Chapter 4

Sebastian swayed as Vanessa shoved him, his bleary eyes drifting toward me.

Exhaustion and irritation lined his face, as if desperate to rid himself of this inconvenient scene.

He waved a limp hand, voice slurred and dismissive.

“Clara… just… go pack your things…”

He belched, nearly collapsing onto Vanessa, then mumbled, “Once you’re done… just leave. Stay at a hotel tonight.”

Vanessa shot me a triumphant glance—like a peacock flaunting its feathers—and pressed herself tighter against Sebastian, cooing sweetly, “Now that’s more like it…”

Sebastian chuckled drunkenly, his arm tightening around her waist as he buried his face in the curve of her neck, his hot breath reeking of whiskey.

“Baby… you happy now?”

His hand slid suggestively down her back, his voice thick with lust.

“So… when do I get my reward, huh?

I’m divorcing her for you… you’ve gotta give me something in return…”

As he spoke, he leaned in to kiss her throat, fingers roaming restlessly over her spine.

Vanessa pouted instantly, poking his chest with a manicured finger.

“You still have the nerve to ask after defending her and yelling at me?!”

She turned away with feigned offense—but not before flicking a sly glance over her shoulder to gauge his reaction.

Sebastian scrambled to soothe her, his hands already creeping up the inside of her thighs.

“I wasn’t defending her! I just didn’t want you worked up…

She’s nothing compared to you.

Young, gorgeous—you’re everything. She’s just a dried-up stick with no spark left…”

Flattered and aroused, Vanessa melted into laughter, her earlier anger forgotten.

They tangled together on the sofa, Sebastian’s breathing growing ragged.

He nuzzled her ear, his whisper dripping with alcohol and raw desire—loud enough for me to hear clearly.

“Don’t worry about her… She signed the papers. We’re done.”

His hand slipped beneath her blouse, voice low and suggestive.

“Stay tonight, okay? Give yourself to me…

Just us two. Let me make it up to you…”

Vanessa playfully smacked his chest, her voice syrupy and teasing.

“Ugh, you’re impossible… All you think about! I’m not ready yet…”

Yet even as she spoke, her body went boneless against his, arching forward to meet his lips.

Sebastian let out a smug chuckle and kissed her hungrily.

The sounds they made—wet, urgent, shameless—filled the room.

I walked past them without expression, suitcase in hand, heading straight for the front door.

Behind me, Vanessa called out in a singsong voice, laced with deliberate gloating:

“Sebastian~ You’d better go get that divorce certificate with her first thing tomorrow! No delays!”

Sebastian, half on top of her, breath heavy and hands never still, mumbled without hesitation,

“Yeah… yeah… tomorrow… whatever you want…”

Satisfied, Vanessa turned her head over his shoulder and locked eyes with me—a look of pure, smug victory. Then, in a voice dripping honey, she asked,

“So tell me… between her and me… who do you really want?”

Her fingers traced lazy circles on his chest.

“Who makes you happier… being with?”

Lost in lust, Sebastian yanked at her collar, words tumbling out incoherent.

“You, obviously…”

“Say it properly,” she teased, her hand sliding lower.

“Obviously you, you little vixen…” His fingers were already under her skirt.

I kept walking.

Vanessa raised her voice just enough for me to hear:

“Sebastian… stop… your wife’s right there…”

Sebastian barely glanced my way, tossing out promises like trash.

“Divorce tomorrow… this house is yours after… you’ll be Mrs. Hale…”