Page 24 of Sebastian.

“It's nothing personal, Julia, just business.” He shrugs, unapologetic. “And this business has made me quite a little fortune.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Why even come here if you’ve made up your mind, then? You’re going to do whatever you want, anyway.”

Kenneth's smile falters slightly, but he quickly regains his composure. “I just wanted to check first if there was any comment you wanted me to add on that story. But I've gathered that you are too busy with your son’s wedding to bother with it.”

I narrow my eyes at him, a question forming in the back of my head. “And what about Andries and Roxanne? Are you gonna be an asshole about them too?”

He seems surprised, but collects himself quickly. “I’m writing a piece about your son’s wedding, yes––who’s attending, who's not…but nothing misguided, I can assure you. All good PR for the young Andries. The truth is that little video puts me in a complicated position, so I came to you, instead. Given how helpful Andries has been lately, I was unsure whether or not to publish this video. On one hand, it’s his dad and this might go against our agreement, but on the other, it’s Karl…who I know your son hates,” Kenneth explains, sounding more sincere than usual. “He hates Karl so much that I can’t help but think he’d overlook his father being involved if it helped to make Karl look worse in the public eye.”

“Don’t you think you should talk to Andries himself, then?” I ask, trying to redirect Kenneth's focus away from the video. “If you’re so worried about jeopardizing your deal.”

"Well, maybe, but it’s his wedding day today, and it’s your husband who’s in the video, so I assumedyou’dhave wanted to see what he’s doing while you are here alone,” Kenneth replies evenly, surprising me with his tone. It’s like he’s dropped the act of ruthless reporter, and is almost approachable all of the sudden. His response intrigues me, and I can't help but wonder about the possible agreement between him and Andries. While Kenneth clearly came here to tease me with the video footage of my husband and maybe get a few inflammatory quotes from me, he seems to be rather careful about not wanting to piss off my son. Kenneth has never been this agreeable before, so maybe I should just play along.

I nod pensively, considering his words. An idea starts to form in my mind, and I decide to take a chance. “Okay, I understand that. Can you let me know if your source is still in there?”

He raises an eyebrow. “Sure,” Kenneth agrees, pulling out his phone to call his source.

While he's on the phone, I feel a mix of anxiety and curiosity. What could possibly be happening inside that establishment right now? Part of me doesn't want to know, but I can't ignore the need for information.

“Okay, good. So tell me, do you know if Sebastian van den Bosch is still in there?” Kenneth speaks into the phone, and I lean in, eager to hear the response. As he listens to his source, Kenneth's face lights up with excitement, as if he's just stumbled upon an even juicier secret. “Are you sure about that…? Do you have her name…? Alright, thanks.”

Kenneth is so caught up in what he’s just heard, it seems like he has forgotten that I’m right here. I clear my throat delicately, and he looks up from his phone, before finally hanging up.

“Well?” I ask, foot tapping in annoyance.

He seems hesitant to share the information with me, but my insistence pushes him to speak. Something about the way that the unscrupulous Kenneth doesn’t seem thrilled to tell me what’s going on gives me a pit in my stomach. It has to be something really bad I fear, and as soon as he starts talking, my worries are confirmed.

“He, ah, seems to have gone to another room with one of the ladies that work there.” Kenneth rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably. If he wasn’t such an ass, I might even feel bad for how awkward he’s clearly feeling. “I’m not really sure what they went into the back for, but they usually go for lap dances, and more….”

My heart drops at the idea, and I can't even believe what I'm hearing. The day of our son's wedding, and Sebastian is involved in such behavior. It feels like a nightmare, and I struggle to process the information. Disgust, anger, and terrible sadness all fight for dominance inside me.

“Are you sure it was him?” I manage to ask, desperately hoping for some sort of denial.

“According to my source, yes. There might be a camera in the private room, so you can always go there and ask them to check,” he says, crushing any hope I had of it being a misunderstanding.

I feel a whirlwind of emotions, from shock and anger to heartbreak and humiliation. How could he betray me like this? On such an important day for our family?

Before I can gather my thoughts, Kenneth continues, “You know, I have to wonder, Julia, your husband seems to have a pattern of questionable behaviors. From his involvement with Karl to this… has he always been like this?”

I can’t bear to hear any more, and I cut him off. “Enough! Just leave.”

I'm beyond devastated, my heart feeling like it's being torn apart. People might pity me for being married to such a man, but deep down, I know that this exposure might be the wake-up call Seb needs. And, if things go horribly and divorce really is on the horizon for us, this footage will absolutely protect my reputation.

My emotions are a whirlwind of conflicting feelings as I watch Kenneth turning on his heels. “Kenneth, wait.”

He hadn’t gotten far, and quickly comes back, curiosity stamped on his features. “Yes?”

The words are hard to say, and they hang on my tongue like molasses. I can’t believe that I’m about to do this to my own husband, but he’s left me no choice at this point. “You know what? Feel free to publish that video. If he was a decent man, he’d have been here, not doing God knows what in that club.”

Kenneth nods, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Well, I’m really happy to have spoken to you. And, um, I’m sorry to have bothered you.” The sharp-tongued journalist is uncharacteristically uncomfortable.

Despite my emotional turmoil, I force a smile, trying to remain put together in front of this man. “I highly doubt that you’re sorry, but I don’t expect you to be.” Before Kenneth goes, I inhale deeply and muster the strength to ask one more favor. “Can you AirDrop me the video, please? It shouldn’t be a problem since you’re about to leak it anyway.”

Kenneth obliges and sends me the video. Once I have it, I thank him again, trying to sound polite. “I do appreciate you coming to speak to me before blowing this all wide open. Please, feel free to send me a link to the article about my son’s wedding once it’s published.”

“I will,” he responds, a hint of eagerness in his voice, already envisioning the headline and the attention it will bring.

I watch the man leave, heading to a waiting car parked further down the driveway. I release a breath as he goes, trying to let some of the tension bleed out, but it doesn’t work. I feel like a wire that has been wound too tightly, or a bomb about to explode. Starting to call Stuart to bring me back to the party, I pause. I can see the wedding tent in the distance, and decide that the walk will do me some good. I’m too full of nervous energy to just return as I am right now.

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