Chapter 17

Sebastian's POV

On the lawn outside the wedding venue, Hawaiian music begins playing from the DJ. Madelyn lets out her breathless laugh. “Well, it wouldn’t be a wedding without the music and dancing!”

As my new stepmother starts to dance with her daughter, the two laughing and spinning, I walk up to my father’s side. The two of us say nothing for a moment.

However, I gather my courage to ask something I’ve never asked. “Why do you love Madelyn?”

Gregory turns to look at me, seemingly surprised by my question. “I don’t mean it disrespectfully. I want to know what you see in her.”

He nods his head slowly, understanding now. “Her vibrant energy, her warmth, her heart, in addition to her beauty.” My father runs his hand through his greying hair. “She makes life feel…more beautiful if that makes sense.”

As his words register, I can’t help but picture Evelyn first and foremost. Is that what she does for me? Even though I spent most of our time together bickering, teasing, taunting her?

I don’t know what love is, but I know that Evelyn makes me feel in a way I’ve never experienced before.

I watch her dancing the Hula amongst the small number of guests, continuing to laugh and move with purpose.

“She’s still wearing the lei you gave her,” I think to myself as I notice the flowers wrapped around her wrist haven’t budged.

It’s then I realize I can’t take my eyes off of the beautiful Hawaiian Princess. She looks in her element as she dances. It’s as if no one is watching her, and she can be her true self.

My skin grows warm in seconds as I question my emotions. Evelyn makes life more interesting, and her warm heart has begun to rub off on me.

It’s as though my father’s words refer to Evelyn herself.

“No doubt about it,” I mutter to myself.

I feel my throat grow dry, and I turn to a nearby table to grab an untouched glass of water. What have I become in the time since I met this woman?

Madelyn approaches me and my father before grabbing our wrists and tugging. “Come dance with us, boys!” she says emphatically.

I must look hesitant because even my father lets out a short laugh. “Come on, son. Join us. We are a family now, after all.”

I don’t bother arguing, letting the newlywed couple drag me onto the dance floor. I let my eyes fall to Evelyn, watching her dance moves.

I try to mimic her movements, but they’re clumsy, and the timing is all wrong.

“Are you trying to do the dance?” Evelyn laughs, her cheeks red with warmth.

I shrug sheepishly, but I don’t say anything.

She scoots in next to me, shaking her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll show you the moves!”

As the music plays, Evelyn shows me how to do the dance. I’ve never been one for dancing in front of others, usually opting for brooding in the corner. But something about how Evelyn’s patience shines through does something to me.

Holding my hands in hers, she guides me through the motions. We slowly put the pieces together as we dance together in front of everyone.

My own cheeks begin to burn from not only the heat of the afternoon but also the feel of her soft, tanned hands in mine.

Her hair has grown a bit frizzy, but its half-up, half-down style complements the little bit of makeup Ava must have done and her dress.

Does she know how stunning she truly is? Or that all eyes should be focused on her?

When the music ends, Evelyn’s squealing with delight, and I notice my heart pounding heavily in my chest for the first time. In fact, I’m sure it can be heard for miles around.

Could it be?

Have I begun to fall for this woman truly? For my new stepsister?

Evelyn's POV

I grab my gift bag to hand to my mother, wanting her to see the wedding gift I’ve prepared. I’m giddy to see her reaction.

She pulls out the wooden carving I’d made her, complete with G and M initials woven in the circle.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Madelyn’s eyes begin to tear up. “I love this, thank you.”

She reaches for me and hugs me tight, rocking back and forth as she repeats her love.

I love this woman so much, and I know she’s in good hands now with the man she’s married.

We sit together at a table, the two of us talking and drinking. Well, she drinks. I stick to water since I haven’t exactly had a great track record lately.

After her third glass of champagne, I notice Mom’s demeanor changing.

To my surprise, Mom touches my hand. “All of this ceremony reminds me of your dad.”

I sit up a little straighter. We don’t talk about my dad, mostly because he’s only my father by blood.

“I know we don’t talk about Kai, honey, but I want you to know I don’t regret being with him.”

I give her a questioning look. “Why? He left us behind.”

“I know, but let me explain, okay? Yes, he left us. But I loved him. I know how much he loved me, too.”

She shakes her head, drinking again from her glass. “But even with the love between us, his finding out I was pregnant changed everything. He tried to pressure me into having an abortion back then.”

Madelyn sighs. “Obviously, as you can see, I refused to do so. Sadly, that led to our breakup and him leaving.”

It’s so rare we actually discuss Kai, to the point where I go years without speaking his name. But this is the first time Mom’s really giving me any information outside of him leaving.

She squeezes my hand. “I know you’re having issues with Lucas, honey. But I just want to make sure you won’t reject love altogether. You understand that, right?”

I nod.

“If a relationship causes you pain, then it might mean the person isn’t right for you, and you grow and learn from that.”

Why do I immediately imagine Sebastian’s face? A painful struggle shoots through my chest as I wonder, is this what I want for my life?

As I question my heart, Gregory approaches the two of us with a smile. “Excuse me, Evelyn. But I’m going to need to borrow your mother.”

Madelyn blushes hard, but I move out of the way to let the happy couple interact together. The sweet way they touch one another’s arms or cheeks, the love I see floating between their eyes.

I think I have the answer to my heart’s struggle.

Maybe Lucas was right. While I don’t want to admit that, even to myself, I don’t really have a choice.

Sebastian and I can’t continue in this tangled relationship. We live in constant fear, and we have to hide nearly every time we’re together. How is this fair to either of us?

Walking absentmindedly, I don’t even notice anyone until I bump into a solid chest.

“So, are you a mermaid just coming ashore, Princess? Cause you clearly don’t know how to walk properly,” he mocks, the signature Sebastian smile coming to his face.

I know he’s enjoyed all this teasing and getting in my head, but I know what must happen.

“We need to talk, Sebastian.” I hope he knows how serious this is.

He stares at me, seemingly looking for answers in my eyes. But to my relief, he nods, agreeing as we find a private place to speak.