Birth from my past

Sebastian’s presence filled the room with an unfamiliar calm as the crew left. I could still feel the warmth of his smile lingering, but as the door closed behind them, something in me shifted. I didn’t know what it was, but it sat heavily in my chest. My expression must have changed because I felt his gaze on me almost immediately.



“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice soft but steady.



I hesitated, my mind racing to form words that wouldn’t reveal too much, but the weight of everything I had been carrying was too much to keep hidden. I finally looked at him and decided to speak my truth. “I… I don’t know. I’m happy, but I’m scared,” I said quietly, my fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of my sleeve.



His eyebrows furrowed in concern. “Scared? Of what?”



I took a deep breath, feeling the tension in my shoulders as I tried to find the courage to continue. “I’m scared this… you… all of this might not be real. What if this is temporary? What if you go back to the way things were?” My voice cracked slightly as I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. “I’ve seen people change before, only for it to be a lie. I don’t think I can take that again.”



For a moment, there was silence, and I braced myself for his response. But instead of words, I felt his hand gently take mine. The warmth of his touch sent a wave of unexpected comfort through me, and I finally looked up to see his face.



“Ariella,” he began, his voice firm but kind, “I won’t be going back to the way I was. This isn’t a joke, and it’s not some temporary phase. I know it’s hard to believe, but something happened—something that opened my eyes. I’ve been cruel, to you and to everyone else. That’s not who I want to be anymore.”



His words took me by surprise, but what truly shocked me was the way he looked at me—with sincerity, vulnerability even. “It’s not easy for me, you know,” he continued. “Everyone thinks it is, but it’s not. Every decision, every step I take—it all weighs on me. But I’ve made my choice, and part of that choice is treating you the way you deserve. You’re not a slave, Ariella. You’re my partner now.”



His words stunned me. My eyes widened as I stared at him, my breath caught in my throat. Partner? Did I hear him right? I wanted to ask, but the lump in my throat made it impossible.



“There’s one more thing,” he added, his tone softening. “You’re not going back to the dorm. From now on, you’ll have your own room, on the same floor as mine.”



I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My mind reeled as his words sunk in, and the flood of emotions was overwhelming. Relief, disbelief, joy—it all hit me at once.



“I… I don’t know what to say,” I finally managed, my voice barely a whisper.



“You don’t have to say anything,” he replied, his thumb brushing gently over my knuckles. “Just… trust me.”



I nodded slowly, unable to form any coherent thoughts. The man I had feared, respected, and, in some hidden part of my heart, cared for, was telling me he wanted me to be his partner.







The evening arrived swiftly, and I spent most of it preparing with Sebastian. I couldn’t help but sneak glances at him as he adjusted his outfit. His presence was commanding, even when he wasn’t trying. He had chosen a simple yet elegant look, and somehow, he made it seem effortless.



I wasn’t sure what to wear, but Sebastian assured me it didn’t matter. “You’ll look perfect no matter what,” he said, and I found myself blushing at his words.



We stepped out together, and the entire house seemed to pause. The air was thick with whispers and stolen glances as we walked down the grand staircase side by side. I could feel the weight of their stares, but for once, it didn’t bother me. Being with Sebastian made me feel like I belonged, like I was someone worth noticing.



As we reached the bottom of the stairs, my eyes met Sofia’s. Her expression lit up with a mixture of surprise and pride, and I couldn’t help but smile back at her. She had been my friend, my confidant, through so much. Seeing her there, sharing in my happiness, made the moment even sweeter.



Sebastian noticed Sofia and gave her a small nod, acknowledging her in his own quiet way. I could tell she was as shocked as I was by his behavior.



The whispers grew louder as we made our way through the room, but Sebastian seemed unfazed. He held his head high, his hand occasionally brushing against mine as we walked. I felt like I was living a dream, one that I never wanted to wake up from.



As we reached the exit, Sebastian paused and turned to me, his gaze softening. “Ready?” he asked.



I nodded, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. “Ready.”



And with that, we stepped out into the night together, leaving behind the murmurs and gazes of the house. This was a new beginning, one I never thought I would have.



For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was more than just a servant. I felt seen, valued, and maybe even loved.









End of Chapter.