Chapter 156 CHAPTER 156
Sebastian had walked past the house a hundred times.
He knew the curve of the fence, the way the ivy crawled along the stone walls, the old oak tree that shaded the front yard in the afternoons. He had greeted Leonard and Mara countless times at the gate, exchanged polite words, respectful bows, short conversations that never lingered.
But he had never stepped inside.
That realization settled heavily in his chest as he stood on the narrow stone path leading to the front door. The morning sun was warm, birds sang from the branches above, and Sarah stood before him with a bright smile that looked almost too eager.
“Come in,” she said, opening the door wider. “You’re finally here.”
Sebastian hesitated.
He rubbed the back of his neck, offering a small, uneasy smile. “Are you sure this is okay?” he asked. “I don’t want to cause problems with your aunt and uncle. I’ve never… well, I’ve never been inside before.”
Sarah laughed softly, the sound light and dismissive. She reached for his hand and squeezed it.
“They don’t mind at all,” she said easily. “They’ve always been like that. Whatever makes me comfortable, they agree to it. They’re very understanding.”
Sebastian nodded, though something about the way she said it felt rehearsed, too smooth.
“If you’re sure,” he murmured.
“I am,” she replied quickly. “Come on.”
He stepped inside.
The house smelled faintly of herbs and old wood, familiar yet strangely oppressive. The sitting room was neat, almost too neat, as though nothing had been disturbed in years. Leonard and Mara stood near the far end of the room, their shoulders stiff, their expressions carefully composed.
“Good morning,” Sebastian said politely, bowing his head. “Thank you for having me. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come by. I should have visited sooner.”
Leonard blinked, startled, then nodded rapidly. “Oh - no, no, it’s fine. Perfectly fine,” he said, his voice strained but eager. “You’re welcome here. Always.”
Mara smiled, though her hands trembled slightly at her sides. “Yes. Of course. We’re glad you came.”
Sarah beamed, clearly pleased. “See?” she said, tugging Sebastian forward. “I told you.”
Sebastian glanced around, taking in the space. “You have a lovely home,” he said sincerely. “It’s strange, you know. We’ve known each other for so long, Sarah, and I’ve never even thanked your guardians properly.”
“It’s really not a problem,” Leonard said quickly, his words tumbling over one another. “Not at all.”
Sarah didn’t wait for more. She intertwined her fingers with Sebastian’s and pulled him gently toward the hallway.
“Come,” she said. “Let me show you my room.”
As they walked away, Sarah glanced back over her shoulder. “Aunt Mara,” she called sweetly. “Bring us some snacks. Juice too. To my room.”
Mara stiffened. “Of course,” she replied quietly, lowering her gaze.
The bedroom door closed behind them with a soft click.
Sarah leaned against it, smiling, her eyes bright. “Finally,” she said. “Just us.”
Sebastian exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly, but his mind was already elsewhere. He frowned, glancing toward the door.
“Sarah,” he said slowly, “your aunt and uncle… they seem different.”
She tilted her head, feigning confusion. “Different how?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I remember them being warmer. Friendlier. When we were younger, they used to laugh a lot. Today they looked… afraid. Like they didn’t want me here.”
Sarah waved a hand dismissively. “You’re imagining things. They’ve always been quiet people. They keep to themselves. You probably just remember wrong.”
Sebastian frowned deeper. “Are you sure it’s not because of my father?” he asked. “Maybe he came by. Maybe he warned them about us.”
Her smile faltered for half a second, then returned. “No,” she said firmly. “He hasn’t been here.”
Sebastian nodded, unconvinced. He took a step back. “Maybe I should go,” he said. “I don’t want to cause tension.”
Before he could reach the door, Sarah grabbed his hand and pulled him close.
“Don’t,” she said, her voice softer now. She pressed her lips to his, lingering, then kissed his jaw, his neck. “Stay.”
Sebastian stiffened.
“Sarah,” he said gently, pulling back, “your guardians are right outside.”
“So?” she laughed. “They won’t mind.”
“I do,” he replied firmly. “Not here. Not like this.”
She pouted, leaning closer again. “We’ll be quiet.”
Before Sebastian could respond, her lips were back on his. This time she didn’t stop. Her hands moved with urgency, sliding to his chest, fingers working quickly at the buttons of his shirt. One by one, they came undone as she pressed herself against him, clearly intending to take things much further than he was ready for.
“Sarah…” he murmured, half distracted, half uneasy.
She didn’t answer. Her kisses trailed along his jaw, down his neck, her hands firm against him, pulling him toward the bed.
For a brief moment, Sebastian’s resistance faltered. His mind went hazy, his body almost responding out of habit rather than thought.
Then…
A knock.
They both froze.
Sarah’s head snapped toward the door in irritation.
“What?” she snapped.
The door opened slightly and Mara stepped in, holding the tray with trembling hands. Her eyes lifted - and immediately widened.
Sebastian’s shirt hung open, Sarah pressed close to him, her hands still on his chest.
Mara’s face flushed instantly with embarrassment. She lowered her gaze so fast it was almost painful to watch.
“I…I brought the snacks,” she said shakily.
Sarah yanked the tray from her hands. “Leave,” she hissed. “And don’t disturb us again.”
Mara flinched. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, retreating quickly.
Sebastian stared.
The door closed. Silence stretched between them.
“Sarah,” he said carefully, “is that how you speak to them?”
She shrugged. “They don’t mind. We’re close like that.”
“That’s still disrespectful,” he said. “They’re your elders.”
Her eyes darkened. “Why are you ruining the mood?” she snapped. “They’re not important.”
Something inside Sebastian recoiled. He knew Sarah could be mean. How she bullied other kids at school and how every kid wanted to be on her good side for fear of being bullied, but he did not expect her to be the same with her guardians.
“I have to go,” he said suddenly. “My father needs to see me – remember? I’ll see you soon.”
Sarah stared at him, stunned. “What?”
He was already buttoning his shirt, moving past her, opening the door and stepping into the hallway.
Leonard and Mara looked up as he passed.
“Thank you for having me,” Sebastian said politely. “I appreciate it.”
They nodded silently as he left.
The door slammed behind him.
Moments later, glass shattered in Sarah’s bedroom.
The sharp crash echoed through the house like a gunshot.
Mara and Leonard froze where they sat in the sitting room. They didn’t speak. They didn’t move. They simply looked at each other, eyes wide with the same terrified understanding.
She is angry.
They both knew what that meant.
They had learned, the hard way, that when Sarah was angry, someone always paid for it.
Heavy footsteps stomped down the corridor, fast and furious.
Then Sarah appeared in the living room doorway, fury blazing in her eyes, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her gaze landed on Mara first.
And in that single look, Mara knew.
This was about to be taken out on them.
“You ruined everything!” Sarah screamed. “Why did you interrupt us?”
“I… I was just following your orders,” Mara sobbed.
Sarah leaned in close, her voice low and dangerous. “Next time, think – use your head. Or you won’t have a head to use.”
Mara nodded frantically.
Sarah turned away, seething.