Author's note: this is from Magda's point of view

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I was like a drunkard experiencing a blackout and observing everything that's going on from the third person's point of view.

The last thing I remember was my father walking into the hotel wearing one of his best suits, with a wonderful bouquet of perfect red roses. I thought that red roses are more appropriate for lovers, and since I'm his daughter, pink or white would go better, but I didn't want to be nitpicky about it.

I imagined accepting the flowers and then pointing my father toward Seraphina so that he can give her a good scolding and chase her out of here. Drago would see that she is worthless, and he would be mine.

After all, Drago came here because of me, and Seraphina bewitched him. Once the spell is broken, he will turn to me.

To my horror, my father tried to give the flowers to Seraphina while Drago and John stood in front of her protectively.

What the hell?

I saw the most important three men in my life fighting over the woman I wanted to slap to death, and my brain short-circuited.

I remember Drago holding Seraphina and walking away. I wanted to go after Drago, but John was saying something and people stared at me, and I have no idea how I found myself in my room with Anna and Kim.

The two of them were sitting on the sofa and looking at me with concern on their faces and I was not sure if they were concerned about me or about themselves.

I stood in front of them while trying to patch up the flaky images and understand what happened.

"Is the party over?" My voice was hoarse, and I couldn't believe that it was mine.

"It is for us. We came here with you and we have no idea what's going on there now.", Anna responded.

I couldn't believe that both of my party planners abandoned the party.

"You just left?"

"John told us to come here and watch over you while he talks with your father.", Kim responded with a smile that told me she was glad to be here. Kim was always ogling at my brother. Slut.

Oh, right. My father. John and dad are discussing what to do with me. It seems I caused some scandal.

How is this my fault? It's all Seraphina's fault!

"Did my father really bring a bunch of flowers for that skank, or did I imagine it?"

Anna rolled her eyes. "If you mean, Seraphina, then… yes. He did."

"Why would he do that?"

"It seems you don't really know what's going on in your family, Magda.", Kim said condescendingly. "People are talking about how your father is showering Seraphina with presents for some time now."

My mind went blank again. My father has his eyes on Seraphina?

I glared at Anna and Kim. "Why didn't you stop me from calling him?"

Kim lowered her gaze and Anna shrugged while responding, "You didn't tell us what you will do. I only heard that you told your father that Seraphina was at the party. How was I supposed to know that you were egging him to come? I'm not a mind reader."

Right. Anna only told me to not act rashly and go to the bar to make a spectacle. It was me who came up with the idea to call father because I thought that he hates her!

How was I supposed to know that my father marked Seraphina as his future mistress? Or is it as a wife number three?

If I remember correctly, John said that if things go well, she will be my sister-in-law, the future Madam of the Thompson family.

"Hahaha...", I laughed crazily. "This must be a joke."

Both Anna and Kim had unamused expressions.

I reached for my purse and rummaged through it. "Where is my phone?"

"John has it.", Anna said, and Kim added, "He doesn't want you to make any calls, send texts, or check social media."

Anna nodded. "Tonight's party was scandalous, and John doesn't want you to add to it. To make sure you behave, he even took our phones and said that we can have them on our way out."

I plopped on my bed and buried my face in my palms.

This nightmare was getting worse by the minute.

How am I supposed to step out of the house? People will ridicule me!

The party was supposed to be great. When I heard that Drago is coming, I thought it will be spectacular. I even had various scenarios ready to re-ignite rumors about us and now… it's all ruined.

My father and brother bickered about Seraphina, while Drago left with her, and even if I expose Drago's RSVP message publicly and say how he was with me in the suite, it will look like he dumped me for that hoe.

"Argh!", I groaned angrily. It's all Seraphina's fault!

The door opened abruptly, and I heard John's voice, "You may leave."

I looked toward the door just in time to see Kim and Anna scurrying out, and John closing the door behind him.

"You really messed up, Magda.", John said icily.

Great. What will he do now? Take a few of my credit cards? Or ground me for a weekend?

"Look at me.", he demanded, and I met his glare. "You have two choices. One is that you get married to a man I arrange for you, the other one is for you to go to school."

I frowned. Marriage? He must be joking. "What school?"

John flicked his wrist and a palm-sized brochure landed on my bed. What the…?

Before I could check what it was, John was talking.

"A University in Sweden. High security. Girls only. If you pick this, beware of the conditions…", he smiled maliciously. "If you skip classes, fail to pass exams on time, or have low grades, you are coming back home with only one option, marriage. I will be in touch with your professors, and if you put an effort into your education and your grades reflect that I will allow you to come home one weekend every three months."

It took me a moment to process this.

"This is ridiculous…", I said under my breath. "Father would not allow it."

"Oh, he would, and he did.", John said with a satisfying smirk.

"Why? Because I objected to father giving flowers to that whore?"

John's expression darkened. "Insult Seraphina again and I will make sure to pick a good husband for you. One that will know how to control you."

I felt danger pressing on me and I panicked. "I want to talk to father."

"There is no point in talking to him unless you want to be punished more. He took his sleeping pills and is resting."

"I don't believe that father would approve this. This is extreme."

"No, it's not. You see… I told father how you spread rumors that you are pregnant. He also knows that when you go abroad with your girlfriends, you meet with your fuck-buddies, so maybe that pregnancy was not a rumor."

I felt the color draining from my face. John ratted on me!

And he was still talking.

"I also told him how you tried to manipulate him into acquiring Notte Pharmaceuticals because you dislike Seraphina. Father is very disappointed and quite upset. He is so distressed that he is considering retiring completely and focusing on his health. You know what that means." John gave me a meaningful look.

This can't be happening. If our father retires, John will get everything.

"Wait… wait…", I called weakly. "Are you sure you want to do this? Why? Is it because of Seraphina? Is she worth your time?"

John narrowed his eyes at me. "How dare you look down on her? Seraphina is a lady, free of scandals, and other than her appealing visual, she is smart and focused on things that matter. I spent so much effort into coaxing her to come, and you ruined everything. I wonder if she will ever speak to me again after the stunt you pulled tonight."

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