Chapter 8

Sebastian took me back to his private estate in the suburbs.

In the car, the atmosphere was eerily quiet.

I gripped his sleeve tightly, not daring to let go for even a moment, afraid this was just a dream and I'd wake to find him transformed back into that cold tombstone.

"Why are your hands so cold?"

Sebastian grasped my hand, his brow furrowed.

He tucked my hand into his coat pocket, warmth flowing continuously from his palm.

"I'm sorry, Viv. The plane crashed then, and I fell into international waters. A passing fishing boat rescued me, but I suffered brain trauma and was in a coma for two full years."

"After waking, I was in rehabilitation, fighting to regain control of the Ashford family. I didn't dare contact you, afraid those who wanted me dead would target you."

His explanation was brief, but I could hear the bloodshed and violence behind it.

Two years in a coma, one year in rehabilitation, and still having to fight his way back to the center of power in a foreign land.

I didn't dare imagine how much he'd suffered.

"What about now..." I choked up, reaching to touch his legs.

"I'm fine now." Sebastian caught my hand, kissing it at his lips. "To come back and hold you, I made sure my legs recovered completely. See, I can hold you very steadily now."

The car stopped at the estate entrance.

He didn't let me get out. Instead, he scooped me up horizontally and strode into the house.

The lights came on, and I realized the interior furnishings were exactly as I remembered.

Even my hair tie from three years ago still sat on the coffee table.

"This place has been maintained. Nothing's changed."

Sebastian set me on the sofa, then knelt on one knee.

This man who could overturn industries with a flick of his hand now knelt before me, removing my uncomfortable high heels.

He cradled my foot, looking at the blisters rubbed raw on my heels, his expression dangerously dark.

"That waste Cyrus never even bought you proper shoes?"

I sniffled. "He only knew how to use my card to buy things for himself and Meadow."

Sebastian's movements paused.

Then he produced a black velvet box, opening it to reveal a blinding pink diamond ring and a heavy private seal.

"This is the Ashford family head's private seal. Seeing this seal is like seeing me in person. It can mobilize all Ashford family funds and influence."

He pressed the seal into my hand and slipped the ring onto my ring finger.

"Vivienne,from now on you manage my money, you manage my life. Whoever wrongs you, I'll send to hell."

Looking at that ring, I remembered Cyrus once gave me a plastic hair clip bought from a street stall, insisting I wear it to a gala, saying this was "true love doesn't look at price."

It turned out, love versus no love really was that obvious.