Page 7 of Worst Duke Ever

“It was,” he growled.

“Sebastian,” her grip tightened on his arm where it was stockpiling guilt, torment, and desire all in one place.“Tell me.”

“It’s ridiculous for someone to have to lose their life to pay off a debt.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.What are you talking about?I wasn’t going to lose my life.”

“Yes, you would have.”He spun on his heel to finally face her.An angel.“You have a future ahead of you.You shouldn’t have to pay for your father’s mistakes.”

“If I don’t, who will?”

“Me.”

Her hand softened and found his chest.“Sebastian, you don’t have to do that.”She truly was an angel.Willing to sacrifice herself for her family.Tending to him and his pain even though he was the villain.How could she be so good?How had he not destroyed her?Oh.But he knew if he stayed, that he would.That’s why he had to leave.

“Yes, I do.It’s mine to bear.Mine to pay.”

“That’s nonsense—”

“It’s my fault.”

“It’s not—”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Please, Sebastian.I-I’m begging you.Tell me what’s going on.”

And then it all bubbled up to the surface and poured over.All the years of carrying too many secrets.He thought he had it under control.But no, two days with this angel and he couldn’t contain the pain anymore.

“Years ago my father paid my debt with his life.I had made a bet with the man my mother was sleeping with.”Spitting out each word, Sebastian continued.“I was young.Stupid.I thought I could make a bet with him and if I won that he would stop seeing my mother and ruining our family.Instead, I lost and he took everything.Until my father stepped in.My father was forced to leave the country.On the continent, he got sick and died.”

“Sebastian,” her voice was strained.“How old were you?”

“Thirteen.”

“You were just a child.”

He bit off the words.“I knew enough.”

“No.You didn’t.You were trying to save your family the only way you knew how.”

“And I lost them all.”

“You didn’t know any better.It’s not your fault.You were brave.”

Those exact words from his father rang through Sebastian’s head.His father had never expressed any anger, only pride in his son and sadness for leaving.And Sebastian had resented all of that.

Until now.

“You were a brave boy, Sebastian.Fighting for your family.Fighting for love.”Her arms wrapped around him.“I’m so sorry.”Kisses peppered his chest and the base of his neck until he leaned down and she could reach his jaw.His cheeks.His ear.

“You are good.”More kisses to his eyes.That’s when he realized that a few tears had slipped down his face to intermingle with hers.“You are good, Sebastian.”

And that’s when the power of light broke through.

And he could finally speak the truth.

“I don’t want to trap you into marrying me, Seraphina.”His arms clenched around her waist.“I won’t have you feeling like you owe me anything, especially not your entire future.The debt is erased.You’re a free woman.I’ll explain something to your father, and it won’t involve you.”

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