CHAPTER 6

      I drove into Sebastian's estate that evening, my fingers gripping the steering wheel with more force than necessary. I was fuming and I believe I could pluck his eyes out of the socket if he were near me at this moment. My mind raced with questions, my heart beating erratically in my chest.

     What else did he want from me? I just got out of jail, I should be resting.

       The wrought-iron gates opened slowly, groaning as if protesting my presence. I hated how familiar it all was, how the sight of it still evoked a mixture of nostalgia and resentment. This is where I had lived for three years and now, I feel like a stranger.

      As I pulled into the circular driveway and parked my car, exhaustion settled over me like a heavy cloak. I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples before stepping out of the vehicle.

      I looked around. No one was in sight. That was rather odd. The air was still, eerily so. A prickle of unease crept up my spine. I prayed that neither Courtney nor my former mother-in-law was home—I wasn't in the mood for another confrontation. Or wait, could it be that Sebastian asked me here because he wanted me to apologize to Courtney?

      Just as I took a step forward, two female workers came out from the side entrance, their presence breaking the unsettling silence.

    "Good evening, ma'am," one of them greeted hesitantly, her eyes flickering with something unreadable.

     I barely acknowledged them with a nod, my thoughts elsewhere. But then, one of them spoke again, halting me in my tracks.

    "Ma'am, you can't go into the mansion."

     I turned sharply, my brows furrowing. "Excuse me? What?"

     The woman hesitated before continuing. "Mr. Campbell instructed us to take you to the guest house once you arrived. You're not to enter the main house."

       I let out a humorless chuckle, my irritation simmering just beneath the surface. That cocky bastard! What was he upto? "Which guest house?" I asked, folding my arms.

     The women exchanged glances before one of them answered, "The one in the garden."

    My eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, what!? That's the farmhouse?"

    They nodded in unison. “Yes, ma’am. That’s where Mr. Campbell wants you to stay. He said it’s safer.”

     My breath hitched. “Safer?” I repeated, my tone edged with suspicion. “What does that mean?”

     The worker cast her gaze downward, avoiding my questioning eyes. No answer came.

      I sighed, pressing my fingers against my temples. "I can't do this," I murmured, more to myself than to them. I turned on my heel, heading back to my car. But then I hesitated.

Jane.

     I remembered Sebastian's threat—if I didn’t comply, he would fire Jane and even take away her shelter and I knew the responsibility that young lady shouldered.

      That realization settled in my chest like a heavy weight. I swallowed hard, forcing down my frustration.

      Slowly, I released the car door handle, took a deep breath, and turned back toward the waiting women. "Fine. Take me to the cottage."

        The walk to the farmhouse was longer than I remembered. I’d always hated this place. It was damp, neglected, and carried an eerie air of abandonment. There are other guest rooms there, but Sebastian chose this one for me to stay in?

    As I stepped inside, I was surprised to find that it had been cleaned. The floors were swept, the furniture dusted, and a dim lamp cast a warm glow against the wooden walls. It wasn’t comfortable, but it was better than I had anticipated.

      "What would you like us to do for you, ma’am?" one of the women asked tentatively.

     I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Wait, where exactly is Sebastian?"

     "We don’t know, ma’am."

    I scoffed, shaking my head. Of course they didn’t.

      "Just leave," I said tiredly. "I’ll be fine."

     They hesitated for a moment before nodding and quietly exiting the cottage.

     The moment the door shut behind them, I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Sebastian’s number. It rang once before going straight to voicemail. I tried again. Same result.

     Frustration coiled tightly in my chest. I threw my phone onto the wooden coffee table and sank onto the couch, my legs feeling weak beneath me.

     What was all of this about? Why had he called me here, only to exile me to this isolated part of the estate? My mind spiraled with theories, none of them making any sense.

      Minutes passed in silence. I sat still, waiting, my patience wearing thin.

Then—

   A knock at the door.

   My heart leapt into my throat.

     I stood, my muscles tensed. "Who is it?" I called, though my voice was barely above a whisper.

    No answer.

    The door creaked open slowly, revealing Sebastian’s figure. His face was expressionless, his gaze steady. He stepped inside, his presence filling the small space.

     "Good evening," he said, his voice infuriatingly calm.

      I took a step back, my arms crossing over my chest defensively. "Can we please cut to the chase already?" I snapped. "Why did you bring me here? And why the hell did you have me put in a cottage? Sebastian, you know how much I hated this place. What game are you trying to play?"

       Sebastian cleared his throat, his posture stiff. There was an air of arrogance about him, one that had always made me want to either scream or throw something at him.

     "The only reason you're here is to ensure that tomorrow's meeting goes as planned," he stated coldly. "I can’t afford any misconduct from you."

      I frowned. "I don’t understand."

       Without a word, he reached into his coat and pulled out a file, dropping it onto the coffee table in front of me. "Everything you need to know about tomorrow’s meeting with Carpel Myles is in there. Read it. Understand it. That’s the only reason you’re here."

    I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. "Wait, so you dragged me all the way here for this? Couldn’t you have just sent me a soft copy?"

      His gaze locked onto mine, unwavering. "Like I said, I can’t afford any mistakes. And frankly, I don’t trust you. You have a history of ruining things for me. I don't want such to happen again."

       I laughed bitterly. "Right. Because if it weren’t for my supervision, diligence and hard work, the Campbell organization wouldn’t be where it is today."

      He hissed, his jaw tightening. "You’re talking nonsense."

     "And you’re still as controlling as ever," I shot back. "Newsflash, Sebastian—we're divorced now. You don’t get to boss me around anymore. I don’t see why I should go along with this meeting. If I want, I can ruin everything."

     His expression faltered for a brief second. He raised a hand, as if to say something, but then dropped it again. His face softened—just slightly. He took a slow, deep breath, as if he were fighting against himself.

    When he spoke again, his voice was lower. "I know you're hurt about the divorce. But don’t let that cloud your judgment. Don't ruin this meeting. Just do the right thing for once, Davina."

     I smiled, tilting my head. "Is that you begging?"

      His jaw clenched. "I’m done with this conversation."

       He turned to leave, but then stopped. He glanced back at me, his gaze unreadable.

    "No one must know you’re in here. If Courtney or my mother finds out you are here, you know what's gonna happen. So please, let's keep this between us. I'll have a driver take you to HQ tomorrow morning."

      I stared at him, searching his face for an answer to the question I hadn’t yet asked. Before he could leave, I spoke again, my voice quieter now.

     "Sebastian. Can I ask you something? And can you please give me an honest answer?"

      He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "What is it?"

    I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. "Did you ever love me?"

     The silence that followed was deafening.

Then, his gaze met mine, smacking his lips and he uttered the words that shattered what little hope I had left.

"No. Not for once."