Chapter 179

Alex’s POV.

The cool night air bit at my face as I helped Sebastian out of the car. He moved slowly, a hand pressed tightly to his side like he was afraid something might snap loose. His face was pale under the dim porch light, jaw tight with the kind of pain that would make most men crumble. But Sebastian? He still managed to glare at me like I’d offended his pride just by being there.

“I don’t need your help, Alex,” he said, his voice hoarse but sharp

“Sure, you don’t,” I replied dryly, keeping a firm grip on his elbow. “You looked real steady when you nearly face–planted getting out of the car.”

He scowled, a faint flush creeping up his bruised face. “I can walk.”

“Great. Then do it,” I said, not letting go until we reached the front door of the house I’d given him. It wasn’t nearly as grand as my mansion, but it was good enough to make a point.

I unlocked the door and flipped the lights on, guiding him inside. “Welcome home,” I muttered, steering him toward the couch.

Sebastian grunted as he eased onto the cushions, every movement stiff and deliberate. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“Yeah, I did,” I said, stepping back and crossing my arms. “You can fight me about it later when you’re not held together with duct tape and determination.”

His lips twitched, but the half–smile was more a wince. “Don’t hold your breath.”

I studied him for a moment, my gaze lingering on the swelling around his cheekbone and the cuts that hadn’t fully healed. Every bruise was a reminder of what my mother’s men had done, of how far she’d gone to make a point. My stomach churned just thinking about it.

“How’s the side?” I asked, nodding toward the ribs he was guarding.

freight train,” he said, leaning

as funny as you think you are,” I said,

you think you are,” he shot back, one corner of his mouth quirking up. “But

sighed, running a hand through my

he said, his gaze sharpening. “So, what’s this

hesitated, the weight of what I needed to say settling heavily on my chest. He already knew about the kidnapping, but there was more to

my voice low. “The bastard didn’t just take my kids. He drugged them. Pulled them right out of school like it was nothing. And when

off, the memory slicing through me like

his hand clenching into a fist on his

said, my jaw tightening, “I found Christiana standing there… in her underwear. Her eyes were red, tears streaming down her face. She

19:35 Thu, Dec 26

Chapter 179

under his breath, his voice laced with venom. “Son of a bitch. If I’d been there…”

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weren’t,” I snapped, the frustration boiling over. “And neither was I. That’s the problem, Sebastian. I wasn’t there to protect them. I wasn’t

wincing but undeterred.

I said coldly. “But that’s not enough. Not

face unreadable. “It’ll never be enough, Alex. Men like him…

fists, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. “I should’ve seen it coming.

change what happened. You can’t undo

him, surprised by the sudden intensity

are you?”

word bitter on my

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