A faint smile appeared on Sebastian's lips. "A deal? What kind of deal are you talking about?"
"I know this marriage wasn't your choice, and you don't have feelings for me." Juliana looked him straight in the eye. "If you promise not to touch me, I'll find a way to leave in a year and end this marriage. Besides, I will help you take control of the Harvey family."
When Sebastian didn't respond, Juliana continued without wasting another second, "If there's someone you care about, go after her. I won't stand in your way."
Everyone knew Sebastian was a notorious playboy. These terms should've been enough to satisfy him.
Juliana wasn't sure he would agree, but protecting herself mattered more than anything else.
Sebastian stayed quiet for a moment before looking at her with obvious contempt. "This marriage was arranged. What makes you think you can get a divorce?"
"I'll find a way." Juliana's voice remained steady as she looked back at him. "But you have to promise that you won't touch me. I'll end this marriage. I give you my word."
A quiet laugh escaped Sebastian. "What if a year passes and we still can't get divorced?"
Juliana answered without any hesitation, "If that happens, then I'll do whatever you want."
One year would be enough for her to find her mother.
Sebastian lowered his eyes to study her. "Looks like I'm not losing anything by agreeing."
"I won't go back on my promise," Juliana said as she held his gaze. "I expect you to keep yours too."
"Fine. It's a deal." Sebastian stood up and walked toward the bathroom. "Don't disappoint me."
Only after the sound of running water came from the bathroom did Juliana finally breathe easier.
She quickly changed her clothes and got into bed before he came back.
She had barely settled under the covers when the bathroom door opened. Sebastian walked over with a robe loosely tied around his waist.
"You're still awake? Were you waiting for me?"
Before he reached the bed, Juliana quickly pulled the quilt tightly around herself.
A moment later, the mattress sank beside her, and his face suddenly appeared close to hers.
She could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin.
Juliana stiffened and was about to remind him about their agreement, but he simply lay down beside her.
He made no attempt to touch her.
Even so, he kept watching her with an amused and unreadable look in his eyes.
"Relax," Sebastian said with a teasing smile. "I won't do anything to you."
A wave of irritation rose inside Juliana. Was he trying to tell her he'd already enjoyed himself with the woman who left?
Even so, the fear deep inside her hadn't disappeared.
No matter how carefree Sebastian acted, there was still something about him that made her uneasy.
Juliana didn't dare lower her guard. It was already early morning by the time exhaustion finally dragged her into sleep.
After that wedding night, Sebastian stayed away for a long while, and Juliana enjoyed the rare peace.
Still, she hadn't forgotten the deal between them.
Most of her days were spent collecting information and learning how power moved inside the Harvey Group.
The person who still held the real authority was Sebastian's grandfather, Arthur Harvey.
After asking one of the maids, Juliana found out that Arthur came to the house once every week.
The next day, he showed up at their door.
Juliana knew she was only a new bride with no solid position in the family, so she had to be very careful around someone as powerful as Arthur. She brought him a cup of coffee and asked politely, "Arthur, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Sebastian hasn't been coming home much lately, has he?"
Arthur didn't take the coffee. He didn't even glance at her.
Juliana had been ready to make an excuse, but his sharp tone made it clear that he already knew the truth.
"Call him. Tell him to come home," Arthur instructed.
Left with no other choice, Juliana dialed Sebastian's number. As soon as she did, Arthur added, "Put it on speaker."
Before Juliana could speak, Sebastian's careless voice came through the phone. "I'm busy. What do you want?"
Juliana lowered her voice and said, "Where are you? You need to come home."
Sebastian answered in a lazy and dismissive tone, "Are you trying to boss me around now?"
"Mr. Harvey, come on. Just hang up the phone. Let me pour you another drink..." A woman's sweet voice sounded in the background.
Arthur's face darkened with anger.
Before Juliana could say anything to ease the situation, Sebastian ended the call.
She could only look at Arthur with a troubled expression. "Sebastian might be busy."
"Busy with those women, you mean?" Arthur snapped as he glared at Juliana.
He looked as though he was about to say more, but her distressed expression made him stop. In the end, he only gave a cold snort.
"Sebastian is reckless, so you need to find a way to keep him in line. A child will tie him down. That's how you make sure he comes home"
"I understand," Juliana replied, lowering her eyes even though she scoffed inwardly.
She had no intention of having Sebastian's child.
"If he keeps behaving like this, come to me!" Arthur added.
Seeing how obedient she appeared, he offered a few more reassuring words before leaving.
Not long after Juliana escorted Arthur out, Sebastian stumbled back into the house, unsteady on his feet and smelling strongly of alcohol.
The moment she saw him, Juliana couldn't stop herself from smiling mockingly. It was obvious that Sebastian still feared his grandfather.
"Help him get cleaned up and change his clothes," she said to the nearby servant.
Before the servant could lay a hand on him, Sebastian suddenly opened his eyes. "Get lost!"
Startled, the servant hurried away.
Not wanting to become his next target, Juliana also turned to leave.
"Don't move." Sebastian reached out and grabbed her arm.
"What are you doing?" Juliana asked as she looked at him, confusion and caution filling her eyes.
"You're my wife. I came home drunk, and you don't think you should be taking care of me?"
Seeing how calm she remained, Sebastian suddenly wanted to provoke her.
Juliana frowned. "You expect me to wait on you?"
"Yeah. You're my wife. That's your responsibility."
Juliana rolled her eyes, but she didn't leave.
This man was asking far too much. They were only married because she hadn't been given a choice.
If she'd ever had a choice...
Another man's face suddenly appeared in her mind. She immediately shut her eyes and forced the thought away.
There had never been a future for her and that man.
Juliana's silence only made Sebastian's mood worse.
His face darkened. He stood up and pulled her toward him by the wrist.
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
"If you don't know how to take care of your husband, then I'll teach you myself."
Unable to break free, Juliana looked into his eyes in shock.
His gaze held her in place like a hunter watching its prey.
The next instant, he pushed her onto the bed and held her there so she couldn't get away.
The distance between them disappeared, and the air suddenly grew tense.
Sebastian had only wanted to tease Juliana at first, but the alcohol clouded his judgment and changed his thoughts.
Juliana was caught completely off guard by the force of his actions.
"Don't! Stop!" She struggled against his wandering hand and glared at him in panic. "Sebastian! Don't forget our agreement! Are you really going back on your word?"
"An agreement only matters when both people still accept it," he said in a low voice.
Sebastian paid no attention to her resistance. He held both of her wrists above her head with one hand while the other reached for the buttons of her dress.
"And I've already changed my mind."
