Page 10 of Sebastian.

The realization sends a shiver down my spine, for it hits far too close to home. “Oh, yes. I know him.”

“What do you want me to do with this information?” Gabi asks, taking me by surprise. The weight of the decision rests heavily upon me, and I hesitate to make any rash moves.

“I–I’m not sure, Gabi. Part of me wants that man gone once and for all. But…I think I need to talk to Sebastian before I say anything for sure.”

Gabi’s gaze softens, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. “Sure. Let’s discuss it later,” she suggests, her words laced with empathy. “I don't want to cause you any stress before your son’s wedding.”

I nod in agreement, relieved to have a temporary respite from the mounting pressures of the investigation. I don’t tell her that I’m already under so much stress that it’s almost inconceivable—there’s no reason to burden Gabi with my relationship woes.

“So, where is the groom?” Gabi asks, looking around the terrace. “I know we aren’t supposed to see Roxanne yet, but I figured he’d be making his rounds.”

Before I can respond, Stuart, the ever-present butler, appears by my side, delivering a message from Andries. “He wants to talk to you in the billiard room, ma’am.”

It's an unexpected request, and I’m both curious and apprehensive. I tell Gabi that I’ll see her after the ceremony, ignoring the confused look she gives me. There’s simply no time to explain all of this to her.

I follow Stuart’s lead, my pace quickening as I make my way to the billiard room. I enter, stumbling to a stop when I see that both my son and my husband are waiting for me. The unfamiliar sight of Andries and Sebastian standing together catches me off guard. What could they possibly be discussing, and why did Andries want me here?

I approach them cautiously, my eyes scanning their faces for any hints of their intentions. The tension in the room is palpable, and I can't help but wonder what lies beneath the surface of their conversation. Is it a moment of reconciliation or is there a storm brewing on the horizon?

Not wanting them to see that I’m shaken, I cross my arms and shoot them a suspicious look. “What are you two scheming?”

“I know about Karl,” Andries says abruptly, interrupting my inquiry about their secretive conversation. “And I also know you forced Dad to come here by threatening him to reveal the truth about Karl’s parentage to him.”

The revelation leaves me so stunned that I freeze in place, unable to move or say anything. The fact that my actions have been exposed to my son by none over than my husband himself makes my stomach flip.

Before I can even open my mouth, Andries continues with a resolute tone, challenging my loyalty. “What side are you on, Mom? Do you really want Karl to have a claim to our inheritance?”

His accusation hits me like a blow. I struggle to find the right words, to defend my actions while acknowledging the potential consequences.

“I didn't want to force your dad to come,” I tell him, determined to show him my perspective. “I wanted him to be presentwillingly, to witness your wedding, Andries! And he was so dead set on not coming so I did—”

Andries’s gaze remains unwavering, his eyes challenging my sincerity. The weight of his disappointment crushes me to the core. “Mom. It’s his right not to come if he doesn’t want to.”

I’m shocked. How did Andries go from bitter and pissed off about his dad not attending to accepting it without question?

“I know this is difficult for you,” he continues, and it’s all I can do not to clench my teeth with how annoyed I am.

Actually, I’m not annoyed. I’m furious. Sebastian, lounging like a king in a leather loveseat, is behind this change of heart. Now, I can see his ruse clearly. He’s trying to ruin me in the eyes of our son for revenge.

Sebastian's smug demeanor radiates from him as he leisurely takes a sip of whiskey, positioned on the couch like a self-proclaimed victor. His arrogant confidence only serves to fuel my anger, igniting a fire within me that refuses to be extinguished. This is not the time for his triumphant stance; it's a time for unity and family. It’s his own damn fault if he refuses to see that!

Gabi’s words filter back through my mind, telling me that Karl is now their main suspect and that they believe he’s behind everything. Maybe that’s my way through all of this–pitting our family against Karl as a united front. And then, hopefully, getting rid of him for good.

“Andries, open your eyes,” I plead, my voice trembling with desperation. “Your father has always mired himself in conflict, choosing war over reconciliation. But for the sake of our family and your wedding, can't we find a way to put aside our differences and come together?”

My son’s gaze is guarded, his doubt evident. “Mom, I won't ignore the fact that you've been my ally––”

Sebastian interrupts, a self-satisfied smirk playing at the corners of his lips, as he directs his words towards me. “Here we go again. Keeping up appearances, that's always been your forte, Julia,” he sneers, before taking another sip of his drink. “It seems you've become just like your mother, all too eager to maintain the façade.”

His words strike a nerve, fueling the fire within me. I refuse to be reduced to a mere pawn in his game, playing by his rules. No matter what my husband says, this isn't about public appearances or the opinions of others. It's about us. It has always been about us, hasn't it? God, where did we go so wrong?

As I swallow past the lump in my throat, Andries sighs before declaring, “Mom, Dad isn’t going to attend the wedding, and you’re just going to have to deal with it. I won’t have you using my wedding as an excuse to reveal Karl’s parentage to the world.”

Sebastian rises from the couch, his eyes fixed on mine. There is a flicker of uncertainty on his face when he meets my eyes fully—perhaps he sees the determination inside of me. Or maybe he sees beyond all that, to the core of me, and the love I still hold for him even now. But then he catches sight of Andries again, and the sarcastic mask comes over his expression once more.

“Julia, darling,” Sebastian all but purrs, a cruel mockery of how sweet he can be to me when he wants to. “I’m afraid you’re just going to have to deal with the eventual rumors on your own. You’re more than welcome to solve that problem by telling everyone that we’re separated and that you’re living here, if you want.”

Red clouds my vision. Everything Sebastian has just said is just a thinly veiled reference to something I never thought we would ever mention—divorce. How dare he?

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