Chapter Six

I Cannot Marry You

Sebastian’s POV

 It took everything in me not to pick up Maria’s father by his neck and shake him. I wondered how he could treat his own daughter so poorly despite seeing how his words hurt her.

 I had gotten out of my car to talk about what had happened at dinner and to know why she hadn’t said anything about her relationship to Cassandra.

 “Is that really what you came all this way to say? After five years?”

 She had looked so broken when she had said those words that anger had coursed through me for her. I knew how it felt to be berated by family so I understood her pain perfectly.

 It was honestly for her good she had been disowned by him. Such a selfish bastard didn’t deserve her.

 The man looked dejected and stood for a long minute after the elevator doors shut.

 Sebastian it is a pleasure to see you. I was hoping we could…”

 “Why are you here?” I asked interrupting him.

 “Excuse me?”

 “Why are you in my fiancé’s apartment building?” I asked again.

 He frowned turning red in the face.

 “I came to make my daughter see reason. She cannot marry you.”

 “You and Cassandra act like it was she who made the decision.” I sneered. “I proposed to her…”

 “But you don’t know anything about her. How long have you two...?”

 “That is irrelevant to you.” I cut him off. “Besides I would have known way less about Cassandra had I agreed to the engagement.”

 “That would have been different.” He argued. “The match between you and Cassandra would have been profitable…”

 “I am already marrying Maria. She is who I want.” I stated. “whatever opinions you or my father may have concerning the matter is irrelevant to me.”

 “This isn’t a suitable place to discuss this.” He said looking around.

 Oh so he realized that?

 “Seb…”

 “I would advise you take your daughter back to London and focus on seeking investors for your company.”

 “I…”

 “And one more thing.” I said walking close enough to the man to ensure my point would be well delivered. “If I ever see you around Maria again…”

 I didn’t need to complete the threat before he scurried off. I shook my head and stormed off to my car. On nights like this, I would have headed to one of my regular clubs but I decided to head home.

 There were too many things for me to pore over that I didn’t want to escape with alcohol.

 Maria hadn’t mentioned her sister or the mystery fiancé and even if she didn’t owe me the tales of her past, there were still things that were important I knew.

 I sighed.

 I had hoped marrying her wouldn’t have come with any other baggage but considering how petty her family was, I couldn’t expect the situation to be remedied so easily.

 And her son… my son could be caught in the midst of the fight.

 I would need to come up with a strategy to tackle the media outburst that was sure to come but that would only be if I knew the truth of the matter. I would need to ask Maria to face the demons of her past and make her see reason why it was safer if she did so.

 I lay back, unable to get rid of my concern for her. She had looked haunted and I understand why she had changed her name and left London. I would have done the same did I not have a penchant for vengeance.

 Sleep didn’t come easy but it did eventually and by morning I was ready to tackle the day. I had meetings from morning until noon but I couldn’t complain and strode into my office with purpose, stopping short when I spied the last person I’d want to see on even my worst days sitting on my seat with a bored look on her face.

 “My dear son.” She smiled, arms wide. “It’s been an age.”

 “Mother.” I frowned. “What do you want now?”

 She never showed up unless she was in some sort of trouble as had been her custom since she reappeared when I had been named CEO.

 It hadn’t taken much to know she only wanted to reacquaint herself with me because I now had the means to fund her lifestyle.

 “That’s no way to talk to your mother, Sebastian.” She pouted. “I thought I raised you better than that.”

 “You didn’t raise me.” He corrected, moving to stand by his chair which she was still sat in. “You’re in my chair.”

 “It’s so nice I almost don’t want to get up.” She smiled.

 “what have you done now?” I asked.

 She never stayed this long unless she was in real trouble.

 “Nothing.” She answered, rolling her eyes. “I heard my one and only son is getting married from the internet and I wanted to ask why he hadn’t thought to inform me.”

 “I would have told you eventually.”

 “You and I both know you wouldn’t have.” She scoffed, rising from my seat. “Anyway, I just wanted to inform you that I’m in town and I will be attending the event of the century. You should invite your bride to dinner with us.”

 It was my turn to scoff.

 I doubted very strongly Maria would agree to another dinner with any member of my family. I hadn’t even told my sister yet but that would be at a much later date.

 She never approved of anyone I dated so I didn’t need her snooping around and making Maria uncomfortable. If anyone would see through our deception, it would be Diana.

 “Good day, Mother.” I told her.

 She rolled her eyes and was off. I was barely settled into my seat when a notification popped up on my phone. It was a text from Maria.

 I was surprised to see her name when she wasn’t one to speak to me unless she had something to complain about.

 “I cannot marry you”