Chapter 168

[ 956 words ]

Sebastian’s POV

“Sebastian, you need rest. These files aren’t worth burning yourself out over,” Ryder complained in my mind.

I glanced at the clock. 9:00 AM. Had I really worked through the whole night?

“I’m fine,” I muttered, rubbing my burning eyes. But I wasn’t, and I knew it.

Sleep was the problem. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. Emilia in my office, surrounded by those damning photos, refusing to explain, giving me nothing but excuses. The betrayal cut deeper than any blade.

“You’re torturing yourself. And her,” Ryder growled.

I slammed my fist on the desk. “What do you want me to do? She lied to me, Ryder. How am I supposed to forgive that?”

“You could try listening to her side.”

“There is no side. She had chances to tell me the truth, and she chose to keep lying.”

He went quiet, but I felt his disapproval sitting heavy in my chest. I downed my coffee in one bitter gulp. Cold. Just like everything else in my life right now.

Two days. That was how long I’d gone without going home, without real sleep. The pills sat untouched in my drawer. I couldn’t stand the thought of lying there unconscious, dreaming of her walking out on me the way Abigail did. Work was safer. Numbers didn’t lie. Contracts didn’t betray you.

A knock. Fynn stepped inside, took one look at me, and sighed. “You look like hell.”

“Good morning to you too.”

“When did you last eat? Or sleep?” He held up a hand before I could answer. “Never mind. The business summit’s at ten. City Plaza Convention Center. You agreed to it three weeks ago.”

Shit. I’d forgotten.

“Do I have to go?”

“Yes. You’re the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack and CEO of Simons Imperial Group. People expect to see you.”

I gritted my teeth. The last thing I wanted was to fake a smile for a room full of pompous executives. But he was right.

“Fine. Give me twenty minutes.”

Fynn left. I stared at my reflection in the dark computer screen. Dark circles, stubble, hair a mess. I looked like death.

I grabbed a change of clothes and headed for the bathroom. A quick shower and shave later, I almost looked human again.

The convention center was crawling with business types in expensive suits, all fake laughs and exaggerated handshakes. Fynn stayed close as we cut through the crowd. A few people tried to stop me. I brushed them off with curt nods and kept moving.

Then I saw him. Scott Hanson.

He was by the refreshment table, talking to some executive I didn’t recognize. He spotted me, said something to excuse himself, and came over with a hand extended and a polite smile.

“Alpha Sebastian. Good to see you.”

I shook his hand casually. “Scott.”

We both knew what this was really about.

My jaw tightened. He was in love with my mate, and he wasn’t half as good at hiding it as he thought.

“How’s business?” I asked.

“Can’t complain. Hanson Group’s expanding.” His eyes flicked over me. “And you? You look tired, Simons. Trouble at home?”

I smiled instead. “Never better. It’s good of you to worry about my home, though. I’ll be sure to tell my wife you asked after her.”

The color drained out of his smile.

“Excuse me,” I said. “I have other people to speak with.”

“Of course. Wouldn’t want to keep you.”

I walked away before either of us said something that couldn’t be walked back.

The rest of the summit dragged. Presentations, handshakes, business cards pressed into my palm by men whose names I forgot the second I heard them.

By the time it ended, I was one of the first out the door, Fynn trailing behind me.

That’s when I saw her. Linda Taylor.

She stood near the lobby doors, arms crossed, wearing a smug little smile that made me want to leave through a different exit.

“Sebastian!” She waved like we were old friends.

I stopped. “What do you want, Linda?”

“I need to talk to you. It’s important.” She stepped closer, unbothered by my tone. “It’s about Emilia.”

I went still. Ryder came fully awake, ears up.

Not here. Not in a lobby full of people.

“Come with me,” I said.

I turned without waiting to see if she’d follow and led her down a side corridor to an empty conference room. Fynn moved to come with us. I stopped him with a look and shut the door behind me myself.

The room was quiet. I didn’t sit. Neither did she.

“You have two minutes,” I said. “Use them.”

Linda smiled, like she’d won something already.

She pulled out her phone, tapped the screen a few times, and held it up between us.

“If that video I showed you last time wasn’t enough to kill whatever you still feel for Emilia,” she said, “then listen to this.”

“How did you get that project? You’ve been trying for months with no success.”

Linda’s voice, sharp and accusing.

“You stole my recorder, didn’t you? The one with Emilia’s confession about marrying Sebastian for revenge.”

My blood went cold.

Henry stammered. “I didn’t steal anything. Emilia and I made a deal. She wanted that recording kept away from Sebastian, so she agreed to help me land the Florida resort project in exchange for it.”

The recording ended. Linda looked at me with satisfaction.

“There you have it,” she said smugly. “Your precious wife made a deal with my father to keep lying to you. She helped him steal that project from under your nose just to cover up her revenge scheme. This is the woman you’re defending.”

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