Chapter 18- Breaking point
“Is this a prank?” My voice cracked as I stared at Brittany, at Sebastian, at everyone in the room. “What is going on here?”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “Brittany. Leave.”
Brittany pouted. “But I—”
“Leave.” His voice was low, sharp.
Brittany sighed like she was the victim here, then slowly walked past me — but not before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to Sebastian’s lips.
I scoffed loudly. “Wow. Just wow.”
Sebastian closed his eyes for a second, like he was holding himself back, then looked at me. “Rhianna, I can explain.”
“Explain?” My voice rose. “Explain what, Sebastian? That your ex just showed up to our door, saying she’s carrying your child? That she kissed you in front of me? Please, go ahead. Explain this one to me!”
“It’s not what you think—”
“Oh, really?” I let out a bitter laugh. “Then tell me what it is, because right now it feels exactly like what I think.”
Sebastian stepped closer, but I backed away, tears already falling. “What have I ever done to deserve this?” My voice broke. “What have I not given you? Tell me, Sebastian! What do you see in Brittany that I don’t give you?”
His face darkened. “Rhianna, it’s done. I can’t change the fact that she’s pregnant.”
My breath caught.
“And you should be grateful,” he said coldly.
I froze. “Grateful?”
“It’s been over five years,” Sebastian said flatly. “Five years and you have not given me a child. At least now we have one coming.”
Each word cut through me like a blade.
“Sebastian—”
“Maybe you should go get yourself checked,” he said. “Find out if you’re even capable. Find out if you’re not barren.”
I stood there, completely shattered, staring at the man who once swore he’d love me no matter what.
“Sebastian, stop…” My voice was shaking. “This is not what you promised me. You said you’d love me even if we never had children. You said—”
He didn’t even look at me as he turned and walked away, heading back upstairs.
The sound of his door slamming shut echoed through the entire house.
I stood there, frozen, until I heard Tia gasp softly behind me.
“Oh my goddess, babes,” she whispered. “What the heck did I just hear?”
I turned to face her, and she immediately wrapped her arms around me as I broke down completely.
“I can’t do this anymore, Tia,” I sobbed into her shoulder. “I can’t. I feel like I’m dying inside.”
“Shh, I got you,” she whispered, rubbing my back. “Come on. Get up. You need air. You need… something.”
“Where are we going?”
“To drink,” she said simply. “You need to forget about him for one night.”
Later – The Bar
The club was dark, loud, and smelled like alcohol, but I didn’t care.
I sat at the bar with a drink already in my hand, the burn of the alcohol running down my throat and making me cough a little.
“Two more bottles,” I told the bartender, slamming the empty glass down.
“Babe…” Tia gave me a look.
“Don’t ‘babe’ me,” I said, my words already slurring slightly. “If Sebastian can betray me, I can drink as much as I want.”
Tia sighed but nodded at the bartender.
By the time I was halfway through my second bottle, I was laughing at nothing.
“You know what?” I said loudly, not caring that a few people were staring. “He told me to check myself. To check if I’m barren!” I laughed again, but it was hollow. “Maybe I am! Maybe I am barren!”
Tia frowned. “Babes—”
“No! Let me talk!” I pointed at her dramatically. “Do you know what I gave up for him? Do you know what I went through? And this is how he treats me?”
People nearby were starting to watch, but I didn’t care.
“I loved him,” I said, tears streaming down my face. “I still do. And he looks at me like I’m nothing. Like I’m the problem.”
“Babe, you’re drunk.”
“I want another one!” I said, waving at the bartender.
“Rhianna—”
“Two more bottles!” I shouted.
The bartender hesitated, but Tia nodded tiredly.
By the time the last bottle was half empty, I was slumped over the bar, tears drying on my cheeks, whispering things under my breath.
“I should hate him,” I murmured. “I should leave him. But I can’t. I can’t let Brittany win. I can’t let her take him. He’s mine. My mate. My Sebastian…”
Tia sighed and gently shook me. “Babes, come on. You can’t stay here like this. Let’s get you home.”
Hardin’s POV
I had just stepped into the club when I saw her.
Rhianna.
My heart squeezed.
She was sitting at the bar, her head down, barely able to keep her eyes open. Tia was next to her, looking stressed and frustrated.
I walked over immediately. “What happened?”
“She’s drunk,” Tia said bluntly. “She’s been drinking since we got here. And now she’s falling asleep, and I have somewhere to be. I can’t take her home like this.”
“I’ll take her,” I said without thinking.
Tia looked at me for a long moment, then nodded. “Fine. Just… don’t take her to Sebastian. Not tonight. Please.”
I nodded once. “I won’t.”
I carefully lifted Rhianna into my arms. She stirred slightly, murmuring something about “Brittany” and “why me” before going quiet again.
I carried her out to my car and drove her to my house, my heart heavy the entire way.
When we arrived, I carried her inside and laid her gently on my bed.
Her hair was messy, her face still damp from tears, but she was beautiful.
I stood there for a long moment, just looking at her.
How could someone so strong look so fragile?
I sat down on the edge of the bed, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“You don’t deserve this,” I whispered softly. “Not from him. Not from anyone.”
For a moment, I almost reached out to hold her hand. Almost.
Instead, I stood, grabbed a blanket, and tucked her in carefully.
Then I sat back down, just watching her breathe.
And for the first time in a long time, I wished I could take all her pain away — even if it meant carrying it myself.