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.

intertwined their hands and walked out of the

nails dug into her palms. A fierce jealousy

all people, deserve to stand beside someone as

a soft chuckle broke her reverie. “It seems I’ve been involuntarily involved in your scheme, haven’t

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

must admit, I didn’t expect you to have feelings for Sebastian! Who would have thought, you like

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

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

a mix of embarrassment and anger. “What on earth do you want!” she

maintaining his lighthearted demeanor, replied, “No need for such a strong reaction, I just

instantly

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

deny that the idea was

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

nod, her resolve firming. “All right, I’m looking forward

stepped into the cool night air,

and, with a bold resolve, clung to

of helplessness marking his

tone was resolute, her grip firm like

defeat to her persistence. He realized there was little

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; she’s not as straightforward as

words, a surge

past life, Sebastian had often issued similar cautions, which

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

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

Sebastian’s face

change in

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