Sebastian sat motionless beside Ellie’s hospital bed, his hand curled gently around hers. The pale rhythm of the monitor was the only sound breaking the silence in the room, but it did nothing to ease the storm in his chest. His arm was wrapped in gauze, his side burned and blistered, but none of that mattered. All he cared about was the woman in the bed.
Ellie still hadn’t woken up.
He stared at her face, so still, so quiet, and cursed himself for not being there sooner. He’d sworn to protect her–and he had failed.
A soft knock came at the door.
A pair of police officers stepped inside, their expressions tight. “Mr. Rhys, we’ve reviewed the footage from the building,” one of them began.
Sebastian stood quickly, hopeful. “And?”
The officer shook his head. “There was no usable footage. The main CCTV system was disabled. We’re still checking for possible foul play, but it may take time.”
Sebastian’s jaw tensed. “So you’re telling me someone could’ve done this… and gotten away with it?”
“Unfortunately, sir… yes.”
After they left, Sebastian stared at the ceiling in thought–until something clicked.
He had another system.
A hidden surveillance line connected directly to his office–installed long ago, not just for security, but to monitor internal employee issues. No one else knew about it.
He pulled out his phone immediately and called his butler.
“Go to my office. The private terminal behind the bookshelf. Pull up any footage between 7 and 9 PM last night–specifically near the staff hallway and restroom corridors.”
“Right away, sir.”
While he waited, the doctor came in to check Ellie’s condition. “Her vitals are stable,” the doctor said gently. “It’s a miracle you got her out in time. You may speak to her once she wakes up, but let her rest.”
Sebastian nodded, barely hearing him.
An hour passed.
Then finally–the butler returned, tablet in hand, eyes grim.
Sebastian didn’t need to ask. He snatched the tablet and pressed play.
The footage showed it all.
Elise.
Entering the hallway. Opening the door. Slipping inside.
My Husband Believed I Kidnapped His Mistress
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And walking away.
Sebastian’s hand curled into a fist. The screen almost cracked under the pressure
Minutes later, he was standing outside Elise’s upscale apartment. He knocked once–hard. -and the door creaked open.
Elise greeted him in a silky robe, her face lighting up until she saw the expression he wore
“Sebastian?” she blinked. “What’s wrong?”
“You really want to play innocent?” His voice was ice. “You locked Ellie in that room. You started the fire.”
Elise blinked. “Excuse me?”
w you!
“I have footage. From my office. I saw
Her eyes flickered. “You… you have no proof. I never even touched her!”
“You locked her in to scare her, didn’t you?” he growled. “You wanted to send a message.
You could’ve killed her.”
“Sebastian-”
“Don’t lie to me.”
She tried to scoff, but her lip trembled. “I was jealous, okay? I thought maybe if she left, you’d come back to me-”
“You’re insane,” he snapped. “You and I were over the moment you left me for a modeling campaign. And now? You just made sure I will never look at you the same way again.”
She stepped forward, grabbing his wrist. “Sebastian, please-”
“I haven’t turned in the footage to the police,” he said coldly. “Yet. One wrong move, Elise, and your career will be over. So stay far away from Ellie. Or I swear, you’ll regret it.”
He turned on his heel and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Back at the hospital, Ellie had finally opened her eyes. Her brother Lucas was beside her, and so was Sebastian’s grandfather, both relieved and emotional. They chatted softly as she blinked up at the ceiling.
Her voice was hoarse. “Did… something happen?”
Lucas gripped her hand. “You were trapped in the fire. Sebastian saved you.”
Her gaze turned slightly, and there he was–Sebastian. Quiet, watching her with eyes heavy from lack of sleep and raw emotion.
Once they were alone, Ellie turned to him. “You’re hurt.”
“It’s nothing,” he said quickly. “Ellie, I’m sorry. I should’ve known. I should’ve protected you
“You’re not my protector,” she said softly. “I’m not your responsibility.”
He paused. “You mean more to me than just a responsibility.”
Ellie closed her eyes for a moment, the weight of exhaustion and realization crashing over
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Her voice was hoarse. “Did… something happen?”
Lucas gripped her hand. “You were trapped in the fire. Sebastian saved you.”
Her gaze turned slightly, and there he was–Sebastian. Quiet, watching her with eyes heavy from lack of sleep and raw emotion.
Once they were alone, Ellie turned to him. “You’re hurt.”
“It’s nothing.” he said quickly. “Ellie, I’m sorry. I should’ve known. I should’ve protected you
Η
“You’re not my protector,” she said softly. “I’m not your responsibility.”
He paused. “You mean more to me than just a responsibility.”
Ellie closed her eyes for a moment, the weight of exhaustion and realization crashing over
her.
“I can’t do this anymore,” she whispered.
Sebastian blinked. “Do what?”
“All of it,” she said. “The pretending. The marriage. This whole… fantasy. I thought I could handle it, but I can’t.”
“Ellie, what are you saying?”
She looked at him, eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I’m saying I want out. I don’t want to fake anything anymore.”
He stepped closer. “But it’s not fake for me. Not anymore.”
She shook her head. “Then that’s the problem. Because it still is for me. Or maybe it was never real for either of us. You shouldn’t lie to yourself, Sebastian. Just go back to Elise…” She paused, her voice cracking.
“…after all, she’s the one you love, right?”
And with that, she turned her head away.
08:21 SM, 24 May
Chapter 19
