Chapter 114

Somewhere Else

Sebastian’s POV

The sound of laughter filled the air as children and parents alike walked about, the adults either trying to appease their children’s curiosity or stop the wailing of the little ones with them.

“Here you go,” Sebastian said, handing Chloe an ice cream cone. “Eat it quickly before it melts,” he added, taking the seat next to her.

“This looks nice,” he sighed, settling back as he began to dig into his own.

Chloe didn’t eat immediately.

She held the cone carefully, as though it might fall apart in her hands, her eyes fixed on it with a strange mix of curiosity and caution. Slowly, she leaned in and took a small, hesitant lick.

Sebastian watched her.

For a second, he said nothing. Then—

“You look like you’re constipated,” he said.

He threw himself backward with a laugh, loud enough to draw attention from a few passersby.

“I am not constipated!” she huffed, her voice rising louder than she probably intended. The way she snapped made a few people glance their way, but she didn’t seem to notice.

They stared at each other for a moment.

Then Sebastian chuckled again.

Chloe tried to hold it in, but failed. A small laugh slipped out, then another, until the both of them were laughing properly, shoulders shaking as they struggled to breathe.

It took a while before the laughter died down.

Still smiling, Chloe lifted the cone again—but her grip slipped.

The ice cream tumbled from her hand and fell to the ground.

The laughter stopped.

She stared at it.

For a moment, she said nothing. Then a small, downcast smile touched her lips as she looked at the mess.

“What’s wrong?” Sebastian asked, following her gaze.

He saw it.

Without hesitation, he held his own out to her.

“Here, take mine.”

Chloe blinked, then looked at him. “You sure?”

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll buy another one later.”

She hesitated for only a second before taking it.

Just like before, she leaned in slowly and took a careful lick.

This time, her reaction was different.

Her eyes lit up almost immediately, the hesitation gone.

“This is so good,” she said, almost to herself.

Sebastian watched her quietly.

“You like it?” he asked.

“Yes, I do!” she said, her voice lighter now, brighter.

He paused.

Then something clicked.

“Wait,” he said, frowning slightly. “If you’re acting this way over plain vanilla… does that mean you’ve never had ice cream before?”

Chloe froze.

A faint blush crept up her face as she looked away, avoiding his eyes.

She nodded.

“I haven’t tried it before,” she admitted.

There was a small pause before she continued.

“The only other time I came close was when my uncle… he was still in high school back then… he bought some after school to cheer me up.” A faint smile appeared on her lips at the memory. “He knew children loved them.”

Her smile faded, just a little.

“But my mother found out,” she added quietly, “and reprimanded me for trying ‘junk food.’ She scolded him too… for giving it to me.”

Her voice trailed off.

For a moment, the noise around them felt distant.

Sebastian glanced at her.

“Your parents sound strict,” he said.

Chloe hummed softly, taking another bite before answering.

“They were,” she said. “Very strict.”

She kept her eyes on the ice cream as she spoke.

“They didn’t like me having certain things. So they monitored who I talked to… who I spent time with.” She paused briefly. “My friends were the only people they acknowledged.”

She let out a small breath.

“It was suffocating.”

Sebastian said nothing this time.

She continued, her voice quieter now.

“My only escape was college. I had a bit of fun there… got to meet new people.” She gave a small, almost self-aware smile. “But I was already too far deep to even try things like this.”

She glanced down at the cone in her hand.

“My grandfather’s house was different,” she added after a moment. “That was the only place I remember feeling… happy.” Her expression softened slightly. “With him… and Uncle Eric, before he went abroad.”

She smiled faintly.

“Even now, he’s still the same. He lets me enjoy my life without any complaints.”

She didn’t notice the look that passed through Sebastian’s eyes at that.

After a moment, she turned to him

“What about you?” she asked. “We can’t only talk about mine.”

Sebastian blinked, pulled out of his thoughts.

“What about me?”

“Your childhood,” she said, watching him. “How was it?”

He leaned back slightly.

“Mine wasn’t as fun as yours,” he said.

Chloe frowned almost immediately.

“I had a pretty average childhood,” he continued. “My parents were married for a long time. Normal life.”

He paused briefly, then added,

“My dad liked taking me to amusement parks when he had time. Weekends were usually for family.”

Chloe stared at him.

“Your life sounds so fun,” she said.

Sebastian smiled.

“It actually wasn’t.”

There was something faintly sad in it.

“Are you kidding me?” she said, turning toward him fully. “I would give anything to have had your life.”

He didn’t respond.

“Loving parents. A family that actually cares about you.” Her voice softened. “Knowing you were born out of love… not a business arrangement.”

The last part came out quieter.

Sebastian watched her for a moment.

Then he reached for her hand.

“If we were trading lives,” he said slowly, “I’d take yours in a heartbeat.”

She looked up at him.

“I’d prefer yours to the life I lived.”

His fingers tightened slightly around hers as he brought her hand to his lips.

“If we ever get to that stage,” he said, “or… if we one day have a child…”

He paused, just for a second.

“…let’s give them what we both never had.”

Chloe’s eyes softened.

“Yes,” she said, nodding. “Let’s do that.”

Then she hesitated.

“But… don’t you think this is too soon?”

“It isn’t,” he said. “We’re just planning.”

She studied him for a moment longer, then nodded again.

Sebastian stood, still holding her hand.

“Come on,” he said, offering a small smile. “Let’s go make up for that childhood you lost.”

She took his hand properly this time and stood.

They began to walk.

“Chloe,” he called.

She hummed in response.

“If there ever comes a day where you or Autumn might need my help…” he said, his voice quieter now, “don’t hesitate to tell me.”

She didn’t answer immediately.

After a few seconds, she nodded.

“I will.”

‘Sadly, we may never have one,’ he thought, his gaze lowering slightly.

‘I wouldn’t want my child’s blood tainted by the blood of your family.’

His grip on her hand tightened, just a little.

Hand in hand, they walked into the crowd.