SebastianI stand in the massive bathroom, steam curling up around me as I adjust the temperature of the water. The tub sits like a throne in the centre of the room, claw-footed and deep, the kind of bath that demands you stay in it for hours.This bathroom is a sanctuary, a place for comfort and escape—two things Elizabeth desperately needs right now.I glance back toward the door, my mind racing.She’s in pain; I know that much. Last night wasn’t just about the alcohol or the chaos—it was about her running from something, drowning in something. And now, here she is in my home, far from hers, far from the office.What if someone notices? What if Christopher starts asking questions? What if someone pieces it together—her absence, mine?I shake the thought away. I can’t leave her. Not like this. She needs me, and as much as I hate to admit it, I need to be here for her.I head back to the bedroom. She’s sitting up now, the tray I left earlier completely empty. The sight pleases me more
Elizabeth BellI watch myself pressing the makeup sponge to my bruised cheek. The mirror is unforgiving, reflecting back a face I barely recognise, hidden beneath layers of foundation. My black eye stands out despite everything I try to mask it with.How did I get here?How did I let things go so wrong?"Elizabeth," Christopher’s voice cuts through the silence, sharp and angry.“Hurry the fuck up in there. Don’t make me wait. And make sure you look presentable. I don’t need people asking questions.”I swallow hard, forcing down the anger that rises every time he talks to me like that. I answer him quietly, "I’m done."Standing up, I smooth the glittering black dress clinging to my body, its sequins catching the light.My hair is a glossy sheet of black that falls to my shoulders, and my hazel eyes—once full of life—look dull now. I swipe a finger over my red lips, fixing the lipstick. I know, objectively, I look beautiful. But right now, it feels like a mask.I step out of the room an
Chapter 2ElizabethI can’t move.I’m staring at Christopher, my mouth open, heart hammering, and he’s looking at me as if nothing unusual just happened.As if he hasn’t just agreed to trade me to another man like I’m some lose change.My mind spins, disbelief and horror mingling as Sebastian’s voice breaks through.“There’s no going back if you agree to this, you know,” he says to Christopher, his voice edged with dark amusement.Christopher scoffs, barely glancing at him. “I know that, Sebastian. I know exactly whats at stake.”A nauseous feeling rises in my stomach, and I turn quickly, making my way to the bar as my legs threaten to give out. The man I loved once and trusted completely is now using me as a gambling chip, tossing me around like I’m nothing.What the hell is wrong with him? How did we come to this?I reach the bar, my hands shaking as I order whiskey, downing the first shot in one gulp and feeling the burn slide down my throat, a temporary numbness.I barely hesitate
ElizabethI drag myself through the front door, each step weighed down with exhaustion, bitterness, and anger that’s simmering just below the surface.The night’s events play over and over in my mind, each memory igniting fresh resentment. Christopher, the man I once trusted with my life, had crossed every line and left me feeling like nothing more than a dirty pawn.I move slowly through the darkened hallway. I reach the bedroom, my heart pounding. Maybe it’s the whisky still swirling in my veins, or maybe it’s the realisation that I have nothing left to lose. Today is the day.I will leave him. Christopher Bell's over. no matter what it takes.As I push the door open quietly, my eyes fall on the bed, and I have to suppress the urge to laugh.There he is, sprawled out and sleeping soundly, and he’s not alone. Curled up next to him, her blonde hair spilling over his shoulder, is a woman—a slim, young figure, her arm draped possessively around his waist.I don’t even blink. Of course,
ElizabethIts Monday morning. I sit on the edge of the couch, watching Christopher play with Edward on the floor. I can’t tear my eyes away as I watch him lift our son into the air, spinning him around until Edward is giggling uncontrollably.It’s these rare moments that mess with my mind and make me second-guess everything.This gentle, loving version of him is the man I fell in love with, the father I want Edward to have.When Christopher glances up at me, a softness in his blue eyes, he gives me a kind smile—the kind that used to melt me.For a split second, I feel a flicker of hope, a glimpse of the man he used to be.“Get ready, Elizabeth,” he says, his voice breaking the moment.“You’re coming with me to the office today.”I blink, completely thrown.“What? Why?” My voice comes out sharper than I intended, laced with suspicion.I don’t trust this. I don’t trust him.He chuckles, shaking his head like I’m overreacting.“I thought maybe you should go back to work. Get your old job
ElizabethThe office has made me feel alive again. The buzzing of hushed voices and the busy bodies takes me back to my passion.As I walk past the rows of desks, I can feel eyes on me and hear the whispers that follow me wherever I go. The name *Celeste* is on everyone’s lips—Christopher’s new fling.I should feel hurt or betrayed, but all I feel is relief.It’s been a month since Christopher last laid a hand on me. A month since I had to force a smile and pretend to care. If Celeste keeps him distracted, that’s fine by me. Maybe she’ll keep him away long enough for me to make my escape.I keep my head high, my heels clicking sharply against the floor, and step into Sebastian’s office.The air shifts as soon as I enter, the tension between us like an unspoken third presence in the room. He’s standing behind his desk, flipping through a folder, his dark eyes scanning the pages with a focus that makes my stomach tighten.He doesn’t look up right away, but when he does, it’s like the en
SebastianThe gala is alive with music, laughter, and the hum of conversation. I walk through the grand hall, my steps deliberate, my posture commanding. I am happy with myself. Not for the party but for my plan coming to fruition.I smile to myself, satisfaction curling at the edges of my thoughts.My revenge on Christopher Bell is taking shape. He has no idea what’s coming, and that’s exactly how I want it.Christopher has spent years destroying lives. He destroyed mine. He destroyed my wife's. He thought he had gotten away without consequence.But when I heard his company was faltering, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, I saw my opportunity. I’d been patient, biding my time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Now, here I am, the "savior" swooping in as an investor, offering him a lifeline he can’t refuse.It’s almost poetic.I make my way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands with key players.Every interaction is another move in this game of chess
ElizabethThe car ride home is long and confusing. My fingers still tingle from where Sebastian held my hand before he kissed me. A kiss I hadn’t expected—a kiss that set my entire world on fire.The interview was so reveling. His answers playing over and over in my mind, each one pressing against the walls of my heart. Tonight, I learnt so much about him—his pain, his struggles—but that kiss... That kiss lingers, warm and sweet, leaving me questioning my future plans.When I pull into the driveway, the house looms large, its dark windows staring back at me. This prison I call a home. My stomach twists. The thrill of the evening fades, replaced by the suffocating reminder of where I belong—or rather, where I’m trapped.I kill the engine and sit in the silence for a moment longer, pressing my forehead to the steering wheel. “Get it together,” I whisper, though my hands tremble as I reach for the door handle.I close the door behind me with a soft click, a smile still tugging at my lip
SebastianI stand in the massive bathroom, steam curling up around me as I adjust the temperature of the water. The tub sits like a throne in the centre of the room, claw-footed and deep, the kind of bath that demands you stay in it for hours.This bathroom is a sanctuary, a place for comfort and escape—two things Elizabeth desperately needs right now.I glance back toward the door, my mind racing.She’s in pain; I know that much. Last night wasn’t just about the alcohol or the chaos—it was about her running from something, drowning in something. And now, here she is in my home, far from hers, far from the office.What if someone notices? What if Christopher starts asking questions? What if someone pieces it together—her absence, mine?I shake the thought away. I can’t leave her. Not like this. She needs me, and as much as I hate to admit it, I need to be here for her.I head back to the bedroom. She’s sitting up now, the tray I left earlier completely empty. The sight pleases me more
SebastianShe’s been passed out for hours now. Her chest rises and falls in a slow, steady rhythm, her face turned to the side, strands of dark hair clinging to her flushed cheeks. I sit in the chair across from the bed, watching her.I should’ve left her there, at that godforsaken bar. I should’ve walked away and let her deal with the mess she created. But instead, I’d carried her out like some tragic hero.What the hell was she thinking?I stand, my body tense, and start pacing the length of the room. My fists clench and unclench at my sides, and my jaw aches from how hard I’m grinding my teeth.“What the fuck, Elizabeth?” I mutter to myself, running a hand through my hair. “What the fuck is going on with you?”She stirs, her brows furrowing slightly before her eyes flutter open. For a second, she looks dazed, her gaze darting around the room as if trying to piece together where she is.Then she stretches her arms and yawns, and I know what’s coming next. Her face pales, her hand fl
ElizabethI lift myself up on the table in the small cabin. A nice gift from Sebastian, but I cannot enjoy it.My head feels heavy, and my chest aches in ways I can’t describe. I pull myself together slowly, my bare feet touching the cold wooden floor as I stand.My legs wobble from the intense fuck that I had begged for. I steady myself with a deep breath.I wanted Sebastian to make me feel something—anything other than this hollow, suffocating emptiness. I wanted him to bring me back to life.“Take me for a drink,” I say, turning around to face him. My voice is flat, almost cold.Sebastian sits up from the table, his brows furrowed in confusion.“What do you mean, Elizabeth?” he asks, his tone careful, almost hesitant.“Take me drinking,” I repeat, crossing my arms over my chest. “To a bar. Somewhere loud, somewhere I can forget myself.”He stares at me like I’ve grown a second head. “What if someone sees us?”“What if they do?” I ask back, my eyes boring into his. “I don’t care.”H
SebastianThe door to my office swings open so forcefully that the hinges groan. I lift my head; it’s Celeste. She stands there, wild-eyed, her cheeks flushed with anger.“Why did you fire me?” she demands. Her voice is sharp and unwavering.I exhale slowly, keeping my calm as I lean back in my chair.“First of all, watch your tone, Celeste,” I say, my voice steady but cold.“And secondly, I don’t have to explain myself to you.” I pause for a beat, letting the words settle. “But if I must, it’s because you cannot be trusted.”Her lips part slightly, and I can see the confusion in her eyes as she processes my words.She takes a step forward, her heels clicking hard against the floor.“I can’t be trusted?” she spits out, her tone incredulous. “Why?”I rest my hands on the desk and look at her carefully.“Look at your conduct in this office,” I say evenly, my words laced with a quiet accusation. It’s enough to make her bristle.I know what I mean. Her affair with Christopher and what the
Elizabeth“What are you up to, Christopher?” I ask, my voice steady, but my heart thunders beneath my chest.Christopher’s eyes narrow slightly as he steps closer, slow and deliberate, like a predator testing its prey. “Can’t I be worried about you, Lizzy?” he asks softly, his tone unsettlingly calm.Worried about me? A bitter laugh almost escapes me, but I swallow it back.Edward shifts in my arms, his little hands gripping my shoulders. I force myself to smile down at him, hiding the tension from his innocent eyes. “Go to your room, sweetheart,” I whisper gently, kissing the top of his head. “I’ll come find you soon, okay?”Edward hesitates, looking back at his father before nodding and running toward the hallway, his little footsteps echoing off the walls.Christopher doesn’t take his eyes off me. I don’t want Edward to see what might happen next. He’s already seen too much. I move quickly, brushing past Christopher before he can say anything else. The ache in my ribs flares up as
ElizabethI wake up to a dull ache in my ribs, sharp enough to make me wince.The bandages wrapped around me remind me of why I hurt, and the pain brings everything flooding back. But the moment my eyes adjust to the soft morning light, panic grips me.This isn’t my bed. This isn’t my house.I sit up too fast, the ache in my ribs flaring up, but I don’t care.The room is large and unfamiliar. The sheets beneath me are soft. The curtains are drawn halfway, revealing a view of a sprawling garden. My heart pounds. I don’t know where I am.“Where am I?” I whisper to no one.I push the blanket off me, my bare feet hitting the cold wooden floor. My purse is on the dresser across the room, and I lurch toward it, desperate for answers. My hands are shaking as I grab it, digging inside for my phone.“Good morning,” a voice says from the doorway.I jump, spinning around. It’s Sebastian. He’s leaning casually against the doorframe, looking at me like nothing is wrong.“Where am I?” I ask, my voi
SebastianI sit across from her as she sleeps, the dim light of the room casting soft shadows over her face. She looks so delicate, so fragile. Her chest rises and falls unevenly, as if even breathing is a struggle.I can see the bruises on her neck, faint but unmistakable, like fingerprints left behind by someone who had no right to touch her.It’s strange seeing her like this. Vulnerable. Elizabeth is always so guarded, her sharp tongue and stubbornness her armor. But now, as she lies here, battered and bruised, I can see the cracks in her walls. I hate it. I hate how someone could do this to her.I run a hand through my hair and lean back in my chair, never taking my eyes off her.A part of me wants to reach out, to hold her hand, to promise her that everything will be okay. But I can’t. Not yet. She wouldn’t believe me anyway.The sound of my father’s footsteps pulls me from my thoughts. I glance up as he enters the room, carrying two glasses of whiskey. He hands me one without a
ElizabethI see Sebastian in a different light. He is no longer the man who I slept with; he is now my protector. He is tense and determined. But it’s his eyes that catch me—dark, stormy, full of something I can’t quite name. Anger? Fear? Concern? All of it, maybe.“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice quieter than I intended. I’m trying to sound steady, but my ribs ache with every breath, and the words come out shaky.“You need to see a doctor,” he replies, glancing at me for a moment before turning his eyes back to the road. His knuckles grip the steering wheel so tightly I can see the tension in his hands.“I can’t,” I say quickly, panic rising in my chest. “I can’t go to the hospital. I can’t risk any of this getting out.”His jaw tightens, and his fingers flex on the wheel as if he’s holding himself back.“You know what? I don’t care, Elizabeth,” he says sharply. “All I know is that I need to make sure you’re okay. This isn’t up for debate.”“Sebastian, please.” My voice cracks,
SebastianThe scent of Elizabeth still clings to me. I can’t get her out of my head.It’s been two days since we were together under the stars, two days since I touched her soft skin, kissed her, and held her like she was the only thing that mattered.Her smell, her taste, the feel of her—it’s driving me insane. And yet, nothing. No word from her. Is she avoiding me?Christopher is back from the wild goose chase I sent him on.I saw him at the meeting earlier today, storming around, snapping at everyone.He’s furious, and it’s because of me. My friend played his part perfectly—promising Christopher an investment only to back out at the last second.Watching Christopher’s face twist in frustration had been sweet, almost too easy. My plan is working. Piece by piece, I’m dismantling his perfect little empire. But now, with Elizabeth, it feels different. She’s under my skin, making me question everything.She hasn’t been to the office since that night. Is she regretting what happened? Or