Chapter 2
I dragged my exhausted body home.
Sebastian rushed to the door. “You’re finally back. I was starting to worry.”
Looking at his concerned expression made my heart tremble.
I met his gaze directly. “I didn’t come home all night, and you’re only asking why I’m late now?”
Sebastian smiled gently. “I called your phone yesterday. Claire picked up and told me you’d had too much to drink and were crashing at her place. I know you two were close in college, so I figured you were catching up.”
Claire had been at the reunion.
But we’d barely exchanged two sentences all night, let alone had any meaningful conversation.
So why was she suddenly part of this story?
Sebastian, Edmund, Claire–what connected them?
As questions swirled in my head, my stomach suddenly lurched. I bolted to the bathroom and threw up.
Sebastian rubbed my back in small circles. “Oh babe, did you really have to go that hard on the drinks? You know I hate seeing you
sick like this.”
When I finished, Sebastian handed me a glass of water.
As our fingers brushed during the exchange, I caught a fleeting look of revulsion in his eyes.
My heart plummeted.
After cleaning up, I retreated to the bedroom and collapsed on the bed.
Sebastian followed me in and casually probed, “Something on your mind? You seem off. Did anything happen last night?”
When I didn’t respond, he continued, “Look, marriage is built on trust and loyalty. I trust you completely–don’t beat yourself up about anything.”
I kept my eyes closed, laughing bitterly inside.
Sebastian knew exactly which buttons to push. His words would normally have drowned me in guilt.
If I hadn’t discovered the truth, I would have confessed everything and walked away from our marriage with nothing.
Seeing my continued silence, Sebastian tucked the blanket around me. “Get some rest. We can talk when you’re feeling better ~
I slept late the next day. Sebastian had already gone to work.
On the nightstand sat a glass of water and a white pill.
The folic acid I’d been taking for three years.
Despite never getting pregnant and all my tests coming back normal, I’d blamed myself, feeling I’d failed Sebastian
16:03
Live My Own Life How the Houersville Berinin
Chapter 2
Now I realized it might not have been my fault at all.
I placed the pill back in its bottle and took it with me.
The doctor barely glanced at it. “These are daily contraceptives. They only work when taken consistently.”
Of course!
I let out a hollow laugh, feeling like I’d been drenched in ice water.
Back home, I put on my long–neglected business suit, applied light makeup, and drove to the company.
Having been away for three years, the receptionist stopped me at the entrance.
3
“Can I help you find someone?” she asked with a practiced smile.
I frowned. “I’m here for my company, actually.”
When I tried to walk past, she smoothly stepped into my path.
“I’m sorry, but I need to know who you’re meeting with today,” she insisted politely.
I took a deep breath. “Sebastian Winchester.”
Her expression became professionally apologetic. “Mr. Winchester’s calendar requires appointments in advance. I can’t let anyone through without one.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You might want to check your facts. I’m the legal owner of this company. Sebastian only manages it for me. Isn’t that something reception should know?”
The receptionist looked genuinely confused. “I think there must be some misunderstanding. Mr. Winchester is our CEO.”
Well played, Sebastian!
He was systematically erasing me from my own company.
As I considered my next move, a longtime employee walked by and recognized me.
“For heaven’s sake, Melissa! This is Mrs. Winchester!” he exclaimed to the receptionist.
The receptionist paled and quickly stepped aside.
I gave the veteran employee a measured look. “Actually, I prefer Anastasia Sterling, CEO.”
He fumbled briefly. “Yes–of course, Ms. Sterling!”
I walked directly to the CEO’s office and pushed the door open–only to find a familiar face inside.
1005
