Page 26 of Sebastian.

I shake my head, unable to hold back the truth any longer. “Mom, stop it. He went to a club with waitresses in lingerie and then went to a private room with one of them.” The pain in my voice is raw and evident. “There’s no question, and there’s only one reason someone gets a private room with a dancer.”

Her expression softens, and she pulls me into another hug. “I know how much it hurts,” she says, her voice filled with empathy. “I’m here for whatever you need.” She has always been a pillar of strength for our family, and I know I can rely on her to support me through this difficult time. I have the briefest thought that I wish I were a little more like her—ruthless and strong when it’s required. Instead, I’m weak.

But deep down, I also know that I need to confront Seb and address this issue directly. I can't let his actions go unnoticed, and I must find a way to navigate through the storm that has been unleashed. As I lean on my mother for support, I realize that I have a long road ahead of me. A long, miserable, heart-rending road.

8

Sebastian

It’s eleven p.m.,but it feels so much later. So much has happened today that it feels almost impossible that it isn’t even midnight yet. I step out of the car, shoving my hands into my pockets as I stride into the estate. Home, finally.

Before I can even take off my blazer, I'm met with the butler, who informs me of Alex's presence in the library. And when he sees the frown on my face, he quickly adds, “I was under the impression that Mr. Van Dieren is always allowed access to the home. He was dropping off the children, and wanted to wait to speak to you.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ll head over right now.” Why did I even think I would be able to rest tonight without having to deal with more of my wife’s dramatics?

“Of course, he's here to see me,” I mutter to myself, making my way to the library, wondering what this impromptu meeting is all about.

I know he must hear me enter, but Alex doesn’t immediately turn around. As I step into the library, I notice him scanning the bookshelves, reaching out to run his finger over the spine of a book here and there. I guess he’s collecting his thoughts, but I’m exhausted, and I don’t have time for mind games, even from one of my closest friends. Finally, he speaks, and his voice is quiet. I can’t tell what he’s feeling, he sounds so neutral. “It's here where you and Julia first met, isn’t it?”

I glance at him, trying to maintain my composure despite the sinking feeling in my gut. “It is…” I tell him hesitantly. What is his point? “She was hiding from the party we were at and found the library to hide in. It just so happens that I was also hiding here, and that’s when we first saw one another.”

Alex just hums. My mind is racing to find a way out of this confrontation. Alex is in the unenviable position of being Julia’s brother while also being a close friend of mine. I’d never dream of asking him to pick sides, but if he did, there is no doubt in my mind that he would choose Julia. And the fact that I might lose my wifeandone of my best friends is a fact that I am not ready to face.

Now, Alex turns, and the look on his face makes me pause. He’s dead serious, and there’s a note of anger in the way his mouth is turned down at the corners. He doesn’t need to say a single thing, because I know exactly why he’s here.

"Oh, c’mon, Alex.” My frustration boils over. I can’t stand this silent treatment. “Don’t tell me you are mad because I didn’t attend that circus. I already told everyone that I wouldn't go.” I try to sound nonchalant, but my attempt at brushing off the conversation falls flat. The butler had delivered tea to the room before I arrived, so I move to the low serving table and pour cups for Alex and I, waving him over.

He joins me after a second, but Alex doesn't back down, his eyes piercing into mine. He looks into the cup of tea, breaking our silent staring contest and sighing heavily. “You are destroying everything beautiful that you and Julia have built together. You know, seeing the two of you overcome all the obstacles in your way is one of the reasons I decided to work things out with Petra, even when things weren’t going well. Now, you’re here throwing it all away for pride and that fucker Karl. You’re really messing up here, Seb.”

Alex’s words cut like a knife, but I keep my expression controlled. I raise an eyebrow, feigning interest. “Oh, really?”

“Yes, really,” Alex drawls, leaning back in his chair. “She was devastated when you didn’t return during the wedding or the reception. I think she expected that you would have some sort of remorse at the last minute and appear, but you didn't. She's heartbroken, obviously.”

I turn my face away, taking a drink of the streaming tea as if to distract myself from the truth that's unfolding––focusing instead on my tongue as it burns. “I told you I wouldn’t go. Hell, I told everyone I wouldn’t go. I don’t know why this is so hard for her to understand.” I know that I've hurt her deeply, and I fight back the guilt that is trying to creep in. “I’ll talk to her in a few days once she’s calmer.”

“Well, Seb, I really don’t think that’s going to go the way you think it will…” Alex trails off, and alarm bells start to go off in my head.

“Why?” I ask, pretending to be unaffected by his words even as I break out into a cold sweat.

Alex moves closer, his expression solemn. He sits his teacup on the table, and the sound of the ceramic on marble echoes in the room. “She knows you went to see Karl at some sort of strip club. And that you went somewhere more private with one of the girls….”

Like a bolt of lightning, a shiver shoots up my spine. Oh, shit. All the blood drains from my face as I realize my actions have been laid bare. There's no denying it now. “How does she know that? The club is quite private,” I mutter, feeling cornered.

“Well, looks like they aren’t banning smartphones inside like they used to,” Alex retorts, his disappointment mirroring my own. “I can’t believe you’d be so careless, Seb.”

“They are still banning smartphones!” I protest, panic gripping my chest. “I swear they are….” Reality is sinking in faster than I can keep up with, and my head starts to pound. “What the fuck!” I press my hands against my face, frustration and panic bubbling inside me. “I can't believe this is happening. I never wanted to hurt her,” I confess, the weight of my mistake crashing down upon me.

“It’s a little late for that. She saw a video, there’s nothing you can do or say to pretend otherwise. She has all the proof she needs.”

“I only got a lap dance from that girl, that's all.” I’m desperate to explain myself, regretting my choices so much that I can hardly breathe. “And it was Karl who insisted that it'd relax me. I was so pissed at Julia's letter, and—” Alex cuts me off with a stern look.

“Look, I don’t care about your excuses, Seb. All I know is that things are reaching a point of no return. It’s a despicable feeling to be cheated on, and I don’t care how stressed or horrible my sister was. There’s nothing to justify what you did. Do you even care about your marriage anymore?” Alex's words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I crumble under the gravity of my mistakes.

I grasp the extent of the pain I've caused Julia now, and I did that to her without even a second thought. I never wanted our marriage to break apart like this, but my foolish actions have brought us to the brink of destruction. I've betrayed her trust, shattered the foundation of our love, and now I must face the consequences.

“Of course I do! But it's not that simple. Julia and I have been going through a rough patch, and I thought…I thought I could find solace in Karl's company,” I admit, my voice filled with remorse and regret. “She’s been playing me, and I hate that.”

“And you sought that 'solace' in a strip club of all places?! Especially during a time like this?” Alex's tone grows sharper, his frustration evident. “You've made a mockery of your marriage. What were you thinking?”

---