Chapter 1

Sebastian:

The sound of the vase crashing reverberates in my ears. My hand feels numb from hefting it and subsequently throwing it against the wall. 

"I told you I love Adeline! How the fuck could you do this?"

"Watch your tone when you talk to me, boy."

"I. Am. Not. A. Boy." I seethe. 

"Then stop acting like one."

"I'm not marrying some random bitch." The words come out through gritted teeth. 

"You will, and mind that language." He says calmly, with that fucking stoic face he never changes. 

I cross my arms across my chest and smirk. 

"I will do no such thing."

He pulls out a sheet of paper from his thick, black folder and slides it over to me with one manicured fingernail. He makes a point to get a manicure every week. 

I grab the sheet and skim over the words. When I'm done, I crumple it in my fist and try to turn his table over. Stupid move on my part. The thing is made of Lignum Vitae. 

"When you're done embarrassing yourself, you're free to leave my office."

"Threatening my inheritance is a low blow, even for you. No wonder Mom left you."

The silence rings in my ears as his eyes flash with something imperceptible. 

"Get out of my office."

With my heart crashing against my chest, I slam his office door shut. I know the aftermath will be bad because I've just stepped on a land mine. 

Fucking hell. 

______________________________________

I park my Bentley in front of Adeline's building and go straight to her penthouse, without greeting the doorman, Steve, like I usually do. 

I knock and wait for her to open. It takes a minute, but her familiar face greets me. Minimal make-up, but bold, red lipstick. My favorite. 

She has a matching, short, silky red robe on that's slipping off one of her shoulders. 

My cock hardens. It's then I notice her eyes. They're rimmed red. 

"Baby, don't cry."

I step inside and hug her to my chest. She smells like Vodka. I hear a small sniffle. 

"Daddy's marrying me off to someone."

"Fuck. My Dad is doing the same."

She sobs harder and I regret telling her. I should have waited.

"Sebastian, I can't do this. I can't live without you."

I slide my fingers through her shiny blonde hair. 

"Shh. It's going to be okay. I'll find a way."

"Do you know who your Dad arranged for you to marry?"

Another sniffle. "Lance Harrington."

"Shit Addy. Harrington?"

I take her face in my hands and look down at her. 

"Listen to me baby. Harrington is a weasel. Easy to manipulate. You can mold him in no time."

She furrows her perfectly plucked brows. 

"What?"

"What I mean to say is, neither of us can get out of these marriages. I say we make the best out of it. Gain Lance's trust, manipulate him, mold him to your liking. We'll still be able to continue our relationship."

She wipes her eyes, determination set in them. 

"What about you?"

"I'll do the same. She'll wish she never married me."

"Who is she?"

"I don't know yet, but I'll find out."

I look at her closer and she turns her face away from me. 

"Adeline. Show me." My voice comes out stern. 

"Don't order me around Seb."

"Please." I say through clenched teeth. 

She finally turns to me again, but her gaze won't meet mine. 

I see the fine, white particles in her nose. 

"What the fuck Adeline? I thought you got rid of it all?"

"I was stressed Seb." She whines. It grates on my ears. 

"You know I hate it when you lie Adeline."

"Well, what was I supposed to do? It was just a small line."

"Since when have you started using again?"

"This is the first time in three months. Believe me."

I nod. "I do. But please, just tell me the truth from next time."

"Fine." She rolls her eyes. 

"Come on. I believe we have something to do."

I pick her up and carry her to the bedroom, fucking her into the night. 

It's where I stay till then next morning p. I'm not in the mood to be in the same house as that selfish bastard. 

______________________________________

The next morning, I park my car in front of my house, which is more like a mansion, if anything.

He's given me riches, wealth, and power, but he forgot to give me the most important thing. My heart. Neither do I have my mother, nor the woman I love. 

My mother refuses to step foot into this house. I don't know if it's her own decision, or someone is barricading her. 

The worst part is, that I can only meet her for a few hours at a time. Again, the money is always a fucking noose around my neck. Sometimes, I contemplate cutting it off, but that would be foolish of me. 

Money makes the world spin and you're nothing without it. The more you have of it, the more you have of everything else. 

Anthony Crosswalk, my father, is richer than God. 

Crosswalk Industries is a Fortune 500 company and it's his 'baby'. 

I freeze as I step through the threshold. 

"Meet your future wife son. Charlotte Daymond."

I shouldn't have come back here so soon. My father ignores my death glare and simply looks at his gold Rolex watch. I gave it to him for his 42nd birthday, which was a few months ago. 

"Quick introductions would be pleasant Sebastian. Some people have places to be."

I grit my teeth and direct my glare on the Daymond girl. Realistically, I know she doesn't deserve it. But, she could have done something, anything, to get out of this marriage. 

I have to say, my father landed himself quite a deal. Daymond Diamonds is known for its exquisite diamonds all over America. 

The fact that Charles Daymond has a daughter about my age is just sour luck. 

I'm surprised he's not marrying me off to some old hag. He'd go through any length just to elevate himself. 

"Sebastian Crosswalk, but I'm sure you already know that. I don't care who you are and I don't want to know either. Farewell."

I go to the climb the stairs.

"Sebastian, come back down here." His voice increases a few octaves, but I ignore it and continue climbing up the stairs.