3. Sebastian
Chapter 3
Sebastian
I get closer, hearing her voice—soft, almost breaking.
Lil. My Lil.
My princess.
I inch closer, careful to stay hidden, catching a glimpse of her through the window.
There she stands, a vision in ivory lace and silk, her veil cascading down her back. Breathtakingly beautiful, even with her eyes haunted and tired, staring at her reflection.
She’s still the same girl I fell for all those years ago. The same girl I can’t seem to let go of. Still my—
“Bellissima. You look beautiful.” A small brown-haired woman arranges her veil with a critical eye, handing her the bouquet.
What if I take his place? And she walks down the aisle toward me. Vowing to me. Wearing my ring.
But that’s not my reality. She chose him. Chose this life without me. A future without me in it .
I melt into the wall, obscured in the shadows, and a tightness builds in my chest. I should leave, but I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from her. She has always been my weakness.
My princess.
The one I lost.
She clutches the bouquet tighter, her shoulders slumping.
I want to burst through the doors, sweep her into my arms, and tell her to run away with me. Leave all this bullshit behind and start over. The two of us.
“It’s time.” The woman with brown hair takes her arm.
No, it’s not, Karen. Go away.
She clears her throat pointedly. “I really must insist we begin soon, Signorina. Everyone is waiting.”
Lil nods mutely, the veil falling forward. The other woman reaches to fix it, but Lil swats her hand away.
“Can I have a moment, please?” Lil asks.
The women don’t move.
“Get out,” Lil says. “Please.”
The women exchange a glance before leaving, the door clicking shut behind them.
Lil’s shoulders slump, her head bowing, and a shuddering breath escapes her.
Could it be she’s not eager to marry Jason? Is there a chance she still has feelings for me? Or are these just pre-wedding jitters?
She squares her shoulders, lifting her chin. Her eyes are bright with unshed tears, and her lips are pressed into a thin line.
It’s fake.
She’s not happy. I can see it in every line of her body and the forced smile. This isn’t what she wants. It’s not who she wants .
I clench my fists, battling the impulse to storm in there and drag her out. Consequences be damned.
But I can’t. Even if it’s killing me inside.
She takes another deep breath, and I see her mouth move, forming words I can’t hear. A prayer, maybe. Or a plea for strength.
I lean my head back against the wall, looking up. I can’t watch this. I can’t watch her walk down the aisle to another man, knowing it should be me waiting for her at the end. Knowing that I fucked up, that I let my pride and my ego get in the way of the best thing that ever happened to me.
Was it really all fake?
I can’t do this. I can’t watch her marry someone else.
I turn to leave, and her voice echoes through the air. Soft, broken. “Sebastian.”
My heart stops.
I turn slowly, half-expecting to see her standing there, looking at me with those big, whiskey eyes.
But she’s not. She’s still in front of the mirror, her head bowed. She wasn’t talking to me.
She was talking to herself.
I take a step forward before I can stop myself. My hand reaches out, aching to touch her one last time, to feel the softness of her cheek and the warmth of her skin.
To tell her I never stopped loving her. That I never will.
In a sudden move, she throws her bouquet down, the flowers scattering across the ground, ribbons trailing behind. Lil follows, burying her face in her hands, silent sobs escaping her trembling frame.
I’d give anything to take it all away, to wrap her in my arms and tell her everything will be alright .
Loud voices echo down the hall, snapping my attention away from Lil’s crumpled form. If someone catches me here, I’m done.
I whip my head around for one last glance.
Our eyes catch in the mirror, hers wide and glistening with tears. She blinks, her lips parting in shock.
Fuck.
Her voice is barely audible over the blood pounding in my ears. Still, it’s clear as daylight. My name on her lips. “Sebastian.”
How long has it been since I’ve heard her say it like that? Like a prayer, a plea, a promise.
What can I say? That I’m sorry? That I never meant to hurt her? That I’d give anything to turn back time and do things differently?