Page 38 of Sebastian.

“I know, it's sad, isn't it?” I wonder if he is regretting the way he sided with his father in the billiards room yesterday.

My son doesn't hold back, though. “Sad? It's pathetic.” He's clearly hurt by his father's actions, and I can't blame him. It's hard to watch my children grapple with the fallout of our failing marriage and the out of character actions of their father.

I lean towards my son, patting him on the cheek as if he’s just a little boy. To me, he still is, in a way. “You’re right, but there’s nothing to be done about it now. It’s already happened, and he can’t take it back. Don’t dwell on it, love. There is so much happiness for you to experience right now.”

Andries looks like he has more to say, but I’m relieved when he shifts the topic to a more positive note, sharing news about Roxanne's memoir. “I spoke to Roxanne, by the way. Her memoir is already with her editor, and it turns out she was using pseudonyms for everyone all along. It was Elise who had requested her to do so a long time ago. Oh, but there’s nothing in there that involves our family anyways. Just Karl, but he obviously isn’t family.”

I'm surprised by this revelation, but a sense of relief washes over me. The thought of our private family matters being exposed in Roxanne's memoir was unsettling. Now I feel a glimmer of peace, knowing there’s nothing about us in it.

“That’s wonderful. Do you know when it's going to be published?” I inquire, grateful for Andries' involvement in the situation, even if it was his sister that managed to get everything handled.

“November fourteenth is when her publishing day is set for,” he informs me, his tone laced with pride. “You are obviously invited to the event. Dad won’t be there, so you don’t have to worry about that. He and Roxanne aren’t exactly friendly….”

“Thanks for the invitation,” I tell him, touched by his thoughtfulness. I cherish the bond I have with my son, just like I do with all my children. But Andries was my first, and that makes our connection different. Not that I love any of my children more than the others, but it was Andries who taught me how to be a mother.

With a playful glint in my eye, I lower my sunglasses to look at him and ask, “So? How does it feel to be a married man?”

Andries chuckles, shaking his head. “Not all that different, really. I'm just getting used to it. It feels weird calling Roxanne my wife. Weird in a good way.”

Nostalgia tugs at my heart as I recall my early days of marriage with Sebastian. The sweetness of new love and the excitement of building a life together are memories I hold dear.

“Well, I hope you'll have a better marriage than mine.” Saying the words feels so bittersweet that it makes my chest ache.

Andries reaches out for my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I'm sure you and Dad will work it out.” His unwavering faith in our relationship catches me off guard, and I can’t help but smile at his kind words. “This is a bad moment, sure, but I can’t imagine you two being apart. It hasn’t all been bad, after all.”

“I hope you’re right, my love,” I sigh, leaning back in my lounge chair and watching fluffy white clouds meander across the sky. “I really do.”

11

Sebastian

I takemy own car to Jan’s, enjoying the feeling of the road beneath my wheels and my foot on the pedal. I’ve been seeking out anything that occupies my mind, even for a little bit––at least it gives me some time to forget about what everyone thinks of me right now.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that I’ve spent decades crafting my image as a successful CEO and family man, only for it all to be undone by fucking Kenneth and his article in the span of a day. I’m glad that my father isn’t around to see this.

The news of the gossip article about me and the club incident has left me feeling humiliated and exposed. My reputation is tarnished, and I find myself fixating on how Julia and the rest of the family must see me now. I can all too easily imagine her face, and the look in her beautiful eyes, when she first saw the video. We’ve only spoken once since then, but her disappointment cut deep. I wish I could take back my foolish actions. But the damage is done, and I fear that it may be irreparable now.

I was so adamant about winning the fight about Andries’s wedding that I was too blind to see the damage said fight was causing.

Seeing Jan might help me feel better, but I’m not sure. He’s my closest friend outside of Alex, and while Alex has done an incredible job of being as neutral as can be expected, it might be helpful to get the opinion of someone else. Jan went through a very public divorce just two years ago, and the whole affair was an enormous spectacle, destroying his good name and causing him immense pain. But right now, in the midst of my own public dramatics, he seems like the perfect confidant—one who can empathize with separations, public humiliation, and the agonizing fallout.

His estate is like a time capsule, and it takes me back to a younger, simpler time in my life. The grand mansion stands proudly amidst thick forest, while the pristine lake glistens in the afternoon light.

As soon as I pull my car into place, I’m greeted by the sight of my old friend dressed in a relaxed linen shirt and Bermudas, fully embracing the warmth of the summer day. He waves me over enthusiastically, and once I reach him, embraces me.

“It’s been too long!” he exclaims, slapping me on the back.

“I couldn’t agree more.”

We make our way to the terrace, where a refreshing glass of white wine awaits me––the perfect choice for such a serene setting. Jan is drinking the same, and we both find comfortable seats for the rather involved task of catching up.

We exchange the expected niceties, but I think we both know that there are much deeper things that we want to talk about. Jan wastes no time in addressing the elephant in the room––the infamous video published by RTL that has set tongues wagging and my life spinning out of control. It's hard to escape the relentless reach of social media.

“So,” he starts, leaning forward to get closer to me. “I saw that gossip article about you.”

A sigh escapes my lips. As much as I don’t want to talk about this anymore, I also know it will be good to get it all out on the table. “Yeah, you and everyone else in the world, it seems.”

“It’s not like I sought it out, I promise. My oldest son sent it to me.” Jan shrugs, before taking a sip from his glass. “It’s all rubbish anyway. I know that better than anyone.”

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