Chapter 282
The night deepened, neon lights painting the city in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Zachary Merouin had just uncorked a bottle of whiskey when the bar doors burst open. Sebastian Valdemar strode in with stormy eyes, his aura icy enough to repel any approach.
"Well, well. Who pissed off the mighty Sebastian Valdemar?" Zachary slid a glass across the counter, watching him down it in one gulp. "Since when do you drown your sorrows?"
Sebastian slammed the glass down, knuckles whitening. The shifting bar lights carved shadows across his sharp features, intensifying his grim expression.
"The café," he growled. "I saw her on a blind date."
Zachary arched a brow, swirling his drink lazily. "The great Valdemar heir got rejected?" He leaned in, intrigued. "What happened next?"
"I interrupted." Sebastian's jaw tightened. "And she... thanked me."
His words faltered. Why had that smile she gave another man made his blood boil? Why the restless irritation clawing at his chest?
Zachary chuckled, seeing right through him. "Admit it. You're jealous."
The words struck like a key, unlocking the fog in Sebastian's mind.
Should he tell her?
"Regret comes too late for cowards." Zachary clinked their glasses meaningfully.
Sebastian's gaze hardened with resolve.
The upscale restaurant glowed with candlelight, a lone violinist's melody weaving through the air. Sebastian lit the final candle as the door creaked open.
Stiletto heels clicked against marble. He looked up to meet Evelyn Roland's startled eyes.
"What's all this?" She lingered at the threshold, uncertain.
"Sit." He pulled out her chair with quiet courtesy.
Firelight danced across his throat as he swallowed. The confession hovered on his lips.
"Evelyn, I—"
CRASH.
The violinist collapsed, limbs seizing.
They bolted upright. Evelyn rushed to administer first aid until sirens wailed outside.
Later, smoothing her disheveled hair, she turned to him. "What were you saying earlier?"
Sebastian studied her concerned expression and let the words dissolve.
"Nothing important." His lashes lowered, shielding the truth.