44. Chapter 39
Between Legacy & Love
Sebastian
T he last two weeks had felt almost surreal for Bas.
Since that party where he had first seen Evin in a different light, they had spent more and more time together.
He gave her space, let things happen at her pace, and even though they hadn’t put clear words to whatever was growing between them, he was content.
Happy, even. School and sports were going well, and his mother was so immersed in her charitable planning that she barely burdened him with obligations.
But sometimes, in the quiet moments, a thought crept in that unsettled him.
Evin had always been athletic and naturally slim, but lately, she seemed even more delicate. A fleeting thought he pushed away every time he looked into her eyes and saw the spark she ignited in him.
The heavy oak door to the Montgomerys’ living room was slightly ajar, and the muffled voices inside seemed to echo through the otherwise silent villa.
His mother, an elegant woman with impeccable posture, sat with a glas s of champagne on the couch, while Bas sat across from her.
His expression was relaxed, but his fingers idly played with the gold chain around his wrist.
“So, Sebastian,” his mother began with a warm look, “I’ve heard you’ve been spending time with Evin Hayes.”
Bas, who had been lazily twirling his bracelet between his fingers, stiffened at the mention of her name and his eyes widened for a brief second before he quickly regained his composure. “Where did you hear that?” he asked, masking his surprise.
“A good friend from the tennis club mentioned it. She saw you together in town,” she said, slightly amused.
Bas scoffed under his breath and rubbed a hand down his face. Of course. Nothing in this city stayed private for long. He had no illusions about that, but it still annoyed him that he and Evin had already become a topic of conversation among the country club women.
“Great,” he muttered. “Nice to know my social life is a part of your guys' warm-up routine.”
His mother merely smiled, unfazed by his sarcasm. “Evin seems like a charming girl. Her family is cultured, grounded, and full of values. The kind of people I’ve always appreciated.”
Bas let out a slow breath, his annoyance fading slightly as he ran a hand over his knee. “She’s special, yeah,” he admitted, his voice quieter now. The thought of Evin loosened something in his chest, softened the irritation. “It’s nothing official, but… maybe something is developing.”
“Well, I hope you’re mindful,” his mother said, her voice gentle but deliberate. “Not that your father misinterprets. But between us, I think it’s wonderful that you have someone like Evin in your life.”
At that moment, the door swung open completely.
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly as Bas’s father stepped in.
His presence alone was commanding, his powerful strides echoing against the marble floor.
The cold smirk on his lips made it clear that he had heard every word of the conversation.
“Evin Hayes, is it?” His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable undert one of scrutiny. “So that’s how you’ve been occupying your time.”
Bas’s jaw tensed slightly, but he held his father’s gaze. “Yes. That’s who I spend my time with, Dad.”
“Fascinating.” His father moved further into the room, his hands clasped neatly behind his back, his gaze assessing. “And tell me, Sebastian, how exactly do you see someone like her fitting into the life you are expected to lead?”
The tension was palpable, but his mother intervened with a light smile. “The Hayes family is highly respectable. They are well-educated, thoughtful, and hold an impeccable reputation. I fail to see the issue.”
His father stopped, turned to her, and regarded her with an expression of quiet amusement—one that barely concealed his condescension.
“Respectable? Well-educated?” He let out a soft, humorless chuckle.
“That may suffice in the realm of academia, but let us not pretend that it holds any relevance to us.”
Bas sat up straighter, his voice firm. “Her family has integrity. They’re good people.”
His father’s smirk deepened, his eyes cold. “Integrity is a fine quality, no doubt. But let’s not mistake virtue for significance. The world we move in operates on a very different currency.”
Bas clenched his fists, the heat rising in his chest. “This is absurd! You don’t even know her.”
“I don’t need to know her,” his father countered smoothly. “I know where she comes from. And I know that, in time, you will come to understand what that means.”
Bas’s mother placed her glass down with measured grace. “Perhaps we should let Bas make his own choices.”
His father tilted his head slightly, regarding him as if he were an ambitious child who had yet to grasp the gravity of the world. “Choices,” he mused. “Do you truly believe this is about choice?”
Bas exhaled sharply, his voice low but steady. “I’m old enough to know what’s good for me.”
His father raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable but laced with someth ing chillingly final. “Then we shall see just how wise you are, Sebastian, when you are forced to reckon with the consequences of your… attachments.”
He turned, his movements unhurried, each step measured as he walked toward the door. Just before leaving, he added, “Get ready. We have an appointment with the Sinclairs.”
Bas took a deep breath, his gaze shifting to his mother, who offered him a reassuring smile. “Don’t let him intimidate you, my son. If Evin matters to you, hold on to that. Your father forgets what it is to be young.”
Bas nodded slowly, though the weight of the conversation settled heavily on his shoulders. He knew this was only the beginning—but he was ready for it.
“I’m not a child anymore,” he murmured, before leaving the room.
__________
The golf club’s clubhouse was a statement of elegance and power.
The air smelled of polished wood and expensive leather.
The muted clinking of silverware and glasses echoed through the high-ceilinged, sunlit rooms. A faint floral scent seemed to drift from the meticulously arranged centerpieces, while the deep leather chairs and heavy mahogany tables exuded a sense of tradition and old money.
Waiters moved soundlessly between the tables, serving lobster platters and perfectly cut Wagyu steaks.
Bas sat at the table, flanked by his father and Mr. Sinclair, while Cat had taken a seat across from him. A waiter was refilling the wine glasses, but Bas declined, leaving his untouched. He had no appetite, even though the aroma of the food was enticing.
“It’s really nice to see how well you two get along,” his father remarked casually, taking a sip of his wine while glancing between Cat and Bas. His expression was neutral, but his intent was clear.
Cat smiled politely, her posture relaxed, as if she belonged in this setting. “Thank you, Mr. Montgomery,” she replied smoothly. “Sebastian is a great partner—whether in golf or at school.”
Mr. Sinclair chuckled, visibly pleased. “Cat has always had a talent for surrounding herself with the best.”
Bas set his silverware down carefully, the faint clink against the porcelain the only sound. “Thank you for the wonderful day, Mr. Sinclair.” His voice was polite, but a flicker in his eyes was something only his father recognized. “I truly enjoyed it.”
He straightened, picked up his napkin, folded it slowly, and placed it beside his plate. “However, I’ll have to excuse myself now.”
Mr. Sinclair looked surprised. “Oh, already? You’ll miss dessert.”
Bas met their eyes with a calm, unreadable look. “That’s unfortunate, but I have plans.” His voice remained calm, almost nonchalant. He turned to his father and added, deliberately, “With my girlfriend, Evin Hayes.”
A brief silence settled over the table. Cat’s smile remained frozen, but her eyes flickered as if she had just felt a sharp sting. Mr. Sinclair blinked, then gave a pleased nod. “The Hayes family? I’ve met them before—good people. Hardworking, well-regarded in their circles."
“They are—in any circle,” Bas agreed, his gaze still locked onto his father’s.
His father leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. His expression remained unreadable, but the coldness in his eyes was undeniable. He said nothing. Not even a dismissive farewell.
Bas didn’t let it rattle him. Not the weight in his chest at seeing his father’s reaction, not the tension settling in the air.
“Thank you again. It was truly an enlightening afternoon,” he said, his voice composed.
He turned to Cat with a composed nod, his tone as courteous as ever.“Cat, I’ll see you around.”
Bas’ father remained still, his expression unreadable. Then, just as Bas turned to leave, his father finally moved—adjusting his cufflink with slow, deliberate precision. A meaningless gesture to anyone else. But Bas understood. This wasn’t over.
Not that it mattered.
Because as Bas walked out, head held high, the tension stayed behind, like t he final strike of a drum.
__________
Evin
T he doorbell rang, cutting through the silence like an unexpected clap of thunder.
For a moment, Evin stood frozen in the hallway, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her T-shirt.
She hadn’t dressed up, just a pair of joggers and a simple tee—perfect for a relaxed evening.
But the gold hoops in her ears and the delicate, layered necklaces resting against her collarbone gave her look a touch of effortless elegance.
Her hair lay sleek and glossy over her shoulders, as if she had somehow managed to get it perfect without even trying—though inside, she felt anything but calm.
Maybe she should’ve made more of an effort. Or was it better that she looked like she hadn’t thought about it at all?