Chapter 10: He Remembers

Inside the room, I tried to control my emotions.

Just forget about it, Alyssa. You didn't come here for this.

You came to work and earn money.

You came to witness the Umber Ceremony and find your mate.

That's what you came for. Remember that.

Even I knew it was a lie, but I didn't care.

Fake it until you believe it.

That would be my new motto from now on.

The girls were probably still in the garden, admiring the lovesick couples.

I decided to take a bath. Claudia would soon call for dinner, so it was better to freshen up before then.

I stepped into the bathroom and stood under the shower, letting the water run over me.

I closed my eyes.

For the first time since I arrived at the estate, I felt like I could finally relax.

Then a memory flashed through my mind.

"Why won't you believe me? My parents could never think of doing something like that," I had said.

"The evidence is all there, Alyssa. You still want to continue lying? Your parents has taught you how to be so vicious."

"Don't say that about my parents, Sebastian!"

"I should never have met you at all, Alyssa. I regret it all."

My eyes snapped open.

He never believed me.

And even now, he still wouldn't believe me.

I stepped out of the shower and began drying my hair.

When I was done, I changed into clean clothes.

"Alyssa, darling!"

I heard Stella's voice from outside.

I chuckled.

The girls opened the door and came inside.

"Where did you run off to?" Stella asked.

I gestured toward myself.

"I went to take my bath before dinner."

"Ah, look at you!" she exclaimed. "You smell so fresh. I just want to take a bite."

She walked toward me, trying to tickle me.

I burst out laughing.

"Grace, stop her!" I said between laughs.

Grace laughed.

"I'll leave you two to it. Let me go shower."

"Grace, come back here!" I shouted.

We all laughed.

"Grace, darling, do you want me to join you in there?" Stella teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Ewww, Stella! You're such a pervert," Grace said, laughing. "Don't come near me."

I couldn't stop laughing.

For a moment, they made me forget everything that had happened that day.

I sat down on the bed and heaved a sigh of relief before turning to Stella.

"Go shower after Grace, so we can go eat dinner before Claudia comes to find us here."

She laughed. Yes boss.

I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes.

"Alyssa, wake up."

I heard Stella's voice, but I was too tired to respond.

"I can't believe she fell asleep," Stella said with a laugh.

"Wake up!"

They shook me gently.

"I'm up!" I said, sitting straight.

They laughed and grabbed my hands.

"Let's go eat."

I looked at Stella.

"I've taken my bath, Alyssa. Don't look at me."

I laughed.

We reached the dining hall and took our seats. The food was already set in front of us.

I ate quickly because I couldn't wait to go back to bed.

"Slow down, Aly. The food isn't going anywhere," Grace said with a smile.

I continued eating, and soon, I was done.

I waited for them to finish before we headed back to our room.

The moment we opened the door, I rushed to my bed with a contented sigh.

They laughed at me.

It was already dark by then.

"Goodnight, guys," I said, pulling the bedcover over myself.

...

I counted the minutes.

I was still awake.

My eyes were wide open.

Why the hell couldn't I sleep?

I kept turning from side to side.

Eventually, I threw the bedcover aside in frustration.

I needed to get outside.

It was already late. If anyone saw me, I could get into trouble.

I weighed my options.

Maybe if I got some fresh air, I could finally fall asleep.

I made up my mind.

I slipped on my slippers and quietly headed downstairs, careful not to make a sound.

I could hear some of the guards patrolling the estate.

If I survived this, I'd definitely tell my children about it one day, I joked to myself.

I finally reached the garden and walked toward the side that wasn't easy to spot.

I breathed in.

Then out.

The cool breeze brushed against my face.

The garden would always be my peaceful place.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the quiet.

Then I heard footsteps approaching.

I immediately froze.

I hadn't even enjoyed the quietness for long, and I was already caught.

I turned around to see who it was.

No...

What was he doing here again?

"Young Master Sebastian," I said, quickly bowing.

"I'm so sorry I'm here. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to come here and relax. Please forgive me. It won't happen again. I'll leave and get out of your way."

I said everything in one breath and turned to leave.

"Why are you here?"

His single sentence stopped me in my tracks.

I turned around and stared at him in confusion.

Had he not just heard everything I said?

"Huh?" I asked.

"Why are you here, Alyssa?" he asked again.

I froze.

Did he just say my name?

I stared at him.

I suddenly realized he wasn't asking why I was in the garden anymore.

"Why did you have to come back here after all these years?"

His voice was cold.

"What do you want to achieve this time?"

"I—"

"You what?" he interrupted.

He stepped closer and held my hands tightly.

"I came here to work. That's all. That's the only reason I came here."

"I don't believe you."

His eyes remained fixed on mine.

"I stopped believing you a long time ago."

He still held my hands as he stood close to me, my heart began pounding.

"I thought you wouldn't remember me," I whispered.

But he heard me.

"I wish that were possible," he said.

I looked up at him, staring into his cold gray eyes.

"I knew it was you the moment I saw you from the window," he said.

"Who is it?"

A voice suddenly called out from behind us.

A guard was walking toward us.

Sebastian released my hands immediately, as though he had suddenly remembered where we were.

"Get out. Go back to your room."

His expression hardened.

"Don't come in front of me again, Alyssa Ross."

I looked at him one last time before turning and running back to my room.

I didn't know what happened after I left.

The moment I reached the door, I shut it behind me.

I clutched my chest, trying to hold back my tears.

Then I walked to my bed and lay down.

His words kept playing over and over in my head.

"Don't come in front of me again, Alyssa Ross."

I breathed in slowly.

How was I going to survive here knowing that he remembered me?

Knowing that the person I had spent years trying to forget had recognized me the moment he saw me?

And knowing how close I had been to him just a few seconds ago?

For the first time since returning to the estate, I realized something.

Coming back here was going to be much harder than I had imagined.