Chapter 36
As I thought things over, I made sure Selena, sitting in the passenger seat, didn’t notice.
When we got home, I grabbed the bag; and headed into the kitchen to cook. Selena was lost in thought, sitting alone at the dining table. When the food was ready, I poured her a glass of red wine.
“Want some?” I asked.
She nodded.
Her alcohol tolerance seemed especially low tonight, with
er barely able to handle two glasses before getting
tipsy. Maybe because she had been holding so much in, she seemed to talk without thinking.
She walked over, sat on my lap, and grabbed my shirt collar
I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t mess around.‘
But she pulled at my check, tugging it this way and that, asking, “How did you know about my brother? Did that jerk James say something?
”
1 took her hand and held it in mine. “Yeah, he did. He said we can’t be together. He also said I should stop dreaming because he has evidence of your brother’s crime, and there’s no way you’ll ever get away from it.” Her eyes dimming, she buried her head in my chest as if she were trying to hide from the world. “He’s right, Seb,” she murmured. “I thought once he got married, he would leave me alone. And he did, for three whole. years. But now, I understand. Ever since I made the wrong choice back then, there’s been no way out for me.
“Don’t say that.” I cupped her face in my hands. “James won’t threaten you anymore. From now on, focus on living your life.”
She suddenly smiled. “Really?”
I looked at her, completely sure of myself. “Really.”
Completely out of it, Selena passed out on the sofa. I carefully picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.
As soon as I laid her down on the bed, she mumbled, “I’m a bad daughter. I’ve let my parents down… My brother has been hoping for me to go abroad all these years, but… I don’t want to lose Sebastian. I don’t want to leave him, so forget about going abroad. I don’t need It!”
She waved her hands around as she spoke, then suddenly, exhaustion hit her. She drifted off into a deep sleep. I covered her up with the blanket again, brushing a lock of hair from her face.
I looked at her and whispered, “I’m not worth all this, silly girl. Since that’s your dream, you have to chase it.” After making sure she was settled, I stepped out of the bedroom and walked to the balcony, dialing James‘ number. When he picked up, I spoke first before he could say anything.
“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll do what you said.”
“Good,” James replied, sounding pleased.
Frowning, I coldly sald, “But you remember your promise. You won’t bother her again. And the matter with her brother is settled.”
I could hear him laugh lightly on the other end. “I’m a man of my word, Seb. And about Lena… you have no idea how much I care for her. I know the best thing I can do is sy out of her way.”
Chapter 36
+15 BONUS
He paused for a moment, then added, “Jess has really been struggling lately. Whatever happened between you two, I think you understand now what she’s done for you. Take care of her.”
I didn’t respond to that. Instead, I said, “I need to verify the matter about Jessica.”
James laughed louder. “Timothy Ziegler is the best person for that, don’t you think?”
