Page 29 of Forever His Favorite
Heat surged into Emily’s cheeks. Her face flushed a soft crimson, her eyes darting away for a moment. But as he leaned back, she scowled, trying to cover the tremor in her chest. “Don’t fool me,” she shot back, narrowing her eyes. “I know when you’re lying. I can hear it in your voice.”
Sebastian’s lips curved into a slow, teasing smile. “Then take a guess, Mrs. Graves. What reason do you think there could be?”
Emily muttered thoughtfully, almost like she was reasoning out loud.
“As far as I know about rich people, it’s usually one of a few things… school friends, college lovers, family friends, or childhood sweethearts. Or…” She gave him a pointed look. “…they fall in love at first sight, and it grows over time. But no onejust marries a stranger out of the blue. Marriage first, love later? That doesn’t happen. So… which one do you fall under? Tell me the truth.”
Sebastian took a slow step forward, closing the gap until the tips of her shoes brushed his. His hand slipped around her waist, anchoring her against him.
His eyes were dark, intense, but a trace of tenderness lingered within them. “What if I fall under a little bit of everything?” he murmured. “The only thing I knew for sure was that I was never going to let you walk away from me. Ever. Now, if you insist on knowing… then for you, Mrs. Graves, it might be marriage first, love later.”
Her lips curved into a small smile as she playfully pushed against his chest. “You always swirl around your words instead of giving me a straight answer. Is it really that difficult?”
Sebastian caught her hand, tugging her toward him, his eyes gleaming with quiet promise. “You’ll know soon enough.”
Emily rolled her eyes, though her heart fluttered wildly in her chest. She didn’t push him away this time. His mouth descended, brushing hers in a soft kiss before he entwined their fingers again and guided her forward.
They slipped into the waiting car, the door shutting softly behind them. The driver started toward the Graves mansion.
Emily sat quietly, her fingers fidgeting in her lap, stealing glances at Sebastian. The closer they got to their destination, the more her nerves pressed down.
“I haven’t even met your family yet. We just… got married without informing anyone? Isn’t your mom upset that we didn’t tell her first? And my family found out before yours did?”
Sebastian turned to her, his hand sliding over hers, his thumb rubbing slow circles against her skin. A faint smile curved his lips. “My family only wanted me to get married. That was my mother’s only wish. So as long as you’re standing in front of her as my wife… she’ll probably love you more than she loves me.”
Emily let out a small, shaky laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing.
The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the towering Graves mansion. Its sprawling façade glittered under the night sky, golden lights spilling across the estate like something out of a dream.
Sebastian stepped out first, moving with quiet confidence before circling around to open Emily’s door himself. She slipped her hand into his, her heels clicking softly against the stone as she stepped out.
Her breath caught at the sight before her—the mansion wasn’t just a house, it was a palace. Bathed in light, adorned with intricate decorations with a ‘Welcome Home’ banner at the entrance. Emily instinctively took a step back, her wide eyes snapping to Sebastian.
He caught the surprise on her face and smiled knowingly. “See? I told you, my mother will probably love you more than me.”
Her heart pounded harder with every step she took toward the grand entrance. Her palm grew damp in his as they crossed the threshold, and just as they reached the towering doors, a flurry of movement caught her attention.
A woman rushed toward them from the hallway, several servants trailing behind her. There was a tense edge to her expression, urgency in every stride.
Emily froze at the doorway, breath stalling in her chest. Does she not like me? The thought hit like a stone. ‘Does she want me gone? Is she about to push me out before I even step inside?’ Her fingers tightened desperately around Sebastian’s, her body trembling faintly.
Chapter 12 A Wall of Letters
Sensing her unease, Sebastian squeezed her hand and rubbed slow circles against her skin.
The woman stopped abruptly in front of them. Her chest rose and fell quickly, her breath unsteady. “You’re finally here!”
Emily blinked, startled, her confusion deepening.
Sebastian’s brows furrowed as he looked at her. “Mom, what’s going on? Why are you rushing like this?”
Camila shook her head, exhaling. “I was waiting at the entrance to receive you both, but I realized I’d forgotten the gifts I prepared for Emily. I went to fetch them from the safe, and by the time I came back, you had already arrived. Don’t ask how much I had to run—” she sighed dramatically, “—I haven’t dashed this much in ten years.”
The tightness in Emily’s chest loosened instantly. Camila’s stern expression from before melted into a gentle smile as she turned her eyes to Emily, and Emily realized—relieved—that the woman wasn’t about to push her out.
Sebastian slipped an arm around Emily’s waist, drawing her closer. “Mom, this is the girl I love. Emily Crawford.”
Emily’s chest fluttered at his words.
