40. Lilian
Chapter 40
Lilian
“Relax.” Sebastian’s hand interlocks with mine, guiding me into the Astoria Club’s grand dining room for the brunch with his mother. “I’m right here with you.”
The place is bustling, an orchestra of clinking silverware and animated chatter. It’s like a high society parade in here.
I spot Mary giggling with Connor at a table, her eyes sparkling. Guess she finally got him out of his cave. Gemma and Elijah are here too, the picture of newlywed bliss. Brandon’s got his arm slung around Naomi, whispering something that makes her blush.
And, of course, Serena is here, surrounded by several men, and I swear that the red-haired girl beside her is Blake.
He squeezes my hand. “You’ve got this, princess.” His breath is warm against my ear. “Just be yourself.”
Right. Myself. The girl who bolted from her own wedding, who’s been playing house with her ex for weeks now. The one who still can’t quite believe this is real, that Sebastian wants me, baggage and all.
But as we make our way to his mother’s table, Sebastian’s hand never leaves mine, and I know it’s gonna be alright .
“Look, Mommy! A prince and princess are here.” At the table next to us, a little girl tugs on her mother’s sleeve, pointing at us.
Heat rises in my cheeks.
“Isn’t that sweet?” Sloan’s gaze softens as she appraises us. “You two really do make a lovely couple.”
John Barron stands by her side, his expression neutral as always. Hating me, as always.
“Thank you, Mrs. Barron.” I bow my head.
“Ah, ah.” She pulls me into a hug. “Sloan. Did you forget?”
“Right, Sloan.”
“Dad.” Sebastian regards him. “I think you still remember Lil?”
“Of course. Nice to see you again,” John shakes my hand.
“I’m happy you two came.” Sloan clasps her hands together. “First Gemma and Elijah, now you two, and soon we’ll have lots of grandchildren jumping around.”
John chokes on his drink, coughing violently before composing himself. “There’s no need to rush things, dear. They’re not even married.”
Sloan elbows him. “Oh hush, you.”
“Maybe.” Sebastian takes my hand, his eyes never leaving mine as he presses a lingering kiss to my ring finger. “It’s time. You and me. Married.”
I can barely breathe. Is he serious? Is he really suggesting…
“Oh,” Sloan coos. “Aren’t they sweet?”
“Yes.” John nods emotionless.
“Actually, speaking of family.” Sloan loops her arm through mine. “I took the liberty of inviting some of yours.”
“What?” I peer at Sebastian, who seems unfazed by the news.
John, on the other hand, is choking again—clearly not happy about it. “You did what? ”
“I invited her brothers and Marc, it’s time.” Sloan waves dismissively.
“You didn’t tell me that,” John says.
“I wonder why, darling.” Sloan glares at him before whirling around to me. “I do hope they’ll come. I’d love to see them again, especially since things are clearly different now.”
John’s face contorts like he swallowed a lemon. “Well, would you look at that. I see an old friend over there.” He bows his head. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Sebastian watches his father go, his brow furrowed.
“That man, I swear.” Sloan sighs, shaking her head. “We’ll continue this lovely chat later, sweeties. I better go make sure he doesn’t start another war.” With a wink, she’s off, following John’s retreating figure.
“Well, that went well.” Sebastian’s fingers intertwine with mine.
I snort. “Your dad looked like he was about to have an aneurysm.”
“Forget him.”
“Sebastian?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think they’ll actually come?”
“Relax. It’s going to be okay.” His hand lands on the small of my back, his fingers tracing soothing patterns.
“Is it? They hate each other. You saw how your father reacted.” I bite my lip.
“Lil.” His hands cup my face, tilting it up to his. “Look at me.”
I do. “What if they see us together? Oh, what if they already know? They know, but I didn’t tell them. We didn’t even make it official official, like—”
He places his lips on mine, shutting me up. It’s soft and slow, and he’s taking his time, erasing any remaining concerns before breaking away.
“Calmed down?” he asks .
I nod, slowly opening my eyes to meet his.
“It’s going to be okay, princess. I’m right here with you. Don’t overthink this.” He draws me into a hug. “Let’s join our friends, okay?”
“Actually, I… I need to powder my nose. Meet you there?”
“You sure everything is okay?”
I put on my happy face, which he’ll probably see right through, but I need to hide. “Yes.”
“Fine. But call me if anything is wrong.”
“I will.”
Reluctantly, he lets go of my hand, and I hurry into the ladies’ room.
I brace my hands on the counter, and pore over my reflection in the mirror. You’ve got this. What’s the worst that could happen?
A… hateful look, but ignoring each other? An argument? A fight?
Deep breath. Okay, Lil, you can do this. It’s just brunch with the families, right? No big deal.
Except it is a big deal. A very big deal. Because, let’s be real, the Barrons and the Edmunds? They’re all going to be in the same room, breaking bread together like some sort of twisted modern-day version of the Capulets and Montagues.
Oh god, they probably already know about Sebastian and me. I mean, how could they not? That damn picture of us kissing was splashed across every tabloid in the city. The rakish lord caught in a passionate embrace with the innocent young lady. Except I’m not exactly innocent, and Sebastian is no real lord.
But still, the parallels are there. The forbidden love, the feuding families, the societal expectations. It’s like I’m living in one of those novels.
And now, with Sloan inviting my family to this brunch, it’s like she’s playing the role of the meddling matriarch, trying to broker peace between the warring factions. Will it work? Can years of bad blood and resentment really be wiped away with a few mimosas and some small talk?
I can picture it now—my uncle glaring daggers at John across the table, several passive-aggressive comments, and Sloan trying to keep the conversation light and airy while the tension thickens like clotted cream.
And then there’s Sebastian and me, caught in the middle of it all, our relationship on display for everyone to judge and scrutinize.
It’s enough to make a girl want to flee the scene, to hop on the nearest horse-drawn carriage and ride off into the sunset. But I can’t do that. Sebastian has the keys, and quite frankly, I’m scared to drive that car. It’s too fast.
I’ll channel my inner Elizabeth Bennet, hold my head high, and face whatever comes my way. Yes.
No. I’m not her…
This isn’t a novel. This is my life. And I’m not some debutante. I’m a grown-ass woman who shouldn’t have to hide from her own family.
Yet, here I am, hiding in the bathroom like a coward. Because I know what’s waiting for me out there. The looks of disappointment. The whispered judgments. The endless questions about what the hell I’m doing with Sebastian Barron, of all people.
I press my eyes shut, rolling my neck. Sebastian’s words echo in my mind. It’s going to be okay, princess. I’m right here with you.
I cling to that thought like a lifeline. He is here. He’s with me. We’re in this together.
I open my eyes, meeting my own gaze in the mirror. I can do this. I have to do this.
For me. For Sebastian. For us.
Maybe I’m lucky, and they’re not coming .
I smooth down my dress, take one last deep breath, and head for the door.
And scene.
I exit and stop short, stunned.
Anne sits beside Ella, smiling and animated, while Levi and Landon chat with Elijah.
They actually came. They’re really here.
Uncle Marc. Is he here, too?
I hide behind the pillar, peeking around to search for him.
Suddenly, something yanks me backward, and I stumble, startled.
“Long time no see.”
“Jason.” I try to keep my voice steady. “What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.” He steers me into an alcove, out of view.
“Let go. You’re hurting me.”
His grip only tightens, his fingers digging deeper into my flesh. “Have you lost your mind? You and Barron back together?”
I jerk my arm, trying to free myself, but it’s a weak attempt.
“Stop trying to get away from me.” His tone is calm, but the danger is unmistakable. “You’re making it worse.”
I wince under the pressure of his hand. “Please.”
“You were supposed to be marrying me, Lil! And now you’re parading around with him like it doesn’t matter that you left me at the altar.”
“Jason, please.” I hold up my other hand in surrender. “I never meant to hurt you, but I didn’t love you the way you deserved, and neither of us would have been happy if we’d gone through with it.”
“We just would have needed more time.” Jason’s voice cracks with emotion. “You think Sebastian can give you the happiness that I couldn’t? ”
I take a closer look at Jason. His hair is a mess like he’s been running his hands through it nonstop. Dark circles under his bloodshot eyes. Wrinkled shirt untucked, tie loosened. This is bad. He’s unraveling right in front of me.
“Jason, hey, let’s take a breath here, okay?” I try to keep my voice soothing. “I know you’re upset, but this isn’t the place.”
“Don’t patronize me.” He laughs, but it’s hollow. Bitter. “You think I give a fuck about making a scene? You didn’t on our wedding day.”
I soften my tone. “I’m not trying to patronize you. I want to make sure you’re alright.”
“Alright?” He scoffs. “I haven’t been alright since the day you left me standing at that altar like a fucking fool.”
The pain in his voice cuts deep. I did this to him. I broke him. “I’m so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.”
“I love you, Lil.” His voice breaks on my name. “I would do anything for you.”
Tears prick at the back of my eyes. “I know. And I care about you, Jason. I do. But I couldn’t marry you when my heart wasn’t in it.”
“Your heart was with him the whole time, wasn’t it? Every time I fucked you?” He laughs again, harsh and grating. “It was Sebastian fucking Barron.”
I don’t answer. I can’t. Because he’s right, and we both know it.
“I gave you everything.” He’s shaking now, his other hand balled into a fist at his side. “And you threw it all away for what? A guy who’s going to use you and toss you aside again?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Isn’t it?” He steps closer, looming over me. “Face it, Lil. You’re his little plaything until he gets bored and moves on to the next. But maybe that’s what you want? To be used?”
“Wha—”
His mouth collides with mine, and he forces his tongue past my lips. I try to turn my head, to break free, but he holds my jaw in place with a bruising, unyielding grip.
No. This can’t be happening. This is not him.
I shove at his chest, desperate to create space between us. He’s too strong, a brick wall.
Panic claws at my throat, and his other hand gropes my breast, squeezing hard enough to make me whine.
Hide.
I can’t breathe.
I squeeze my eyes shut, hot tears leaking from the corners.
You little brat. I knew you’re not mine.
Hands close around my neck. Harder.
I’m yanked backward, stumbling into a solid chest. An arm locks around my waistline, holding me steady. Safe.
Sebastian.
His voice is deadly calm beside my ear. “The fuck you think you’re doing, Campbell?”