CHAPTER 8
The moment the words left Madelynn’s lips- that she didn’t want their relationship to be public yet- Sebastian’s entire demeanor shifted.
His eyes darkened, and he abruptly let go of her.
“Madelynn,” he said slowly, voice low with frustration, “am I really someone you’re ashamed to be seen with?”
He took a step back, the air between them suddenly heavy.
“I’m not Oliver. I didn’t get you with tricks or pity- I’ve chased you for years. I earned your love. So why should I hide like a dirty little secret?”
Madelynn blinked, surprised by how sharply he’d taken it.
Sebastian Wilde wasn’t just any man-he came from a strict, proud lineage. A secret marriage? That would be a slap to his face.
But before he could pull any farther away, she grabbed his hand and tugged him close again resting her head against his chest.
“Bash, is that really how little you trust me?” Her voice was soft, but firm. “Do you think I’m the kind of woman who would two-time a man? That I’d jump from one lover to another like it’s nothing?”
Sebastian’s breath hitched.
No one-no woman-had ever dared talk back to him like this.
No one but her.
She looked up at him, eyes steady. “Are you doubting me… or yourself?”
He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn’t give him the chance.
‘If you think I’m the kind of woman who keeps men hidden in the shadows, then what were you for the past four years?” she said pointedly. “Every year, on the 29th of June, a random bouque with a card would appear. A necklace here, a scarf there. It was always on time. What was that then, Bash?”
Sebastian stiffened.
She smiled faintly. “You thought I didn’t know? How could I not? You’re the only person in this world who remembers and cares about my birthday.”
Her voice wavered at the end.
Back when she was younger, her parents always seemed too busy to celebrate her birthday. And it got even worse when Cecelia became a part of their family. When they realized that Cecelia’s birthday was just a day after Madelynn’s, they decided that it was a waste of time to throw two parties. So they always waited the next day to throw a party on Cecelia’s actual birthday. They claimed it was a party for the two girls, but Madelynn knew better. The theme of the parties was always what Cecelia favored. And all the gifts and birthday cards carried her name.
Only Sebastian had remembered. Year after year. He sent her birthday gifts without saying a
word.
His gaze softened, but there was still one question burning inside him.
“If you knew how I felt about you all along… then why’d you choose Oliver three years ago?” he asked quietly. “What does he have that I don’t?”
Madelynn lowered her eyes.
“Nothing,” she whispered. “Oliver Kane could never be half the man that you are.”
She took a breath, then finally told him the truth.
“When I was sixteen, I snuck out of the house to go hang out with my friends. And while I was trying to go over the fence, I slipped and fell on a nail. It was so long that it almost punctured the bone on my shoulder. But no one heard me when I cried for help. Oliver was the one who saved me.”
Sebastian’s face turned cold.
He took a step back from her, hands clenched.
‘Who told you it was him?” he asked, his voice was sharp.
She looked at him, frowning. “When I woke up, it was Oliver who was sitting by my bed. I thought ne had saved me. He said he had brought me to the hospital all by himself. I believed it for ter years.”
Sebastian let out a bitter laugh and cut her off.
‘Madelynn, the one who saved you… was me. I found you. I was coming over to deliver a nessage from my father to yours, and I found you bleeding and passed out on the floor. I drov you to the hospital. It was me.”
Madelynn froze.
Sebastian’s eyes remained dark and unwavering. “Oliver kept texting you to ask about Cecelia and I still had to go run my father’s errand, so I texted him back on your phone and told him wha happened. I asked him to watch over you at the hospital while I went back to my errand.”
He wouldn’t even do it for free. He wanted to find Cecelia instead, and he said the only way he would do it was if I gave my watch to him. Everything he did- it wasn’t out of the goodness of
is heart or anything like that.”
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Sebastian stepped closer, cornering her against the wall.
‘Lynn, if your whole love for Oliver came from that one act… then I’m telling you now, you gave your heart to the wrong man.”
His words hit like a thunderclap.
For a moment, she couldn’t even breathe.
Everything she thought she knew every feeling, every sacrifice, every ache- suddenly felt built
on sand.
All this time…
She had fallen in love with the wrong savior.
