Chapter 25

At 7:30 PM, the airport was packed. People hustling in every direction, all in their own little worlds.

Stephanie stood by the exit, bouquet of tulips in hand, nerves fluttering.

She was dressed in a beige coat, her hair pulled up in a neat bun, giving off this sweet, innocent vibe–like she belonged in a Hallmark movie.

A chill breeze swept by, and she instinctively hugged her coat tighter around herself, feeling the cold creep in.

They’d agreed to meet at 8:00 at the exit.

When the clock hit 8, she spotted him.

His tall frame cut through the crowd like a statue, and seeing him instantly flooded Stephanie’s mind with memories–like a movie skipping through scenes too fast to keep up with.

She remembered the way he held her, comforted her, how he could make her feel so safe… and so small at the same time.

He wore a black mid–length coat and a gray scarf, exuding this polished, refined look that could’ve belonged to a model in a high–end magazine.

But only she knew the cold, ruthless side of him–the one that hid behind that well–groomed exterior.

Sebastian. The man who took her in, raised her…

Their eyes locked, and immediately, she felt that chilling, authoritative gaze pierce right through her. Without thinking, she lowered her head.

His presence was like a shadow, suffocating, heavy. And that familiar scent of his… it wrapped around her like a trap.

She held the tulips out toward him, her hand shaking. “You… you like these,” she said softly.

Guilt and fear twisted in her chest.

Sebastian didn’t take the flowers. He just stood there, his presence pressing in on her, making the air feel thick and suffocating.

The buzz of the crowd seemed to fade away, and for a second, it was like they were the only two people in the entire world.

Her hand, still holding the flowers, trembled. She hesitated for a second, then reached up to adjust his scarf. “It’s been a long

time.”

delicate shift in the atmosphere. For a moment, the tension around him lightened.

shot out and grabbed her wrist. Before she could process what was happening,

was low, dark with something dangerous

him, and in all that

wondering if her defiance was his fault–maybe he’d spoiled her

trapped in her throat. “I… I…”

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Chapter 25

right through her, his eyes reading her like an open book. “Now, start thinking about

tone was thick with menace.

of anxiety in Stephanie’s chest only tightened, and her voice shook as she tried to hold back the tears that threatened to

he released her wrist, grabbing her hand and pulling

When he saw them approach, he

nod.

car. “You…

he

It made it clear: he wasn’t planning on

settled deep in

at her, his presence towering over her, making her feel even smaller. She swallowed, her nerves a mess

cut through the

it together, nodded

she could say anything else, Sebastian grabbed her again, pulling her into

after her, his expression unreadable. Stephanie shifted as far as she could

to distance herself, he was still there, looming

Sebastian’s big hand closed around

she could even react, he effortlessly yanked

squirmed, her voice trembling. “Don’t… don’t

remained calm, giving a low hum.

face flushed bright red. “I’ve grown

was sitting on his lap, the closeness between them in such a public place making

line of her cheek, sending a shiver down her spine before it paused at her chin.

look

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