"I said stop pushing her around."


    Roman shot Sebastian a cold look. "All that evidence Reese collected back then is still in her hands Don''t corner her, Sebastian. Even the kindest person will fight back if you push them too far."


    Sebastian swallowed, searching for words that wouldn''te.


    So Reese had nothing to do with him being drugged that night? She hadn''t forced him into marriage—she''d actually called the police?


    Then why hadn''t she exined herself?


    No, that wasn''t true. She''d exined a thousand times over thest seven years. He was the one who never listened, never believed her. In his mind, Reese was always the kind of woman who''d do anything to get what she wanted.


    So he''d ignored her, pushed her away, and even...


    Thinking of the baby Reese was carrying, Sebastian''s hand trembled.


    "Sebastian.” Roman pped him on the shoulder. "Since we''re old friends, let me say this onest time. If you don''t love her, let her go. Don''t drag this out."


    Sebastian snapped back to the present, remembering how Reese had brought up divorce. The word echoed in his mind, leaving him restless.


    Did she really want a divorce? Was she willing to walk out and leave even the kid behind?


    No way. Reese was probably just upset about how close he''d gotten to Sofiately. She''d threatened divorce before, but she hadn''t brought it up again. Had she?


    Still, maybe this time, she really was done.


    He hadn''t expected Dylon to short Ramos Corporation for the Eastside project, forcing Reese into debt, just to get the house signed over to Sofia.


    "Sebastian."


    Sofia came up beside him, her pale hand wrapping around his arm. “I''m sorry. My mom only called the cops because Reese scared her-she didn''t mean for things to go this far.


    "She never thought Reese would threaten us right in front of the police.


    "I''m really sorry, Sebastian. What are we supposed to do now?"


    Sebastian didn''t even look at Sofia. He gently pulled his arm away and turned to Grace, his voice cool.


    "What was she looking for before?"


    He''d always been polite around Sofia and her mother-never cold like this.


    Grace frowned. "Some rosewood box."


    "Could you help us find it, please?"


    He nced at Sofia. "I''ll send someone to pick you up."


    Without another word, Sebastian walked to his car and drove off. Sofia''s face darkened. "Mom, you went too far. If Mr. Ratcliff hears about this, Sebastian''s going to me me."


    "Don''t be silly," Grace said, patting her daughter''s hand. "Mr. Ratcliff has told Sebastian to break up with you before. Did he ever listen?"


    Sofia bit her lip, but inside, she was uneasy. The way Sebastian had looked at her


    just now kept ying in her mind; he''d never seemed so distant before.


    Outside the police station, Reese followed Roman out of the car.


    "Wait."


    Sebastian pulled up and strode toward them. "There''s been a misunderstanding. I want to drop the charges."


    Roman raised an eyebrow and nced at Reese.


    A cold wind lifted the hair from Reese''s forehead, exposing the cut above her brow that was still bleeding.


    Reese looked Sebastian dead in the eye. "You''re not the one who called the police. You can''t drop the case."


    She hadn''t known anything about what Dylon was up to. The only way she could protect herself was to tell the police everything, get it on record, and prove that Dylon was trying to bankrupt Ramos Corporation on purpose. That was her only shot at getting the house back.


    Sebastian frowned. "Reese, don''t-"


    "Mr. Ratcliff," Reese interrupted, her voice steady. "This is my problem. It has nothing to do with you."


    Roman watched her walk away, then looked at Sebastian and just shrugged before heading inside after her.


    Sebastian sat in his car, staring through the windshield at the police station''s entrance. Cigarette butts littered the ground. His chest felt tight, his thoughts all tangled up.


    He knew that as long as Grace didn''t press charges, Reese wouldn''t be charged with trespassing. Still, he couldn''t shake the worry gnawing at him.


    "Get out."


    Someone knocked on the window. Sebastian turned and saw Mr. Ratcliff standing there, leaning on his cane.


    "Grandpa? What are you doing here?"


    Sebastian got out and hurried to steady him.


    "How could I not show up when things have gotten this bad?" Mr. Ratcliff snapped, shooting him a re. "Can''t you treat Reese better? No matter what, she''s Robbie''s mother-and she''s pregnant.


    "You took her family home for a mistress, dragged her into police trouble, and even let her get hurt. Aren''t you afraid she''ll do something drastic if you keep pushing her like this?"