Chapter 2
His voice was calm, but it sent chills down my spine.
"You said you'd rather marry a dog than him," Sebastian said.
"You said you wanted to move to Daltown, open a guesthouse, and raise three cats, so that you wouldn't have to look at his poker face."
I covered my face. "Please, stop."
This was peak social death. Nothing could be more mortifying.
"So..." Sebastian started.
Sebastian suddenly leaned in, his fingers hooking the drawstring of my hoodie and giving it a gentle tug.
Our faces were suddenly so close that I could feel his breath on my skin.
He smelled faintly of cedar, mixed with a hint of tobacco. It was a scent that was almost predatory.
"I've decided to elope with you so that you won't have to marry that poker-faced man," Sebastian said.
There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Well, Miss Wilkins, are you satisfied with this service?"
I held my breath, staring at his face that was so close.
I had to admit, Sebastian was ridiculously handsome.
Even if he was a bit of a lunatic.
"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Aren't we headed to Daltown?"
Sebastian sat up straight as the light turned green, then hit the gas.
"But first, we need to make a stop somewhere."
The car swung around the corner, speeding toward the most bustling area downtown.
That was right in the direction of the Wilkins mansion.
I stared at him, panic rising. "Are you nuts? You're taking me straight back to the lion's den."
Sebastian shot me a look, a cold smirk tugging at his lips.
"Running away from a wedding is all about strategy," he said.
"How can we just walk away without causing a little chaos?
"Don't worry."
He reached over and gave my head a gentle rub, the gesture strangely affectionate.
"With me around, no one can force you."
I glanced at his profile, a mess of emotions swirling inside me.
This plot twist was nothing like what I'd imagined.
Sebastian was the freeloader who used to joke around with me online.
And now, standing right in front of me, he was calling all the shots, every bit the domineering CEO.
So which one was the real Sebastian?
Or maybe this was all just some elaborate trap he set up.
The Wilkins mansion was blazing with lights.
My dad, Gordan Wilkins, was raging in the living room, smashing cups in fury.
My stepmom, Cecilia Wilkins, was putting on her usual act, fake tears streaming down her face as she sniveled, "Why is Summer always so reckless?"
My stepsister, Rachel Wilkins, sat on the couch painting her nails, looking absolutely delighted at my misery.
"Dad, I told you, Summer never gave a damn about the Bennett family," Rachel said, blowing on her nails.
"If she runs off and Mr. Bennett comes after us, we'll be doomed."
"That rebellious troublemaker!" Gordan roared, his face practically purple with rage.
"Drag her back here. I don't care if you have to break her legs, just get her to the Bennett family," he shouted.
Just then, the front door swung open.
I trailed behind Sebastian, feeling like a wronged wife about to be scolded.
The atmosphere in the living room froze instantly.
Gordan's hand stopped mid-motion, his coffee cup suspended in the air.
Cecilia's crocodile tears dried up in a heartbeat.
Rachel jumped up, her eyes nearly bulging out of her head.
"M-Mr. Bennett?" Gordan blurted out.
His expression changed in a flash, and he put on a sycophantic smile. "What brings you here? Summer—"
"Summer is doing just fine," Sebastian cut him off.
He wrapped his arm firmly around my shoulders, holding me so tight I couldn't even think about breaking free.
"We were just together," Sebastian said.
"Together?" Rachel practically screeched. "Wasn't she supposed to be running away—"
"Running away from what?" Sebastian replied, his gaze frosty as he looked at Rachel.
Rachel immediately fell silent, shrinking back under his cold stare.
"Summer said she wanted to surprise me, so she went to pick me up," Sebastian explained.
Sebastian could lie through his teeth without even blinking.
"But Mr. Wilkins, whose legs were you threatening to break just now?" Sebastian asked.
Gordan broke out in a cold sweat.
"It's all a misunderstanding. I was just worried Summer might step out of line and accidentally cross you," Gordan scrambled to explain.
"She's well-behaved," Sebastian said.
He looked at me, his gaze so gentle that it sent chills down my spine.
"I like her."
I found myself pressed against him, watching how smoothly he acted out this scene.
Inside, I couldn't help but scoff.
Everyone in this family had their own agenda.
Gordan would trade his own daughter for a shot at glory.
Cecilia and Rachel would rather see me dead than back home.
And Sebastian, the man who acted like my protector, was actually the most dangerous hunter in the room.
"Since we're back, let's talk about the engagement party," Sebastian said.
Sebastian took over, pulling me down onto the couch as if he owned the place.
He crossed his legs, exuding a commanding, almost domineering presence.
"The date we originally set is way too rushed," Sebastian said.
Gordan nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, Mr. Bennett, you're absolutely right. So what's your plan?"
"We should make it sooner," Sebastian said.
I jerked my head up to stare at him.
This wasn't what we agreed.
Weren't we supposed to elope?