Chapter 8 Which Do You Prefer?

• Evelyn's POV
• I let my jaw drop in shock, but I don’t have anything I want to say, so I train my focus back out the window. I feel desperation clawing at my skin for answers, but refuse to say anything more.
• That’s when Sebastian’s hand touches my shoulder and uses force to turn me back to him.
• His eyes widen as he looks at me but I don’t know at first why.
• Then, I feel them. The tears falling down my cheeks as Sebastian and I stare at one another. God, that’s so embarrassing.
• The man rears back slightly, but the frozen shock doesn’t disappear. Maybe it’s what makes me start talking again, but honestly, I have no idea.
• “You can’t always be there, Sebastian,” I muster through the tears. I shake my head back and forth. “I was terrified in there, no matter how strong my poker face is.”
• Sebastian’s eyes widen, but still, he sits in silence.
• “Please,” I beg quietly. “Please stop saying things that upset me more. It’s too hard.”
• I guess I’ve told the man across from me the magic words. He leans in, cupping my face with his palm, ready to kiss me.
• I pull back, no more words left to say. But I don’t want this.
• When we get back to the villa, our parents are sitting in the living room together. His arm is wrapped around her shoulders, and I watch as they both stand upon our entrances.
• Sebastian walks in behind me, and that’s when Gregory frowns, crossing his arms. “Where have you two been?” He questions, tapping his foot.
• I open my mouth, but I’m not nearly as fast as Sebastian. “My sister here had a bit too much to drink and had fallen into the pool. If I hadn’t dragged her out of there, she would have drowned. So, I thought it was time to head back here.”
• I glare at this man, but his eyes tell me to stay quiet. I know he’s trying to help, but he’s also trying to embarrass me from last night.
• Mom doesn’t need to know what happened at that party, so this is his way of revenge.
• “Is this true, baby?” Madelyn questions, taking a few high-heeled steps towards me. She pushes some of my curls out of my face, lifting my chin to meet her gaze.
• I essentially bite my tongue and hold back the anger that’s been building inside of me. What can I say? I have no other outs.
• “Yes, it is.”
• Exhausted from the charade I continue to play, I excuse myself and retreat to my room, wanting nothing more than to be alone with my tears.
• I go to slam my door closed, but Sebastian somehow follows so fast that he can block the door with his hand. Annoyed, I angrily throw up my arms, utterly tired of these games.
• “What now?!” I groan.
• My attitude clearly concerns him but still pushes the door open wider. “Come on, Evelyn.” He rarely uses my real name instead of calling me Princess or another pet name. “I just didn’t want you to get involved with a jackass like Jacob Cowley, okay?”
• I say nothing.
• “I need to ask you something. You said before that you’re just my sister…do you really prefer that title?”
• Momentarily stunned by his question, Sebastian uses this opportunity to slip into the room, quietly closing the door behind him.
• “Which do you prefer from me? To be your brother? Or…something more?”
• Is there truly any reason to continue fighting against him at this point? Or do I let down even a single wall for this blue-eyed man?
• Defeated, I sigh before looking at the ground. “When Madelyn ran a hotel back in Hawaii, I was a child. There was a guest back then who used to harass me constantly, and it’s stuck with me since then.”
• I see fire burn in his eyes as I talk, but I don’t stop talking.
• “Now, when I feel malice in someone’s touch—no matter who they are—the memories come flooding back and make me incredibly physically afraid for my life.”
• “Do I…” he takes a few steps toward me. “Make you uncomfortable? Scare you in this way?”
• I don’t think twice, shaking my head no as Sebastian once again cups his hands on my cheeks and kisses me. The soft lips with tender care make my heart skip several beats, and I’m transported back to our night together.
• Why is this man who he is?
• A knock suddenly comes from my door, and I hear Madelyn speaking. “Eve, love, are you sure you’re alright? You really didn’t look well. I’m worried.”
• My stomach flips, and I nervously shout back, “I’m fine, Mom, really.”
• I start pushing Sebastian away, but he’s now ready for me. He holds me tighter, whispering to me as he asks, “What are you so afraid of, sis?”
• I fight to get out of his grip, but Sebastian holds on with no sign of a struggle. He shakes his head at me, seemingly hoping we’ll get caught in this moment.
• Absolutely the fuck not!
• “Eve, I’m coming in. You better be decent in there.”
• As though granted temporary strength against this tall, handsome man, I finally push Sebastian hard in the chest, sending him onto the balcony of my villa’s room. As quickly as I can breathe, I quickly draw the curtains closed.
• That’s all I’m able to do because simultaneously, my mother enters the room to find me essentially sweating and breathing heavily.
• “Oh, baby. You really don’t look well. Are you positive you’re not coming down with a cold, or maybe still feeling sick from the party?”
• “No, Mom, really, I’m fine!” I say, that high-pitched sound returning to my voice. Goddammit, why in the world is this my tell when I lie?
• She frowns at me. “You’re acting sketchy, young lady. What are you hiding from me?”
• “N-nothing, Mom, come on, I’m tired.” I stutter over my words, feeling like I’m tripping down the world’s longest flight of stairs. When will she finally get the hint to leave?
• First, the frown, and now she’s narrowing her eyes. Jesus Christ, what is she thinking about?
• “You’re hiding something, and I won’t ask again.”
• Half-doubting me, she starts for the balcony. What the fuck is she doing?!
• “Mom, come on!” I hurry to stop her in her tracks before she reveals her stepson on the balcony. What am I supposed to tell her that we were fighting?
• But I’m too slow because she pulls the curtains all the way open with a flourish.
• I shut my eyes closed, squeezing them tight as I waited for the yelling that was to ensure.
• Well, goodbye, freedom.