Natalie flinched back, then broke into a brilliant smile. “Sebastian. I''m so sorry your little n failed again. You should hurry back andfort your childhood sweetheart. I''m sure she''s throwing a tantrum now that she knows I walked out of here a free woman."


    Sebastian''s handsome face was grim, his eyes dark as he stared at her. "Natalie, what are you talking about? I was worried about you..."


    "Worried I''d get out, you mean. Well, sorry to disappoint you. You tried to frame me, and you failed. Again."


    Her good mood vanished at the sight of him. "Sebastian, do you remember what I said that night I woke up? I told you I would never tolerate your abuse again. If you''ve forgotten, I''ll be happy to remind you every single time. However you treated me then, I will repay you in kind."


    The more you go through, the more you fear getting hurt. Whose youth is free of pain? But she could not let it go.


    "You hate me that much?" Sebastian asked, staring deeply into her eyes, where the hatred was in to see.


    "Heh." Natalie let out a coldugh, looking up at the bright morning sun. She took a deep breath before turning back to him. “Sebastian, I''m starting to think my previous assessment of you was wrong. Calling you a scumbag is an insult to scumbags. Saying you enjoy ying games with people''s emotions is an understatement. And iming you can''t distinguish between friendship and love is just absurd. Now I finally understand. You''re just selfish. The only person you love is yourself."


    "And who are you putting on that wounded expression for? You were part of all eighty-six schemes against me. I will pay you back for every single one. You''rest on my list, so you just wait."


    She turned to leave, but Sebastian moved to block her path.


    "I can exin. I had nothing to do with this," he said, his voice low and insistent.


    Natalie didn''t believe him. Her smile was bright and mocking. "Sebastian, I will never forget how you stood by and let Joanna hurt me. Even if you weren''t directly involved, it was your money she used to hire people to harm me."


    Now, Sebastian felt he truly deserved her scorn.


    "Natalie."


    A new voice cut in. Wayne, dressed in a white baseball jersey, looked handsome and energetic in the sunlight. He walked over with a smile and gently ruffled her ha You''ve really grown up, Natalie You''ve learned to protect yourself. Now I can go on my business trips without worrying so much."


    Natalie''s eyes welled up. "I''m sorry I made you worry."


    "I was worried," he admitted. "But


    not as much as before. You used to


    UT


    just take the abuse and never fight back which is why they kept targeting you. Now that you''VER


    Tearned to fight back, to get revenge,


    I''m proud. Come on, let''s go home. Grandpa is waiting for us for


    breakfast."


    Natalie linked her arm through his, her smile radiant. "Okay, let''s go."


    Sebastian took a step forward. "Natalie,e back with me. Grandmother wants to see you."


    Wayne pulled Natalie behind him, his gaze turning cold as he faced Sebastian. He had seen the bastard earlier but had chosen to ignore him.


    "Sebastian, my sister has already signed the divorce papers you forced on her. If you''re a man, you''ll stick to your word and finalize it."


    Sebastian knew he had been aplete ass. "I have no intention of divorcing her. Natalie will always be my wife."


    Wayne looked ready to punch him "You''re shameless, Sebastian.


    Parading around inging to


    with


    "Natale. How


    vile


    someone like you exist?"