Seraphina Grigori struggles to reach her neighbor’s doorbell despite severe injuries from a bullet wound, driven by the need to save someone left behind. She loses consciousness just as she succeeds. Six years later, Paris Prince, a political candidate who just lost an election, deals with his nightmare and reflects on his estranged wife, Seraphina, who disappeared after a violent home invasion. Encouraged by his campaign manager and ex-girlfriend, Camilla, who proposes rekindling their relationship, Paris decides to finalize his divorce. He seeks out Seraphina’s lawyer but learns little. However, a receptionist hints at a return address in Washington, giving Paris a new lead in his search.
Severance Chapter 2
Paris puts his looming career decisions on hold (To the chagrin of his campaign manager/political strategist Mark) and heads to Severance. At night Paris is still haunted by his memories of the violent brutal home invasion that lead to the end of his marriage
He checks into a local motel and meets Beverly, the front desk manager, and Jasper, the custodian.
He finds Seraphina working at a local bar. He hasn't seen her since she went to visit The Argos family nearly seven years ago and never came back (not that he went out of his way to find her) . She's been living in Severance for a little over 4 years--after spending two years traveling the country in a RV. She's now a part-time bartender at High Noon (owned by Scott Dodson and his daughter Madison Dodson) and competitive bodybuilder. The pair still have an intense passion for BDSM and physical attraction to each other.
Their steamy reunion is interrupted by Sheriff Nate Sanders who is patrolling the area because a local serial killer, The Severance Stalker, has claimed two more victims. Mother and daughter, Paula and Mia Felton.
Sera is on edge because The Severance Stalker hasn't actually claimed new victims. It's actually been a copycat killer. Turns out Sera killed the real Severance Stalker 5 months ago and buried him in her flower bed.
Chapter 3
Sera wants to turn herself in and Paris agrees to represent her. Before turning herself in she asks to go on one last date with Paris to rekindle the dynamics of their former D/s relationship. Paris admits he hasn't been able to participate in BDSM since losing Sera. He had a bad experience that ended with hepatitis and his partners blackmailing him
After reviewing the case Paris decides it would be better for the town if he and Sera find the copycat killer instead. In exchange for his help, Sera agrees to help Paris rediscover his submissive side. They also agree not to not sleep with each other while he is her lawyer.
Through flashbacks we learn that in 2021 Paris was selected by the Democratic Congressional Election Committee (my fictional version of the DCCC) to run for District Attorney in Morris Country, NY--about 10 miles from his hometown.
The incumbent DA was trying to run Helios (a small time crime boss) out of the county, but no one would turn on him. Paris asked Sera to work with the DA so they could charge Helios from crimes he committed in the 2000s.
A few weeks later two men break into their house and leave them for dead. It's a cold case until two of Helios' men start talking. Ag Hunter (who became a prison snitch) said his cellmate Jorgen told him that Helios paid the men to kill Sera/Paris.
Helios was questioned. He said that the men probably attended parties at his compound, where he complained about the Princes but Helios says he never told anyone to kill them. . Before Helios can be questioned further he leaves the country and is never seen again.
Chapter 4
Surprise. Paris' Ex-Girlfriend turned jr. campaign manager Cami arrives in Severance and she is more than ready to help solve the murders. Cami decides to tell everyone she is doing a podcast as a cover for their investigation.
Paris and Sera tell her everything...except that Sera killed the real Severance Stalker. They just tell her he was wounded and couldn't still be active.
Paris also learns that Paula Felton was Seraphina's ex-girlfriend...wonder why she hid that information ?
Paris realizes that Sera's neighbor, Larry, has a son (AJ) that graduated the same year as Mia Felton. Larry's home and health are in complete dissary. He has been unable to manage since being hit by a runaway driver a few months ago.
AJ makes a run for it. Just as they catch up to him, Paris realizes that AJ is Sera's biological son.
A few notes
- Paris has had several failed political campaigns up and down the east coat. He's been laid off his IRL job and hemorrhaging money for a few years. His campaign manager suggest he consider moving to the Midwest. Paris has spent two decades East Coast Democratic politics and is debating if he wants to start over in his 40s.
- The last days of Sera/Paris relationship is kind of a mystery to everyone around them. Will they ever reveal what the breaking point was ?
- Paris and Sera went on an Eastern European vacation for Sera's 30th that is only referenced a few times because I want to write a portion of it in a later chapter.
Severance Chapter 5
Chapter 5 🍺
I like this YT background
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUPoUnqDArk
(These save me so much time)
