Chapter 8 NOT ALONE

I stayed right there pressed against the tree silent and still while the voices got closer. I didn’t move didn’t breathe didn’t even blink. This time I wasn’t turning away no matter how bad it got.

“…told you not to come this early,” Lucifer muttered sounding annoyed but not really pissed.

Serena laughed softly like she thought it was cute. “You’re the one who couldn’t wait.”

My stomach twisted hard but I kept my jaw locked. They stepped into the clearing same spot same distance same everything like it was their own little routine now. I didn’t look away. I watched the whole damn thing.

Serena stepped right into him like she belonged there no hesitation no pause at all. His hands went straight to her waist automatically like muscle memory like he’d done it a hundred times before. That hurt worse than the kiss ever did.

“You’re getting reckless,” he said low.

“You like it,” she replied and he didn’t even deny it. That silence said more than enough.

I felt something inside me settle then not break not crack just settle cold and heavy like it had finally found its place. Serena leaned in closer. “Did she suspect anything?”

My fingers curled tight into my palm nails digging in.

“No,” Lucifer said easy and immediate like it was nothing. “She’s too busy trying to fix whatever’s wrong with her.”

The words hit harder than anything else so far. Something wrong with her. I swallowed it down forced it deep because I couldn’t let it show even if no one was looking.

Serena hummed satisfied. “Good. Keep it that way.”

There was a pause then she added quieter “After the summit we won’t have to hide anymore.”

My heart slowed down not faster just slower and controlled like it was saving its energy for later. Lucifer exhaled. “We’ll see.”

“You said that last time.”

“And I meant it.”

Silence stretched again. Then Serena stepped back a little and looked at him. “You’re not backing out now are you?”

My chest tightened. Lucifer didn’t answer right away and that pause that tiny hesitation it mattered. It told me everything.

“No,” he said finally. Final. “We’re not dragging this out any longer than necessary.”

There it was. Not ending things. Dragging things out. Like I was some inconvenience they just had to deal with. Serena smiled soft and victorious like she’d already won. “Good.”

Then she reached for him again and this time he didn’t just kiss her. He pulled her in hard like he’d been holding back the whole time. Her hands slid into his hair his grip tightened on her waist and this wasn’t sneaking around anymore. This was hunger. This was familiarity. This was something that had been going on long before I ever caught on.

I didn’t feel anything and that was the worst part. No jealousy no heartbreak just this cold clear clarity like I was watching a movie that had nothing to do with me. I shifted slightly careful and that’s when I remembered my phone still sitting in my pocket. For a second I hesitated because this was the line. The moment where watching turned into something else something irreversible. Then Serena laughed into his mouth and the hesitation disappeared completely.

I pulled the phone out slow screen dimmed sound off hands steady now. I angled it just enough and hit record. The camera caught everything the way his hands moved over her the way she said his name the way he responded like she was the only thing that mattered. Proof. Real. Undeniable.

My breathing stayed even I didn’t shake didn’t react I just watched because now I wasn’t the girl getting lied to anymore. I was the one collecting it all.

They broke apart eventually but not far never far. Serena rested her forehead against his. “We’re close,” she whispered. Lucifer nodded. “Just a little longer.”

A beat passed then he added “After the ceremony everything changes.”

Everything changes. I memorized it stored it locked it away like a weapon.

They left together not separately not careful just side by side like they didn’t need to hide anymore. I stayed exactly where I was phone still in my hand recording nothing now. The screen reflected my face back at me and I barely recognized it. Not sad. Not broken. Something colder.

I stopped the recording saved it backed it up twice because losing this wasn’t an option. Then I lowered the phone and let out a breath slow and controlled. Because now I had it. Not suspicion not guesses but actual truth. And once you see the truth you can’t pretend anymore.

I turned to leave then froze. Because behind me a branch snapped close. Too close. I turned slowly and realized I wasn’t alone.