Chapter 220 The Rift Between Seraphina and Sebastian
"Not much," Sebastian grinned, "just a few puffs."
Seraphina knew he was lying but didn't want to call him out. She understood he didn't want her to worry.
She needed to make him believe her. "Sebastian, no matter what, I won't marry Dashiell. His threats mean nothing. Our marriage is our choice, even if the Everhart family kicks us out. I won't leave you."
Sebastian looked at her, his expression changing. He seemed almost defeated.
"I'm sorry, Seraphina, I've given up," he said with a sad smile.
Seraphina's eyes widened. She felt like everything around her was changing.
"I'm not as brave as you. I've decided to compromise," Sebastian admitted.
"Compromise? What does that mean?" Seraphina's eyes filled with tears.
"Let's break up," Sebastian said clearly.
He wasn't joking. He never joked about serious things.
Tears streamed down Seraphina's face. "Why?"
"I don't want you to go to jail or lose everything for me."
"But I don't care about any of that. If Dashiell wants me in jail, I'll go. If he wants me out of the Everhart family, I'll leave. I don't care!"
"I care!" Sebastian's emotions flared. He, who never lost his temper, was now furious.
"Seraphina, you're not me. You'll never understand. I'm an orphan; I know what it's like to be alone and destitute. I don't want you to go through that because of me."
"I'm not alone, I have you, don't I?" Seraphina looked at him, hopeful.
Everyone could tell her to be with Dashiell, except Sebastian. If he did, what was left for her to hold on to?
"I can't let you go to jail, lose a leg, or abandon your family for me," Sebastian said, his eyes red. "Call me a coward, but my experiences don't let me be reckless. I'm sorry."
Sebastian felt awful, not because of their relationship, but because Dashiell had ruined his plan. He hadn't expected Dashiell to go this far.
He should have seen it coming. He overheard Dashiell on the phone saying he wanted Seraphina back. Otherwise, Sebastian wouldn't have proposed so quickly.
He was just using Seraphina. He already had someone he liked and didn't want to commit so quickly.
If it weren't for Dashiell, he would have dragged it out for another year or so.
If he had known Dashiell would stoop so low, he would have married Seraphina before Dashiell returned.
Sebastian knew Seraphina liked him. If he asked, she'd marry him in a heartbeat. But his plan got derailed, not because he wanted to give up—he never would.
Last night, Atticus and Magnolia made him an offer: 20% of the original shares of the House of Everhart Bank. It wasn't just about the money; it was about the status. From the start, he was after the bank. The temptation was too great to refuse, so he agreed.
On the surface, he didn't want to hurt Seraphina. He took the shares to repay the Everhart family's kindness. To everyone else, he was the guy nurtured by the Everhart family, maintaining his good-guy image. The only option left was to break up with Seraphina.
Seeing her distress, his heart ached. He was probably just unwilling to let go. Marrying Seraphina would have given him a better shot at the entire bank.
"I don't need your apology or bravery. I can be brave for both of us. Just don't push me away, and I'll handle everything," Seraphina said firmly, adjusting her emotions. She couldn't accept breaking up after so many years together, since high school. She knew she loved Sebastian, not Dashiell. She felt no affection for Dashiell, just occasional gratitude, but not love.
"Seraphina..." Sebastian's eyes narrowed. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, afraid he'd push her away. She wanted to prove their feelings were still there.
Sebastian was flustered but then pushed her away forcefully. Seraphina stumbled back, her eyes red. "Are you really so determined?"
Sebastian's heart ached. "Compared to your happiness, everything else is worthless. I wouldn't hurt you even if it meant I had to die."
"How do you know what I have now is happiness? Being with you is my happiness!" Seraphina argued.
"You'll understand in the future."
"I'll never understand!" Seraphina said fiercely. "I'll show you how unhappy I am without you! I'll show you how much it hurts that you pushed me away!"
With that, she turned and left, decisively. Sebastian watched her go, fists clenched, eyes cold. One day, he'd repay all the humiliation he was suffering now. He'd make those who controlled his life pay dearly.
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