Chapter 326 She Won't Refuse
Sebastian frowned, staring at David. "Who's he?"
Adeline gently moved David's arm off her shoulder. "Just a friend."
"I can't believe you have a friend like that," Sebastian muttered, glowering at David before shoving a bouquet of roses into Adeline's arms. "Come on, I've been waiting forever."
The street buzzed with activity, and with David still hanging around, Adeline couldn't just ditch the roses. She awkwardly held the bouquet, glancing back at David. "Call me tomorrow."
She let Sebastian guide her across the street to the restaurant.
Sebastian glanced back. David stood there, brooding and smoking.
"Didn't know you hung out with guys like that," he said, disapproving. He wasn't a fan of men who smoked and had that easy charm.
Adeline sighed. "What's wrong with him?"
She knew Sebastian, with his refined background, wouldn't get someone like David, who'd grown up tough.
Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "Just stay away from him."
Adeline rolled her eyes, smiling a bit. "He's a friend of my friend. Besides," she added, "I'm going to Neon City with him tomorrow to visit her."
Sebastian stopped, his expression hardening. "You're serious?"
He thought David was just bluffing.
Adeline nodded, meeting his gaze. "My friend needs me."
They entered the restaurant, and a waiter led them to a private room. As she set the roses on the table, she saw Sebastian pull something from his pocket.
"Tickets?" she asked, surprised.
"For Salt Lake City," Sebastian said, placing two tickets in front of her. "Six days, seven nights. Just us."
He met her surprised gaze, blushing slightly. "You said you had a two-week vacation, right?"
"Salt Lake City isn't far from Bennett and Lauren's camp," he continued, gaining confidence. "We could visit them after our trip."
Adeline stared at him, speechless. She couldn't believe he'd planned her whole vacation around a casual remark.
"Sebastian," she began softly but firmly. "We both know this relationship is a charade."
Roses and romantic getaways weren't part of the deal.
Sebastian's shoulders slumped, but he met her gaze. "I know it's pretend, Adeline. But..."
He reached for her hand, sending a jolt through her. "I want it to be real. I'm serious about us."
"Once Blake is better," he continued earnestly, "let's get married. I'll be a father to your kids. They'll never want for anything."
"Sebastian, please." Adeline closed her eyes, his words both tempting and terrifying.
She took a deep breath. "You deserve better. You're a good man, Sebastian. You deserve someone who can give you her whole heart, without the baggage I have."
"My past, my marriage..." she trailed off, unable to meet his gaze.
"You've had your surgery, Adeline," Sebastian argued, gripping her hand tighter. "You're not that person anymore. No one knows about your past, and I don't care!"
"But I do," she whispered, tears threatening to fall.
She pushed back her chair and stood up, needing some space. "I asked you here tonight to thank you, Sebastian. For everything."
"The storm has passed," she continued, her voice steadying. "No one cares about your personal life anymore, and no one cares about mine either."
"It's time we went our separate ways."
The light in Sebastian's eyes dimmed, his face paling.
"I thought..." he began, his voice hoarse. "I thought you asked me here because you felt it too."
He straightened up, trying to compose himself. "I understand. After what you've been through, it's no wonder you find it hard to trust, to love again."
He picked up the tickets, a sad smile on his lips. "Don't worry, Adeline. I'll be here. I can wait. I'll be here when you're ready to open your heart again."
He tore the tickets in half, letting the pieces fall into the trash. "Go to Neon City. Take care of your friend. I won't stop you."
Adeline rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Sebastian, please don't do this. You're setting yourself up for disappointment."
"My heart is my own," he replied gently. "Whether I move on or not is my choice, not yours."
He picked up the menu, smiling reassuringly. "Now, how about we order? I'm starving."
Adeline frowned, spending the rest of the evening trying to subtly dissuade him, to convince him to move on.
Sebastian, however, remained steadfast, skillfully deflecting her attempts and steering the conversation to safer topics.
She eventually gave up, realizing some battles weren't worth fighting. She had made her feelings clear; it was up to him to decide whether to heed her warnings.
The insistent ringing of her phone dragged Adeline from a restless sleep. It was just past four in the morning.
"Get down here," David's gruff, urgent voice commanded.
"David?" Adeline mumbled, still groggy. "What's going on? It's so early."
"Linda," David's voice was tight with emotion. "She tried to... she slit her wrists."
Adeline shot out of bed, her heart pounding. "Is she...?"
"She's alive," David interrupted, his voice a mix of relief and despair. "Found her just in time. But she's not doing well, Adeline. Not at all. We need to get back to Neon City, now."
"I'll be right down," Adeline said, her voice trembling.
She threw on some clothes, grabbed the suitcase she had packed for her visit to the twins, and rushed out the door.
The morning air was crisp and cool, sending a shiver down her spine. She tossed her suitcase into the trunk of David's car and slid into the back seat.
It was only then that she noticed she wasn't alone.
Jasper sat beside her, his tall frame almost swallowed by the spacious back seat. He was dressed in black, his eyes closed, his expression unreadable.
Adeline's breath caught in her throat.
"Mr. Foster has some business to attend to in Neon City," David explained from the driver's seat, meeting her eyes in the rearview mirror. "He's riding with us. If you'd prefer, you can take my assistant's car. It's right behind us."
Adeline hesitated, her gaze lingering on Jasper's impassive face. This close, she could see the faint lines around his eyes, the hint of fatigue shadowing his handsome features.
She made her decision. "I'm fine here."
She wouldn't waste this chance to be near him, even if it was under these circumstances.
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