chapter 82
Elena's POV:
I stared at Sebastian, my phone burning in my hand like a guilty secret.
"It's..." I opened my mouth but found myself at a complete loss for how to explain something so absurd.
Your friend gave me a ride home, and now I'm being called a gold-digging mistress by three million strangers.
The absurdity of it all made my head spin.
"You should just... see for yourself," I said finally, holding out the phone.
Sebastian took it from my hand, his eyes scanning the screen.
I watched as his expression shifted, the muscle in his jaw tightening with each swipe. That dangerous stillness settled over him—the kind that meant someone, somewhere, was about to have a very bad day.
He reached for his own phone with controlled precision, clearly about to call someone, when the device lit up with an incoming call.
Felix's name flashed across the screen.
"Felix," Sebastian answered, his voice cold.
"Sebastian, I'm so sorry," Felix's voice came through, rapid and apologetic. "I'm already on it—my team's handling the trending topics as we speak. No one will bother Elena, I promise you that."
I could hear the genuine distress in Felix's tone as he continued, "Look, Chloe—she was just a contract relationship the company arranged for publicity. It ended a couple months ago. I had no idea she'd pull something like this."
"Contract or not," Sebastian's voice cut through like a blade wrapped in silk, "your arrangements have now involved my wife. I trust you understand the severity of that oversight."
"You'd better clean this up thoroughly," Sebastian's voice was dangerous. "Because if I have to handle it personally, I won't be concerned with preserving anyone's career or reputation. Are we clear?"
"Crystal clear," Felix responded immediately. "I'm handling it right now. This won't touch Elena, I swear. She'll be kept completely out of it."
"And Sebastian? Please tell Elena I'm sorry. This was never supposed to touch her."
The call ended without saying goodbye, Sebastian's finger sliding across the screen with finality.
I stood there, still processing the conversation, feeling oddly guilty about the whole situation. The silence stretched between us until I couldn't bear it anymore.
"Don't you think that was a bit harsh?" I ventured, pulling back slightly to look up at him. "Felix was just being kind, giving me a ride when I was freezing. The photos, this scandal—none of it was his doing. "
Sebastian's gaze shifted to me, something unreadable flickering in those grey depths. "That's precisely why I'm letting him handle it himself instead of stepping in," he said calmly. "Besides, his 'kindness' in driving you home has already been compensated with a prime piece of suburban development land."
The words left me utterly stunned, rendering me completely speechless. I stared at him, trying to process what he'd just said.
"You... gave him land? For giving me a ride?"
He nodded, as if we were discussing something as mundane as the weather rather than a property transaction worth millions.
"Of course."
I blinked, trying to reconcile this casual revelation with reality. I really didn't understand how the wealthy operated, did I?
For that kind of money, I would have happily walked all the way home in the December wind, frozen toes and all.
Something must have shown on my face because Sebastian's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I can see those wheels turning in your head, calculating property values." His hand found its way to my waist, pulling me closer. "Relax, darling. Your husband has more money than you could spend in a lifetime, even with your most ambitious efforts."
For a moment, I felt an odd twinge of jealousy. What would that kind of freedom feel like?
But the feeling passed as quickly as it came, and after the chaos of the evening, I slept surprisingly well, wrapped in the safety of our bed and Sebastian's familiar warmth.
The next morning brought Rose's scheduled visit.
She arrived with her usual professional efficiency, her medical bag in one hand and that gentle smile that always put me at ease.
"How are we feeling today?" she asked, already beginning her examination with practiced movements.
"Good," I replied, then found myself asking, "Who looks after Lily while you're working? If it's inconvenient to arrange childcare, you could always bring her along. I wouldn't mind at all."
Rose looked up from taking my pulse, clearly touched by the offer. "That's very kind of you, Elena. Thank you."
Her professional demeanor softened slightly. "But she's in kindergarten now—has been since September. She absolutely loves it, especially art class."
There was something in her voice when she spoke about her daughter, a warmth that transformed her whole demeanor. Despite everything she'd been through, she seemed genuinely happy.
"You know," I ventured as she made notes in my chart, "after trying those ginger lemon cookies you brought last time, I actually attempted making some myself. "
" If you'd like, you could take some back for Lily? After you mentioned that Lily enjoys those ginger lemon cookies too, I actually made extra. I'd love to get your feedback on how to improve them."
Rose looked up from her notes, a genuine smile breaking across her face.
"Thank you, Elena. Lily will be over the moon."
She didn't refuse or make polite excuses, which I appreciated.
The visit continued with its usual rhythm of medical checks and gentle conversation. Time seemed to slip by quickly, and before I knew it, Rose was glancing at her watch.
"I should head out," she said, packing her medical bag with practiced efficiency. "Lily's school lets out soon."
"You drove yourself today?" I asked, noticing her car keys.
"Yes, finally got my car back from the shop." She smiled, slipping on her coat.
I walked her to the door, the bag of carefully wrapped cookies in her hand.
The December air was crisp as we stepped outside, and I watched as she made her way to a modest but well-maintained sedan. She waved before getting in, and I lingered in the doorway, watching her car pull away from the curb.
That's when I noticed it—a familiar black car parked just down the street. My stomach tightened with recognition. Nicholas's car. He was sitting inside, barely visible through the tinted windows, but I knew that silhouette.
I stayed frozen in place, watching as Rose's taillights disappeared around the corner.
After a moment's pause, Nicholas's engine purred to life. He pulled out slowly, deliberately, following the same path Rose had taken.
A heavy sigh escaped me as I watched his car disappear into the distance. Another pair of star-crossed lovers, tormented by circumstances they couldn't seem to overcome.