Page 4 of Sebastian.

His words cut deep, and I can't deny the truth in them. Karl’s actions have caused irreparable damage, and the thought of him roaming free, untouchable, gnaws at my conscience.

“If you want to talk to Gabi, she’s attending the wedding, so feel free to bring all of that up to her. There isn’t really anything I can do on my end, dear.” I have no idea if Gabi will really consider pursuing Karl, but it’s worth a shot.

Andries relaxes a bit, looking intrigued. “Is she coming? Mom, please, speak to her then. She will listen to you. We need Karl behind bars.” The urgency in his voice tugs at my heartstrings.

I sigh, torn between the desire to help my son and the reality of the intricate web of relationships surrounding us. I’d love to never hear Karl’s name again for the rest of my life, yet here he is, creeping up again to ruin things.

“I will see what I can do,” I tell him, hoping that my words will offer him some reassurance.

Andries’s expression clears, gratitude washing away any lingering anger he is holding. In an irresistible, impulsive moment, I pull Andries into a hug, holding him close. “If you ever need anything, you know I’m here.” My voice is low and soft, hoping that my unwavering support will be a source of strength for him during these trying times.

He hugs me back, and I feel a breath of true happiness in it. As we embrace, I feel the weight of our family's troubles, the struggles we face being such public figures navigating our private issues. But through it all, one thing remains clear: the fierce love that binds us together, even in the face of adversity. And with that love, I will do whatever it takes to protect and stand by my children, guiding them through anything that might stand in their way.

All I can do is hope that Sebastian will be by my side for all of it. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to do it all alone.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see someone approaching through the gardens, and it puts me on edge. I relax some as the figure materializes into my mother’s butler, Stuart, announcing her return.

My heart flutters with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. She’s back, which means that plan I had for Sebastian has been officially carried out. But what takes my breath away is the additional news he delivers with his hands folded behind his back: “And Mr. Van den Bosch is also here.”

I’m stunned, silent. It worked? Did my plan really work? I’m both relieved and more anxious than ever. There is no way that my husband is taking kindly to the bomb I had my mother drop on him.

Next to me, Andries's surprise mirrors my own. Disbelief is etched on his handsome face, which looks so much like his fathers, when he says, “What?” He looks over at me, his eyes wide. “Dad’s here? Don't tell me he came for the ceremony….”

I swallow, desire to see Seb and throw myself into his arms warring with the darker want to slap him across his face for daring to embarrass me like this by not showing up until the very last minute. For all that Sebastian van den Bosch is worried about public appearances, he sure isn’t caring much about the appearance of our marriage.

“I’m not exactly sure,” I tell him truthfully, taking his hand in mine to reassure him…and myself. “I’ll go find out, okay? I’m sure you have a ton of things to do before the ceremony.”

I can see my son hesitating, not wanting to leave me alone. I push him away, trying to be playful, at least for appearances. “Go. Get out of here. I’ll see you at the ceremony.”

“Okay, Mom.” Andries starts to go, but pauses, leaning down to kiss me on the cheek. My goodness, when did my sweet boy get so tall? “Thank you again. For everything.”

I mean every bit of it when I tell him, “Anything for you.”

I excuse myself from the gardens and make my way back inside, where I find Mom waiting for me. There's a tension in the air, thick and palpable, as if the mansion itself senses the storm brewing within its walls.

“Welcome home, Mom,” I greet, as I reach her. “Did it…go well?”

She shrugs one thin shoulder, but her expression is clouded. “As well as could be expected, really. For God’s sake, Julia, even now I question why you decided that man was the one for you.” Waving towards the left wing of the house, she adds, “I brought someone back with me, as requested. He’s waiting for you in the petit salon.”

I don’t say anything else to her, my husband’s presence calling to me like a siren. As I step inside the salon, I find Sebastian standing there, dressed impeccably with his salt-and-pepper hair combed back from his face. My heart thunders in my chest, a cacophony of emotions swirling in my mind. It's been so long since we’ve been in the same room together like this, and now, with Andries's wedding unfolding around us, the atmosphere is electric with unresolved conflict.

He breaks the silence with a reminiscence that sends shivers down my spine. Turning to face me, he says, “Do you remember when we plotted against your mom with Alex? It was exactly here in this room that we won against her.” His gaze lingers with a tinge of nostalgia. “And now twenty-two years later, you are using your mom and all her devices against me. Boy, times have changed, haven't they?”

His words cut deep, reminding me of a past when we were united, conspiring against Mom for our love. But time has twisted the trajectory of our lives, and the once-fervent bond we shared now feels complicated beyond measure.

“I never wanted it to come to this,” I respond, my voice wavering with a blend of sorrow and determination. “But things have changed. You know this.”

Sebastian's eyes soften as he studies me, a glimmer of the man I once knew shining through. “I understand,” he says, his voice tinged with a hint of regret. “We've both made choices, Julia. That’s why we are here, right now. Because of your choice to send Margaret, threatening that–”

I scoff, crossing my arms, barely believing what I’m hearing coming from his mouth. “You are responsible for this, Sebastian! If you had less hatred in you, less pride, then maybe we could come around and be happy like before. But no—for some reason, you can’t—"

Sebastian's voice is low, almost a whisper, as he cuts me off, “Our son's getting married to my brother's whore, Julia. In what world…in what fucking universe would I be okay with that? No man would!”

My frustration bubbles up, but I take a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure. “We’ve spoken about this a thousand times by now.”

“And yet, you don't seem to give a damn.” He rubs his temples, seemingly lost in thought. “The fact that you'd go as far as revealing such a personal secret that you promised twenty-two years ago to never speak of clearly shows how separated from this marriage, and the commitment that comes with it, you have really become.”

“Me?” I ask, totally incredulous. Pointing my index finger at him, I can’t help the emotions in my voice. “Youare the one who has been failing me, Sebastian!Youare the one who wants to skip your oldest son’s wedding. I just wanted you to be present and—”

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