Seraphine’s therapist later documented something Adrian never knew.

Seraphine grew up moving constantly.

Evictions.

Temporary apartments.

A motel for four months.

Her mother remarried twice.

Seraphine learned that housing meant power.

Whoever owned the room controlled whether you stayed.

When she entered Vale Estate, she became obsessed with permanence.

But because the house legally belonged mostly to Maisie’s trust, permanence always felt conditional.

She hated that feeling.

She told no one.

Instead she decorated.

Renovated.

Hosted.

Acted like ownership until the legal difference felt insulting.

Then Serein House failed.

Old childhood terror returned.

Debt.

Eviction.

Depending on someone else’s property.

Maisie became the visible legal barrier.

Again:

Explanation.

Not permission.

Seraphine had options.

Tell Adrian.

Bankruptcy.

Restructure.

Close the company.

Ask for help.

She chose deception.

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