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.

Janessa could muster a response, the couple intertwined their hands

fists clenched tightly as her nails dug into her palms. A fierce jealousy blazed in her eyes, wishing

deserve to stand beside someone as exceptional as Sebastian? It should have been

then, a soft chuckle broke her reverie. “It seems I’ve

see Christopher, his presence unwelcome at that moment. He was clad in a grey bathrobe, which only deepened her frown. “What are you implying?” she snapped.

“Stop pretending. I’ve seen through you. But I must admit, I didn’t expect you to have feelings for Sebastian! Who

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

devour him? Setting me up with Madelyn, that’s for your own benefit, isn’t it?”

and anger. “What on

“No need for such

Janessa became instantly cautious.

and you have feelings for Sebastian. If you help me win Madelyn’s heart, wouldn’t

that

Madelyn alone had proved challenging. With her recent unpredictable behavior, having an ally might indeed

a nod, her resolve firming. “All

the hotel, the moment they stepped into the cool night air, Sebastian promptly withdrew his hand, creating a subtle

was undeterred and, with a bold resolve, clung to

of helplessness marking his features as he attempted to gently

Madelyn’s tone was resolute, her grip firm like an adhesive patch

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

buckled up, the air between them was

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

these words, a surge of emotions

her past life, Sebastian had often issued similar cautions, which

about Janessa all along. Her previous naivety had made

snuggled closer to Sebastian, wrapping her arms tightly around his. “Mm, I’ll listen to you from now

frown on Sebastian’s face deepened

change in Madelyn’s behavior over

now she was not only affectionate but also surprisingly compliant—behavior that was entirely