I left Rebecca with Mary Smith, the housekeeper, then turned the car around and drove to the Grant residence.
The living room was brightly lit. My parents were sitting on the couch. Worry was etched across their faces. Mom froze when she saw me, and a moment later, her eyes brimmed with tears.
Dad, however, let out a heavy sigh. His expression turned grim, and his voice was tight with suppressed anger as he asked, "So, you've decided to come back?"
Without missing a beat, I sank to my knees. "Dad, Mom… I'm sorry. I was wrong."
For five years, I had burdened them with worry, all for the sake of being with Rebecca.
At the end of the day, blood was thicker than water. My parents couldn't bring themselves to be too harsh with me.
After five long years of estrangement, we finally made peace.
Guilt weighed heavily on me. For five years, I had neglected Grant Corporation, leaving my parents to carry far too much of the burden.
I looked into their eyes, and resolve settled in my gaze. "Dad, Mom… I'll go through with the marriage arrangement."
For the sake of my family and for myself, I had to change.
"I'll end things with Rebecca once and for all," I added.
…
Once I returned to the apartment I shared with Rebecca, I began rifling through every drawer. In the back of a desk in the study, I found a locked wooden box.
I remembered how much Rebecca had treasured it. She never let me touch it. Now, I grabbed some tools and pried the lock open.
Inside was a stack of photographs—all of Tobias. Some showed his radiant smile, while others caught him with his head lowered, lost in thought.
There were even shots of him running across a sunlit field in a jersey. And in every picture, Rebecca's love and attention were unmistakable.
There was also a sketchbook in the box. On one page was a beautifully drawn watch, and the words "Right Time" were delicately engraved on its dial.
Rebecca had designed it herself. She had told me I was her inspiration, that it was meant as a birthday gift for me. As it turned out, even this gift had been custom-made for Tobias.
Scattered among them were sticky notes listing his preferences, his favorite foods, his favorite colors, and the little wishes he had mentioned in passing. Each piece held a trace of her love for him.
I, on the other hand, had been a fool. I was kept in the dark for five long years, and now, I understood what it felt like for a heart to go numb.
I gathered several large suitcases and trash bags. Without hesitation, I packed up everything that had belonged to Rebecca. Then, I dumped it all at the trash collection point downstairs.
By the time I finished, dawn was beginning to break.
I showered, changed into a tailored suit, and looked at the man in the mirror. Though I looked pale, my gaze was sharper than ever.
"Welcome back, Sebastian Grant," I whispered to myself.
…
A few days later, I accompanied my parents to a charity auction. Appearing together in public sent a clear message—the Grants were united, and the rumors had been nothing but noise.
I wasn't surprised to see Rebecca and Tobias there.
A flicker of guilt shadowed Rebecca's expression the instant she saw me. She looked visibly uneasy.
Tobias stood beside her, and his arm was resting on her shoulders. When his eyes met mine, a smug, challenging smile tugged at his lips.
Even then, I didn't spare them another glance. It was as if they were nothing more than background noise.
During the event, I stepped away to the restroom. The moment I came out, I saw Rebecca waiting for me at the door.
She reeked of alcohol, but her gaze was sharp. "Seb, hear me out. I came with a business partner, and Tobias was forced on me as a date."
She rushed to explain herself. Her voice was tinged with a hint of panic.
I forced down the nausea rising in my chest and calmly interrupted her, "It's just work. I'm not that petty."
Yet, Rebecca didn't like how calm I was. She reached for my arm, but I stepped aside without a word.
Her eyes flickered with hurt. Then, as if remembering something, her voice took on a lighter tone. "Oh, right. My birthday's next month, Seb. Do you have anything planned for me?"
Between the lines, Rebecca was clearly hinting that I should propose.
She wasn't wrong. I had planned to propose on her birthday and had been preparing for it. Even though I had tried to keep it a secret, my recent behavior must have tipped her off.
After all, according to her plan, only the last step remained.
