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

dug into her palms.

of all people, deserve to stand beside someone as exceptional as Sebastian? It should have been

“It seems I’ve been involuntarily

at that moment. He was clad in a grey bathrobe, which only deepened her

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

Janessa’s face, her breathing quickened. “Christopher, stop spouting

Setting me up with Madelyn, that’s for your

was a mix of embarrassment and anger. “What on earth do you want!” she demanded, frustration coloring

for such a strong reaction, I just want to

became instantly cautious. “Collaborate

you have feelings for Sebastian. If you help me win

couldn’t deny that the idea

had proved challenging. With her recent unpredictable behavior,

of thought, Janessa gave Christopher a nod, her resolve firming. “All right, I’m looking forward to our

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

with a bold

his features as he attempted to gently

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

to her persistence. He realized there was little he could

settled into the car and buckled up, the air between them was charged with

dubious demeanor, Sebastian turned to Madelyn with a stern warning. “Keep your distance from Janessa in

surge

life, Sebastian had often issued similar cautions, which she

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

around his.

on Sebastian’s

change in

was not only affectionate