Chapter 18

Evelyn's POV

“I’m sorry,” I start. “This all happened because I was using you as a tool for revenge against Lucas. I shouldn’t have done that.” I let out a sigh, looking up at the darkening sky.

Sebastian seems eager for me to continue. “What do you mean?” He questions, searching for something in my expression.

I shake my head, knowing that he’ll be disappointed or even angry at my words. “We should end the game, Sebastian—we’re siblings now, after all.”

He doesn’t answer immediately, continuing to keep direct eye contact with me. I look back at him with an intensity I didn’t know I could summon, and I wonder what I’m really hoping to find here.

Things have been so different since I met Sebastian. Even with our lives tangled together, I find myself enjoying our time together. That’s the part I don’t want to ruin.

Even though it isn’t right, I know for sure this can’t continue.

Then, without warning, he grabs my shoulders, which makes me jump. “I don’t need you to remind me of this despising fact constantly. We are not blood-related, nor did we age together. You are my sister in name only!”

I’m still nervous, but I keep pushing him. “Our parents are happy, Sebastian. My mom hasn’t been this genuinely happy in so long. We can’t ruin this perfect situation.”

Sebastian’s grip gets a little more robust, but it doesn’t hurt. I can tell he’s struggling now.

I wonder exactly what he’s thinking about and what he wishes he could really say to me. His face grows pale as he stands his ground.

“We should continue a sibling relationship. It’s going to be best for everyone. You know I’m right.”

Sebastian scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Which sister would lie beneath her brother, Princess?”

I blush, my cheeks growing so warm so fast. “I hate your arrogant demeanor. I’m so tired, Sebastian. I don’t want to live in this fear anymore!”

The taller man lets go of me. His face grows dark and cold, his expression turning to ice. “Fine.”

Then, before I can say another word, he stalks off. I watch in sadness as Sebastian disappears, wishing there could be anything to do to bring him back.

After the ceremony is over, the gusts have left, and the excitement has gone down, Gregory and Mom prepare to leave for their honeymoon.

We see them off, hugging our parents and sending well wishes. Before they leave, however, Mom pulls me aside.

“Is something wrong with you and Sebastian? You two looked like you were having fun earlier.”

I know she means well, but nothing can improve this situation. So, I give her a fake smile and say, “I’ll handle it. You two go enjoy your trip.”

Mom doesn’t press, but she reaches out and grabs me, hugging me tight. “I love you, Eve.”

I close my eyes and breathe in, doing everything I can to hide the shutter I want to release. “Love you too, Mom. So much.”

Later, I’m looking outside of the house at the pool, noticing Sebastian out there. Is he asleep out there? What happens if he gets sick from the cold night air?

I hesitate, questioning if it’s a good idea or not to check on him. But, in the end, I grab a blanket from one of the closets and head outside to cover him.

As I approach the sleeping man, I feel a tugging still affect me. God, why does this man make me feel so many emotions simultaneously?

I look at his sleeping face up close once I’m just a few feet in front of him.

It hits me like a ton of bricks, and I wish we weren’t siblings. I don’t know what the hell this whole thing means. Every single time I’m ready to break away, something pulls me back.

“Get it together, Eve, come on,” I say to myself, shaking my head back and forth.

My curls blow in the wind, but I focus on Sebastian’s breathing. I’m so close now that his breath reaches my face, sending goosebumps up my body at an alarming rate.

I fight my inner thoughts to reach out and touch his face, caressing his cheek just right. Who am I? What the hell is wrong with me?

As I stare at Sebastian, I watch in horror as his blue eyes slowly open. He seems to take a moment to watch as my eyes widen.

Oh God, what the hell am I going to say to him? What will he think when he awakens to see his sister just a few inches away?

Obviously, he’s taken aback by my standing there, but he instead searches my face. He does this often. What does he think?

“What are you doing, sis?” He asks slowly, obviously still groggy. I try to speak, but my throat goes utterly dry.

I shake my head and wish I could disappear into a cloud of smoke.

I quickly stand back up, still struggling to get the words out of my mouth that I have held in the lump of my throat.

I start sputtering out any attempt at words. “I—I just…”

He raises a bushy eyebrow at me, daring me to tell him what I think. It stings to see this look, as his face is darker than usual.

“I was…afraid. I didn’t know if you were sleeping out here.” It’s like cement has been poured down my throat, and I need to cough it all back up.

I shake my head as I wait and worry for the reply Sebastian must be concocting. His dark blue eyes seem to grow darker, and I watch his face change to something different.

He sneers at me, rolling his eyes so heavily I can feel the anger hit me in the chest.

“You could have just fucking told me to wake up. I don’t need my ‘stepsister’ to grow unnecessarily concerned over her shitty ‘stepbrother.’”

He throws the blanket off of his body, his eyes never breaking their angry slits as he gets up and storms off.

Watching him go tears my heart out. I feel a wave of sadness come through, and once again, tears prickle the side of my eyes as he stomps into the house.

How am I supposed to do this?

How in the world do I mend this broken connection between us without making him think I want to be with him?

Maybe there isn’t a way anymore.