Chapter 30

[ 972 words ]

Emilia’s POV

Sebastian lifted his eyebrow, looking insufferably smug.

I felt my face burn hotter. I covered my eyes with one hand, though I could still see his infuriatingly perfect body through the gaps between my fingers. “Well, it looks like you learned arrogance from me. Congratulations! And I learned not to knock from you.”

I fled back to my room before he could respond, slamming the door behind me.

God, that body should be illegal.

After my shower, I cracked open the door cautiously. Sebastian was sprawling on the couch in nothing but shorts, reading a financial magazine like some kind of underwear model who accidentally wandered into Forbes.

“We should exchange phone numbers,” I blurted out, keeping my hand strategically positioned to block the view. Not that it helped much. I could still see those abs through my fingers.

“No.” He didn’t even look up.

“Why not? It’s practical. I don’t have a wolf, Sebastian. I can’t use mind-link like everyone else in this house. If something happens…”

“I don’t see the need.”

Asshole.

The next evening, I practically sprinted home from Hanson Group, my mind racing through my to-do list. I had exactly forty-seven minutes to transform myself from exhausted secretary to presentable wife.

I flew upstairs and tore through my closet, finally settling on a light purple gown. The silk felt cool against my skin as I slipped it on, the fabric hugging my waist before flowing down to my ankles in elegant waves.

Standing in front of the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

The dress brought out the blue in my eyes, making them look less tired and more… alive. I twisted my long brown hair into a soft updo, leaving a few loose strands to frame my face. My pointed chin looked less severe with the gentle styling, and the rosy color I applied to my lips added warmth to my features.

Light makeup. Nothing too dramatic. Just enough to look like I belonged at a university charity ball and not like I’d been drowning in paperwork all day.

I fastened a pair of simple diamond earrings and stepped back.

Elegant.

The clock on my nightstand reminded me. I grabbed my clutch and rushed downstairs, nearly colliding with Tiffany in the hallway.

“Holy shit, Emilia!” She grabbed my arms, her eyes wide. “You look absolutely gorgeous! Are you going on a date?”

“Language, Tiff. And no, I’m going to a ball.” I glanced toward the door anxiously. “Is your brother home yet?”

“Going with Sebastian?” Her grin turned wicked. “This is basically a date.”

“It’s not a date…”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” She squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry. My brother’s a lot of things, most of them terrible, but he keeps his promises.”

I wanted to believe her, but the knot in my stomach disagreed.

What if he changed his mind? What if he forgot? What if he decided humiliating me was more entertaining than keeping his word?

A car horn blared outside.

Relief flooded through me so quickly I almost felt dizzy.

“See?” Tiffany pushed me toward the door. “I told you. Trust him more, Emilia.”

“I’ll try my best.”

I couldn’t stop the genuine smile that spread across my face as I hurried outside.

Sebastian’s black Maybach gleamed under the driveway lights. Through the window, I could see his silhouette, and my breath caught.

He stepped out of the car, and I forgot how to function.

Sebastian wore a perfectly tailored black suit. The jacket emphasized his broad shoulders, and the white shirt beneath it contrasted sharply with his tanned skin. His dark hair was styled back, revealing those sharp cheekbones and intense green eyes that seemed to see straight through me.

He looked like every woman’s fantasy and every man’s nightmare.

I stood there like an idiot, staring.

“Didn’t you see I’m waiting? Hurry up.” His impatient voice snapped me back to reality.

I climbed into the car, trying to recover my dignity. “Actually, I was the one waiting.”

“Talking back again?”

I shut my mouth immediately.

Right. I asked him for a favor. The least I could do was not antagonize him.

The drive to the banquet hall was silent except for the soft hum of the engine. I snuck glances at Sebastian from the corner of my eye, watching the city lights play across his sharp features.

The ball was already in full swing when we arrived.

I spotted Lily immediately, standing outside alone and looking around frantically.

“Emilia! Finally!” She rushed toward me, then froze when she saw Sebastian beside me. “Hello, Alpha Sebastian.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sebastian’s tone was perfectly cordial and completely impersonal. He glanced at the crowded hall with barely concealed distaste. “I’ll walk around once with you, then I’m leaving.”

“That’s fine…”

Lily grabbed my arm suddenly.

“Scott is back,” she whispered in my ear.

“What?” The word came out sharper than I intended. “That’s impossible. I spoke to him this morning. He confirmed he was still in Germany for the conference.”

Scott had left for Germany two weeks ago, right before my sudden marriage to Sebastian. He’d originally planned to take me with him, but I’d declined, citing personal reasons.

Personal reasons being: I didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea about our relationship.

But he wasn’t supposed to be back yet.

“Well, he’s here now.” Lily’s eyes darted toward the entrance. “And he doesn’t know about your marriage, does he?”

No. He didn’t know.

I glanced at Sebastian beside me. Tall, imposing, and completely unaware of the social disaster about to unfold.

Scott didn’t know I was married.

But it should be fine, right? My boss and I are just friends.

I glanced at Sebastian beside me and suddenly lost the courage to move forward. What if he misunderstood the situation?

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