Page 17 of Blackmailed to the Altar

She rushed over and pulled it out, quickly trying to slip it onto my ring finger. Sebastian waved her away, and grabbed my hand in his gloved one. He slowly slid the ring on my finger, and I looked down. I fell in love instantly, but shook my head to the contrary, taking it off. “I don’t think it suits me.”

“Do you have a matching set?” Sebastian asked, like I hadn’t turned down the ring.

“Yes, in the back.” Adria motioned behind her.

“Get that and bag them up. I’ll take them.”

As she scurried off to do his bidding, I stared at Sebastian wide eyed.

“That was so expensive. Why did you waste it on me?”

He chuckled. “The fact that you believe it to be a waste means that it was money well spent, little mouse.”

If I gave in to this, would I be a bad person? I know I should fight against him even more, or ask this sales woman for help, but I’m not an idiot. I was lucky she even spoke English to begin with.

I also couldn’t help feeling bad about the darkness I saw deep inside of Sebastian. He was hiding a tremendous secret that weighed down on him. I could see it in the way he held himself. And well, I couldn’t help but be curious.

I would stay around, not only to sate my nosiness, but to help Eden as well. Once I was certain she was settled, I could attempt another escape. I just needed to smile and follow his rules for now. Bide my time. Should be easy enough.

But as Sebastian wrapped an arm around my waist and squeezed me into his body, I wondered how hard I would stick to my guns. Heat unfurled inside my body when he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the side of my neck.

It stunned me into silence. What the fuck was going on?

Sebastian,the controlling bastard, offered an office of his choosing, for me to use for my sessions involving Eden. I should’ve been grateful, but I honestly didn’t want any preferential treatment at all.

I’d rather he acted his same old asshole self, so I could focus on what I loved best. Eden Caputo walked into Sebastian’s office, drawing my mind to why we were here.

“How are you doing today, Eden? Take a seat.” I moved from the desk to another chair that was facing the couch.

Eden liked to be comfortable during her sessions. “I’m fine,” she sighed. I noticed her hand was rubbing her lower back.

“What seems to be the problem today?” Eden was one of the most difficult patients I had, because she didn’t just spill her life story. Getting information out of her was like pulling a stubborn tooth. I had to poke and prod gently, and wiggle it out of her, until she felt comfortable enough to tell me.

“I’m pregnant again,” she spat. I could see the fire in her eyes, which was alarming, since Eden always seemed to keep her emotions under wraps.

“You’re not happy about this?” I posed it as a question. With Eden, it was best to not make assumptions. Sometimes, the way she appeared on the outside was polar opposite to the way she felt inside, but I enjoyed the challenge in trying to suss her true feelings out. I enjoyed her company, as well.

“Silas promised he would give me two years before we had another one,” Eden snapped. She was already pulling at her fingernails, a nervous tic she’d picked up after her time locked away. Her treatment records showed it stemmed from her uncle.

“Did he break that promise, or was this just an accident?” I tried to keep the conversation flowing without setting her off. It didn’t seem like today was kink-related, which was great, because I hadn’t gotten enough studying done on auralism.

“Oh, he broke many,” Eden muttered. Her tone was what I could only describe as bitter, and I delved further, encouraging her to talk without being overbearing or demanding.

“How so?”

“He threw my birth control away, and when I fought him on it, reminding him of his promise, he went to get the newest prescription. Of course, I didn’t question him on it. Since having baby Heaven, Silas has taken it upon himself to do everything for me.” Eden took a breath.

“And that’s a bad thing?”

She pouted. “Well, no, but he took it too far. He refused to use condoms. I told him my birth control tasted funny, and he said it must have been a bad batch. He got me more, and I told him it was too sweet. He told me there was nothing wrong with it. Finally, I did some sleuthing, and found he was changing out my pills with candy pieces. He gaslit me.”

Eden was fired up now. She was no longer lying down on the couch, having stood to pace during her increasingly emotional rant. I knew after looking over her file that she was not the sort of person to sit idly by, but I also knew she needed a little guidance.

“Eden, are you upset about this baby?” Even while I was asking her this question, I thought back, trying to trace my period. When was the last time I had it? I couldn’t remember, but with the trauma of my kidnapping, it was no wonder I was late.

She stopped pacing. “Well, no. I love this baby just like I love Heaven.”

“So, the genuine issue is Silas betraying you,” I suggested. Think, Mya, when was the last time I needed a tampon? It may have been a few weeks. Fuck.

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