Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 176 – If you don’t marry me, I’ll take his life

Santiago couldn’t take his eyes off her, not even for a second, like looking away might somehow break whatever hold she had over him, because the sight of her sitting there across the table, composed and radiant under the chandelier’s glow, was starting to get under his skin in a way he wasn’t used to.

Her dark hair spilled down her back in thick, smooth waves, like polished obsidian, and every time she moved even slightly, it drew his attention right back to her again, while her lips, soft, flushed, almost inviting without trying, kept pulling his focus, and making his thoughts blur at the edges.

It wasn’t just attraction anymore.

He wanted all of her, every inch, every reaction, every breath, and more than that, he wanted control over the choice before she could even think of refusing him again.

Across from him, Seraphine could feel it. That intensity, pressure, and she knew exactly what it meant.

This was her moment. "I haven’t had this much wine in a long time," she said, her tone light, almost playful, though her mind was already moving three steps ahead. "Can I use your washroom?"

Santiago didn’t hesitate, his smile returning as he gestured toward a door at the far end of the room. "Right there," he said, then added, his voice dropping just enough to carry a quiet edge, "but when you come back, you’re going to tell me about Corvine."

A pause followed, just long enough to tighten something in her chest.

"If you don’t marry me," he continued, as if he were discussing something trivial, "I’ll take his life."

Seraphine let out a laugh as she stood, smooth and effortless, but the sound lacked warmth, her eyes already cooling even as her lips curved.

"You really do crack expensive jokes," she said casually, turning away from him as though his words hadn’t landed exactly the way he intended.

But she knew better. He wasn’t joking.

As she walked toward the door, she could feel his gaze on her back, heavy, lingering, the kind that made her skin tighten under the open design of her dress, and she didn’t need to look back to know exactly what expression he was wearing.

The moment the door closed behind her, the atmosphere changed.

The washroom was overwhelming in its own way, every surface gleaming with gold, from the sink to the fixtures to the fine detailing etched into the mirrors, all of it reflecting light so brightly it almost felt unreal, like stepping into a space built purely to show off excess rather than serve any real purpose.

For a brief second, Seraphine just stood there, taking it in. Then she exhaled.

No time.

phone, her fingers

exactly five minutes. We have one fifty minutes to get everyone out

came almost

What about the evidence?

expression didn’t change as she typed

Already moved.

as quickly, turning on the faucet and letting the water run for a moment

the table looked

The food was gone.

sat more bottles, more glasses,

asking, his eyes fixed

lips, but the moment the

she let out, pulling back

brows pulled together.

hand lightly against her abdomen, her expression tightening just enough to look convincing. "Cramps,"

frown deepened, irritation flashing across

it was the most natural thing in

came instantly, firm, leaving no room for argument. "I’ll get them

something into Santiago’s ear, and Seraphine didn’t miss the way his expression hardened,

back at her, the

he said, like nothing had

gesturing casually toward

his attention briefly pulled elsewhere, and around them, the guards had started moving with

Good.

it was

Seraphine veered slightly once she was out of his direct line of sight, slipping through another door exactly where she

the polished luxury of the main hall giving

steps slowing

her stomach again, her expression tightening just enough. "Cramps," she said,

pointed behind her, his gaze lingering longer than necessary, a certain look in his eyes that made her skin

said

turned and hurried off without

waste