Anastasia fixed her gaze on Sebastian. "Tell me then. If this was really our home, why did you sneak Juliana inside?" Sebastian froze, a flicker of guilt flashing in his eyes. "You... You know?" Anastasia let out a cold snort and brushed past him. What was left to talk about? His silence was as good as an admission. There was nothing left to say between them. Sebastian blocked her path, rushing to explain. "That night was an accident. I'd been drinking after a business dinner, Juliana couldn't drive, and since we were near the villa, she just dropped me off." "And then what? You two spent the whole night tangled up in the house I decorated?" Anastasia lifted her head, her eyes rimmed red. "Drunken impulse, is that your excuse? That might fool a child, but not me." There was no such thing as truly losing control from alcohol. People only gave in when they already wanted to. The drinks were just a catalyst-an excuse. The liquor didn't deserve the blame. Sebastian frowned. "Anna, what are you imagining? Nothing happened between us." "Really? You dare say nothing happened at all?" Anastasia shot back. Sebastian faltered, unable to answer. He felt the weight of guilt pressing down. He hadn't actually gone to bed with Juliana, but that night she had confessed her feelings. Not only confessed-she had crawled into his lap while he was half-dazed and kissed him. Drunk and muddle-headed, Sebastian had mistaken her for Anastasia. He had responded with passion, holding nothing back. For years, he had resisted touching the girl he had grown up with, but that night the "Anastasia" in his arms was suddenly bold, unreserved. Desire surged through him-he wanted to devour her whole. Fueled by drink, he had stripped her of her dress, pulled her into his arms, desperate to make her his. Only when his mind cleared a little did he realize something was wrong. When he opened his eyes, it wasn't Anastasia he was holding at all-it was Juliana. They had both been bare. Juliana clung to him, confessing again that she had loved him since the moment they met. Afraid Anastasia would be angry, he had buried the whole thing in his heart. To him, that kiss had been nothing but an accident. He didn't believe he had truly wronged her. It was just touching and holding- nothing more. He had only mistaken the person. His heart still belonged to Anastasia. Now, faced with her fury, Sebastian softened his tone, coaxing her. "Anna, you're taking this too far. You slapped Juliana so hard last night she ended up in the hospital with a concussion." Anastasia turned her head to stare at him in disbelief. "What, do you expect me to go to the hospital and apologize?" "That's not what I mean... But can't you stop making such a big deal out of it?" 1/3 2:05 pm D D D "So you think I'm being dramatic?" She cut him off. "I made myself clear last night-we're no longer fish swimming in the same sea. Don't let your parents contact me, and I don't want anything to do with you! This isn't a fight. I mean it-I'm ending things with you. Do you understand?" Sebastian's brow furrowed. "Don't say things you don't mean. You came back today, didn't you? Doesn't that prove you still can't let go of me?" His gaze lingered on her. She wore a pale yellow fitted dress that set off her fair skin, making her look even more delicate and radiant. The hem brushed her knees, with a small slit in the back that accentuated her graceful figure. She was beautiful. Sebastian knew this dress hadn't been in her wardrobe. She must have chosen it deliberately for him. He remembered telling her how much he loved seeing her in dresses like this, even once declaring possessively, "Anna, from now on, you can only wear them for me." So in his mind, her choice of outfit could only mean one thing-Anastasia couldn't let him go. She had dressed up so beautifully to come home-wasn't it just to see him lose himself over her, to watch him fall head over heels again? And he certainly had. Sebastian's throat tightened as he swallowed hard. "I give in, Anna. Let's stop fighting, alright? You know I've waited for this day for so long. We could-" Anastasia frowned and flung off the hand he reached toward her. "Sebastian, you honestly make me sick now." With that, she turned and left the garden without another glance. Sebastian's brows furrowed. Sick? She actually said I make her sick?! Anastasia went upstairs. From a locked drawer, she retrieved a beaded bracelet, a wristwatch, and a medallion broken into two halves. These were her father and brothers' belongings-the keepsakes she had personally retrieved from the wreckage of the car crash that had taken their lives. She carefully placed them into a box, guarding them as though they might shatter again. When everything was secure, she opened the door and stepped out. Terrence spotted her coming downstairs and smiled. "Anna, you're back. Go wash your hands-dinner is almost ready." Sebastian sat beside Terrence, stealing glances at her from the corner of his eye. "I'm not staying for dinner," Anastasia refused, her voice distant. "I only came to pick up some things." Just then, Eva came out of the kitchen, her tone laced with disapproval. "I specifically asked the kitchen to make your favorite braised short ribs, and you're leaving already?" Anastasia was at the entryway changing shoes. She hesitated, then stopped and said quietly, "The truth is, I never really liked braised short ribs." Eva blinked, "What?" "The first day I moved in, Sebastian gave me a piece. I didn't like it, but I forced myself to eat it. I was afraid you'd think I was picky, that as someone living under your roof, I had no right to be choosy." She had held that truth in her heart for years, never planning to say it aloud. 2/3 2:05 pm Eva's brows knit tightly. "So, you don't stay for dinner just because you don't like braised short ribs?" Anastasia shook her head and looked at Sebastian. "Anna, if Sebastian wronged you, sit down and tell me. I'll straighten him out for you," Terrence said firmly. Eva snapped back immediately. "What are you doing, meddling? Young couples quarrel-it's nothing. Anna, enough already. A woman should be generous, not constantly jealous. We're all trying to comfort you here-enough is enough." Sebastian walked toward her as well. "Anna, don't make it difficult for Mom and Dad." It became clear to her that they all knew the grievances she had suffered, but chose to turn a blind eye. They pretended not to hear, not to see. Once, she had thought of this place as her home. Now, she knew, from this moment on, it never would be again. Anastasia looked at Terrence, her voice soft. "Mr. Kairos, I'll come visit you on holidays when I can. Please, you and Mrs. Kairos, take care of yourselves." As soon as the door shut behind her, Eva erupted. "Look at how spoiled she's become! Our son humbles himself to coax her, and she still throws us an attitude. Who behaves like that? I told you long ago, Sebastian-spoil her rotten, and she'd walk all over you one day!" Sebastian sat in silence, his brow deeply furrowed. Terrence turned on him, his voice sharp. "Sebastian, tell me the truth-did you betray Anna? I already failed her father once. Don't tell me you-" Eva couldn't stand to hear her son being blamed and jumped in to defend him. "Anna's just too narrow- minded. You know what kind of man our son is! Forget it. The marriage was never publicized anyway; no one knows. "Sebastian, go meet Monica's daughter. She's brilliant, talented, and gentle. Families like ours never lack women eager to marry in. Honestly, Anastasia's background was never clear. I've always thought she wasn't good enough for you." 1 3/3 2:05 pm D The Rose Who Chose His Rival Over Him