Chapter 3
Those words hit Scarlett like a punch to the gut.
In the past, whenever she stormed out after fighting with Charles, it was always Sebastian who drove around the city searching for her, always the one to throw her over his back and carry.her home.
“What now?” he would mutter, pretending to be annoyed.
And she, curled up against his back, breathing in the clean scent of cedarwood from his coat, used to wonder-maybe he
likes me, just a little.
But now?
No one played her like he did.
He didn’t love her. But he’d sleep with her.
And then go back to that damn study full of Lily Whitmore’s pictures-his sweet, fragile angel.
Scarlett couldn’t understand it. What did Lily have that she didn’t?
She had the looks, the body, the family name. What was it about her that he wanted?
Of all people, why Lily?
“Let me go,” Scarlett snapped, eyes bloodshot. Then she sank her teeth into Sebastian’s hand.
He winced but said nothing, simply started the engine and pulled onto the road.
Back at his estate, Sebastian hauled her suitcase inside without a word.
“Same deal as before,” he said, unbuttoning his cuffs. “You can stay until you feel like going home.”
Scarlett stood by the doorway, fingers digging into her palms. “I’ll stay for two weeks. After that, I’m gone. I’ll pay you rent,
and I won’t bother you again.”
“Not bother me?” Sebastian glanced up, his eyes deep and unfathomable behind those gold-rimmed glasses. “You think
you’re capable of that?”
That cut like a knife straight through her heart. Scarlett’s chest clenched with sudden pain.
He knew. He’d known all along.
Known that somewhere between her pranks and provocations, now she had become utterly dependent on him.
She’d fallen hopelessly in love with him.
And still, he’d stood back with Lily in his heart and let her drown in it.
“I have a question,” she said, voice tight. “Did you know Lily… Lily’s my stepmother’s daughter?”
Sebastian paused, halfway through loosening his tie. “I found out today.”
She hesitated. “What’s your relationship with her, exactly?”
“She was a year behind me. We were on the student council together. One day, she pulled me out of a car wreck.” He took
a sip of water, slowly and calmly. “Her health hasn’t been great since. She’s been overseas.”
His gaze held a silent warning. “I know you hate your stepmother, but don’t take it out on Lily. She’s got nothing to do with that.”
Every word lodged in Scarlett’s throat like a stone.
She wanted to ask, Do you love her?
But there was no point.
He’d already answered in every possible way.
She retreated to the guest bedroom and slammed the door behind her.
That night, Sebastian didn’t come looking for her.
Scarlett lay on her back, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Of course he didn’t. His precious Lily was back. Why would he care about anyone else?
The next morning, she deliberately slept in, hoping to avoid him.
But when she finally stepped out of her room, she found him sitting on the couch, calm as ever, flipping through a financial magazine.
“You’re up,” he said, without looking up.
“You’re not going to the office?”
“It’s the weekend.”
Scarlett gave a noncommittal hum and grabbed a few desserts from the fridge, planning to hole up in her room again.
Then Sebastian said, “Go change. We’re attending an event.”
She opened her mouth to refuse-but then thought better of it. Better to get out than be stuck here with him.
She got dressed and followed him.
Only when they arrived did she realize where they were.
Lily Whitmore’s welcome-back party.
Scarlett turned on her heel to leave, but Lily came skipping over, all sunshine and silk.
“I’m so glad you came!” she gushed, latching onto Scarlett’s arm. “Don’t be mad at Uncle Charles, okay? He didn’t eat for a whole day after your fight. He was really worried.”
Scarlett pulled her arm free with a cold laugh. “Oh, so you do remember he’s just your uncle? Then why are you butting into our business? What are you, the relationship police? Should I get you a sheriff’s badge?”
She shoved past Lily and walked into the private room.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Lily blinking back tears-and turning to Sebastian for comfort.
He gave Scarlett a dark look, his eyes sharp with warning.
Then he turned to Lily, ruffled her hair, and whispered something that made her giggle through her tears.
Scarlett’s heart twisted like someone was dragging a blade across it.
She downed a full glass of champagne in one go.
