Seraphina stood frozen in the middle of her living room, the black box still resting in her hands like it might suddenly explode. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears as she placed it slowly on the coffee table. For a few seconds she just stared at it, half-expecting ticking sounds or something dangerous to happen.
Honestly, after the hospital incident… anything felt possible.
She drew a steady breath and lifted the lid cautiously.
Her eyes widened instantly.
Instead of blood, instead of a threat, instead of anything terrifying… she saw a familiar, elegant logo staring back at her.
CH.
Her mouth fell open.
Nestled perfectly inside the box was a sleek black Chanel purse; glossy, flawless, and very obviously expensive, not just expensive… ridiculously expensive. The kind of purse people waited months for. The kind only celebrities and billionaires casually owned.
Seraphina blinked twice.
"…You've got to be kidding me," she whispered.
She lifted the purse slowly, almost suspiciously, like it might vanish if she blinked too hard. The leather was soft beneath her fingers, the gold chain shining beautifully under the apartment lights. It was stunning and elegant and untouchable.
And completely unexpected.
Her shock quickly turned into irritation.
"What does he think this is?" she muttered. "A charity donation?"
She checked the box again, searching for a note, a card, anything that explained why a mafia king thought a luxury purse was an acceptable apology. Nothing. Just the purse sitting there like it belonged in a museum.
Seraphina turned the box over and searched for a return address.
Blank. Of course it was blank. Which meant she couldn't even send it back.
Her irritation grew hotter.
She grabbed her phone immediately and called Lina.
The call connected almost instantly.
"Hello bestie who survived offending the underworld…"
"YOUR BROTHER IS CRAZY!" Seraphina exploded.
There was a pause.
"…What did he do?" Lina asked cautiously.
Seraphina turned the camera and showed her the purse.
For a full five seconds Lina said nothing. Then suddenly, she exploded too.
"IS THAT…IS THAT THE LIMITED EDITION CHANEL?!?!" Lina screamed so loudly Seraphina had to pull the phone away from her ear.
"Yes! That's the problem!" Seraphina snapped.
Lina's eyes grew wide with pure mock jealousy. "Do you know how long I've wanted that purse? I begged Roman for it months ago! He said no! He said it was 'unnecessary luxury.' AND NOW HE GIVES IT TO YOU?!"
She dramatically threw herself back onto whatever chair she was sitting on. "This is betrayal. I have been replaced. I am no longer the favorite sister."
Seraphina pinched the bridge of her nose. "Lina. Focus. I saved his life and he sends me… a handbag? A handbag worth more than a small house?"
Lina squinted at the screen. "Okay but… it's a very beautiful handbag."
Seraphina glared. "I wanted a proper apology. Words. Manners. Respect. Not… designer bribery."
Lina pouted dramatically. "You're being ungrateful. That purse is art."
Seraphina groaned. "He thinks I'm some charity case he can buy off."
Lina suddenly leaned closer to the camera, eyes sparkling. "Okay but hear me out… since you clearly hate it… you could give it to me."
Seraphina blinked slowly. "…Absolutely not."
"Please?" Lina begged. "I will love you forever. I'll name my first child after you. I'll…"
"No," Seraphina cut in firmly.
"Alright, still I know a very happy girl who would love it as an early birthday present... " Lina trailed off, not relenting, her voice high and filled with hope.
Seraphina chuckled. "An early birthday gift ten months in advance? I think not. " She mused, crossing her arms.
Lina sighed dramatically again. "Life is so unfair. Even my best friend gets my dream gifts from my brother."
Before Seraphina could respond, someone off-camera called Lina's name loudly.
"Oh no, my manager is yelling at me," Lina groaned. "I have a shoot right now. We're doing some dramatic desert theme and apparently I'm already late."
She paused and looked at Seraphina seriously. "But… maybe this is his way of saying thank you? Roman doesn't… apologize normally."
Seraphina folded her arms. "Well he needs to learn."
Lina laughed softly. "Good luck teaching the mafia king manners."
Another voice shouted for Lina again.
"Okay I really have to go!" Lina said quickly. "Lock your doors. Don't throw any more cash at dangerous men and think about my purse offer."
Seraphina smirked slightly. "Bye Lina."
The call ended.
Silence filled the apartment again.
Seraphina stared at the Chanel purse resting on her table. Her irritation slowly softened into something else like curiosity, amusement…maybe even… opportunity.
She picked it up again and walked slowly around the room, her mind beginning to race.
Roman Castelli didn't do anything without intention.
Sending this purse meant something.
Was it an apology? A test? A way to provoke her again?
Her lips curved slowly.
"…Two can play this game," she murmured.
A thought suddenly hit her — bold, mischievous, and perfectly ridiculous.
Her eyes sparkled as the plan began forming piece by piece in her mind. The more she thought about it… the more she smiled.
Roman thought he could buy her silence?
Roman thought she would accept expensive gifts quietly?
Oh… she was about to surprise him.
Seraphina walked toward the window, city lights reflecting softly in her eyes. The purse hung casually from her hand now, no longer shocking… but becoming part of something far more interesting.
She turned back toward the room, her smile growing slowly dangerous.
Because for the first time since returning to the country… she felt excited.
And Roman Castelli had absolutely no idea what she was about to do next.