Chapter 18 Her Biggest Fanboy
Sebastian was merciless, his face a mask of cold fury.
The whip cracked against Amelia’s flesh again and again with a sickening snap, splitting skin and leaving deep, angry welts that oozed fresh blood. She convulsed on the ground, her body twisting in agony as her screams tore through the air. Her voice broke into hoarse, frantic pleas.
“Stop! Please! I’m sorry—let me go!”
But Sebastian’s eyes were cold, filled with a fury that showed no room for mercy. Each strike fell harder than the last, his rage spilling out in every crack of leather. Only when Amelia was left trembling, broken, and bloodied on the floor did he stop.
Gasping, her eyes barely open, Amelia spat hoarsely, “How can you hurt a woman? What kind of man are you?”
Sebastian’s jaw clenched, his voice like ice.
“I believe in equality. You hurt my woman? I will hurt you worse than death!” He took a step forward, every inch of him coiled and controlled.
Then he lowered himself to the floor, one knee pressed firmly into the ground while the other leg braced against his chest, keeping his back rigid and straight.
He curled a hand under her chin. With a hard, efficient movement he snapped her head up until her eyes met his.
Her pupils blown with terror, Amelia could only stare as he growled. “Have you enjoyed tormenting Emily all these years?” A dangerous smirk crawled across his mouth — not a smile, but something predatory, a promise of consequence. The look in his eyes was cold enough to make her whole body shiver.
When he finally rose, the room seemed to exhale with him. He stepped back, breath coming in short, controlled bursts; the muscles in his forearms twitched, knuckles raw and stinging where the leather had bitten him. With a curt flick, he tossed the blood-streaked whip to Leon.
“Give them the same treatment they had planned for my wife,” he said, voice level and merciless. “If they live through it, dump them in the desert—far from any path a human walks. If they still manage to crawl out of there, hand them to the police.”
Leon’s men moved like wolves answering a command.
Amelia scrambled backward on trembling hands, her palms slick with blood and sweat, the wet sound of her nails against the floor sharp in the quiet.
“Don’t come near me!” she shrieked, voice breaking as her sentences tumbled over one another.
“Stay away! I’ll complain—I’ll ruin you—”
Sebastian didn’t spare her another glance. He turned on his heel and stormed out, his footsteps echoing like thunder as Amelia’s screams followed him.
***
When Emily stirred awake, her lashes fluttering open, the first thing she saw was Harold and Jeremy slouched in the chairs across from her bed. Both were hunched over Harold’s phone, their faces lit by the bluish glow of the screen, eyes wide with disbelief.
“Holy shit,” Harold muttered under his breath, his voice thick with shock.
His grip on the phone tightened as he replayed the video.
Leon had recorded everything—the whip, the screams, Amelia’s cries in a video and sent him the video.
A while ago when Harold had called him, Leon hadn’t spoken, only lifted a finger to his lips for silence before panning the camera to reveal Sebastian mercilessly whipping Amelia, his fury consuming the room.
Once the video ended, Jeremy and Harold exchanged a glance, their mouths slightly open.
Jeremy let out a long, low whistle. A slow grin tugged at his mouth, spreading wider as he leaned back in his chair. “My man,” he said proudly, nodding at the screen like he was saluting Sebastian. “Now I know he’s perfect for Emily.”
Harold straightened in his seat, chest puffing a little as confidence flickered through his eyes. “My brother has always protected our family,” he said firmly. “As long as he’s Miss Emily’s husband, he’ll never let anyone hurt her.” His voice carried conviction, and for a moment, he smiled.
Jeremy cocked a brow, amusement gleaming in his eyes. “Funny. Weren’t you the one drooling over Emily just days ago? Running around like her biggest fanboy, swearing no one could be more perfect for her than you?”
Harold’s head snapped toward him, eyes blazing. “That’s none of your damn business!” he bit out, fists clenching tight in his lap.
Jeremy glared back, the tension between them sparking in the quiet room
“What are you both looking at?” Emily’s hoarse voice startled them. Their heads snapped toward her at once.
Emily blinked at them as she pushed herself up against the pillows.
In the next breath, both were on their feet, rushing to her bedside.
“How are you feeling?” Jeremy asked, his voice careful, eyes scanning her face with concern. “Do you feel better now?”
Harold’s eyes glossed over instantly, his lips trembling as he blurted, “You scared me so much, Miss Emily.” His voice cracked, and his eyes watered. “I haven’t stopped crying since you disappeared last night. Look, my eyes are still red!’ He jabbed a finger toward his swollen eyelids as proof.
Emily’s expression softened at the sight. She reached out and patted his shoulder gently. “Don’t cry. I’m okay. I wasn’t hurt that badly.”
Before Harold could respond, Jeremy slapped him hard on the back, making him yelp and whip his head around to glare.
“Shut up,” Jeremy said flatly, earning a scowl from Harold before he reluctantly stopped.
Turning back to Emily, Harold quickly tried to regain his composure. “Would you like to eat something? I can order food for us. Let’s have lunch together.”
Emily smiled and nodded. “Sounds good.”
Just then, the sharp chime of the doorbell echoed through the house. Jeremy straightened. “I’ll get it,” he said quickly, already jogging toward the stairs, expecting to see Sebastian at the door.
However, when he swung open the front door—he froze.
Adam stood there, eyes blazing. Without a word, he shoved Jeremy aside roughly and barreled into the house, his eyes darting around frantically.
His boots struck the floor like thunder as he called out, voice booming, “Emily? Emily?!” He stalked every room in the house until he reached her bedroom.
When he reached her bedroom door, he froze for a moment—then relief and urgency collided. Emily, startled by the noise, leapt out of bed, her hair falling in disheveled waves around her face. She barely had time to react before Adam closed the space between them. His hands gripped her shoulders.
“Are you hurt?” he demanded, his voice low and urgent, vibrating with a barely contained storm. His eyes scanned her from head to toe, searching for any sign of injury. “Where does it hurt? Tell me!”
Emily’s pulse raced, a mix of shock and surprise flooding her chest. “Adam! What… what are you doing here?”
But Adam didn’t let her finish. In one swift move, he scooped her up into his arms, holding her securely against his chest. “Hold still,” he muttered, his tone sharp yet protective, as he strode toward the door.
“What are you doing? Put me down!” Emily demanded, her hands pressing against his chest, but he didn’t budge.
Harold, seeing the scene unfold, bolted forward, stepping into Adam’s path. “Hey. What are you doing? Where are you taking Miss Emily?” he demanded breathlessly.
Adam’s jaw hardened. His glare snapped to Harold, sharp and venomous. “Tell Sebastian I’m taking my sister back. Have him prepare the divorce papers. We’ll meet him at the courthouse.”
“Wait—” Harold tried to intercept, but Adam shoved him aside as easily as Jeremy. Emily’s protests rang out behind him as he stormed out with her in his arms.
Harold stumbled, panic flashing across his face. He spun toward Jeremy. “Who the hell was that?”
Jeremy straightened his jacket, jaw tight. “That was Adam. Her brother. Don’t you remember? You saw him at the club the night Lucas tried to take her away.”
Recognition dawned in Harold’s eyes, quickly replaced by alarm. His fingers trembled as he fumbled for his phone and dialed Sebastian’s number.
“I already screwed up last night… my brother is going to kill me this time!” he cried.
Meanwhile, Adam carried Emily straight into his car and drove her to his house.
He didn’t speak a word the entire ride—his grip on the wheel was so tight his knuckles had gone pale.
Emily sat beside him, stealing nervous glances, her fingers twisting in her lap as the silence pressed down heavier than the night around them.
An hour later, as they reached home, Adam all but dragged her inside. His face was tight with anger.
Emily stumbled to her feet in the living room, brushing her tangled hair back as she tried to steady her breath. “What are you doing, Adam?!”
He whirled on her, eyes blazing with a fury that came from fear more than rage. “That bastard let you get hurt?!” His voice thundered through the room. “You’ve barely been married a few months, and already you’ve been kidnapped! Do you think that’s acceptable?!”
Emily flinched at his words, her hand instinctively brushing her arm where faint bruises still marred her skin. The sting of memory tightened her throat. “He rescued me,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “Sebastian got me out of it. He—”
Her defense faltered the moment Adam cut in.
“Don’t lie to me!” he snapped, his voice breaking under the weight of anguish. His chest rose and fell heavily as he stepped closer, the rawness in his eyes betraying more than anger—it was fear.
“You didn’t even tell me about your car accident months ago!
” His fists clenched at his sides, trembling with the effort of restraint.
“I had to find out from someone else! I told you, Emily—if you’re ever in trouble, you call me.
And instead, you get hurt again and again.
First Lucas, now this! Are you out of your mind?
How much are you going to suffer before you realize what’s happening? ”
Emily reached for his hand. Her voice softened, though her pulse still raced. “I know you are worried. But Sebastian won’t let anything happen to me. I promise… he’s really good to me.”
Adam’s jaw worked as though he were swallowing down words he couldn’t say.
His shoulders heaved as he stepped closer, finally gripping her shoulders in both hands.
His palms were warm, but his voice was low, intense, every syllable vibrating with the depth of his emotion.
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt anymore, Emily. ”
Her heart pinched at the broken sincerity in his words. Slowly, she lifted her hands and curled them around his, easing the tension in his grip. Her gaze softened, shimmering with both gratitude and guilt. “I promise, Adam,” she whispered. “I’m really happy with him.”
***
A maroon Rolls-Royce glided down the street. Inside, Leon glanced at Sebastian through the rearview mirror. “Mr. Graves, should I drive directly to Mr. Crawford’s house?”
Sebastian nodded his head. He adjusted his suit, and lowered his head, muttering under his breath, “Now I feel scared.”
Leon bit his lips, suppressing a snicker.
A while later, the car came to a stop in front of Adam’s house. They both got out of the car and headed towards the door.
Leon walked ahead, quickly rushing to unlock and hold the door open. Sebastian stormed right inside Adam’s house. His sharp eyes swept across the space, instantly locking onto Emily before narrowing at Adam.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, Adam and Emily turned to face him.
Adam immediately stepped forward, his jaw tight and his chest rising with restrained fury.
He jabbed a finger at Sebastian angrily.
“You promised me you’d take care of my sister, and you still let her get hurt!
As long as I’m here, she’s not going back with you, asshole! Go back—I won’t let Emily see you.”
He gripped Emily’s arm roughly, dragging her behind him as if shielding her from a beast. But Emily slipped out of his grasp, her brows drawn together, her voice sharp with hurt. “Adam, when are you going to stop this?”
Adam’s face twisted with agitation, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “You were almost killed! And you’re still defending him? You married him so fast—you don’t even know what you’re getting into. End the marriage now before it’s too late!”
Emily took a deep breath to calm her mind. Then, she stepped closer, gently catching both of his hands in hers. “Adam, he hasn’t done anything wrong. I made mistakes. I am the one who got into trouble because of Amelia. My own past! Sebastian has done nothing but rescue me!”
Adam’s breath came out ragged, his shoulders shaking as though carrying a weight too heavy. His fingers tightened on her shoulders. “I just… I don’t want to see you hurt again.”
Emily softened, her hands brushing over his as though soothing a wounded child. “He’s a good person. I’m happy with him.”
Then, she pulled away from him and turned, making a quick dash to run into Sebastian’s arms. He caught her instantly, wrapping her in his embrace with a fierce possessiveness, his hands firm against her back. His jaw flexed, but his eyes softened only for her.
Adam’s fury flared hotter at the sight. “Move your hands off my sister!” he roared, pointing accusingly at Sebastian. “Don’t touch her with your dirty hands!”
Emily pulled away from the hug and spun around, a frown on her face as she glared at him. “He’s my husband! What are you saying?”
Adam’s eyes blazed as he stepped closer, veins throbbing at his temples. “He’s been trying to seduce you for a long time! He has ulterior motives! Look at his face—he’s not a good man. How can you marry him and expect me to accept it?”
Just then, the tension in the room was cut by the faint sound of a recording playing. Adam’s familiar voice filled the silence: ‘There couldn’t be a better man for her to be around. Sebastian is brilliant, capable, loyal—Emily’s fortunate to be around someone like him.’
Adam froze mid-breath, his words choking in his throat.
Then, his face twisted in a mix of cringe and pain. Under his breath, he cursed, “God damn it! For a project worth a few million I said such cheesy things in front of him?” He pressed his fist to his mouth, trying to hide his embarrassment and anger.
Sebastian smirked, his voice taunting and amusement. “Seeing how much you praise and look up to me, I’m happy to be your brother-in-law.”
“Get lost!” Adam snapped, scowling.
Emily bit the inside of her cheeks to stifle her laughter.
Sebastian seemed more than happy to comply. Without waiting a second, Sebastian strode over, scooped Emily into his arms, and—with a quick, surgical movement—kicked Adam in the leg.
Adam winced in pain.
“Stop coming between me and my wife,” Sebastian growled. “Next time, I’ll break this leg!”
Holding Emily in his arms, he walked her out of Adam’s house.