Tangled in His Obsession

Chatper 442

Chapter 442

For a while, Seraphina had truly reveled in Leandro’s indulgence and compliance, to the extent that shehad almost forgotten his cunning and ruthlessness.

He could be utterly merciless when he chose to be.

She’d been run ragged all day, to the point where she didn’t even have the energy for her usual sharp-tongued banter. It was only then that peace prevailed.

In the afternoon, Leandro had gone alone to pick up Valerio from school.

Having not seen his father for several days, Valerio was overjoyed, eagerly tugging Leandro home tosee Seraphina.

But when Seraphina saw Leandro, she was as cold as ice, hardly in the mood to make nice.

“Mom, Dad’s here,” Valerio informed her, clearly hoping to warm the frosty atmosphere.

Seraphina glowered at Valerio, making a fist as a warning, deliberately showing off the marks on herwrist left by Leandro’s tie, a silent testament to her ordeal that day.

Leandro, holding an innocent-looking Valerio close, spoke calmly, “Mom’s tired. Let her rest, so she cangive you her full attention later, instead of wasting her energy elsewhere.”

At his words, Seraphina gritted her teeth and shot Leandro another glare.

He met her fiery gaze with a raised eyebrow, as if to challenge her disapproval.

Remembering the day’s events, Seraphina begrudgingly swallowed her pride.

That evening, after a cozy dinner at the Manleys, they took Valerio to a movie at his request.

It was a family-friendly animation that Seraphina could tolerate, but exhausted from the day’s events,she struggled to focus and soon started nodding

off.

She was jolted awake by a loud sound effect. Blinking groggily, she saw the movie had reached aclimactic scene. To her surprise, she was resting against Leandro, her hand in his. She tried towithdraw her hand subtly, but Leandro caught her glance and held on without a word.

After a silent struggle, Seraphina gave in, let him hold her hand as she once again drifted off to sleepon his shoulder.

Leandro quietly adjusted their position to make her more comfortable.

Leandro’s visit was brief, and the next day, after dropping Valerio at school, he was off to the airport.Seraphina was dragged along to see him off. Normally, Leandro traveled by private jet, but this time, heled her into the regular terminal.

“Why here?” Seraphina asked, puzzled. “What about your plane?”

“Undergoing maintenance,” was Leandro’s curt reply.

While waiting for his flight, Seraphina sat beside him, somewhat lost in thought, as she watched thebustling crowd. She had a nagging feeling about his

motives.

He was pettier than she had realized.

But at this point, Seraphina played along. Seeing Leandro engrossed in a business magazine, shesnuggled under his arm to share the view.

The action was intimate and natural. Leandro glanced down at her and, without missing a beat, pushedthe magazine a little further away to reveal their faces together.

Business content was only half-comprehensible to Seraphina, so she wasn’t focused. She adjusted herposture, and “kindly” straightening his already pristine shirt and suit.

Leandro, disturbed by her antics, finally set aside the magazine and met her gaze. “Are you done?”

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” she retorted.

They locked eyes silently for a long moment, until, just when Seraphina was about to roll her eyes inimpatience, Leandro leaned in and kissed her, using the magazine to shield their faces.

Behind the cover, their kiss deepened, reluctant to part.-

That afternoon, photos of Seraphina seeing Leandro off at the airport hit the media networks.

Previously, pictures of Seraphina and Patrick had sparked rumors about her settling in Summitville andissues in her marriage to Leandro. Many speculated they were separated.

The new photos showed the couple unaffected by the gossip, their affectionate gestures and stolenkisses shattering the rumors.

Yet their bicoastal separation continued.

Leandro’s visits to Summitville remained brief. A fortnight later, Seraphina took Valerio back toSunburst City for the weekend.

Upon arrival at Reynolds Manor, only the housekeeper was present.

“Where’s Grandpa?” Seraphina inquired.

The housekeeper held Valerio and responded, “He went for a check-up at the hospital.”

“Has Grandpa been unwell?” Seraphina pressed, concerned.

“Same as always,” the housekeeper replied. “No major issues, just… there’s been some family dramalately. The old man got upset, and Leandro insisted

1/2

11:161

Chapter 442

on a check-up.”

Seraphina’s ears perked up. “What kind of family drama?”

“I’m not quite sure, the housekeeper admitted. “Seems like Leandro’s uncles and aunts have beenstirring the pot-”novelbin

Seraphina listened without much surprise, merely nodding slightly in response.

For a family as wealthy and influential as theirs, it would be odd if there weren’t a bit of drama. Butregardless of the chaos, Leandro was always capable of handling it.

“What about his mother?” Seraphina inquired, “How is she doing?”

“There’s been improvement,” The house keeper said, her spirits visibly lifted at the mention. “They sayshe’s much more at peace now, not so prone to those fits of distress… With you and Valerio out of the

house, Leandro spends a lot of time with her. Most of his days, really. It seems to be doing some good.”

Hearing this, Seraphina let out a soft sigh. “In that case, Valerio and I probably shouldn’t stay here fortoo long.”

Nonsense,” The house keeper chided. “Leandro, you, and Valerio are family. Since when does a familylive apart like this? Sooner or later, you all have to come back home.”

Seraphina rested her head on her hand and sighed again. “It’s just a matter of when ‘sooner or later’will be.”

The house keeper chuckled at that. “Getting tired of the long-distance life? Missing home, are you? Youguys need to be together to feel that real sense of happiness, am I right?”