Page 25 of Sebastian.

As I walk down the driveway, the tears on my face are like an unrelenting stream, my heartbreak too overwhelming to contain. How could Seb behave so shamelessly? Here I am, present at our son's wedding, celebrating a momentous occasion in our family's life, while he's off indulging in some sordid affair. The pain in me is unbearable, and I can't fathom how he could do this to me.

Sebastian used to be vehemently against any form of exploitation of women, condemning the objectification of others in any way. So, the thought of him being in a club like that, surrounded by scantily clad women, is impossible to believe. Yet, I now have the proof of his actions right here on my phone. That place wasn't just a normal social club; it was undoubtedly designed to lure patrons with more enticing and illicit offerings.

I can't help but wonder how long this has been going on, how many times he’s visited places like that behind my back. The trust I once had in him feels shattered, replaced by a deep sense of betrayal and hurt. My mind is flooded with questions, doubts, and painful images, making it hard to think straight.

My heels click on the concrete as I walk, and the weight of the situation bears down on me. The picturesque, familiar surroundings of the estate lose their beauty. The trees and fragrant gardens now seem like silent witnesses to my crumbling world. I miss my husband, and at the same time, hate him for making a fool out of me.

But I can't let this destroy me; I have to be strong, not just for myself but for my children. The thought of my family's reputation being dragged through the mud by the media, thanks to Kenneth's article and Sebastian’s actions, makes me clench my fists out of frustration. I need to face this head-on, confront Seb, and decide what's best for my future and the future of our children.

With each step I take, the grief and misery that threatens to crush me is replaced by the knowledge that I have to fight. No matter how much it hurts, I know I need to face the truth and make some tough decisions. Our son's wedding day, something Sebastian and I have talked about ever since Andries was born, has become a turning point in my life. Not the type of turning point I expected, but one that will test my resilience and strength like never before.

I reach the tent, surrounded immediately by the sounds of the orchestra interspersed with laughter. There is only one person that I feel comfortable sharing all of this with, and it isn’t too hard to find my brother, talking quietly to his wife with his son asleep on his shoulder. There’s a patch of drool on his suit jacket, and it makes me smile.

He sees me out of the corner of his eye and turns. I wave him over, and thankfully, he doesn’t hesitate, handing the baby to Petra and heading in my direction.

Once Alex gets close enough to me, his expression deepens, matching the severity of my pain. “What’s up? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Well, I’ve certainly seen something that has upset me, that’s for sure. I know why Sebastian didn’t bother to come back here.”

He furrows his brow. “What do you mean?”

“Come over here for a minute.” The urge to confide in someone’s too strong to resist. I pull him aside, away from the festivities, and show him the video I received from the journalist. Alex’s jaw drops, the shock on his face mirrors the turmoil in my heart.

“Do you recognize the place, by any chance?" I ask, desperate for any clue that could shed light on Seb’s behavior.

“Who gave you this?” Alex demands, ignoring my question, concern evident in his voice.

“A journalist,” I tell him, knowing that Alex will immediately identify the reporter in question.

“For fuck’s sake, don’t tell me Kenneth is on our back again?” His frustration is palpable.

“It seems like it,” I sigh, exhausted at the media's relentless intrusion into our lives. “He got the video from a source and asked me what to do with it. So at least he had the decency to ask before publishing it.”

“And what did you tell him?” Alex presses, wanting to know the full extent of the damage control I attempted.

Annoyed, I throw my hands in the air. “Alex! Focus! Do you know the club, yes or no?”

“No, I have no idea, but what did you tell Kenneth?”

“I told him to do whatever he wanted,” I fess up, feeling torn about my decision. Part of me wants Seb to face the consequences of his actions, but another part worries about the impact it will have on our family's reputation. I still love my husband, and I don’t want him to suffer.

Without waiting for Alex's reaction, I find myself walking away, seeking solace in the gardens, away from the prying eyes of the wedding guests. I hear my brother say my name, but tears are pricking at the corners of my eyes again, and I just can’t stand the idea of breaking down into sobs right in the middle of everyone at Andries’s wedding. The emotions swirling inside me are too overwhelming to bear, and I need a moment of solitude to collect my thoughts.

I wander through the serene surroundings, my mind is a whirlwind of conflicting feelings. I'm torn between my desire for justice and my fear of the fallout that exposing Seb's actions will bring. The image of him in that inappropriate establishment, betraying not just me but our entire family, haunts me like a dark shadow.

But I can't let this define me. I can't allow Seb's actions to destroy everything we've built together. I need to find the strength to face this head-on, to make decisions that are best for me and my children. Especially if Sebastian refuses to do so. I wonder if he even considered what this will do to Andries and Elise’s reputation? And if the shame of it will stick around long enough to affect our younger children?

Sebastian has made our marriage a battleground, and I can’t back down now. I don’t want to fight him, but he has messed things up so badly that there is nothing else for me to do. Finding a small stone bench around the same fountain where Gabi and I spoke earlier, I lower myself down and smooth my hands over my silky dress. Closing my eyes, I try to let the calm sounds of the fountain wash away the urgency of all the things I’m feeling so I can finish out the night.

I continue to sit in the garden, lost in my thoughts, until I feel a gentle touch on my shoulder. “Your brother told me I might find you here,” Mom says softly, concern evident in her eyes.

I offer a weak smile and scoot over to make space for her beside me. She takes my hand in hers, and I find comfort in her touch. I look at my mother, and it's clear that Alex must have told her about the video. I feel like a little girl again, vulnerable and desperate for the comfort of my mom.

She wraps her arms around me, and I let myself cry for a moment, releasing the pent-up emotions that have been tearing me apart. The weight of betrayal and disappointment feels unbearable. I just feel so damned awful.

“I thought it'd never happen to me,” I choke out, my voice trembling with sadness. “Our marriage was so beautiful...how could he do this to me?”

“Well, we don't know for sure what he did with the girl,” Mom tries to console me, her words gentle. I know it must be hard for her, considering how much she herself hates Seb.

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