THE HEALING HAND

chapter three

Kael stepped out of the black Ferrari and looked up at the towering estate before him.

The mansion stood like a fortress of wealth and arrogance, its polished gates stretching high into the air while armed guards patrolled both sides. Marble lions rested beside the entrance, and rows of imported flowers lined the driveway in perfect symmetry.

He exhaled slowly. So much for a quiet life. When his grandfather told him he had arranged a marriage for him in New Orleans, Kael had imagined something modest. A simple woman. A peaceful home.

Not this. Not a palace. He ran a hand through his hair and adjusted the sleeve of his plain shirt.

“Maybe I should turn around now,” he muttered.

One of the guards stepped forward.“Mr. Kael?”

Kael nodded. “That’s me.”

“The Master has been expecting you. Please come inside.”

Kael had barely taken two steps when the sharp blast of a horn split through the air.

The guards immediately stiffened.

A silver Acura Benz sped toward the gate like a bullet before screeching to a halt.

Kael turned casually. The driver’s door flew open and long legs stepped out first.

He could feel the suspense in the air the moment she laid her feet on the ground.

Seraphina.

She slammed the car door so hard the sound echoed across the compound.

Her fitted black dress hugged her body perfectly, while dark glasses sat on her face like a crown. Even in anger, she looked stunning.

Kael blinked once. Then laughed under his breath.

“Interesting,” he murmured as he ran his hands through his hair.

Seraphina removed the glasses and froze the moment she saw him.

Her face darkened instantly. “You!”

She stormed forward, heels clicking like gunshots against the pavement.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she snapped.

Kael folded his arms. “I could ask you the same question.”

“Don’t play games with me,” she hissed. “Did you follow me here?”

The guards exchanged uneasy looks.

Kael glanced around dramatically. “Follow you?”

“Yes!” she barked. “You creep! First the hotel, now my family estate? Are you insane?”

Kael laughed openly now. The sound only made her angrier.

“You think this is funny?”

“No,” Kael said calmly. “I think you’re funny.”

Seraphina’s eyes widened. “No one talks to me like that.”

“Then today is full of firsts.”

Her jaw tightened. She pointed at him sharply.

“You listened carefully. I don’t know what pathetic scheme you’re trying to run, but if you think sleeping with me means you can extort money from my family, you’ve chosen the wrong woman.”

Kael’s smile faded. His eyes turned colder. “You really love hearing yourself talk, don’t you?”

“What did you say?”

“I said,” he stepped closer, voice lower now, “you keep accusing me of wanting things from you, yet I’ve never asked you for a single thing.”

She scoffed. “That’s because you’re waiting for the right moment.”

“No,” Kael replied. “That’s because I don’t need anything from you.”

Her eyes instinctively dropped to his faded shirt and worn boots.

The contempt returned immediately.

“A man dressed like that doesn’t fool me.”

Kael followed her gaze.

“These boots?”

He lifted one foot slightly.

“They’ve walked places your designer heels wouldn’t survive.”

Seraphina clenched her fists."You are arrogant.”

“And you,” Kael said evenly, “are the most self-important woman I’ve met in years.”

The guards now pretended not to hear anything. No one dared interfere.

Seraphina stepped closer until they were only inches apart.

“You think because of what happened last night, you can stand here and insult me?”

Kael lowered his gaze to meet hers. "What happened last night was me saving you.”

“You violated me!”

“You begged me not to let go of your hand.”

Her breath hitched. The memory flickered through her mind.

The spiked champagne glass cup, all of it kept flooding back to her memories.

But she pushed the memory away. “You’re lying.”

Kael shrugged. “Believe whatever helps you sleep.”

She pointed toward the road. “Get out.”

“I’m afraid I can’t.”

“You can’t?”

“No.”

“And why is that?”

Kael reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded card.

He glanced at it once.

Then looked directly into her eyes. “Because I’m looking for someone.”

Seraphina folded her arms. “And who might that be?”

Kael spoke slowly.

“Seraphina Viremont.”

Seraphina's expression changed the moment she heard her own name.

The guards straightened instantly.

She frowned.

“How do you know my name?”

Kael ignored the question. “Full name: Seraphina Elise Viremont. Granddaughter of Arthur Viremont. CEO of Viremont Luxe. Twenty-six years old. Arrogant temperament. Poor listening skills.”

Her lips parted. “What?”

He tilted his head.

“I was told to come here and meet the woman who bears that name.”

For the first time since she arrived, Seraphina looked shaken.

“How do you know my grandfather?”

Kael looked toward the mansion. “Because he invited me.”

As if summoned by those words, the grand front doors opened.

An elderly man in a tailored suit stepped out slowly, leaning on a golden cane.

Arthur Viremont.

His sharp eyes moved from Seraphina to Kael.

Then he smiled. “There you are, boy.”

Seraphina turned immediately. “Grandfather?”

Arthur descended the steps with surprising steadiness.

“You’re late,” he told Kael.

Kael sighed. “I got delayed.”

Seraphina looked between them. “What is going on?”

Arthur stopped beside her. “What do you mean?”

“This man!” she snapped. “Why do you know him?”

Arthur’s brows rose.

“Because I brought him here.”

The compound was a bit silent the moment Arthur said those words.

Seraphina laughed once in disbelief. “No.”

Arthur tapped his cane once against the marble floor.“Yes. He is the man I have chosen for you."

She shook her head. “No. Absolutely not.”

Kael rubbed his temple. “This is becoming exhausting.”

Seraphina spun toward him. “Shut up!”

Arthur’s face hardened. “Mind your tone. You won't disrespect your husband in front of me."

She stared at her grandfather as if seeing a stranger.

“Tell me right now why this man is standing in front of our gate.”

Arthur smiled calmly.

“Because he is your future husband.”

The world stopped Seraphina’s face drained of color.

Kael blinked once.

Then slowly turned toward Arthur. “My what?” he asked.

Arthur chuckled.

" You heard me,son."

Arthur continued as though discussing the weather.

“The marriage papers are already prepared. The engagement ceremony begins tonight.”

Seraphina’s voice cracked with rage.

“You arranged my marriage… to him?”

Kael pointed at himself. “I’d also like clarity.”

Arthur looked pleased.

“You two have already met. Good. Saves time.”

Seraphina trembled. “This is insane!”

Kael’s jaw tightened. He looked at Seraphina as she looked at him.

Both spoke at the same time.

“No way.”

Arthur smiled wider. Then he dropped the final blow.

“And since the two of you already spent the night together… this arrangement could not be more perfect.”

Seraphina froze.

Kael slowly turned his head. “How do you know about that?”