Chapter 145

He hit the remote and the Mindwave display drifted across the screen before stopping on a swirl of blazing red nebula. “The weather’s perfect tonight. You can see everything so clearly.”
Reese glanced at the screen, then looked around. Under the glass dome, her favourite white campanula flowers were arranged everywhere. Soft piano music played in the background, and even the cushions in the lounge were the same linen she used to have at home.
Too bad all of this was Sebastian’s taste, not hers.
“Sebastian, you really don’t have to do all this.” Her voice was gentle but complicated. “No matter how much thought you put into the decorations, it just shows how little you actually know me. Doesn’t it?”
Sebastian faltered, feeling the distance in her eyes. He couldn’t argue-she was right. After all these years, he’d barely paid attention, didn’t even know what she liked. The more he tried, the more off he was.
“Reese, I know I messed up. But can you give me a little more time? Let me really get to know you. Give me a chance to be the person who stays by your side.”
He was lucky they hadn’t become total strangers. Maybe he still had a shot to fix things.
Reese stared at him, sighed so quietly he almost missed it, and turned away.
No one’s supposed to stand still and wait for someone else.
She’d given him seven years. He’d wasted every one.
Now she was tired. She didn’t want to spend another second hoping he’d finally turn around, but the moment she let go, here he was, clinging on.
When she started to leave, Sebastian panicked and grabbed her wrist. “I’ll tell you who drugged you. Just… stay with me tonight, okay?”
Reese tilted her head and studied him for a long moment. Finally, she answered, “Okay.”
Trading one night to find out who ruined her life seemed more than fair.
Sebastian looked relieved, a small smile breaking through as he licked his dry lips. “It was Dylon.” Updates are released by (.)net
“A while back, Neal found the guy who did it, but on his way to Bridger Lake, he got in a car accident. He didn’t make it.”
Reese’s heart dropped. “An accident?”
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
Sebastian’s expression turned cold. “Neal checked, there were way too many ‘accidents’ on that road. It felt like someone set it up.”
“I think it was Dylon.”
He laid out all his doubts, looking her in the eyes.
“Dylon?” Reese’s eyes widened.
She’d known Dylon tried to short Ramos Corporation to get in Sebastian’s good graces, but she always thought he was just blinded by power. She ever realized het
planned to use her from the start.
Suddenly, she saw Tara’s bright smile, arms linked with Zach, and felt ice spread through her veins.
No, maybe it wasn’t just about using her…
Dylon drugged Sebastian, forced her to marry him, made her leave Zach, kept secret the money she’d given Zach so he’d hate her.
He knew she couldn’t stand to see Ramos Corporation fall apart, so he leaned on the Ratcliffs to rebuild it while pushing Tara and Zach together, letting Tara get her wish, and tying himself to the Wiles family.
It was all calculated.
So Dylon’s attack on Ramos Corporation wasn’t just to please Sebastian. It was
all part of a plan. That day was just the opening move.
Reese shut her eyes, everything spinning, and she swayed on her feet.
Sebastian caught her, worry in his voice. “I didn’t want to tell you before-I was afraid it would ruin tonight.”
He hadn’t expected her to care this much.
Now he almost regretted luring her here with the promise of answers.
Reese steadied herself, stepping back to put some distance between them, but Sebastian held onto her and led her outside.
“Don’t stress about it,” he said. “I’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise I won’t let you get hurt for nothing.”
On the terrace, a row of telescopes faced the sky. Sebastian set one up and motioned for her to look.
“You can see Saturn’s rings tonight.”
He stood behind her, voice warm and close, arms ready to keep her from bumping into the equipment.
Reese bent to the eyepiece, holding
her breath as Saturn’s rings came into focus-dazzling, sharp, and so beautiful they made her forget everything else for a moment.