Reborn to my engagement night by Baxter Walters

Chapter 8 No Need For Pretense

Madelyn had no immediate plans to confront Janessa directly.

They had numerous unresolved issues between them, and this moment was merely the tip of the iceberg.

“Janessa, since Sebastian has made the effort to come pick me up, I won’t be staying any longer,” Madelyn stated as she offered a polite smile and casually looped her arm through Sebastian’s.

As they prepared to leave, Janessa hastily reached out and grabbed her, crying out, “Wait!”

Madelyn turned, a look of confusion crossing her face. “What’s the matter? Is there something else?”

Janessa, having finally gotten the opportunity to be close to Sebastian, couldn’t bear the thought of him leaving, especially not with Madelyn. The idea of them together, alone, was intolerable.

With a forced laugh, she quickly improvised, “I noticed you haven’t really been enjoying yourself today. Now that Sebastian is here, and with Christopher around as well, why don’t we all stay a bit longer? We could all have a blast together, what do you think?”

Internally, Madelyn scoffed at the suggestion. Have a blast? she thought derisively. Out loud, she diplomatically responded, “But Janessa, you know that Sebastian has always disliked noisy settings. Perhaps we should reconsider.”

Madelyn was wary of whatever else Janessa might concoct if they lingered. She definitely preferred to avoid any unnecessary complications.

Turning toward Sebastian with a warm smile, she said, “Darling, wait for me here. I’m going to grab my bag.”

Sebastian nodded slightly, his expression unreadable.

The corners of Janessa’s mouth twitched involuntarily a few times. She hadn’t anticipated Madelyn declining her invitation. This unexpected defiance left her flustered. What’s going on with Madelyn today?

However, once Sebastian had given his approval, Janessa knew it wasn’t appropriate to press them to stay further.

Remembering the events of the evening, she addressed Sebastian awkwardly, “Sebastian, about what happened tonight, it was a misunderstanding. I must have mistaken someone else for her… But I was just concerned something might happen to Madelyn.”

Sebastian offered Janessa a cold glance but remained silent, dismissing her explanation.

Feeling more unsettled by his reaction, Janessa watched as Madelyn, now with her bag, approached. “We’re heading out now, Janessa. Enjoy the evening,” Madelyn said crisply.

response, the couple intertwined their hands and walked

tightly as her nails dug into her palms. A fierce jealousy

deserve to stand beside someone as exceptional as Sebastian? It

reverie. “It seems I’ve been involuntarily involved in your

at that moment. He was clad in a grey bathrobe, which only deepened her frown. “What are you implying?” she snapped. “Who’s scheming

chuckle deepened. “Stop pretending. I’ve seen through you. But I must admit, I didn’t expect you to

crept over Janessa’s face, her breathing quickened. “Christopher, stop spouting nonsense!” she protested

at Sebastian, as if you can’t wait to devour him? Setting me up with Madelyn, that’s

embarrassment and anger. “What on earth do

“No need for such a strong reaction, I just

instantly

feelings

deny that

challenging. With her recent unpredictable

Janessa gave Christopher a nod,

moment they stepped into the cool night air,

was undeterred and, with a bold resolve, clung to him once

his features as he attempted to

won’t let go.” Madelyn’s tone was resolute, her grip firm like an adhesive patch that refused to be

her persistence. He realized there was little

into the car and buckled up, the

evening’s events and particularly on Janessa’s dubious demeanor, Sebastian turned to Madelyn with a stern warning. “Keep your distance from Janessa in the

these words, a surge of emotions

life, Sebastian had often issued similar cautions, which she

she recognized that he had been right about Janessa all along. Her previous naivety had made her an easy target for

tightly around his. “Mm, I’ll listen to you

frown on Sebastian’s face

a distinct change in

anger, yet now she was not only affectionate but also surprisingly compliant—behavior that