to admit it.
60 A Bond Forged in Heartbreak
I raised my wine glass, meeting Sebastian’s thoughtful gaze across the table. “To love’s outcasts 7 toasted, the words coming easier after sharing so much over dinner, was
Sebastian’s eyes softened as he clinked his glass against mine. “To the rejects of
romance:
We both laughed, the sound breaking the tension that had built around his confession about his secret crush. Something about tonight fell different–walls crumbling
between us that I hadn’t even realized existed.
“You know Sebastian said after taking a sip. “we’ve talked about my pathetic love life, but you’ve been surprisingly quiet about yours.”
I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “What’s there to say? I’m legally married to a man i no longer love, who’s fighting our divorce tooth and nail.”
Sebastian’s brow furrowed. “You truly don’t have feelings for Everett anymore?”
“Not a single one.” My voice was firm, surprising even myself with the certainty behind it. “Except maybe disgust. And frustration that he won’t sign the papers.
“Why is he dragging it out?” Sebastian asked, genuine confusion in his expression.
“After what he did..
I stared into my wine glass, watching the deep red liquid catch the light. “It’s complicated. And not exactly dinner conversation.
Try me” His tone was gentle, encouraging.
Taking a deep breath, I looked up and met his gaze. “You know I have a rare blood type.
knighty
Sebastian nodded.
“What you don’t know is that Alistair has a blood disorder. When we were younger, her needed frequent transfusions. My blood was a perfect match.” I swallowed hard. “For
six years, 1 was essentially his living blood bank.”
Wand Bernd Heartinsal
Sebastian’s expression darkened. He married you because you were medically useful
to him?”
“I wouldn’t put it that bluntly, but I shrugged, trying to make light of something the had shaped years of my life. Let’s just say my veins were more appealing than the rest
of me”
That’s
Sebastian’s grip tightened around his glass: “That’s beyond manipulation. It’s
exploitation.
“It wasn’t always like that,” I said, feeling a strange need to explain. “At first, I was happy to help. I loved him. But over time, our relationship became more about his medical
needs than anything else
“And now that you’ve divorced him-”
“He’s panicking” I finished for him. “His condition is stable now, but having me on call
was his safety net. Without me… I trailed off, the implications clear
Sebastian’s jaw clenched. “He’s a scumbag.”
The blunt assessment startled a laugh out of me. “Hearing proper, polished Sebastian Sinclair call someone a scumbag might be the highlight of my evening.
His eyes softened. “I hate that he used you like that.”
“I let him” I admitted quietly. “For years, I convinced myself it was love that made me offer my blood so often. But looking back, I think I just wanted to feel needed.
Sebastian reached across the table, his hand covering mine in a gesture so unexpected
Lalmost pulled away. But I didn’t.
You deserve better, Hazel,” he said, his voice low and intense. “You deserved someone
who would have given you their blood, not just taken yours.
The sincerity in his words made my chest tighten I slipped my hand from under his suddenly needing distance from the warmth of his touch.
“Anyway” I said, forcing lightness into my tone, “enough about my failed marriage. We should probably discuss business?
Sebastian seemed reluctant to change the subject but nodded. “What did you want to
discuss?
The three hundred inillion.” I said firmly. “I need to formalize the loan”
His eyebrows rose. “It wasn’t meant to be a loan, Hazel.
“I’m not accepting that kind of money as a gift. I insisted. “I want a proper contract
with Terms and interest rates.
“I thought we agreed it was an investment in your potential.”
“No, you decided that, I want legal documentation stating that I owe you this money. With my company as collateral if necessary
Sebastian frowned. “I don’t need collateral from you.
“I need to give it, I countered. “This is business, Sebastian. Not charity.”
He studied me for a long moment, his expression shifting from frustration to something like respect. Finally, he sighed. “I’ll have my lawyers draw up the papers
tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” I replied, relief flooding through me. As much as I needed that money, couldn’t bear owing Sebastian without clear boundaries. Especially not with these confusing feelings swirling inside me whenever he looked at me like that.
After dinner, Sebastian insisted on driving me home. The car ride was quiet, a
comfortable silence settling between us after all we’d shared.
“Thank you for dinner,” I said as his car pulled up outside my apartment building. “And
for listening
Anytime, he replied, his voice soft in the darkness of the car. “I mean that, Hazel
Something in his tone made me pause, my hand on the door handle, I turned to look at him, his features half–shadowed in the dim light
I know I said quietly. “Goodnight, Sebastian.
Joside my apartment kicked off my heels and collapsed onto my couch, replaying the evening in my mind. Sebastian Sinclair was nothing like I’d expected. Behind the power
and wealth was a man with insecurities, secrets, and a kindness that caught me 68f–guard
he had feelings for someone–someone be couldn’t approach, someone his family. might not approve of. Who could she possibly be? Some free–spirited artist? A woman
from a rival business family?
My phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. A text from Vera.
*Please tell me you jumped his bones tonight. The sexual tension between you two is
giving me secondhand heart palpitations.*
Trolled my eyes.
*Nothing happened. He’s interested in someone else anyway.*
Her response came instantiv
*YOU, you idiot. He’s interested in YOU,*
I shook my head, typing back
*Don’t be ridiculous. He’s Sebastian Sinclair. I’m just a fashion designer with a failing
business and a messy divorce.*
Vera’s reply made my breath catch:
*And he just spent THREE HUNDRED MILLION to help you. Wake up. Hazel! Imagine walking into that charity gala next month with him on your arm. Alistair would
CHOKT
The image flashed through my mind–walking into that event with Sebastian beside me, Alistair’s shocked face, the whispers that would follow us. It was petty revenge fantasy, but I couldn’t deny its appeal
Stop it,* 1 texted back. *He has feelings for someone he can’t approach. Someone his family might not approve of.”
Vera’s response was immediate:
*And you don’t think that could be YOU? The ex–wife of Alistair Everett from the vivalry family? The woman whose business he pist saved? Connect the dots, girlfriend
stared at her text, my heart suddenly racing Could Vera be right? Was 1 the woman Sebastian couldn’t dare approach?
No, it was impossible. Men like Sebastian didn’t fall for women like me. There was too much difference in our worlds, our statuses.
And yet…
The way he d looked at me tonight, the gentle way he’d touched my hand, how angry he’d been about Alistair using me. Was it possible?
My phone buzzed again with Vera’s final message of the night
*Think about it. And while you’re thinking, imagine Alistair’s face when you walk into that gala with the most eligible bachelor in the city–a man whose net worth makes your ex look like a corner store cashier. Sweet dreams!*
I set my phone down. suddenly unable to breathe properly. Sebastian and me? It was impossible.
