Chapter 21 A Gift #2
“I was kidnapped. After I escaped, I stumbled across you. You gave me that ring… right before the police found me and I was taken home. I wanted to find you again—I searched—but I couldn’t.
” His jaw clenched, the memory flickering behind his eyes.
“I was too young to remember the street, the house, even the area.”
His gaze darkened as he went on, his thumb still caressing her cheek like she might disappear again. “Years later, I ran into Adam. And through him… I finally found you. I recognized you instantly.”
Emily’s lip trembled, disbelief and wonder warring in her expression. “So… you’ve had a crush on me all this time?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Why didn’t you ever tell me earlier?”
He reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle yet possessive. “I wanted to after you graduated. But then you got together with Lucas. I never got my chance… not until you broke up.”
Her lashes fluttered, eyes glassy, a shiver running through her as the truth sank in. “I didn’t recognize you and you couldn’t propose to me because of Lucas. That’s why you’ve been teasing me? Just to… take revenge? To upset me?”
His hand slid to the small of her back, pressing her closer, his heat seeping through her. His gaze burned into hers. “Revenge? Really?”
“I won’t listen to a single one of your explanations.” she murmured, voice shaking as she looked away, sniffing.
His hand lifted, brushing a stray curl behind her ear.
He leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin.
“I love you the most,” he murmured, voice low and aching.
“All I wanted was to put that jewelry on my wife with my own hands… but now I can’t even do that?
Instead, my wife suspects me of having other women—of calling someone else the love of my life. ”
Emily’s lips parted, her voice lighter now, fragile. “If you wanted to give me something, you could have just said it directly.”
Then suddenly, her mind clicked. Her whole body went still, her eyes widening as realization struck. “… That five-hundred-million-dollar jewelry set… it’s for me?”
Sebastian’s smile deepened. He bent down and captured her lips in a deep kiss, stealing her breath. “My wedding gift for you.”
Emily blinked at him, stunned, her heart racing so wildly she thought it might burst. Five hundred million. For a jewelry set. For her. The thought almost made her dizzy.
But he didn’t give her time to process it. His lips found hers again, hungrier, and her resistance melted. Her eyes softened, glittering like stars as a small, breathless smile escaped her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering to him.
Later that evening, another surprise awaited.
Three hours after Emily went home, a delivery arrived at Sebastian’s office. He had just wrapped up finalizing a project with Adam, the two of them walking side by side down the corridor, when Harold came barreling toward them. He was practically bouncing, his face lit with excitement.
“Bro!” Harold panted, slightly out of breath. “Your wife sent a gift for you! It’s in your office.”
Sebastian’s brows knitted, confusion flashing across his face. Without another word, he quickly strode toward his office. Adam and Harold exchanged glances and immediately started to follow him matching his pace.
Sebastian’s brows knitted, a flicker of confusion flashing across his face at Harold’s words. Without another word, he lengthened his stride, boots striking hard against the polished floor as he made straight for his office.
Adam and Harold exchanged a quick glance, and without needing to say a word, both immediately quickened their pace, falling in behind him.
But just as Sebastian reached his door, his steps halted abruptly. He pivoted on his heel so sharply that both Adam and Harold nearly collided with him. They stumbled back, caught off guard, while Sebastian’s gaze darkened into a lethal glare.
“What are you both following me for?” His voice was icy, clipped. “Get lost!”
Adam lifted his chin stubbornly, arms crossing over his chest, his tone edged with irritation. “What’s the problem? I can’t look at what gift my sister sent you?”
Harold puffed up his chest, trying to appear bold even as his voice betrayed a nervous twitch. “Yeah! What’s the big deal if I take a peek at Miss Emily’s gift?”
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed, the corner of his lips curving into a mocking smirk that only deepened the tension. “You really think either of you are worthy of seeing what my wife gifts me?”
Harold’s jaw worked furiously, his teeth grinding as his face flushed red.
He turned away with a sharp huff. “You always insult me, treating me like I’m some rat,” he muttered bitterly.
Then, louder, he snapped, “Just wait until I get my wife! I’ll treat you the same way. Let’s see how you like it then.”
Sebastian’s smirk deepened, but he didn’t bother to respond. His silence alone was insult enough.
Adam, however, didn’t back down so easily. He stayed rooted to the spot, eyes narrowing as he studied Sebastian’s face carefully, as if trying to read a secret written in his expression. “So that’s it, huh?” he muttered darkly. “You’re planning to open that gift alone, in secret?”
Sebastian didn’t move, his silence only feeding Adam’s suspicion.
Then suddenly Adam’s expression shifted, sharp doubt flashing across his features.
He straightened abruptly, his tone rising with a bite of accusation.
“Wait a damn minute…” His brows furrowed.
“What the hell did she send you?” He jabbed a finger hard against Sebastian’s chest. “I’m going with you—don’t even think about stopping me! ”
Adam started to move toward the door but then Sebastian’s hand shot out, gripping his shoulder like iron. With a sharp shove, he forced him back a step.
“Get back to your work before I take away this project too,” Sebastian growled, his voice low, edged with lethal calm. “And then you’ll go running to your sister, whining about what a monster I am.”
Adam’s face flared with humiliation, his lips pressing into a hard line. “Stop eavesdropping on me and my sister’s talk, you asshole.”
Sebastian blatantly ignored both of them. He turned sharply, striding into his office. The heavy door slammed shut with a resounding thud, vibrating through the floor.
Inside, silence reigned—except for the steady tick of the clock on the wall. On Sebastian’s desk sat a large black box, perfectly wrapped, its satin bow tied with meticulous precision. Sebastian’s eyes darkened as he approached, curiosity tightening in his chest.
He slid the ribbon free with a flick, flipped open the lid, and parted the layers of soft ruffled paper. Then—he froze.
Nestled inside, gleaming beneath the office lights, lay a pair of silver handcuffs. Sleek. Polished. Cold. A few silk blindfolds, and some other playthings. A note rested atop them in elegant handwriting:
‘Here are the cuffs for you to put on me, baby. Bought these ones with your card.’
Sebastian’s lips curved, twitching between amusement and something far more dangerous.
A crooked smile tugged at his mouth, his eyes narrowing with a sharp glint.
A low, husky chuckle rumbled from his chest. With one decisive motion, he dropped the cuffs back into the box, slammed the lid shut, and pivoted for the door with it.
Just as he stepped out, Leon appeared in the doorway, tablet in hand, mid-sentence. “Mr. Graves, your next meeting is—”
“Cancel it,” Sebastian cut him off, brushing past without slowing. “I’m done for today.”