Chapter 1
"Sebastian, are you insane? Stop it now."
Scarlett Seymour let out a stifled groan, her voice trembling. Not from pain, but from the near-destructive madness swirling in Sebastian Howard's eyes.
Inside the car, her hands were pinned behind her back, locked in Sebastian's iron grip with such force she couldn't break free even slightly. The car had reached 80 mph, now in autonomous mode.
Sebastian paid no attention to the road as neon lights from outside cast flickering shadows across his stern profile, sending chills down Scarlett's spine.
Sebastian let out a cold, angry laugh. He leaned in slowly, his gaze falling on her reddened wrists. He released his grip only to capture her chin between his fingers—a gesture meant to punish.
"You want an end?" He pulled out his phone, screen illuminated with Scarlett's text message: [Sebastian, let's end this.]
"Read it," he commanded coldly.
Scarlett groaned, her eyes reddening as she clenched her jaw. "I just think there's no point in continuing like this."
"No point?" Sebastian repeated, his warm breath brushing against her neck with hints of cedar, making her entire body tense.
He scoffed, "You didn't say that when you climbed into my bed. Now you want to end it? Pretty brave, Scarlett."
Scarlett froze. His words were cruel, but she couldn't argue.
Five years ago, she had indeed seduced him first, on that dimly lit couch. Despite her pleas, he hadn't let her go all night. It was her first time. Even now, the memory made her shudder.
She lowered her head to hide her expression, her tone bitter. "What else could exist between a john and his hooker?"
She knew exactly how to provoke him—comparing herself to a prostitute and him to a client. A self-destructive move, but effective.
As the head of an elite financial dynasty, Sebastian had been born at the pinnacle of society. No one had ever dared speak to him like this.
Sure enough, his eyes darkened dangerously. He pulled over, gripping her waist with bruising force. "Don't forget the agreement you signed."
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Only I decide when it ends. Until I'm tired of you, you're not going anywhere."
That so-called "arrangement agreement"—she'd signed it impulsively. After waking from their wild one-night stand, Sebastian had vanished, leaving only the contract on the table.
She'd signed without hesitation, believing she'd found her savior, never imagining this savior would become the chain that bound her for five years.
"Agreement?" Scarlett tugged at the corner of her mouth, trying to escape his grip. "Mr. Howard, aren't you forgetting that you're about to get married?"
"That doesn't matter." Sebastian's tone remained flat as he pushed her down onto the back seat. "I can pretend I never saw this message."
His gaze swept across her anger-flushed eyes, his voice returning to its customary iciness. "But remember, Scarlett—behave yourself. Don't try any more tricks until I say you can."
With that, he crushed his lips against hers, one hand already undoing her clothes, traveling lower.
...
Scarlett knew Sebastian was intense, but she hadn't expected this level of madness. He took her over and over until her voice grew hoarse, keeping her in the car all night.
The next day, dragging her exhausted body back to the Seymour Villa, she was greeted by a vicious slap across the face. The sharp sound echoed through the silent living room.
Scarlett's head snapped sideways, her cheek burning with pain. She steadied herself and slowly turned to face her stepmother, Brianna Parker.
Brianna wore an immaculate new dress, her hair perfectly styled, but her face twisted with spiteful anger.
"Where were you all night? Edith's fiancé is coming soon, and if he sees you like this, it'll reflect poorly on our family. I'll teach you a lesson!"
Scarlett licked her bloodied lip, a cold glint flashing in her eyes, but she remained silent. Arguing with Brianna was pointless—it would only invite more abuse.
"Gone mute?" Seeing Scarlett's silence only fueled Brianna's rage. She reached to tear at Scarlett's clothes. "Why are you so covered up? Hiding something shameful?"
Scarlett instinctively stepped back, avoiding her hand. But Brianna's gaze had already caught the faint red marks visible through Scarlett's partially open collar.
"Well, well, you little slut!" Brianna's face contorted with disgust as she pointed at Scarlett. "How old are you to be so shameless? Like mother, like daughter! Your mom was just..."
"Shut up!" Scarlett snapped her head up, her eyes cold enough to freeze. "Don't you dare talk about my mother!"
Brianna flinched at her intensity before recovering with a contemptuous expression. "What? Did I say something wrong? You think dressing nicely will let you climb the social ladder? Know your place—you're just an unwanted bastard..."
Scarlett cut her off coldly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "The Howard family only mentioned marrying into the Seymour family—they never specified who. Does Mr. Howard even know he's Edith's fiancé?"
"You dare talk back?" Brianna raised her hand for another slap, but this time, Scarlett caught her wrist mid-swing, holding it firmly.
Brianna's face turned visibly red with rage. "If not Edith, then who? You, you illegitimate brat? Mr. George Howard would never allow someone like you into the Howard family! Stop dreaming!"
Scarlett felt a stab of pain in her heart. She knew all too well—not only would Sebastian's grandfather George Howard disapprove, but Sebastian himself would never accept her.
Her status made her unworthy. Even after five nameless years with Sebastian, she still wasn't good enough.
"Enough." Scarlett's father, David Seymour, emerged from his study with a grim expression. "What kind of behavior is this?"
Though he also despised his nominal daughter, he maintained appearances in front of others.
"What are you standing there for?" David frowned, barking at Scarlett. "Go wash your face and change into something decent! Edith is bringing Mr. Howard soon—don't embarrass me!"
Scarlett didn't argue. She turned and went upstairs.
In the mirror, she glimpsed the clear handprint on her face and the faint marks on her neck.
A bitter smile tugged at her lips. If Brianna and the others knew how those marks got there, they'd probably lose their minds.
She had just finished getting ready and reached the top of the stairs when she heard commotion at the front door.
Edith Seymour's coquettish voice came first, "Dad, Mom, we're home!"
Scarlett froze. The next moment, Edith walked in arm-in-arm with a tall figure.
She wore a pink dress, her makeup flawless, her face radiating smugness. Beside her stood a man in an impeccably tailored black suit—tall, handsome, and unmistakably Sebastian.
The moment he entered the living room, his gaze landed precisely on Scarlett at the top of the stairs. When he saw the handprint on her face, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Scarlett's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively avoided his eyes. Memories of last night flooded back, each moment making her body tense.
She felt a strange panic, her legs weakening as if still carrying the remnants of last night's pleasure.
Brianna and David immediately rushed to greet Sebastian, their warm demeanor completely different from moments before.
They stood together, laughing and talking like one happy family. Meanwhile, Scarlett remained on the stairs, separated from them by an invisible but unmistakable boundary.
Sebastian continued responding to David's conversation, but his gaze repeatedly drifted toward Scarlett on the stairs.
Edith followed his line of sight, her expression cooling briefly before quickly plastering on a smile.
"Oh, Scarlett, you've come down. Mom just mentioned you weren't feeling well—you do look terrible."
She had clearly noticed the handprint on Scarlett's face but didn't mention it, instead turning to Brianna, "Mom, Scarlett is still young. It's normal for her to act out sometimes. Don't be so hard on her."
Brianna finally spoke with a fake smile, her tone feigning resignation. "I understand. Mr. Howard, please excuse us. This child is always running wild. I'm only strict for her own good."
She then turned to Scarlett, her back to everyone else, barely concealing her disgust. "Scarlett, why are you just standing there? Go to the kitchen and bring out the food."
Her tone was like addressing a servant, completely devoid of respect.