Chapter 19
Evelyn’s mind was hazy, her vision blurred as she mistook Sebastian for her brother. Choking back sobs, she cried, “Why doesn’t Sebastian love me? Why…?”
Sebastian’s heart clenched, his lips pressing into a thin line as he listened to her broken words.
“I tried so hard. I gave everything. But the more I tried, the more he pushed me away. Why? Tell me!”
Suddenly, she turned and clung to him, burying her face in his chest. Her tears, smeared makeup, and running nose ruined his pristine shirt.
He stood frozen, his throat tight as her scalding tears burned through his chest, searing into his heart.
After a long pause, his voice dropped low. “Do you truly love Sebastian?”
Evelyn lifted her tear-streaked face, her lips trembling.
Sebastian swallowed hard, fighting the raw desire threatening to consume him. He instantly regretted the question.
What did it matter if she loved him? Their divorce was final. His future was with Vanessa.
BANG!
The restroom door slammed open.
“Sebastian! How dare you? Isn’t Vanessa enough for you?”
Nathan’s eyes burned with fury as he stormed in, pulling Evelyn protectively into his arms like a shield.
Sebastian’s brows furrowed. Nathan, always composed, was now trembling with rage—proof of how much he cared for his ex-wife.
The realization suffocated him.
“Mr. Whitmore, she has a weak tolerance for alcohol and just vomited. If you truly cared, you wouldn’t have brought her to a place like this.”
Nathan nearly snapped back, but hearing Sebastian address him formally, he played along. “I’ll accompany my woman wherever she pleases. If she wants to have fun, I’ll make sure she does. You and Evelyn are divorced. Stay out of her life. Go tend to your precious Vanessa!”
He guided Evelyn toward the exit, but Sebastian blocked him.
“What now?”
“Do you love her?” Sebastian demanded, voice dangerously low.
“Of course.”
“Then will you marry her?”
The question silenced Nathan.
“That’s none of your business. Move!”
“Evelyn has no power or connections. She can’t afford to be someone’s plaything. If you won’t marry her, let her go. Don’t ruin her life.” Sebastian’s gaze darkened.
Nathan laughed coldly. “Unbelievable. The audacity! When you divorced her for Vanessa, did you think about her life? Thanks to you, she’s a young divorcee. Wasn’t that ruining her? If divorce was inevitable, why marry her three years ago? Were you just using her as a stepping stone for your true love? Disgusting.”
Sebastian flinched as if struck. His body trembled faintly beneath his tailored suit.
Nathan shoved him aside. “Get lost, you hypocrite.”
Sebastian had no retort. The accusation—that he’d used Evelyn—pierced deeper than any blade.
“Where’s your ex-wife? Gone already?”
Damien leaned against the railing, swirling his drink as he studied Sebastian’s hollow expression.
Sebastian muttered something unintelligible before downing his whiskey in one burning gulp.
“If it weren’t for you, I’d have beaten Raphael to a pulp tonight. Drugging women? Disgusting. And then he had the nerve to hit on my crush.”
“Don’t hold back on my account. Vanessa and her brother are two different people.” Sebastian paused, frowning. “Crush? What do you mean?”
Damien smirked. “Since you’ve given up on Evelyn, I’ll gladly take her. She’ll soon be your sister-in-law. Wonder how you’ll handle that.”
“The divorce isn’t even finalized, and you’re already claiming her?” Sebastian’s smile turned icy.
“You signed the papers. It’s only a matter of time.”
Sebastian’s fingers clenched. “I don’t know about anything else,” he said, voice lethally soft, “but your funeral will be.”
