Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever-Chapter 43 – The blacklisted one.

Orders were placed, drinks were brought over, and while Corvine skimmed through his phone with that distant, guarded calm he always carried like armor, Seraphine used the moment to properly get acquainted with the family sitting across from them.

The woman straightened in her seat, smoothing imaginary creases from her blouse before offering a warm, practiced smile.

"I’m Mila Hawthorne," she said, and Seraphine immediately noticed how different she looked compared to the other day.

She looked brighter now, lighter somehow, like a weight had finally been lifted from her shoulders, and Seraphine realized it had nothing to do with the absence of sunglasses and everything to do with the improvement in her son’s condition.

Hope had a way of changing people’s faces, and even their mood and demeanors. "That’s my son, Tyler Hawthorne," Mila continued, gently pulling the little boy closer to her side, her fingers automatically brushing through his hair, protective even in relief. "And my husband is on his way."

Seraphine smiled warmly, leaning forward just a little so she wouldn’t seem distant or intimidating.

"I’m Seraphine Walker," she said easily, then gestured toward Corvine. "And that’s Corvine Stone."

She didn’t notice the way Mila stiffened at first, didn’t catch the slight delay in her blinking, didn’t see the way the woman’s smile faltered for just a fraction of a second, before being carefully rebuilt.

It wasn’t until Mila repeated the name that Seraphine realized something was off. "Seraphine... Walker?"

Her tone had shifted, subtle but unmistakable. Seraphine tilted her head, suspicious gracing her words. "Have you heard the name somewhere?" She asked casually, not suspecting anything serious, but Mila forced another smile, this one tighter around the edges.

"Among the Sovereign Circle," Mila replied after a pause. "My husband is a member, and he mentioned your name when he received a call from Voren Ashkael."

A frustrated sigh slipped from Seraphine’s lips before she could stop it, and just like that, her appetite started evaporating.

She leaned back slightly in her chair, suddenly aware of the familiar knot tightening in her chest, that uncomfortable sensation she always got whenever politics, elite circles, or powerful names entered the conversation.

She was already considering making an excuse to leave when footsteps approached their table.

A middle-aged man, tall and elegantly dressed, walked toward them with an air of authority that came from years of being listened to.

"Hi," he said, extending his hand. "I’m James Hawthorne. My wife told me what you did for our son, and I wanted to come thank you personally."

Seraphine stood halfway out of her seat to shake his hand, returning the gesture with genuine politeness.

"You’re welcome," she replied softly. "I’m glad he’s doing better."

James nodded, gratitude written plainly across his face before his attention shifted to Corvine.

His gaze lingered there, assessing, measuring. "Are you," he hesitated slightly, "her boyfriend?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Corvine let out a quiet chuckle, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, but Seraphine answered before he could. "He’s close family."

The moment the words left her mouth, something dimmed inside Corvine’s eyes, not dramatically or obviously, but just enough that Seraphine would’ve noticed if she had been looking.

Close family. That was what she meant to him in front of strangers. In clear terms, a brother from another mother kind of thing, nothing more.

"That’s good to hear," James said, oblivious to the subtle shift in energy beside Seraphine. "My first son is the director of Saint Peter’s Hospital, and he’d like to make you an offer."

Seraphine blinked, caught off guard. Sainte Peter’s Hospital was the largest private hospital in that part of the city and one of the places she’d want to work when she was ready to embrace medicine again.

James continued, clearly excited now. "When Tyler’s pediatrician shared your diagnosis with him, he was absolutely mesmerized. He doesn’t usually get impressed easily, but he said your assessment was sharp, thorough, and way ahead of what anyone else picked up."

Seraphine shifted uncomfortably in her seat as he asked with expectation. "Would you consider it?"

Seraphine paused, because to her, he was talking too fast, stacking expectations on top of gratitude, and her mind hadn’t caught up yet.

"Well," she said carefully, choosing her words, "I love medicine, but right now my focus is on building other important businesses before I go back into full practice, so honestly, this isn’t the right time."

She watched disappointment flicker across James’s face, and something in her softened. "If I’m ready later on, I’ll contact you," she added gently.

James stared at her for a solid five seconds, studying her like she was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve.

Then he asked, "If you won’t accept the offer now, how exactly do you want me to reward you for helping my youngest son?"

Seraphine pressed her lips together before shaking her head slowly. "Kindness doesn’t require a reward."

James frowned slightly. "There has to be something."

Corvine cleared his throat, stepping in before Seraphine could respond, and had no idea about how he would regret it later.

"Why not help her get into the Sovereign Circle," he suggested. "She wants to start her business, and she’ll need partnerships, maybe even some billionaires willing to invest."

James raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes as he turned back to Seraphine. "A medical doctor who wants to jump into ruthless business?"

Seraphine nodded without hesitation. "Yes," she said calmly. "That’s exactly what I plan to do."

James pursed his lips, leaning back slightly as he thought it over, fingers tapping lightly against the table.

"I—"

He was about to speak when Mila suddenly cut in, her voice sharper than before. "She’s Seraphine Walker."

The words landed like a dropped glass, James froze instantly. Whatever he had been about to say died in his throat.

His expression shifted from thoughtful curiosity to stunned recognition in less than a second.

His eyes widened just slightly as he stared at Seraphine. "You’re the blacklisted one?" The air around the table turned heavy.