Chapter 65

“I’m sorry, Sebastian,” I began, my voice trembling. “I’m sorry I ran away with Angel. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I know now that I should have trusted you more.”

Sebastian’s gaze softened, and I found a hint of forgiveness blending with regret flickering in his eyes. “I understand. At least, I’m trying to,” his voice was barely above a whisper.

I looked down, my fingers nervously playing with the edge of my dress. “I was scared, Sebastian. Scared that even if you wouldn’t be capable of harming her, Angel would grow up with a father who didn’t love her like I did. I grew up feeling unloved, and I didn’t want that for our daughter. I wanted her to become a strong, independent woman, unlike myself.” I paused, my throat tight with emotions. “I didn’t want history to repeat itself. I know my apology won’t fix the damage done, but I did it for her. I believed... I was doing the right thing.”

Sebastian sighed, his hand gently caressing my cheek. “You should have trusted me, Melissa. I would never let our daughter feel unloved. I wanted to be there for both of you.”

I looked into Sebastian’s eyes, a tear escaping and trailing down my face. “I didn’t know, Sebastian. I thought I was protecting her.”

“Now I know. And I’m sorry too,” Sebastian admitted, his thumb wiping away my tears. “I should have been more open with you. I made mistakes too.”

“Do you think there’s a chance for us, Sebastian? Can we rebuild what’s left of our love?” My gaze darted between his, my heart thumping.

Sebastian hesitated for a moment, making my heart beat even harder. “I don’t want to glue back the pieces of what’s left.”

My stomach dropped, and a crushing regret washed over me.

“I want us to start fresh. Build something new, something better.” An alluring side smirk curled up his lips.

Sebastian’s lips met mine in a gentle kiss, and a ray of Angel sparked up in my heart. It was a promise of a new beginning. A chance to rewrite our story.

I woke up to the rays of the morning sun sweeping on my face. This morning felt different. My heart fluttered with excitement as I thought about the evening I spent with Sebastian. It was as if a dormant joy had been rekindled within me. As if I had regained my reason to smile again.

With my chocolate hair hastily gathered into a messy bun and clad in comfortable sweatpants, I tried to navigate the morning chaos, including feeding Angel, which sometimes was such a challenge, making her hair, dressing her up, playing with her, and simply spending time with my precious daughter. Now that I had to share the custody with Sebastian, I wanted to cherish every second I spent with Angel. On the one hand, I was feeling regretful that I wouldn’t have her by my side all the time. On the other, I was happy my daughter would have her father around. I was glad history wouldn’t repeat itself, and Angel would have a bond with her dad, and that her dad would surround her with love and care—something I’d never had.

This morning, though, a contagious grin on my face refused to fade, fueled by the sweet messages from Sebastian that kept popping up on my phone, each text making my heart flutter.

From: Sebastian xx.

Lunch together? I can send Weston to get you.

Sent 10:59 AM.

To: Sebastian xx.

I’ve something to deal with in the city. I’ll get there on my own xx.

Read 11:02 AM.

From: Sebastian xx.

Okay. Can’t wait to steal a kiss from you.

Sent 11:03 AM.

Grinning like a fool, I nibbled my lower lip. I tossed my phone aside and sprinted to get a quick shower.

I slipped into an alluring black dress, the fabric gracefully hugging my curves. The mirror reflected a woman who had just found a new sense of herself. I hadn’t mentioned it to Sebastian yet, but I signed up for therapy, and today was meant to be my first session. I was eager to fight for him but also for myself. I was building a new version of myself.

“It’s called an unloved daughter syndrome,” I heard after I briefly described my issues to a psychologist.

I settled onto an elegant white couch. My head tilted as I narrowed my eyes at the Afro-American woman in her mid-forties whose resemblance to Oprah was uncanny. She adjusted her glasses on her nose, her knees crossed, and her elbow rested on the padded armrest of a brown chair. Her deep blue blazer over her white shirt matched the colors of the walls.

“You unconsciously behave defensively when you feel threatened. It’s an attachment style that you developed during your childhood, and in your case, it’s anxious-preoccupied.”

“Meaning?” I leaned forward.

“You’re constantly questioning whether you’re loved, whether the relationship is genuine, and whether your partner will stay true or betray you. You’re on constant watch for signs that things might not be what they seem, and it makes you more likely to react to words and actions more strongly than most people would.”

Yep, that would be me.

“I also see you as a fearful-avoidant daughter who actually wants connection, but she’s simply too afraid of what might happen,” she continued. “Women identified with this disorder distance themselves, are self-protective, and quick to flee.”

Helen, the therapist, elaborated on the syndrome, dwelling deeper into my life and explaining how my parents’ relationship with each other, as well as with me, affected my mental health and my perception of potential relationships. I couldn’t deny I was anxious and overwhelmed, but she reassured me there was still Angel for me and that I could heal. I knew I would have to be committed and put much work into fixing my issues, but I was determined.

After all, the only person who can alter life is oneself, and the mind holds the key.

The sleek elevator at Vanderbilt Enterprises Holdings ascended smoothly to the top floor, and as the doors parted with a soft beep, my eyes locked with Anderson. A shiver raced down my spine, but I steeled myself, taking a hesitant step forward as I exited the elevator.

Anderson leaned against the wall, a calculated smirk curling his lips.

“Nice to see you, babe. You don’t answer my texts or calls. If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve assumed you were avoiding me,” he remarked with a tone that sent chills down my spine.

I tucked my hair behind my ear, my eyes traveling across his face. “I’m not interested in these games anymore, Anderson.”

He scoffed, closing the distance and cornering me against the wall. “These are no games, Melissa,” he retorted, his tone firm. “You signed a legal contract obligating you to marry me. Don’t forget the consequences if you breach that agreement.”

“The agreement is null and void.” My eyes narrowed, and a steely glimmer replaced the unease in my eyes. “I was supposed to marry you so that you could get your twisted revenge against your brother and take over the companies. In return, Sebastian was never supposed to find out about Angel’s existence. Now that he knows the truth, now that I know the truth, the contract is terminated.”

Anderson didn’t react the way I expected. My words did nothing to him. Instead, he scoffed, leaning forward. “You didn’t read the fine print, did you?”

“What do you mean?”

“It stated that you have to fulfill the obligations, regardless of circumstances that might arise. I always cover myself, Melissa.” His fingers gripped my chin, and he whispered into my ear, “You’re still my fiancée, whether you like it or not.” His lips brushed against mine. I felt trapped when I suddenly saw a hand on Anderson’ shoulder, and he was pulled away from me. Sebastian.

“Touch her again and I’ll put a fucking bullet in your head,” he hissed, his eyes blazing with anger. “You’ve done enough shit to me to forget the blood ties.”

Anderson stumbled back, his smirk replaced with a scowl. “Well, look who’s here to play hero,” he sneered.

Sebastian stood tall. “Stay away from her, Anderson. This ends now.”

Anderson took measured steps toward Sebastian, a contemptuous smirk on his face. Their gazes locked. “You know, Sebastian,” Anderson scoffed as he said, “I can’t help it that my fiancée turns me on. It’s not like I haven’t touched her like this before.”

My throat tightened with unease, my eyes flickering between the two men. I knew Anderson was playing mind games, and it was working. Sebastian’s jaw clenched, and a swift shake of his head signaled the storm brewing within him. Sebastian suddenly threw a forceful punch, hitting Anderson square in the face. Blood splattered across the marble floor, and a loud gasp escaped my mouth, my eyes fixed on the violent scene before me, petrified by the unfolding confrontation.

Anderson straightened up, wiping the blood from his lips with a smirk.

“You deserve more than just a punch. I know everything, Anderson,” Sebastian declared, a controlled rage in his eyes.

With a sinister grin, Anderson taunted, “The good girl here has already spilled the beans, hasn’t she?” He gave me a fleeting glance, and I knew it was just a small strike of lightening before a massive storm. “Did she mention our little make-out session, completely naked? If you hadn’t interrupted, we would’ve fucked.”

Sebastian grabbed Anderson by his blood-splattered collar and shoved him against the wall, his tone halfway a threat, halfway a warning, “See, you forgot one thing. I’m not a fucking hero. I am the villain. You should be scared of me, brother.” Sebastian’s fist clenched on the collar as he leaned closer, hissing in a dangerously low tone, “Stay away from my family, or I’ll forget all the reasons, the rules, and deal with you like I should’ve already.”

My heart was racing like that of a hummingbird. I was expecting the worst. I was scared they would kill one another any minute now, but to my relief, Sebastian released his grip, giving Anderson one last deadly glance before he steadily walked toward me, held my hand, and led me toward his office.

“It’s not over yet. It’s just the beginning, brother.” Anderson’ bitter tone reached my ears, sending chills down my spine. Sebastian remained unfazed, guiding me to his office, and closing the door with a loud thud.

“Now tell me everything, Melissa.” Sebastian’s eyes bored into mine, with an intensity I’d never seen before. “Tell me everything from the beginning. I want to know it all. How the hell did you get involved with my brother? How did you end up being his fiancée?” His tone was dark.

I ran my hands through my hair before I walked over to Sebastian’s oak desk, resting against it. My eyes fixated on the sprawling Manhattan skyline beyond the massive window. “It was nearly three years of attempting to build a life away from the shadows of my past. The shadows of the Vanderbilt family. The shadows of you, Sebastian…” I began. “One day after I was heading back from work, I spotted Anderson in one of the local cafés. He was just casually sipping his coffee. I couldn’t believe my eyes. In an instant, panic surged through me. Then our gazes met, and I was terrified. I started running to the house I was renting as fast as possible. He followed, and along with him, four or more of his men, all dressed in black suits, chasing me.” My mind drifted back to that day a couple of months ago.

Running through the narrow streets of Valletta, hoping it was just a bad dream, a mere imagination of my mind. Adrenaline coursed through my veins. Never before had I been more scared. I reached my place and shut the door behind me, trying to catch my breath as I leaned against it. Then I heard soft knocks and Anderson’ voice.

“Melissa, open the door. We need to talk.”

My heart dropped to my stomach. “Go to hell! I want nothing to do with Vanderbilt’s family!” I shouted through the closed door, but Anderson persisted.

Then he said something that made my heart skip a beat. “I won’t leave until we talk. Sebastian doesn’t know I’m here, and I’ve got an offer for you. And don’t even think of running away. You’re surrounded.”

Eventually, I gave up. I opened the door to find him leaning against the frame, wearing a black shirt and sunglasses.

He had that amused expression on his face. Two of his men, their back to me, guarding the way out. “Wouldn’t you invite me in?”

I knew I had no choice but to let him in. I led him to the living room. I was so scared. Angel was playing upstairs with Bethany. I couldn’t stop wondering whether he already knew about her. He did.

“Sebastian knows that you gave birth to his child.” He took off his sunglasses. “As you may know, he’s looking for you. He wants to take your daughter away from you, and then get rid of you.”

I felt as if my world crumbled.

“How does he know? And that it’s a girl?” I hardly managed to speak. Suddenly, I struggled to catch a breath as if the fear gripped me by my throat, suffocating me.

Anderson scoffed, a vicious smile playing on his lips. “Don’t forget who he is, baby. He’s a Vanderbilt. And the Vanderbilts always find a way to get to their enemies.”

Enemies?

I hardly swallowed and Anderson continued, “But because I have a score to settle with my beloved brother, I’m eager to help you.”

My eyes narrowed at Anderson. I questioned his motives, each of the words coming out of his mouth. Anderson advanced slowly, and I instinctively retreated until the wall pressed against my back, leaving me with nowhere to escape. “What do you mean exactly?” I demanded, my voice tinged with defiance.

Anderson wore a sinister smirk as he laid out his proposition. Each word landed with calculated intent. “Quid pro quo, Melissa. You help me get revenge on Sebastian, and in return, I help you vanish from his life forever. A win-win.”

My skepticism deepened. “Revenge? Against your own brother? What could possibly drive you to such lengths?”

Anderson cocked his head. “I’ve learned of my father’s plans. He intends to pass on the company to one of us, the first one to get married. I want it all for myself. No Sebastian in the picture.”

“Why involve me? You could marry anyone, hire a fake fiancée, or find another way.”

Anderson scoffed, looking at me with so much amusement. “I want you, Melissa. I know how much it’ll torment my brother to see his prey with someone else. I want him to suffer, to experience what he’s put me through my entire life. Always first, always better. Now I want everything that’s his.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. His words seemed so twisted. The proposition seemed so surreal.

“I see it like this,” he said. “You’ll return with me to New York as my fiancée. In a few weeks, we’ll get married and complete all the formalities. Once everything is dealt with and the Vanderbilt Enterprises Holdings are legally mine, I'll give you a divorce, along with one hundred million dollars and my protection. I’ll help you disappear and make sure that even my brother won’t be able to find you again.”

“All to make Sebastian suffer?” I couldn’t help but mock.

Anderson’ expression was unyielding. “It’s a deal that benefits us both. Think it through, Melissa. I know you live in constant fear. And I know you need money. I can help you live the life you want for your daughter. The life she deserves.”

“You want me to return to New York willingly? It’s like walking into a trap of my own making!” My body quivered, and Anderson took hold of my arm as if to reassure me.

“Don’t worry. I’ll arrange everything to ensure your safety and Angel’s,” he asserted calmly.

Angel’s? The mention of my daughter’s name sent a shiver down my spine. How did he know about Angel? Panic set in. If he had discovered my child’s existence, sex, and even name, Sebastian could be next. It was only a matter of time.

“I’ll tell Sebastian that you miscarried, that the baby was never born.” Anderson’ voice snapped me back from my thoughts.

“And why should I trust you? How can I be sure this isn’t a trap? Maybe Sebastian sent you.” My suspicion flared.

Anderson reached for a bag he had left by the door and pulled out a file of documents. “It’s a legally prepared contract. Review it. If you have any concerns, my lawyer will adjust. This way, you’ll have assurance that I’m sincere, and I stand to lose more than you do.”

I felt helpless. Defeated. Can you lose anything more significant than the safety of your own child?