Sunlight slipped through the curtains and spilled across the man’s body, highlighting the sculpted lines of his bronze chest. Sebastian’s breathing was slow and steady, his chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm. His body was muscular, but not the kind that screamed gym obsession, just enough to look strong, balanced, and effortlessly masculine. There was something oddly magnetic about him, a mix of quiet strength and simmering desire.Evelyn’s eyes suddenly flew open. A second later, she covered her face with both hands, cheeks burning all the way to her ears.“What the hell happened last night?” Her voice came out small and hoarse.“You don’t remember anything?” Sebastian asked casually, sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked at her for a moment, his tone calm. “It’s fine. Relax. Try to remember slowly.”Evelyn swallowed hard, keeping her eyes down on the carpet. Sebastian’s bare feet rested on the thick rug, his toes brushing the soft surface.She clutched the blanket tightly
“It’s not bitter, really. Just a little more,” Sebastian said softly.Evelyn kept her head down, pretending not to hear. Her small, stubborn movements made her look like a sulking child. Sebastian let out a quiet sigh. He felt like he was trying to coax a kid who refused to listen.Silence filled the room for a moment. Evelyn stayed still, not even glancing up. Finally, Sebastian spoke again. “You really don’t want to drink?”She shook her head faintly. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, but her tone stayed firm.“I’ve got a way to make it taste better. Wanna try?”“Huh?” Evelyn lifted her head, confused.Through her blurred vision, she barely saw Sebastian lean forward. He took a small sip of the soup, then moved closer. Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. The bitter taste of the medicine mixed with the warm broth as it slid down her throat, leaving her breathless.Evelyn tried to push him away, but her body felt weak. Her fists hi
“God, this is so good,” Evelyn murmured after tasting a bite of the stir-fried shrimp that had just been served. She picked one up and placed it on Sebastian’s plate. “You should try it.”Sebastian glanced at her briefly, then calmly ate the shrimp she’d given him. “You’re right, it’s good,” he said evenly, his tone flat, but not cold. “If you like it, eat as much as you want.”The sight made Mrs. Reed and Victoria, seated across from them, go completely silent. Everyone in the Reed family knew Sebastian never ate food that had already been touched by someone else. Even during family dinners, he refused to use the same serving spoon as others. He was obsessive about hygiene and food. Yet now, right in front of everyone, he ate something Evelyn had placed on his plate, without the slightest hesitation.Evelyn felt the curious stares around the table and instinctively touched her cheek. “What? Do I have something on my face?”Mrs. Reed quickly regained her composure. “No, dear. Go ahead
Evelyn sat calmly across from Mrs. Reed, the family matriarch, who occupied the main seat in the living room with the poise of someone used to being obeyed. The air was thick, heavy with unspoken tension, like the quiet before a storm.“Mrs. Reed,” Evelyn began quietly, “you mentioned something about the money I took from the Callahans after my divorce?”Mrs. Reed straightened her back. “Isn’t that a fact?”“It is,” Evelyn replied, her voice steady. “That was what I was entitled to.”Mrs. Reed’s eyes narrowed, her tone cold and sharp. “Entitled? Legally, maybe. But let’s be honest, after tasting luxury, women like you start thinking marrying rich and divorcing well is the fastest way to multiply your fortune. You use your looks like an investment, profit guaranteed, no loss.”Evelyn met her gaze without flinching. “You talk as if marriage itself is just a business deal.”Victoria, who was standing beside Mrs. Reed, cut in sharply. “Watch your tone, Evelyn! Do you realize who you’re ta
On the other side of the city, at the Reed family estate, the morning moved in quiet rhythm. Mrs. Reed stood in the glass conservatory, watering the blooming roses.“Mom,” Victoria’s voice came softly. “Sebastian said he’s bringing her here tonight. Should we ask what kind of food she likes, so the kitchen can prepare?”Mrs. Reed glanced over her shoulder. “No need. Just make sure the dishes are decent.”“Alright. But… this is just dinner, right? No need to overdo it. Just enough to keep Sebastian’s reputation intact.”Mrs. Reed smiled faintly. “Exactly. Just dinner. But it’s still a good chance to see for myself what kind of woman she really is. What people say might not be true. I want to understand what Sebastian sees in her.”Victoria narrowed her eyes. “I still don’t get what he sees in someone like that… other than her manipulative charm, maybe?”Mrs. Reed’s face hardened. She stopped what she was doing and turned sharply toward her daughter-in-law.“Victoria,” she said flatly.
Sebastian stared out the window, his expression calm but his gaze sharp and unreadable. “Some people just don’t know how to stay still,” he said flatly.Daniel, sitting across from him, looked surprised. “What do you mean?”“It’s time to speed things up,” Sebastian replied quietly, not bothering to look at him.Night had fallen over Boston. On the outskirts of the city, a restaurant called Space was about to close. The lights were dim, the music soft. Near the window, a woman sat alone. Her dress caught the glow of the lamps, giving her an air of quiet elegance and intelligence. She looked composed, though her eyes kept drifting toward the clock and occasionally to her phone.A waiter approached with a polite smile. “Excuse me, miss. We’re about to close soon. Is your guest still coming?”The woman smiled faintly, showing no trace of annoyance. “He might be running late. Please, just bring the food first. I’ll wait a little longer.”“Of course,” the waiter said kindly.After he left,