Chapter 7
I found myself unable to meet Sebastian’s eyes. Those eyes, filled with unwavering affection, had once shed tears for days after my death.
1 still remembered that he had gotten into a car accident on the way back from my funeral, leaving his life hanging by a thread. And that day, he was driving himself.
As I looked at him, my heart ached. I said softly, “Okay.”
Sebastian continued rambling, insisting he wasn’t trying to take advantage of me and wouldn’t ask anything in return. When my single “okay” interrupted him, he was stunned into silence.
Seeing his bewildered and slightly adorable expression, my previously terrible mood lifted. I said, “I never planned to stay by Hansel’s side. It’s all just a stalling tactic. I’m only trying to prevent that lunatic from losing control.
“I can’t just go up against him so directly, so I have to bide my time.”
Sebastian was visibly moved, and he exclaimed, “You don’t have to anymore. You can rely on me now.”
I smiled and replied, “Okay.”
In the days that followed, Sebastian stayed by my side at the hospital to take care of me. Despite being a son born into privilege, Sebastian showed a stark contrast to Hansel.
Hansel, who never lifted a finger, relied entirely on others for everything. He was arrogant and self–centered, and he adjusted his behavior only when I was around.
Sebastian, on the other hand, was entirely different. He was naturally considerate, and he took care of me with meticulous attention to detail. Even the doctors and nurses praised him for his attentiveness.
What made him even more comforting to be around was his warm and polite démeanor. Being with him felt like basking in the gentle breeze of spring.
Watching him busy himself for me, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret. Back then, if not for the plagiarism scandal involving my thesis, my heart might have leaned toward him.
The only reason I didn’t accept him was that I felt the Pierce family’s status was too intimidating. I didn’t dare to take the gamble.
Hansel, however, gave me the courage to gamble–only to make me lose everything in the
end.
Hansel didn’t show up until a week later. While carrying a limited–edition Hermès bag as he entered, he acted ingratiatingly as he said, “Honey, look what I got you as a gift!”
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Chapter 7
+25 BORUS
When I didn’t respond, his guilt showed. He explained, “I haven’t contacted you these past few days because my dad locked me up.
“He took my phone and said the media’s been paying close attention to my marriage. He was worried that visiting you in the hospital might draw unwanted attention.
“I begged him for days and even endured the family’s punishment just to get a chance to see you.”
As he spoke, he lifted his shirt, revealing a few whip marks on his back. But instead of feeling sympathy, I let out a mocking laugh.
Hansel frowned, clearly displeased with my reaction. Still, knowing he was in the wrong, he came over and tried to act cute. “Baby, you don’t even feel sorry for me anymore, do you?”
I turned on my phone, opened Nara’s WhatsApp, and said coldly, “Take a good look. Were you really punished by your father because you wanted to see me or because you got her pregnant?”
Hansel frowned as he took the phone, only to realize that Nara had been harassing me non- stop for days.
She had sent me photos of Hansel accompanying her to prenatal checkups and shopping trips, as well as a provocative video of herself looking emotional in lingerie.
As for the punishment Hansel mentioned, Nara had recorded the entire process. In the video, Hansel’s voice could be heard clearly saying, “I shouldn’t have abandoned Nara! I shouldn’t have gone to see Amber at the hospital on my wedding day!”
Hansel’s face slowly turned pale. He looked at me in panic, his voice weak as he explained, “I only did those things to keep them calm. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to leave.
“I just wanted to see you. That’s all I wanted, truly.”
I extended my hand toward him, and he crouched down in front of me. As I gently touched his face, I said, “Don’t cry. I believe you.”
Hansel’s eyes lit up with hope.
I continued, “Just like you said, I’ve seen how you’ve treated me over the past four years. How could I not believe that you love me?”
Hansel held my hand tightly and swore, “Amber, thank you for trusting me. By the way, I’ve had the villa cleaned and arranged for someone suitable to take care of you.”
I replied, “Alright, then let’s get me discharged today.“.
Hansel was overjoyed, and he rushed off to handle my discharge paperwork. Not long after
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Chapter 2
he left, Nara sent me another message, accusing me of being shameless and daring to snitch on her.
She even threatened to ruin my reputation completely. But what she didn’t know was that in this life, the one destined to be utterly disgraced was her.
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
