Chapter 5

Sebastian

I sat in the dining room, eating the food she had prepared. When Cassandra said she wanted to talk about something important, I decided to meet her.

reading her voice calling out to me as I was leaving actually made me wonder if I should stay. That woman had saved Isabella with her blood and even fainted yesterday.

I’m just doing this because she’s useful.

Something uncomfortable, maybe guilt... ventually made me come back without telling her.

I kept eating her food. She wasn’t bad at cooking, but she couldn’t help acting foolish.

Secretly, I was glancing at her. Her face didn’t look the same as before,she wasn’t pale. When I saw her unconscious, I still walked toward Isabella.

But why… why couldn’t I stop thinking about her?

I was quite relieved that she was doing better now. Now I told myself that if anything changed in this mutually beneficial relationship, I wouldn’t have to worry about it.

It pissed me off.

Isabella was my first love, the woman who always filled my heart. When she regained consciousness, I planned to talk to her about this marriage.

I mean, for now, I would hold off because Isabella’s recovery was the most important thing.

When the phone suddenly rang and the doctor informed me that Isabella showed signs of waking up, I immediately stood up.

I turned around, eager to find out about Isabella’s condition. If she was awake, she should see me first.

I walked out, leaving Cassandra behind like I usually did.

In front of the door, I paused, considering whether I should say something to her, then decided it wasn’t necessary. Not only because we weren’t truly husband and wife, but because my growing concern for her scared me.

I sat in the car on my way to the hospital, unable to control the anxiety building inside me.

I truly hoped she had really woken up, to end these restless days.

I didn’t even realize how I ended up at the hospital. With quick, restless steps, I finally reached Isabella’s room.

The doctors saw me. I listene to all their explanations and stayed by Isabella’s side. With hope, I kept holding her hand. While I still held her hand, I felt movement.

I looked at her eagerly; the slight movement in her eyes was a huge sign of hope.

“Bella,” I called as her eyelids fluttered.

I waited, hoping it wouldn’t stop with just a small twitch. Finally, she looked at me. Finally, she truly opened her eyes.

I couldn’t hold myself back any longer. I hugged her, releasing the happiness that had been trapped inside me, stabbing my heart a thousand times every time I saw her unconscious.

“Thank you for waking up, Bella. Thank you.”

I hugged her gently, and it made me cry. An hour later, her condition had improved compared to before, and the doctors had examined her. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

She was back.

"I knew you’d be here. You’re always loyal by my side, Sebastian."

At that moment, I could only smile with a strange feeling, then nod. My eyes were still red from crying earlier.

"I’m always with you, Bella."

I had always stayed close to her because I wanted her. But now, it’s like I didn’t feel as happy about her waking up as I should have. I felt... strange, like I had lost something, and it made me restless. I tried to focus only on Isabella. but I couldn’t.

I had walked away from the dinner earlier, leaving Cassandra behind like I always did. Maybe later I should send her a message, telling her not to wait like she usually did.

It’s fucking bothering me.

When Cassandra did the thing I asked her to, it only proved even more that I had become an asshole to her.

Now I hate how I constantly think about her, stuck in my fucking mind.

"Now we should start preparing for our wedding, since I’m awake," Isabella said.

I was thinking so much about Cassandra that I almost didn’t hear Isabella properly. She held my hand. I should be happy hearing her say that.

For the past three years, I had always dreamed of when I could marry her and we could live happily ever after. But right now, I was shocked and confused.

 "Sebastian?"

Her voice was unnaturally soft, because I didn’t immediately respond to what she said. She held my hand tighter.

I had thought about this moment over and over again. "Bella, I’m already married."

She stared at me with a confused expression. "W-what?"

I took a deep breath before answering her, holding her hand tighter.

"The daughter of the Bellamy family. I never loved her. It was just an arranged marriage, Isabella "

"You can divorce her, and we’ll be together again, right?" Isabella whispered, her eyes, the ones that always managed to weaken my heart. looking at me pleadingly.

But I shook my head slowly. "It’s too complicated, Bella. I need time because it involves both of our families."

I let out a deep sigh as I touched my forehead.

I mean, I had thought about marrying and being with Isabella all the time... but why did it feel like something was wrong?

I took a moment to breathe. Just now, a lie had slipped from my mouth. In truth, the Bellamy company was already under my control.

I wouldn’t lose anything. Honestly, I wanted to laugh at myself for acting like this.

Where was the Sebastian who was always so confident?

It felt like he had disappeared.

I clenched my other hand tightly, smiling as I looked into her eyes, which were weak but still held perfect beauty.

"Don’t think about it. You just need to focus on getting better. I’ll make sure I’m always here for you, and you’ll get anything you need, Bella."

I kissed her forehead gently, but it felt empty.

She looked at me. "Sebastian, you know I don’t care about anything else but you."

I didn’t want to destroy everything I had worked so hard for.

"I know. I’m always by your side, Bella."