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.

could muster a response, the couple intertwined their hands and

as her nails dug into her palms. A fierce jealousy blazed in her eyes, wishing she could physically tear Madelyn

people, deserve to stand beside someone as exceptional as Sebastian? It should

“It seems I’ve been involuntarily

a grey bathrobe, which only deepened her frown. “What are you implying?” she snapped. “Who’s scheming

expect you to have feelings for Sebastian! Who would have thought, you like

crept over Janessa’s face, her breathing

you can’t wait to devour him? Setting me up with Madelyn, that’s for your own benefit, isn’t

of embarrassment and anger. “What on earth

“No need for such a strong reaction, I just

Janessa became instantly cautious.

laid out his proposition clearly, “It’s quite simple. I want to win over Madelyn, and you have feelings for Sebastian. If you help me win Madelyn’s heart, wouldn’t that leave you free

that the idea

With her recent unpredictable behavior, having an ally

Janessa gave Christopher a nod,

the cool night air,

Madelyn was undeterred and, with a bold resolve, clung to

Sebastian demanded, a touch of helplessness marking his

go.” Madelyn’s tone was resolute, her grip firm like an adhesive patch that refused to

to her persistence. He realized there was little he could do but accept her clinginess for

the car and buckled up, the air between

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

a surge of emotions overwhelmed

cautions, which

had been right about Janessa all along. Her previous naivety had made her an

around his. “Mm, I’ll listen to you from now on,” she

frown on Sebastian’s

change in Madelyn’s behavior over the

have sparked her anger, yet now she was not only affectionate but also surprisingly compliant—behavior that was entirely out of