Chapter 11 – Unexpected Pachs
Sebastian checked them as heatedly in the hotel to, tapping his foot impatiently. He could feel that something was off the longer he waited,
- d. and it was glowing late 7
Emily already running late, even though she had required him ismert heire. His ansiety increased, which only made himmeterse due to their recent arguments. When the door finally creaked open, she entered, but not in hei normally calm muNDA.
He from at the sight of her, Emily’s hair was unkempt, and her clothes were crumpled. Her eyes, which typically gleamed with confidence, were clouded and pained, and there were taint redpalm pintron her cheek that looked bike someone had struck her across the face,
“Whe did this to you?” he asked, his voice tense with concern, in an attempt to reach out, he took a step closer, but she turned slightly away. She didn’t answer, putting her bag down and sing onto the side of the bed as she moved farther into the room.
“Tell me, Lily” Sebastian cepeated, his tone growing il met,
“Who did this to you?”
She exhaled, bushing a band through les tangled hair,
“Endy! Talk to me” he said, more insistently.
“I’ll kill whoever did this to you” His tone was firsen, laced with a protective anger he rarely expresni un openly.
Emily looked at him, pausing lot a moment before she shook her heal
“he need to kill anyone, Sebastian, just call off the wedding”
He was rady, but her expression shonend atrametr of vulnerability
Sebastian’s bow furrowed in confusion, the fury in his eyes dimming slightly,
“What‘ You and Madeline?”
The nodded, then let out a short, hither laugh,
d that [couldn’t just
–
She came into the alien warber today, waying should cancel her booking told you’d already paid andr
Bebastian’s face shifted, hardening with anger.
“You put your hands on Madeline? My fiance?
Emily paused, visibly stung by his reaction,
*She put her unch on me too” she replied quietly
Sebastian didn’t flinch,
“It doesn’t matter. You should have just accepted what she asked and canceled the boding he seed, his tone sharp and unyielding.
Emily’segersioon changed, anger rising to the surfke.
“Don’t yellat me, Sebaran you think you can lose your temper whenever you want, then come crawling back, apologi
Watch your mouth” he crapped, hoe low and dangerous.
Or what she challenged, her expression meaty and unyielding
Ahush descended around them, laden with unresolved bersion. After a few uncomfortable moments, Sebastian’s fury simmered beneath the surface and he tightened his jaw. Emily was left sitting in silence as her turned and raced out of the room without another word.
Madeline, meantime, was in a very different setting across town, sitting at a quiet restaurant with Jacob, her new mystery man. She felt lighter than she had in a long time and was able to laugh more freely, being with someone who didn’t seem to be hampered by secrecy and uneled disputes and who actually seemed interested in her was refreshing
Jacob Listened intently as they were eating, showing the right amount of interest by bringing up her pwn,
“So tell me your story, why aren’t you getting that dress angmoer? Haked
think be passing on that gown after all, jacob” she said, trying to keep her tone light.
Jacob nained an epetes, his gaze Hickering with subtle interest,
“alty’s that?” he asked, but his tone carried a faint note of optimium, as if he had beerly hoping for her choice. Madeline gave a tiny, regetul grin and shrugged.
“I don’t think I’ll be getting married” she replied, her words soft yet decide.
Jacob Lempos lingered on her, warm yet searching, “Why not?” he asked peatly. She paused, looking down at lei glasi.
I just believe it would be at Andhave notion of Living wegies” her decision completely,
et voice gaining confidence as she spoke, Jacob nodded thoughtfully, as if he understood
They were both absorbed in thoughts ring the pause they shared Madeline though for moment about bin and their co
their connection. Failler, the had noticed him in the desig
But here he mai, rating with her, with no peitors or tension in his expression, perhaps he was happy, dedicated, and doing well with his spouse. She concluded that she fa’t give it any
All she wanted to do tonight man laugh, let h
det herself be herself, and let go of the burden of hea elationship. They staped together after dinner,quiady to leave, but eventually, Jacob
the eased against the care and gather, and Madis gave a litt
Madeline chur kladueddy,
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Jarod shook his head, smiling as he had something on the tip of his tongus but didn’t want to say it,
“Koreason” he said finally.
She laughed, rolling her eyes as she opened the door,
“Goodnight, Jakey” she said, climbing in and giving him a small ware an he took a step back,
Chapter 11 Unexpected Paths
“Goodnight, Maddie” be replied, his voice soft.
Madeline drove home with a slight smile pulling at her lips as the relived the event
She discovered Sebastian was still come home was his Instiness,
thead she felt in control of her life for the first time in a long time, as if she couldhurathe and see
home when she got there, the quickly undressed, showered for a long time in a hot shower, and then slipped into bed. Whatever time he decided to
Tonight, she was content to fully rest easy
