She Accepted Divorce, He Panicked

Scarlett's POV

Sebastian is in the shower.

My mind was a mess in the car. I couldn't even begin to think about Jack Fuller's confession, Damian Vanderbilt's questions, or even just Sebastian's offer. In the end, the easiest decision was:

He needed to get out of the wet shirt.

He took my offer, but he put the hot water in the bathtub with my favorite salt, and he insisted on me taking a hot bath first. It did help a lot. I took my time in there, feeling the warmth of the water softening my stiff muscles. I only came out to see that he didn't take a shower himself, but waited for me in his wet shirt.

In my gentle pajamas and soft slippers, I curl up on the cushions of our bay window, watching the quiet night view outside. I don't miss this view. This is where I usually sit when I have to wait for my husband over midnight, or when he leaves me alone after yet another fight.

But now, this view gives me peace.

It comes from his changes, I know. I didn't dare hope for such a safety from him, but now I'm getting greedy again. I stroke my belly that's getting hard to hide, trying to make that decision.

Could I stay in this marriage with him? Am I doing that for myself? Or am I doing that for the baby?

If he is willing to love the baby, then of course, I'd want the baby to grow up under the care of his father. But is it just another wrong reason to stay in a marriage, just like "preventing him from marrying a liar"?

He says that he loves me now. I believe that he thinks that he does. He used to shout at me if I upset Ava in any way. Now he doesn't. He just remained silent and did not talk about any of it. I feel like it's harder to tell how he feels. I know he is trying to do right by me. It's a lot. It's care, it's consideration, it's restraint. It's just not love.

I want to feel safe, but it's so hard to piece together something that's totally broken. I don't like myself with so much misgivings. I like things simple and clear. I love with all I have and I leave with no regret. That's the real me. Not this women who is trying to stay in a marriage when she doesn't have love in her own heart.

Sebastian comes out of the shower.

I turn, landing my head on the wall lazily, watching him. He has only a towel around his waist, water dripping from his hair as steam spouts off him. Tiny flows of water trails down his muscled chest all the way to the maze of his eight packs. He shoots me a casual glance before he goes and pulls out a matching pajama.

Then he just drops the towel in front of me before he puts them on slowly.

I chuckle at his evil lure.

What exactly the point of the pajamas is then??

"Looks like you are feeling a little bit better," He finally comes over, as if encouraged by my laugh. He picks my hand and lands a kiss on it, "...hello, beautiful."

I want to smile at him, want to hug him and kiss him in return. But I know it's more out of gratitude than out of love. So in the end, I just nod as he sits down beside me.

How I wish we could go back in time, and start our marriage like this.

We were both too young, and we both made too many mistakes. Now they are all between us, making even a genuine smile hard to be simple and pure.

He takes my hand, gazing at it as if

it's some complicated treasure that demands all his attention. He strokes my skin with his thumb, his rough touch sending tingles through melike electric shots.

Looking at the man's almost pious look, I follow my rush of wanting to make things work and blurt: "Are you...mad at me? For A--...tonight?"

I can't mention her name. Even thinking about it brings up too many bad memories of too many bad conversations.

"No, I'm not!" He lifts his dark eyes with a worried frown, his tone hasty, "Is that what you thought--? I just thought what Jack Fuller said was a lot for you to take in, that's all!"

"I pushed her into the lake," I push aside the bud of warmth raised by his words, and keep on pushing. I would understand even if he takes a neutral stand. I would tell him that she lied and he has no responsibility for taking care of her because his promise wasn't given to her.

"You said she provoked you, no?" He taps my chin up, and before I could answer he adds, "I believe you. I don't need the truth to take your side, but I do believe you." That's the sweetest thing he ever said to me, and instantly my eyes wet.

He lets out a resigned smile, wiping my eyes with his rough thumb: "You just cry at whatever I say, huh?"

I grab his hand and put it on my belly, blurting before my brain can think: "Sebastian, I'm pregnant--"

His phone rings.

I purse my lips, and he freezes, too. We stare at each other in silence, with only his dull ringtone ringing in our bedroom.

There is no doubt who would call him at such an hour -- it could only be his spoiled princess, no one else.