Sapphire POV:
Sapphire froze mid-step, her breath catching painfully in her throat. There, at the end of the hallway was him . Baron Albert Espusio. The man she had buried in her past. Her skin went cold, the corridor suddenly too narrow, too loud, too suffocating. Her pulse roared in her ears as her knees threatened to buckle.
No… it can't be…
But it was.
His potbellied frame. That arrogant stride. And now, those eyes, locking onto hers with a flash of stunned confusion, then dawning recognition, then rage.
Memories she had buried clawed their way back, his harsh words, the bruises, He hadn't even been there when their son was born. Not once. Not a hand. She was a prawn for him.
Panic took over. She turned quickly, heart pounding in her chest like a trapped bird, but in her haste, her elbow clipped a fragile decorative vase. It crashed to the ground, the sharp shatter echoing down the hallway.
Gasps. Attention.
Albert's head snapped fully toward her.
"Sapphire," he hissed, venom thick in his tone.
His expression twisted, a grotesque mix of disbelief, fury, and something far more dangerous: intent.
"You," he snarled, striding forward, eyes aflame. "You wretched, wanton woman, I should have finished you when I had the chance!"
She backed away, her legs trembling. Servants froze, unsure whether to run or intervene.
He stormed up to her, his hand snatching her wrist with violent force. She stumbled forward with a sharp gasp.
"What are you doing here?!"
His grip tightened.
Her voice caught, breath shallow.
"I work here," Sapphire said, her voice steady despite the fear in her chest.
Albert scoffed, his gaze raking over her with disgust. "As what? A maid? Let me guess… trying to seduce the Lord now, aren't you?"
Whispers stirred. Several maids had gathered, their eyes wide with curiosity and dread.
Sapphire's face flushed with fury and humiliation. She lifted her chin.
"I work for the Lord, Albert."
A sharp crack echoed through the hallway, Albert's hand had met her cheek. The sting spread instantly across her skin.
"How dare you call me by my name!" he seethed. "Have you forgotten? I'm still your husband."
"Ex-husband," Sapphire corrected, her voice trembling but defiant as adrenaline surged through her.
"And how dare you come here to make a scene? Taking my child wasn't enough? What now, have you come to mock me?"
Albert's face twisted. "Don't act like any of this wasn't your fault. You cheated on me! Tell me, didn't I give you everything?"
Sapphire let out a dry, bitter laugh. " I gave you everything you have."
Another slap. This one harder. Her head jerked slightly as fresh tears burned her eyes.
Albert leaned in, voice cold and venomous. "That idiot son of yours, don't forget, his fate still lies in my hands."
"You wouldn't dare hurt your only heir," Sapphire spat, her voice laced with fury and fear.
Albert's eyes darkened. He leaned in, his breath hot with spite. "Who said anything about heir? That boy's not worthy of the Espusio estate."
Sapphire's heart skipped. Her breath caught, then the next blow came, not with a hand, but with his words.
"Haven't you heard?" he said, smugness curling at the corners of his mouth. "I'm getting married."
The words struck her like a blade. Her lips parted, stunned, as tears slipped down her cheeks. "How is that even possible?"
Albert shrugged, stepping back with wicked satisfaction. "Like you said... ex-husband."
Albert leaned in closer, his voice a venomous whisper only she could hear, though the watching maids held their breath.
"Your replacement will give me an heir," he sneered. "As we speak, she's already with child."
Sapphire's heart shuddered violently. Her knees nearly gave way as cold dread spread through her chest. Her hand instinctively went to her side, as if shielding the memory of her son.
He was trying to erase her. Replace her. Erase him.
The cruelty in Albert's eyes wasn't just anger, it was intent.
She clenched her fists, trembling. He's doing this to get to me…
Her worst fear surged, he would cast their son aside like he was nothing.
And Sapphire knew then… she had to protect her child at all costs. Even if it meant risking everything.
Sapphire's voice shook, but she stood her ground, eyes blazing despite the sting on her cheek.
"Father would never allow it," she spat.
Albert smirked cruelly. "Like he saved you?"
Another stab.
Her breath hitched as the words sliced through her.
Her father, the king who once held her in high regard, was the same man who banished her, who watched her torn from her child and said nothing.
She had given him her time, her loyalty, her very self . For him. For Albert. For the kingdom.
And what did she get in return? Silence. Rejection. Exile.
Her voice cracked as rage and pain collided.
"Tell me," she hissed, "did she offer to make you a viscount? You lowly scum!"
Gasps echoed from the maids, but Sapphire didn't care anymore.
If Albert thought he could humiliate her, he would bleed shame first.
Albert clenched his fist, nostrils flaring as he raised his hand for another strike. Sapphire's eyes shut tightly, bracing for the blow,
But it never came.
Instead, the scent of woodsmoke and parchment filled her senses.
She opened her eyes slowly, only to be met with piercing grey ones, calm but cold, locked onto hers. In one smooth motion, he stepped between them, pushing her gently to his side. His arm held her protectively at the waist.
"I don't tolerate vermin who lay hands on women," Typhon said, his voice low and sharp, "especially under my roof."
Albert froze. His bluster faltered.
Sapphire, cheeks still stinging and heart pounding in her chest, wiped at her eyes. She refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of him.
"You will leave. Now."
There was no room for argument in Typhon's tone.
Albert's jaw clenched, humiliated, but he turned and stormed off, his cloak billowing behind him.
Sapphire's knees threatened to give out. Typhon's hand at her waist steadied her.
He didn't say a word, simply guided her away, silently, protectively, as the watching maids slowly dispersed behind them.
***
Lord Typhon POV
Typhon stared at the parchment in his hand, but the words had long lost their meaning. Eugene's voice echoed in his mind.
"That man… Espusio. He was Lady Sapphire's husband."
The name now made sense. The way Sapphire had flinched in the hallway, the tension in her jaw, the way her eyes had briefly flickered with something he couldn't name then, but now, he knew.
Rage? No. It was sharper than that. It sat in his chest, tight and uncomfortable.
Jealousy.
Was that what this was?
He rose, pacing slowly, fingers twitching as he recalled the paleness in her face. The woman he had watched move with quiet pride now looked like prey caught in a storm.
He hadn't meant to intervene. He had thought—hoped, she'd stand tall and fight her own demons. She was strong. She had always been strong.
But when he heard the slap, heard that man call her wanton, heard the threat about her son, something in him snapped.
And when he saw her, shrinking, trembling, eyes shut tightly as if she expected pain—
He couldn't stand still any longer.
Now, standing in the aftermath, his hand still tingled from holding her waist, his heart beat with something far too dangerous.
He had only meant to protect what was his.
Was she?
He wasn't sure. But as he watched Albert disappear down the corridor, humiliated, he knew one thing—
No one would ever hurt her again.
Not while he still breathed.