Chapter 95
BLAIRE
As I sank into the seat of the car, my body trembled with residual fear, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. My mind whirled with confusion, struggling to make sense of how I had ended up in such a harrowing situation.
Memories flashed through my mind like a nightmare, each image tinged with the same sense of terror that had gripped me moments before. What happened seemed like a surreal blur, a series of inexplicable twists and turns that had led me to this moment of desperate flight.
I tried to piece together everything that happened, but it felt like grasping at shadows, the threads of memory slipping through my fingers like sand. How had I become entangled in Grant’s web of violence and control? How did a kind and supportive man like Grant turn into a monster in just a snap?
Questions swirled in my mind, each one more confounding than the last. But amidst the confusion, one thing remained clear: I was grateful to be sitting in this car, safe from the danger that lurked behind me.
I was grateful that Sebastian remained silent throughout our journey. He didn’t push me to ask me what happened. He allowed me to absorb everything until I finally calmed down.
I glanced at him, feeling a warmth wash over me as I took in his concerned expression. Though his gaze remained focused on the road ahead, I sensed a depth of thought in his eyes that hinted at something more.
Despite the lingering tremors of fear that still gripped me, I realized I had almost overlooked expressing my gratitude for his presence in that crucial moment.
“T–thank you,” I finally uttered when somehow my nerves calmed down.
He remained silent. But I saw how his jaw clenched, trying to control his emotion. After a couple of minutes, I heard him blow a loud sigh.
“What happened?” he asked.
“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. Grant was never violent. All those times that we stayed alone on that island, he never once forced himself on me. Not until…” I couldn’t manage to finish my sentence as I saw his hand tighten its grip on the steering wheel.
“Did he…”
“No, he didn’t. I manage to fight back and escape him just in time.” It seems like those statements give him some kind of relief. “He’s a good person, Sebastian,” I said, trying to ease his anger. But I think it did the opposite.
He looked at me with glaring eyes as he pressed harder on the gas, causing us to increase our speed. He wasn’t looking at the road, so it scares me that we might get into an accident. I immediately reached for his hand to calm him down.
“Sebastian…” I called his name. I was glad that it worked since he started to decrease our speed.
“He’s not a good person, Blaire. He kidnapped you and tried to rape you. In my vocabulary, that doesn’t constitute a good person,” he said.
I let out a loud sigh. “I don’t know what happened to him. He’s probably under a lot of stress because of what happened,” I said, trying to think positively despite what happened.
“I’m also under a lot of stress since you’ve been missing, Blaire. But not even once did I try to force myself on you,” he said, his voice leaving a hinge of jealousy.
“You have to understand where he was coming from. He’s my husband, yet I’m depriving him of my duty as a wife,” I insisted.
“He is not your husband, goddamnit!” he shouted, his hand striking the steering wheel with force.
I was startled by his sudden burst of anger.
“I’m sorry,” he quickly apologized when he noticed my reaction. He took a loud breath before speaking once again. “Please allow, me to conduct a DNA test. If it still comes out negative, then I’ll leave you alone. I promise I will never disturb you or Grant again. That’s all I need,” he pleaded.
“I don’t know. This feels so wrong. Grant already gave me the proof that I wanted. I don’t think it’s fair for me to go behind his back.”
“The man already tried to rape you, damn it! And yet, you’re still trying to defend him?” He scoffs.
I wanted to get offended, but when I saw the pain in his eyes, my anger immediately vanished. This situation
hurts him as much as I do. He lost his wife. And right in front of him is me, a woman who resembles his wife. I can’t imagine the pain he’s going through right now.
“I’m sorry. But despite what Grant did, I still owe him the benefit of the doubt. He probably does that because I’ve been rejecting him and depriving him of my duty as his wife. He’s been nothing but good to me since my. accident, and I don’t think one mistake was enough to make me forget all the good things he does for me. Besides, he’s still my husband,” I said.
I’ve been leaning towards Sebastian since we left the island. And now that Grant has shown me proof of our relationship, I think I owe that to him.
I was trying my best to let go of the feeling that lingered inside me toward Sebastian. He’s undeniably gorgeous and attractive. That’s probably the only reason why I’m feeling this way toward him. But I’m no adulterer. I will not betray Grant just for a moment of lust.
I can’t despise him because of one mistake. We all made them, and we shouldn’t forget all the good things they did for us just because of one mistake.
After I said that, Sebastian’s face remained dark, but he continued to be silent. He chose not to say anything rather than argue with me.
We continued to drive to, I don’t know,. But my eyes widened in shock when he parked his car in front of a hotel.
“Where are we going?” I asked in confusion.
“I can’t bring you home, so you’ll be staying here for now. I wanted to bring you to the police station to report what happened. However, judging by what you said a while ago, you probably had no plan to do so,” he coldly replied.
I’m not used to how he is talking to me right now. I don’t understand why, but my heart aches when he treats me like this. But who am I to complain? I already made my point a while ago.
“Thank you,” I said.
He just nodded in response before walking towards the entrance. I followed him silently as I watched his back. As we walked inside, I couldn’t help but notice how he immediately drew attention the moment he stepped into the lobby. It was as if everyone’s eyes were focused on him without even trying.
“Good evening, sir. How may I help you?” The front desk officer greeted him with a very wide smile. She was so focused on Sebastian that she didn’t bother throwing a glance at me.
“I’d like a room, please,” he said. “Two rooms, adjacent, if possible,” he quickly added.
nuwa mjasi ivi iscing disappoint which earum say a su de manikiul, right? But why am I feeling offended that he didn’t want to take this opportunity to stay in the same room with me?
Cut it, Dylan! You don’t like him, remember? You already chose to believe Grant. Why are you acting as if you were hoping that he still insists that you are his wife? The tiny voice inside my head scolded me.
To be honest, I’m more confused than I was before. I wanted to believe Grant, but my heart says otherwise. I feel pain when I choose Grant over him. And I feel hurt whenever he acts as if he doesn’t care about me at all. I think I’m going to lose my mind.
After a few minutes, the woman at the front desk finally handed him the card. She was obviously flirting, but it seems like Sebastian hadn’t noticed it. It’s either that or he’s so used to it that he doesn’t care.
The thoughts of Sebastian with another woman gnawed at me, stirring up a whirlwind of confusion. Why was! so bothered by the idea? It didn’t make sense. This feeling should have dissipated the moment Grant proved his identity as my husband. So why was it intensifying instead?
As Sebastian walked ahead of me, taking the lead, I followed him in silence. The elevator doors slid shut, enclosing us in a small, confined space. Despite the distance between us within the elevator, I felt suffocated by his presence. The air seemed to grow thicker, constricting around me like a vice, making it difficult to breathe.
A wave of relief washed over me as the elevator chimed its arrival. Exhaling a sigh, I followed Sebastian closely as he stepped out into the hallway. With purposeful strides, he made his way towards the nearest door, his movements determined and unwavering. Without hesitation, he tapped the card on the door as he reached for the handle and pushed the door open, revealing the room beyond.
I stood hesitantly at the threshold, unsure of what awaited me on the other side. Sebastian looked back, his face a mask of unreadable emotions, as he held the door open, silently urging me to enter.
“You coming in?” he asked softly, breaking the tense silence between us.
I nodded slowly, my heart pounding in my chest as I stepped into the dimly lit room. The soft glow of lamplight illuminated the space, casting eerie shadows across the walls.
Sebastian moved further into the room, his movements deliberate and controlled. I trailed behind him; my mind was buzzing with what’s about to happen next.
“I’ll be staying right next door,” he said before walking towards another door. “This room is adjacent to mine. Don’t worry; the lock is on your side. Just knock if you need anything,” he said before handing me over my
keycard. “If you’re hungry, you can call in for room service. Just tell them to charge it in the room.”
As Sebastian prepared to depart, I summoned the courage to voice the question that had been gnawing at my mind. “Why are you helping me, Sebastian?” The words hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty and curiosity.
He paused in his movements, turning to meet my gaze with a steady intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his stare bearing down on me. “Because I still believe that you’re my wife, he answered, his voice firm and unwavering. “And without the DNA test, I will continue to believe it.”
His response only fueled my confusion. “If you truly believe that,” I began, unable to suppress the question that had been nagging at me, “then why bring me here instead of your house?”
Sebastian’s expression softened, a hint of sadness creeping into his eyes as he considered my question. “Because I’m trying to protect our son,” he explained, his voice tinged with regret. “I don’t think it will be good for him if he sees you and you don’t recognize him. It will break him.”
His words hit me like a tidal wave, washing over me with a wave of sorrow and empathy. The thought of a child longing for his mother, only to be met with unfamiliarity and confusion, tore at my heartstrings. In that moment, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of anguish for his son. I’m not sure why, but at that moment, I truly wish I was his mother.