what you can do. You moron."
"You don't know who I am or what I'm capable of!" Seraphina roared.
"Oh, I know you," Eva said coolly, her voice cutting like glass. "Seraphina Blake. The bully of all time. But not today. Today, Sera... is the day you get bullied."
Something in Eva's tone made Seraphina's stomach twist, like Eva knew her far better than she should. But before she could react, the office door flew open.
Damian stepped in.
The moment Seraphina saw him, she gasped, seizing the opportunity. She clutched her cheek dramatically, her voice trembling, ready to spin the scene in her favor and win his sympathy. But before she could start the show, Eva stole the spotlight.
In one swift move, Eva stumbled forward and threw herself to the floor. Tears spilled down her face as she let out a pitiful cry, stunning both Seraphina and Cathy into silence.
"Why are you hitting me, Seraphina? I've done nothing to you!" she wailed, her sobs echoing through the office.
Damien froze at the sight, his sharp eyes narrowing as they swept across the room. He moved closer, confusion clouding his expression.
"What's going on here?" His voice carried authority, slicing through the tension.
He strode forward to Eva, kneeling beside Eva and helping her up with care.
"Hubby, your girlfriend hit me!" Eva sobbed, crocodile tears streaming.
Damian stiffened. "She is not my girlfriend," he said coldly. "Stop calling her that." Then his eyes shifted toward Seraphina. His gaze landed on the angry red imprint across her cheek, and for a moment, realization flickered in his eyes. Small, helpless, almost amused smile tugged at his lips, he already understood the twisted performance unfolding before him.
"She's lying!" Seraphina shrieked, her voice rising with fury. "She's the one who hit me!"
Damian's expression hardened, his voice sharp as a blade. "Seraphina, what are you doing in my office? Aren't you supposed to be gone with my mom? You don't have permission to be here please!"
Her mouth fell open. "What? What about her? She walked in here in your absence and I_ I was trying to stop her, but she slapped me instead!"
"She has every right to be here, Seraphina," Damian snapped adding salt to Seraphina's wound. "She is my wife. And you? You have no right to question her. Now get out. Leave at once!"
His words cut her deeper than any slap. Red-eyed and humiliated beyond measure, Seraphina fled the office, her heels clicking in a frantic rhythm, her pride scattered in pieces behind her.
Once Seraphina stormed out, Cathy's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. She couldn't believe her ears. Eva... the boss's wife? When Eva had drunkenly mumbled it that night, Cathy had brushed it off as gibberish. But now, now she knew Eva had been telling the truth all along. Quietly, almost instinctively, Cathy slipped out after Seraphina, still reeling.
Inside the room, Damien turned to Eva, one brow arched, his voice carrying a thread of amusement.
"Mrs. Lopez, are you bullying people now?"
Eva blinked, then let out a bashful little laugh. Her cheeks flushed as she looked away, pressing her lips together before stepping closer. She snaked her arms around Damien's neck and hugged him tightly, rubbing against him like a spoiled kitten.
"Hubby... but she started it," she murmured in a childish voice, tugging timidly at the hem of his shirt. "She's always trying to humiliate me, always bullying me. This time I decided to fight back, and when she tried to play the pity card, I showed her I could play it better. Hubby, I don't like Seraphina. I hate her the most."
Damien chuckled softly, his large hand stroking her hair with a tenderness that disarmed her.
"Since when did my little feisty learn how to hate people?"
Eva's lips trembled, her voice suddenly heavy with old pain.
"Hubby, you don't know what Seraphina has done to me. She made me hate myself. She humiliated me, bullied me, crushed me, and I want my revenge," she whispered, stamping her foot like a stubborn child, her eyes flashing with both hurt and defiance.
Damien only sighed, a smile tugging at his lips as he tapped her nose playfully.
"You know her from before?"
"Yes, Hubby. But don't ask me how. I won't tell you," she said firmly, her chin tilted stubbornly.
That only deepened Damien's smile, helpless and adoring.
"Alright, I won't ask my angel. And I believe you. I've seen with my own eyes how Seraphina can bully someone, she thrives on it. But listen to me..." His tone shifted, deepening, carrying weight. "Don't waste your soul on something as heavy as revenge. Sometimes, it isn't worth it."
Eva's defiance faltered as his voice grew more serious. He leaned back slightly, his gaze drifting as if pulling something painful from his memory.
"I'll tell you something personal. There was a girl once, I fell in love with her. But do you know what she did?"
Eva's heartbeat stumbled.
"She stole from me, and vanished. I wanted to find her. I wanted my revenge. I couldn't forgive how she played with my heart. But then..." he paused, pulling her even closer, "...life gave me you. See? Sometimes the universe balances things on its own. Leave Seraphina to her fate. Let karma do the bullying."
Eva's throat tightened. She nodded meekly, though her insides twisted with guilt. The story was hers, her own betrayal reflected back at her through his voice. If only he knew...
Damien noticed how her earlier fire had dimmed, guilt shadowing her expression. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered warmly, "Don't be sad. And don't mistake me, I don't want a weakling by my side. I love that you fight for yourself. Just don't let revenge poison you, hmm? Now, cheer up. Because I've got good news."
Her lashes fluttered. "Good news?"
He smiled. "The doctor called me today. Guess what? Your mom is ready to be discharged."
He said it, and just like magic, the fire indeed returned to her face. The sadness that clouded her expression moments ago melted away, replaced with a dazzling smile that lit up her whole being.
"Really? My mom can finally leave the hospital?" she gasped, her voice trembling with joy. "Oh my goodness, this is the best news I've gotten in forever! Bob will be so happy, he needs to hear this right away!"
Her hands fumbled eagerly for her phone, tears of joy spilling freely down her cheeks. Then, unable to hold back the overwhelming happiness, she flung herself into Damien's arms, hugging him tightly, almost desperately, as though her gratitude alone could bind her to him forever.
"Thank you, hubby," she whispered against his chest, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll love you forever."