Three years ago…
Elizabeth
Bianca and I were curled up in her room, chatting about everything and nothing. I knew she was only trying to distract me from the mess that had unfolded earlier, and honestly, I was grateful.
It was already 1:15 a.m., but neither of us felt sleepy. We sat cross-legged on the bed, laughing at the silly Facebook memes she described so animatedly. Her laughter was contagious, and I couldn't help but giggle along.
I had slipped into a pink robe after my warm bath, cozy and soft against my skin. For the first time that night, I felt a little comfort seep in.
Then came the knock. Antoni's voice drifted through the door, low but firm.
Bianca's eyes flicked toward me, and I instantly knew—he was back for her.
I couldn't help but smile. The way Antoni and Bianca loved each other always left me in awe, sometimes even a little jealous. They were like Romeo and Juliet, only with a happier ending. Earlier, she'd confessed something to me—how Antoni insisted she didn't need to work. He hated the idea of his girlfriend answering to someone else when he could provide everything she wanted. He even gave her a monthly allowance, twenty times what she would have earned at a job. It sounded extravagant, but the way she glowed when she talked about him… it was love.
As she rose to meet him at the door, I stayed behind, wrapping my damp hair into a pink towel. I had just secured the knot when the sound of raised voices broke through the quiet.
Bianca's sharp tone cut first:
"No! There's no way I'm letting that jerk see my friend."
My heart skipped. I froze, listening.
Antoni's voice followed, softer, pleading.
"Baby, please. He just wants to talk to her."
Bianca scoffed. "Humph! Like I care? What was he thinking before breaking up with her? He should just go home."
"Baby, he's miserable," Antoni pressed, desperation bleeding through his words. "I've never seen my brother like this—ever. Please, just let Elizabeth talk to him, or else he might break completely."
"Let him die! Yes!" Bianca snapped. Her voice was so sharp it made me jolt. For a fleeting second, I felt a rush of gratitude that she was this protective of me.
"Baby, that's harsh. We're human. Please—be considerate." Antoni's tone was strained now, almost broken.
Silence hung in the air for a moment. I could almost see Bianca's jaw tightening, her arms crossed, her fury simmering.
Finally, she hissed back, quieter this time, "Sorry. But it's midnight. She's asleep now."
"Baby, please. I heard you two giggling inside before I knocked," Antoni's voice carried through the door.
Bianca shot back immediately, "Tony, have you been eavesdropping on us?"
"No, no, baby. You know I'd never do that."
"Then tell your brother to go home. That's what he deserves. Lizzy is fast asleep."
"Baby… please. On behalf of my brother, I apologise. I even fought with him over this. He swore never to hurt her like that again."
Bianca's tone sharpened. "Did he bleed?"
"Yes."
"Good." She smirked. "I like that. That should teach him a lesson."
Antoni groaned softly. "Baby, please. Just let Elizabeth see him. Please."
A pause. Then Bianca huffed. "Fine! But one thing's certain—I can't promise she'll agree. I'm only going to try."
Inside, I was sprawled on the bed, scrolling through Bianca's phone, admiring her and Antoni's adorable selfies. The moment she walked in, I quickly dropped the phone.
Her expression gave her away instantly—hesitant, guilty, almost afraid to bring Sebastian into the conversation. But I already knew.
"He's here," I said quietly.
She nodded, her shoulders sagging with the weight of it. "Yeah."
I sat up slowly.
She came closer, sinking onto the bed beside me, her eyes soft with concern. "You know I'm not a bad friend, right? I'd never tell you to move on while I stay happily with Antoni. Deep down, I know Sebastian still loves you. Whatever he did tonight… it was a huge mistake, and he regrets it. But I don't know if you're ready. Maybe you two should just talk it out."
I leaned forward, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Bia. You're always the best."
She chuckled, squeezing me back. "You're one in a million, pal." Pulling away, she gave me a mischievous grin. "Now go downstairs and kick his ass."
"Of course." I slipped my feet into my slippers, determination tightening my chest. "I'm not promising I'll forgive him easily. But one thing's certain—he'll suffer."
Bianca's grin widened. "That's my bitch!"
We high-fived, laughter easing the tension for a moment.
"Now go down there," she urged, "and ground him."
I laughed softly, shaking my head, and made my way toward the door.
When I reached the lounge, the sight of Sebastian stopped me cold. He was pacing like a restless lion, his face battered with a black eye and a split lip. Antoni must have fought him hard.
A sharp pang stabbed my chest. Seeing him so wrecked, so desperate, made my heart ache. Part of me wanted to run straight into his arms, to pour out every pain and ounce of anger at his feet. God, I had missed him. Even the few minutes apart had felt like losing him to death. I'd grown so addicted to his presence that I couldn't stop thinking of him every passing second.
No matter what he had done, or how much he had broken me tonight, I still loved him. I wanted him back so badly. But first, he had to suffer—just a little.
The moment his eyes found mine at the top of the stairs, he froze. Our gazes locked, and I felt that pull again—an invisible thread dragging me back into his orbit. My chest tightened. He looked so broken, so stripped of the ruthless pride he carried like a crown. Messy. Miserable. Almost homeless.
I gripped the handrail for balance, afraid my knees might give out if I let myself drown too deeply in his gaze.
He started toward me, but I thrust a hand out sharply. "Don't come closer. You stink. Stay right there." My nose wrinkled at the reek of alcohol and smoke. "Drinking and smoking again? What a shame."
What he did next caught me completely off guard.
Sebastian dropped to his knees—like a guilty schoolboy—his hands trembling at his sides. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he spoke, his voice cracked and raw. "Baby… I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight."
For a man of his stature—powerful, feared, dignified—to kneel and cry like a broken child… this wasn't the Sebastian I knew. This wasn't the proud, ego-driven man who commanded everyone around him.
What had happened to all that pride? All that fire?
I swallowed hard, trying not to waver. "Sebastian, you said it was over between us. What exactly are you asking for now?"
He shook his head furiously, desperation clinging to him like a second skin. "I didn't mean it. Not a word. It just… it slipped out in anger."
"Oh, really? Did it?" I scoffed, bitterness curling my lips. "Because I'm already living with that truth you spat at me."
His tears came harder, his voice breaking. "I let my anger control me. None of this should have happened. I wasn't thinking when I threw your things into the rain."
Just the reminder of it made my blood boil all over again. My hands tightened around the rail until my knuckles whitened.
"Sebastian," I seethed, my voice trembling, "that was heartless. Beyond cruel."
"I know," he whispered hoarsely.
"You became a total stranger overnight." My voice cracked, though I swallowed the tears burning in my eyes. "I wanted to reason with you, but no—you were too pissed to even listen."
"I'm sorry—"
"You didn't even let me finish what I was trying to say," I cut in sharply. "I never once planned to run away or jeopardize what we had. All I wanted was to go home and grab my Sunday outfit. And the next thing I know—you're calling me a cyber cheat. When in truth, Sebastian, you're the biggest cheater alive. A chronic womanizer. A serial fucker." My chest heaved as the words ripped out of me. "I don't even know how I ended up dating you, let alone opening my legs for you. God!"
"My love…" he croaked, crawling closer on his knees. I stepped back, one inch further up the stairs, disgust tightening my jaw.
"I'm not your love!" I spat. "Stop calling me that. Do you have any idea what could have happened tonight? If not for Bruce driving me here, maybe I'd have been raped in some alley, or robbed by thugs, or worse—killed."
His eyes flared with horror. "Don't you ever say that again. You're not like my mother. You're my soul." His words tumbled out without filter, dragging the shadow of his mother's trauma into the room as if it excused the present.
I scoffed, my temples pounding. "Always with the sweet talk, Sebastian. Always twisting words. I'm so tired of this." I rubbed my forehead, drained. "I'm having a headache. I'm going to bed."
Hope lit his battered face in an instant as he scrambled to his feet. "Then come home with me."
"Ew." My stomach lurched at the audacity. "Did you just say that? Home? That's disgusting. I'm sleeping here. This—" I gestured around—"is my new home."
"Elizabeth—"
"Don't come close to me!" I shrieked, my voice breaking into a cry. "Just let me be. Stop disturbing me, stop pestering my life! I'm happy here. You—" I jabbed a finger toward him—"go home and fuck yourself."
And with that, I turned and bolted up the stairs.
"Elizabeth!" his voice echoed behind me, raw and desperate. "Elizabeth, I still love you. Please come back to me!"
I slammed the door shut the moment I reached Bianca's room and collapsed face-first onto the bed. My sobs tore through the pillow, muffled but violent, until my chest ached.
Because the truth was unbearable.
I still loved him. I loved him so damn much it hurt. No matter how cruel he had been, no matter how much I told myself to hate him, my heart kept betraying me. I had only pretended to be cold, cruel even—because if I accepted his apology so easily, if I fell back into his arms tonight, I'd look cheap.
But pretending didn't stop the pain.
I cried until exhaustion numbed me, until my body finally gave out. And at some point, through swollen eyes and tear-soaked pillows, sleep swallowed me whole.
---
The next day, I returned to my condo just to grab my Sunday outfit. After church, I slipped into something light—something I rarely wore outside the comfort of my own home.
A silky, strap mini-dress in deep purple that barely skimmed my thighs. The back was left completely bare, held only by two thin straps dangling lazily at the sides. The neckline plunged dangerously low, cutting straight down to my cleavage, leaving little to the imagination. My hair was tied neatly into a tight bun, showing off the slender line of my neck. A touch of light makeup brightened my face, and on my feet, I opted for the comfiest thing ever—my Crocs. After all, I was home.
Outside, I bumped into Reynolds, our neighbor from the 40th floor. We stood outside the condominium, the city breeze teasing the hem of my dress as we talked casually.
"You look good in this mini dress," Reynolds said with an easy smile. His eyes scanned appreciatively, though not disrespectfully. "Haven't seen you in this kind of style since I moved here."
"Aww, thank you, Reynolds." I felt the warmth rising to my cheeks as I smiled back. "And you don't look bad yourself."
"I know, right?" he laughed, a playful cockiness in his tone.
I giggled. "Sometimes, you just have to change life if life doesn't change you. I'm only wearing this because I'm home anyway."
"Ah, I see." He tilted his head, studying me. "Well, you should keep it up. It really suits you."
"Really? You think so?" I twirled slightly, pretending not to care but secretly enjoying the compliment.
"Yeah. Honestly, you look so much like Selena Gomez right now. For a second, I almost thought she was standing right in front of me." He chuckled, then added with a teasing grin, "And you're getting chubby like Billie Eilish. But it's a good thing—you're glowing."
I blinked at him, startled but oddly pleased. Chubby? Maybe. Glowing? Definitely. I glanced down at myself. My hips had grown fuller, my boobs and butt rounder, my cheeks softer. Even my face had this subtle radiance. Bianca and Natasha had said the same thing a few days ago. Only my waist stayed cinched, giving me a more dramatic hourglass figure than I'd ever had before.
"Well…" I laughed nervously, brushing a hand over my dress. "Guess I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should." He grinned before his tone shifted casually. "By the way, my girlfriend's celebrating her 25th birthday tonight. We're throwing it at the bar down the street."
My brows rose. "Are you inviting me to the bar?"
He laughed outright, "Well, yeah—for my girlfriend's birthday party, of course."
I shrugged my small, round shoulders, feigning indifference. "Okay. At what time?"
"Eight to eleven."
"Copy that." I smiled. "I'll definitely be there."
"Perfect. Bianca and Natasha are coming too. I already told them about it. They're bringing their boyfriends."
"Oh, wow." My eyes widened. "So it's really gonna be a blast then."
I smiled at him again, but deep inside, I wondered what Sebastian would think if he saw me tonight—dressed like this, laughing with Reynolds, going out to a bar party.
Would it burn him?
Because part of me wanted it to.
"Sure, it'll be," I said with a smile.
Just then, the sleek growl of an engine cut through the air. A black Audi RS7—maybe even the RS e-tron GT—slid into the driveway and parked right in front of us.
My stomach dropped.
Oh no.
I didn't need anyone to tell me who it was. My eyes locked on the tinted windows while Reynolds kept talking like the arrival was irrelevant.
The door swung open.
And there he was—Sebastian. Perfectly put together, not even a scratch showing from yesterday's fight with Antoni. His eyes, however, were pure fire.
He stormed out, voice low but furious. "Hey. Back off. That's my girlfriend."
"Sebastian!" My voice cracked with frustration. "What are you doing here?"
He smirked like the question was ridiculous. "Baby, I've come to take you home." His tone was soft, almost pleading, but his presence screamed command.
"Yuck!" I snapped, temper bubbling over. "You disgust me."
Reynolds blinked, looking between us. "Is he your boyfriend?"
I opened my mouth. "No—"
But Sebastian cut me off. "Yes."
I threw up my hands. "Oh, for God's sake, Sebastian! Stop following me. Stop embarrassing me everywhere I go. Leave me alone. Stop stalking me! I'm not your girlfriend anymore—you're my ex."
His jaw tightened. His eyes, cold. "Women don't break up relationships. Men do. Until I say it's over, you're still mine. My property."
"God, I hate you." My voice trembled as I spun on my heel and stormed back toward the building.
But his footsteps followed—heavy, relentless.
"Hey!" His voice rose. "Don't you dare walk out on me when I'm still talking. That's rude and disrespectful."
I spun around and hurled the words like a blade. "Fuck you, Sebastian. Go to hell and kiss the devil."
His gaze raked me from head to toe. "What are you even wearing? Your tits are practically hanging out."
Rage sparked in me. "You bought this dress for me, asshole!"
Something wicked flickered across his face, part anger, part desire. He pursued me further, voice dropping into a dark threat.
"Elizabeth… come back here. Or I swear, I'll kiss you to sleep."
I declined as I kept walking away.
---
The bar was alive—booming with laughter, music, and flashing lights. Bodies swayed on the dance floor while drinks shimmered under the shifting disco glow.
It was my first time here, but Bianca and Natasha were seasoned pros. They never missed a party if they could help it. Tonight, they came armed with smiles, high heels, and their boyfriends in tow.
I had gone light and fancy for the warm night, and soon enough we carved out our little circle—Bianca, Antoni, Natasha, Leonard, and me. Five chairs, one table, our own tiny island amid the chaos.
Reynolds's girlfriend found me earlier in the night, and she was surprisingly sweet—pretty, easygoing, with that kind of charm that made me wonder why he ever bothered looking anywhere else.
On stage, the energy shifted with the music. Kendrick Lamar and SZA brought the crowd into a frenzy with All the Stars. Right after, Adele's voice stormed in with Rolling in the Deep, and the crowd roared.
I leaned back, chapman straw between my lips, sipping quietly, letting the music drown the restless thoughts in my head.
Then it happened.
Warm lips brushed against my cheek.
I froze.
And before I could turn, the last empty chair at our table was pulled out and filled.
"Hey, baby."
My stomach knotted instantly. I groaned and looked sideways. "Did you just kiss my cheek, Sebastian?"
His brows rose, feigning innocence, lips twitching with that dangerous smirk. "Oh, my mistake. You wanted me to kiss your lips instead?"
He leaned in—too close, too fast. I jerked my head away, and his mouth landed against my neck instead.
"Jesus Christ—" I snapped, pressing back against my chair. "I feel like switching seats right now—hey!"
His hand tugged at the neckline of my dress, fingers grazing dangerously close.
"Get your hands off my breast!"
The words burst out louder than I realized. Heads turned. My friends' eyes locked onto me—then onto him.
And that's when they noticed him.
"Hi, Seb!" Natasha's voice cut through the air, excitement clear in her tone. She beamed at him like he belonged here.
Sebastian's grin came fast, easy, practiced. "Hey, Tasha. What's up?" His charm rolled across the table. She flushed immediately.
Oh, God. I rolled my eyes, sinking lower in my chair.
"I'm good," Natasha chimed. Then she turned to the man beside her, her boyfriend. "Darling, meet Sebastian—Lizzy's boyfriend."
I groaned under my breath. "God, he is not—"
But it was too late.
Sebastian had already leaned forward, hand stretched across the table, catching Leonard's in a firm shake.
"Nice to meet you, man," he said smoothly, flashing that smile he knew could win over an entire room.
"Same here. It's a pleasure," Leonard chuckled, oblivious to the storm brewing at his side.
And just like that—Sebastian had slid himself into the fold as if he'd been invited.
Sebastian's arm slipped around my shoulders like a chain I couldn't shake off. I stiffened instantly, sulking as his voice brushed against my ear.
"This dress is too revealing, my love. Your cleavage is showing. Even look—your nipples are peeking through. It's too light."
I cut him a sharp glare. "How is that your business?"
He grinned, cocky and sure. "It's my business because you're mine."
Mine. The word rolled out of his mouth like a verdict. I wanted to smash a glass over his head.
"Oh God. What kind of leech in human form are you? I'm never yours, Sebastian. And who the hell told you I was here?"
"Antoni." His smile stretched wider, smug and unrepentant.
I groaned. "Stop grinning at me. I'll report him to Bianca later."
"He's just helping a brother."
"No—he's making things worse for me," I sighed, rubbing my temple. His silence pulled my gaze back up. He wasn't grinning anymore. He was staring.
"What?" I snapped, uncomfortable under the weight of it.
His eyes flickered with something dangerous—a cocktail of love, lust, obsession. "You look hot and chubby these days. I'm afraid I'm gonna keep you."
Keep who? Me?
When did I become an object to be claimed?
"Stop talking to me, Sebastian. I don't want to talk to you," I muttered, turning away.
---
Later, when the party spilled out into the night, the fight reignited.
Sebastian's shadow trailed me to the curb, his voice a low growl. "Elizabeth, enough of this drama. You're coming home with me whether you like it or not and that's final."
I spun on him, fury sparking through me. "You're a psychopath! I'm never going home with you. I'm leaving with Antoni and Bianca."
His brow furrowed, jealousy dripping from his words. "What? Is he double-dating you and Bianca?"
I recoiled, disgust punching through me. "No, you moron! Just leave me alone!"
But Sebastian's jaw tightened. His hand twitched, like he was seconds from grabbing me—claiming me right there in the street.
And the terrifying part? He looked like he actually would. Because he tried to kiss my anger away but I wouldn't let him come close to me. And now, he's pinning me to the wall, trying to punish me with a hard kiss and I'm just screaming and pushing him away. Still, he kept coming.
In a dark, raw tone, he growled: "Let me not believe you're seeing another guy in just a few days of our separation. Because if not, you would allow me kiss you."
I scoffed and fling a strand of my hair back when the wind blew it to my face: "Think what you want, Sebastian. I don't care. You can see this body but can never touch it. Not even a taste of my lips will you get."
"Are you two fighting?" A familiar voice cut through the air.
I turned, spotting Natasha. She was tucked safely under Leonard's arm, both of them already heading toward his sleek white Aston Martin DBX707.
"No!" Sebastian barked instantly.
"Yes!" I shot back without hesitation.
Natasha hesitated, but Antoni swooped in, his arm draped protectively around Bianca's hips. "Just let them be. They'll sort themselves out when they're calm." He leaned down, kissing Bianca's hair. "Babe, let's go home."
I watched, half in awe and half in bitterness, as he opened the door of their black Tesla Model S Plaid and helped her inside. Then they drove off, leaving me stranded with him.
Sebastian tilted his head toward me, smug. "See? Even my brother wants you home with me."
I folded my arms, sulking hard. "Sebastian, there's no way I'm going into that car with you. Never."
He smirked, eyes glinting like a predator's. "Guess what? You don't have a choice, young lady."
Before I could react, he flipped me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.
My fists pounded against his back. "Put me down!"
"Shut up." His palm cracked against my butt, making me yelp in shock. "You're making a scene."
He carried me toward his black Audi RS7 / RS e-tron GT like some caveman hauling off his prize. My legs kicked uselessly as he opened the passenger door. Without a second thought, he tossed me inside, pinning the door shut with one hand before I could scramble out.
My chest heaved with fury. "Sebastian, you're insane! You can't just kidnap me like this!"
He leaned in, his face dark and close, voice a low growl. "Not kidnapping, sweetheart. Just bringing my woman home."
---
When we got home, I went straight to the bedroom. I kicked off my shoes and collapsed on the bed, curling under the duvet and feigning sleep.
A few minutes later, I heard the door open and his footsteps cross the room. I didn't move, didn't even flinch—just sank deeper into the covers.
The sound of running water soon followed from the bathroom. He was showering. I reached for my phone, the one I'd left behind at his place two days ago, and checked the screen.
12:07 a.m.
I set it back on the nightstand and quickly shut my eyes when I heard the bathroom door open. Moments later, the mattress dipped as he slid in beside me, wrapping himself in the covers until our bodies touched.
He smelled of clean soap and fresh water, his warmth pressing into me as though there wasn't a single inch of space left. Then came his arm, slipping around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
I slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me."
"Shh, don't be loud." His lips brushed over my neck and shoulder, scattering kisses. "Let's make love, baby."
"Try it and I'll chop your dick off," I snapped. But inside, a hidden smile tugged at me—I liked the way he pampered me when he was trying to make peace.
"This isn't PMS," he teased. "Sex will make you forgive me faster."
I blushed, hating how right he was. I always got shy when it came to sex. "Sebastian, I've got a terrible headache. I just want to sleep."
"Come on, baby." He flipped me to face him, his eyes searching mine. "One round, and the headache will be gone."
"No." I rolled away, but he caged me with his arms, hovering over me.
"It's been days since your period ended," he murmured, frustration laced with longing. "I haven't touched you. And then, when we should have done something, I screwed up."
I gave him a mock frown. "So that's it? You want to reconcile just for sex?"
"Damn, no." His voice was firm, desperate. "I need you—for my heart, my body, my soul, my life. I'm here because I love you, honey."
My cheeks heated, though I kept my bossy front. "Didn't think about that before tossing me in the rain like garbage, did you? And now you want sex. Go screw yourself."
His brows furrowed, his tone softening into a plea. "Baby, I've already apologised. I'm sorry. Please… stop playing hard to get. You're not selfish." He pressed tender kisses along my shoulders, refusing to let go.
"Don't kiss me, I'm angry." My voice came out commanding, but my body betrayed me—each brush of his lips against my skin sent shivers racing through me, stirring a hunger I couldn't hide.
"Baby, come on," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "I want to see what color panties you've got on." He sucked at my earlobe, and I bit down on my lip to stop the moan that threatened to escape. "If it's pink or anything sweet, we'll do one round. But if it's red, we're going all night. So, what's it gonna be?"
My fingers traced lazy circles across his torso. "Red," I admitted, biting my lip.
"Oh, damn," he groaned with a wicked grin.
"But guess what?" I smirked up at him. "You're not touching my flower, let alone seeing my underwear." Teasing him always made the moment sweeter, like a game only we knew how to play.
"Really?" His brows shot up, playful defiance in his eyes.
"Uh-huh." I giggled, my laughter spilling out as he suddenly hooked my legs over his shoulders and reached for my underwear.
"Sebastian! This is absurd—are you a he-goat?"
He only grinned as he tugged them free, tossing the red scrap of lace aside. His gaze lingered, hungry, reverent. "Goddamn… look at that. It's been too long, flower."
Heat crawled up my cheeks and I instinctively tried to cover myself. "Stop staring at me like a dog."
"Well," he drawled, smirking, "not too bad if I'm your dog, honey."
He reached for the drawer by the bed and cursed under his breath. "Fuck."
My heart skipped. "What is it?"
"I'm out of condoms." He sighed, then looked at me intently. "Are you safe? We can try raw… it'd be my first time without protection."
My throat tightened. "Sebastian… unprotected sex? I'm scared…"
He lowered his lips to my forehead, lingering there in a kiss that radiated reassurance. "You just have to trust me. If anything happens, I'll take full responsibility. I swear. And you know I'm clean."
His words replayed in my mind. Responsibility. Did that also mean pregnancy?
For a moment, uncertainty clawed at me. But then I looked at him—the man holding me, promising me love, safety, forever—and all I felt was surrender. I took a deep breath, pulled him down, and kissed him with everything I had.
I didn't care what tomorrow held. All I knew was that right here, in this moment, it was only the two of us—lost in our own world of desire and devotion.
That night, we made love like it was our first time, and our last.