93 Drunken Revelations and an Expensive Debt
Hazel’s POV
“How exactly did you find me that night?” I asked Sebastian, wrapping my hands around my coffee cup The question had been nagging at me since I woke up in my apartment after that disastrous drinking episode
Sebastian’s lips curved into a small smile. “Pure coincidence. I was driving past the bar when I saw you stumbling out. You looked… distressed
I studied his lace, searching for any hint of deception. His expression remained neutral, but something in his eyes made me wonder if there was more to the story
“Well, thank you again for taking care of me, Mr. Sinclair.”
He sighed, setting down his coffee cup with deliberate precision. “Are we back to formalities? I thought we’d moved past that.”
Heat crept up my neck. “Sorry, force of habit.
“I’d hoped by now you might consider us friends.” His voice was light, but his eyes held mine with intensity.
“Friends?” Haughed, trying to dispel the sudden tension. “More like you’re my creditor and I’m deeply in your debt.
Sebastian’s expression shifted, a flash of something like disappointment crossing his features before his composed mask returned. “I didn’t realize our relationship was so
transactional:
“I didn’t mean- “I sighed, frustrated with my inability to navigate this conversation gracefully. “It’s just that you’ve done so much for me, and I haven’t been able to reciprocate
“Not everything requires reciprocation Hazel His tone softened “Though I must say. you should be more careful about your drinking Anything could have happened if I
badn’t been there?
The gentle admonishment made me feel like a scolded child. I don’t usually drink that much. That night was an extiplion
1 gathered as much. You mentioned something about drowning your sorrows
My stomach dropped: Oh god, what else did I say?”
Sebastian’s lips twitched with amusement. “Does it worry you that much?
“Of course it does!” I covered my face with my hands. “I have no memory of anything
after my fourth drink
If it helps, it was my first time taking care of a drunk woman.” His admission surprised me. I usually avoid such situations.
The thought of the powerful Sebastian Sinclair dealing with my drunken self made me want to crawl under the table. “And how did I behave? Was 1. difficult?”
He leaned forward slightly, voice dropping. “You were quite talkative.”
About what?” I dreaded the answer.
Many things. His deliberately vague response made my anxiety spike. “You made some interesting requests too.
My eyes widened. “Requests?
“Mmm.” Sebastian took a sip of his coffee, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “And you were sick once we reached your apartment. I had to help you to the bathroom
I groaned, mortification washing over me in waves. “I’m so sorry
“Don’t be. We all have our moments.
What I really wanted to ask was whether I’d made any inappropriate advances toward him The thought alone made me want to disappear Had tried to kiss him? Touch him? Said something embarrassing?
I couldn’t bring myself to ask directly, so I changed the subject abruptly.
“Your watch! Fexclaimed, reaching into my bag. I almost forgot
pulled out the box containing his expensive watch that he’d left of my apartment that night. Placing it carefully on the rably pushed it toward hin
Please check if it’s working properly f was worried it might have been damaged
Sebastian opened the box, examining the wats by with casual indifference that only
And flappkon Rations and wh Expensive Debt
someone accustomed to extreme wealth could manage. The timepiece probably cost more than three months of my rent.
It’s perfectly fine, he said, closing the box without putting the watch on. “Thank you for returning it’
“It’s the least could do after everything. I hesitated before continuing “Actually there’s something else I need to ask you about that might.
His eyebrows rose slightly. “Oh?”
“Did say anything about. I paused, gathering courage. “About Alistair?”
Sebastian’s expression hardened almost imperceptibly. “Yes. You mentioned him
several times.
I winced. “What did I say?”
That he was a fool who didn’t deserve you. Sebastian’s voice was matter-of-fact but his eyes had darkened. “You also said something about saving his life multiple times with your blood
I looked down at my hands, embarrassment giving way to a dull ache in my chest
That’s true. He has a rare blood type. Mine was a perfect match
“You must have cared for him deeply
“I did. For six years” The admission felt like pulling out a splinter-painful but necessary ‘But that’s over now
Is Sebastian’s question was simple but loaded.
1-met his gaze directly “Yes. Some betrayals can’t be forgiven.”
He nodded slowly Funderstand that better than most
An uncomfortable silence settled between us. I fidgeted with my napkin folding and unfolding its comez
Was I truly awful that night I finally asked, unable to beat the uncertainty Please he hone
Sebastian’s expression softenert. You weren’t awhil. Hazel. You were vulnerable and
Tuurt Theres.differy nice
I swallowed hard. “Did I try anything mappropriate with you?”
A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Would it bother you if you had?
Sebastian” My cheeks burned.
He chuckled the sound rich and unexpectedly warm. “Relax You were a perfect lady well as perfect as someone who couldn’t stand straight could be
Relief washed over me, though part of me wondered if he was being entirely truthful.
Though you did say I had beautiful eyes, he added casually. “And tried to touch my face once
groaned dropping my head into my hands. I’m never drinking again.
Don’t be embarrassed. I found it endearing His tone was teasing but gentle. “Though
I admit, carrying you to your bed was quite the workout.”
My head snapped up. “You carried me to my bed?”
“How else would you have gotten there? You fell asleep against my shoulder in the elevator
The mental image of Sebastian Sinclair, billionaire extraordinaire, carrying my unconscious body through my modest apartment was both mortifying and strangely
intimate
I don’t know how to thank you properly. I said honestly.
Sebastian’s expression turned serious “You could start by stopping this creditor-debtor narrative, I didn’t help you expecting repayment Hazel
“Then why did you help me? The question slipped out before trould stop it
His eyes met mine holding them with an intensity that made my breath catch “Because I wanted to Because I care about what happens to you is that so hard to believe
I didn’t know how to respond People like sebastian Sinclan didet just care about ordinary people like me without reason. There had to be more to d
As if reading my thoughts, he added. Not velvede has ulterior motives. Hazel Sometapes people pass act beca PS The Tight thing to do
I wanted to believe him. Part of me even did. But sears of betrical and disappointment
had bulit walls that couldn’t crumble with just a few kind words and gestures
“I should get
