Chapter 13

Sebastian’s POV

The car drove into the long driveway with the headlights sweeping across the quiet mansion. I didn’t wait for the driver to fully stop before I pushed the door open.

There was a restless burn inside of me. Something between anger and grief.

“Sir?” Raymond called carefully. “Should I alert the staff? You… you don’t look well.”

“I’m fine,” I said, “Go home”

“Yes, sir.”

I walked into the mansion. The sweet scent of lavender should have been calming to me. but it was unbearable to me tonight.

All I could see was Zara’s unconscious body…

Her trembling hands before she collapsed…

I had never wanted children so badly.

As I walked into the living room. I didn’t bother turning on the lights, I could navigate the house in total darkness.

“You’re back early.” Seline spoke out from the darkness.

She switched on the light.

“What’s wrong?” she asked

“I went to the hospital and there were no vials.”

“What?”

“The sperm vials,” I said, “The ones you claimed you knew about.” My voice was louder this time. “I went to the hospital today. They checked. All of them are gone.”

She folded her arms, trying to mask her fear with irritation. “Why do you care so much? You already had the vasectomy. You said you didn’t want….”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” I growled.

Seline moved backward, I took a step closer.

“You destroyed something that was mine. My choice. You took it because you were afraid of losing control.”

“You want possession.”

“That’s not fair”

“What’s not fair,” I snapped, “Is you letting your father and brother threaten me like a pawn in my company”

She opened her mouth, but I continued before she spoke.

“You let them pressure and manipulate me. And all you cared about was you being in control of everything.”

“I did it because I care….”

“No,” I said. “You did it because your family benefits. Because you wanted to trap me. Because you enjoyed the power. And because you are incapable of seeing beyond your own needs.”

And then I lowered my voice.

“Do you even know what I saw today?”

“What… what did you see?”

“I watched a woman nearly die.”

I dragged my hand through my hair pacing, unable to contain the adrenaline still pumping through me.

“A woman risking everything for children that aren’t even hers. A woman who carried life with more courage than I’ve seen in years.”

I thought of Zara’s convulsing body.

Her pale skin.

My heart still breaks each time I think of it..

“Sebastian, please… don’t say that.”

“No. Listen carefully.”

I met her eyes.

“I wanted children today more than I ever have in my life. And knowing you took that choice from me? Knowing you tampered with my medical records, manipulated my life, and destroyed something you had no right to touch…”

“I will never forgive you for that.”

“Sebastian.”

“I am waiting for the hospital to call me when the CCTV footage is out. I want to see who you used in carrying out your plans. I will not spare the two of you.”

Her eyes widened in fear.

“Don’t test me,” I warned. “I am already one breath away from cutting every tie between your family and mine.”

“You and I,” I said quietly, “were a mistake that should have ended long ago.”

She stared at me like I stabbed her.

But I felt nothing.

No sympathy, no regret, only anger.

“I’m going to bed,” I said. “Don’t follow me.”

*************

The glass walls of the building looked like they were shrinking around me.

My office, which was usually a place of control and power, felt unbearable to stay.

Every time I blinked, I saw Zara’s pale face and her trembling hands.

I dragged my hand across my jaw.

I had work to do. A full schedule. A board waiting. A multimillion dollar decision sitting untouched in my inbox.

But all I could think about was Zara fighting for her life.

The intercom buzzed once.

“Sir,” Mike’s voice broke through, “the board members are already waiting in Conference Hall A.”

It didn't move me.

Another buzz.

Mike again. “Sir… this is the fourth time they’ve asked for you.”

I grabbed the report in front of me, stared at the first line without seeing a single word, then pushed it aside and stood up abruptly.

“Reschedule it,” I said.

There was silence over the intercom.

“Sir… The board meeting has already been postponed twice.”

“I didn’t ask if it had been postponed, I said reschedule it.”

“Yes, sir.”

He ended the call.

Within seconds, there were hurried footsteps.

Mike, my most loyal aide. He entered the office, closing the door quietly behind him.

“Sir,like I said before, the board is extremely unsettled,” Mike said. “Investor confidence…”

“Will survive,” I cut in. “Handle it.”

“Of course.”

“You haven’t been yourself lately,” he said gently.

“I’m fine.”

Mike didn’t believe me, but he didn’t push. Instead, he handed me a tablet.

“These are the employee welfare reports you asked for. And…” he paused, “Lily called. She said she would like to take two days off.”

I didn’t even look at the tablet.

“Inform HR to approve a one month break for her.”

Mike blinked. “One month?”

“Yes. And Zara, put her on an open leave. She can return whenever she feels strong enough.”

“Yes, sir… I’ll handle it.”

I stood and walked towards the window. The city was busy with cars and lively movement yet everything was at a stand still around me.

“Sir… should I push the investors dinner as well?”

“Yes, everything that isn’t critical, move it.”

“Understood.”

He started to leave.

“Mike.”

He stopped.

“Tell the security department I want double surveillance on all medical documentation linked to me. Nothing leaves any system without my approval.”

“I’ll handle it.”

He left the office, closing the door softly behind him.

The quiet returned, heavy and suffocating.

I loosened the cuff of my shirt. I tried to sit. I tried to read. I even tried working.

I couldn’t.

Finally, I pressed the intercom.

“Raymond, Prepare the car,” I said. “I’m leaving.”

“Right away, sir.”

I needed air. And I needed to know how Zara was doing.

Because my heart was drawn towards one stubborn staff member. the woman who shouldn’t matter… but did.