Chapter 4

Sebastian

I sat in the dining room, eating the food she had prepared. When Cassandra said she wanted to talk about something important, I decided to meet her.

reading her voice calling out to me as I was leaving actually made me wonder if I should stay. That woman had saved Isabella with her blood and even fainted yesterday.

I’m just doing this because she’s useful.

Something uncomfortable, maybe guilt... Eventually made me come back without telling her.

I came back because of her message though I’d never admit that. Instead, I told her I just forgot a file. She hesitantly asked to stay to eat her food.

I said nothing, just sat down and kept eating her food. She wasn’t bad at cooking, but she couldn’t help acting foolish.

Secretly, I was glancing at her. Her face looked paler than before, but she was still beautiful. Honestly, I'd never really looked at her properly until now.

When I saw her unconscious, I still walked toward Isabella.

I was quite relieved that she was doing better now. Now I told myself that if anything changed in this mutually beneficial relationship, I wouldn’t have to worry about it.

It pissed me off.

Isabella was my first love, the woman who always filled my heart. When she regained consciousness, I planned to talk to her about this marriage.

I mean, for now, I would hold off because Isabella’s recovery was the most important thing.

When the phone suddenly rang and the doctor informed me that Isabella showed signs of waking up, I immediately stood up.

I turned around, eager to find out about Isabella’s condition. If she was awake, she should see me first.

I walked out, leaving Cassandra behind like I usually did.

I sat in the car on my way to the hospital, unable to control the anxiety building inside me.

I truly hoped she had really woken up, to end these restless days. I told myself this was what I wanted. But my thoughts kept drifting back to the lonely woman I’d left behind.

Still, I forced myself to focus.

“Bella,” I called as her eyelids fluttered.

I waited, hoping it wouldn’t stop with just a small twitch. Finally, she looked at me. Finally, she truly opened her eyes.

I couldn’t hold myself back any longer. I hugged her, releasing the happiness that had been trapped inside me, stabbing my heart a thousand times every time I saw her unconscious.

“Thank you for waking up, Bella. Thank you.”

I hugged her gently, and it made me cry. An hour later, her condition had improved compared to before, and the doctors had examined her. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

She was back.

"I knew you’d be here. You’re always loyal by my side, Sebastian."

At that moment, I could only smile with a strange feeling, then nod. My eyes were still red from crying earlier.

"I’m always with you, Bella."

Without any warning, she pulled me into her arms. "I knew nothing could keep us apart," she whispered against my shoulder.

My body tensed when she was hugging me.

Then she leaned back and said, "We can finally get married."

She held my hand. I should be happy hearing her say that.

For the past three years, I had always dreamed of when I could marry her and we could live happily ever after. But right now, I was shocked and confused.

"Sebastian?"

Her voice was unnaturally soft, because I didn’t immediately respond to what she said. She held my hand tighter.

I had thought about this moment over and over again. "Bella, I’m already married."

She stared at me with a confused expression. "W-what?"

I took a deep breath before answering her, holding her hand tighter.

"The daughter of the Bellamy family. I never loved her. It was just an arranged marriage, Isabella "

"You can divorce her, and we’ll be together again, right?" Isabella whispered, her eyes, the ones that always managed to weaken my heart. looking at me pleadingly.

But I shook my head slowly. "It’s too complicated, Bella. I need time because it involves both of our families."

I let out a deep sigh as I touched my forehead.

I mean, I had thought about marrying and being with Isabella all the time... but why did it feel like something was wrong?

I took a moment to breathe. Just now, a lie had slipped from my mouth. In truth, the Bellamy company was already under my control.

I wouldn’t lose anything. Honestly, I wanted to laugh at myself for acting like this.

Where was the Sebastian who was always so confident?

It felt like he had disappeared.

I clenched my other hand tightly, smiling as I looked into her eyes, which were weak but still held perfect beauty.

"Don’t think about it. You just need to focus on getting better. I’ll make sure I’m always here for you, and you’ll get anything you need, Bella."

I kissed her forehead gently, but it felt empty.

She looked at me. "Sebastian, you know I don’t care about anything else but you."

I didn’t want to destroy everything I had worked so hard for.

"I know. I’m always by your side, Bella."

On my way home, Andrian called me. "How is Isabella doing, Sebastian?"

I exhaled, gently touching my forehead. There was a heavy feeling that I couldn’t quite describe.

"Bella has woken up and still needs time to recover." I steered the wheel carefully.

"Finally, you'll be free from your marriage with that ungrateful woman. I’ve always felt sorry for you."

Adrian spoke with enthusiasm. I always knew he was my friend who supported my relationship with Isabella. He often asked about Isabella's condition.

"Dealing with that woman is so annoying. Every time I tell her the facts about you two, she thinks one day you'll love her." I heard his heavy sigh. "But now it’s all over, because that woman finally said she would leave. You can divorce her, Sebastian."

Something pierced my heart when I heard what Adrian said. Cassandra’s sweet smile that always appeared in my mind suddenly flashed before me. She always wanted to be with me and always tried to win my love...

... was she really going to leave?

"Sebastian, are you listening to me?"

"Shut up, Adrian."

I don’t know why I got angry and immediately hung up the phone. My actions couldn’t even be understood by myself because right after that, I drove home like crazy.

I had no patience and immediately entered Cassandra’s room, grabbing her hand.

"What did you say to Adrian?" I stared at her sharply.

She looked at me, and slowly, a grin appeared on her face. "I’ll divorce you."

Unbelievable. This woman had ruined everything, and now she was making me feel like this. Did she think she had the right to make it seem like she was better than me?

"You should keep your mouth shut. The divorce should come from me."

But that woman lost her patience. It was the first time I saw anger in her eyes, and then she slapped my hand away roughly.

"Hey, are you in love with me?"

A ridiculous question, making my breath come out harshly. I looked at this shameless woman, who had forgotten her position.

"In love with you?"

A small laugh escaped from me, hardening my face. As I grabbed the back of her head, I pulled her hair slightly.

"You’re not even worth a single strand of Isabella’s hair."

Her eyes trembled. My heartbeat grew uncomfortable, and I roughly released my grip on her, leaving her behind.