Back then, I couldn't understand how things had come to this. I had clung to a sliver of hope and believed that maybe, just maybe, once our child was born, he would change his mind.
However, I finally understood that all of these stemmed from what happened a year ago. At that time, Sebastian’s company faced a major crisis and it was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
At that time, Sofia disappeared after she took every last penny that he had and left him without saying a word.
The double betrayal crushed him. In his devastation, he shut himself in his room day after day.
I became frantic and did everything that I could to pull him back from the edge. I worked tirelessly, chasing every potential deal and searching for clients.
Day after day, I drank with a potential client and finally got a big order that could bring the company back to life.
I rushed to his place, fell to my knees and begged him to remember the man he once was and to give himself another chance and not give up.
Something in my words must have reached him. He agreed to meet with the client.
That night, the business mogul we were negotiating with brought along his mistress. However, the woman fell in love with Sebastian. She determined to have her way with him and slipped a drug into his drink.
This caught me in a dilemma. If I made a scene, I was afraid the boss would cancel the deal if he knew. On the other hand, I could not stand to see Sebastian struggle in agony.
So, I claimed to be his girlfriend and led him away to a hotel room. That night, he held me tight, his burning body pressed against mine and we had intercourse all night.
The next morning, when I woke up, panic took hold of me. I feared that if he knew that his former partner had become his bed partner, he would push me away. So, I ran in a hurry.
Then three months later, when I discovered I was pregnant, with a blush on my face and a thumping heart, I went and met Sebastian then confessed.
Sebastian stared at me for a long time in silence. There was a complicated look on his face. Just when I thought he wouldn't take responsibility, he suddenly exhaled, smiled pulled me into his embrace and said, "Chiara, maybe you are an angel sent from heaven to save me. Help me to start over."
I laughed through my tears. I cried for how pitiful I was and laughed at how foolish I had been.
Now, I realized that while I was being locked up for half a month, Sofie had managed to twist the truth of that night and told him her version. She told Sebastian that she was the one who had given herself to him and ran away with a child in her womb. Meanwhile, I, a vile and scheming woman, had stolen her place and tried to saddle him with a bastard.
No wonder Sebastian looked at me with such deep hatred.
“Boss, it's already been a day and a night ah, you are really going to kill someone if this goes on …." the subordinate said jitterily,” Maybe even, she's already...”
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Sebastian cut his subordinate off impatiently. "It’s just one night. What could possibly happen?"
His voice dripped with irritation. "The appliances in the cafeteria are all high-tech. There are built-in safety measures. If they detect someone inside, they’ll shut off automatically. I was only trying to scare her."
The subordinate’s face was pale. He swallowed nervously. "Um but … but the fire was always on …"
"Enough!" Sebastian slammed his tableware onto the table. "Did Chiara put you up to this? If you plead for her one more time, I’ll lock her up even longer!"
The subordinate fell silent.
Sofia spoke hesitantly, "Maybe we should stop now … If this goes on any longer, sister might truly hate me and if she ever…"
She trailed off, her voice soft and pitiful. "I’m not saying she would hurt me. However, … if she did, I suppose I’d deserve it. It’s only right for her to resent me …"
Seeing her eyes glisten with unshed tears, Sebastian pulled her into his arms protectively. “Sofia, she has made you scared like this. She deserves everything that’s happening to her. You are my love, my savior. I won’t let anyone hurt you."
