"She''s probably already got someone checking into what''s going on with us and Reese. Once she''s sure, even if she doesn''t want to help, she''lle to us first."


    "Enemy of my enemy, right?"


    Sebastian had no idea Leslie had already talked to Dylon. After seeing Reese tonight, he didn''t pay attention to anyone else. With him there, the people crowding around Reese quietly drifted away. Even n found an excuse to go mingle, leaving the two of them alone.


    Reese looked at the man practically glued to her side and finally couldn''t take it anymore. "Sebastian, what are you doing?"


    He looked down at her. With her eyes narrowed and her arms crossed, she looked like an annoyed kitten. He couldn''t help but smile.


    "You said before you couldn''t feel my love. I''m trying to change that."


    Reese let out a cold, sarcasticugh. "Aren''t you worried someone will find out about us?"


    “Nope.” He leaned in, clinking his ss against hers. “Honestly, I''d rather people knew.


    "If you want, I''ll tell everyone right now you''re my wife.


    "I''ve already told Brady to handle it. From now on, I''m out of all business between Ratcliff Global and Big X.


    "I know you don''t like my rtionship with Leslie. I''ll keep my distance from her."


    Reese blinked in surprise. She hadn''t expected him to go this far, but she wasn''t naive enough to think he''d really change. Once your heart turns cold, it''s over.


    "You don''t have to do any of that," she said quietly.


    They were almost divorced anyway. She honestly didn''t care anymore.


    Just then, Reese felt someone staring at her. She looked up and locked eyes with Leslie across the room. Leslie didn''t look away-she raised her ss with a knowing, almost taunting smile. It was the kind of challenge only another woman would recognize.


    Reese looked away. Thest thing she wanted was another round of pointless drama.


    "Leslie''s waiting for you over there. Go on. Don''t keep her waiting," Reese said. "I''m not going."


    Sebastian didn''t even pause. He reached out, wanting to touch her hair, but she turned her head and his hand hovered awkwardly in the an For a second, disappointment shed in his eyes.


    "You''re my wife. Why would I go to her?"


    "Your wife?" Reese shot back, her voice sharp. "We''ve been married seven years. Who even knows about it, besides a handful of people close to us?"


    "Do you really think I still care about being your wife?"


    "Sebastian, let me make this clear. I don''t want to be Mrs. Ratcliff anymore."


    Sebastian was at a loss for words. Regret hit him hard. If he could go back, he would have given Reese the wedding she deserved, told the whole world about her.


    "I regret it," he said finally, his voice rough. "Reese, I regret everything.


    "I shouldn''t have held you back from your work. I shouldn''t have been so distant I never should have let you get hurt. Please, just give me one more chance. Please?"


    Reese shook her head. She was about to answer when her phone suddenly rang.


    She nced at the screen. The call was from the housekeeper at Matthew''s ce. Her heart skipped. She hurried to a quiet spot and answered, "What''s going on?"


    “Ms. Meyer." The housekeeper sounded panicked. "Annie''s burning up. I just took her temperature it''s almost 104. I cant reach Mr. Wiles, so I had to call you. What should i do?"


    "Annie has a fever?" Reese''s heart dropped. Annie must have caught a cold from the rainst night.


    Reese cursed herself for not realizing sooner. "Take her to the hospital right now. Keep me posted. I''m on my way."


    She hung up, found n, and quickly exined about Annie''s fever and that she had to leave for the hospital, then hurried out of the hall.


    When Sebastian grabbed her arm, Reese spun around, her patience worn thin. "Whatever you want to say, save it. Annie''s burning up and I need to get to the hospital."


    "I know. Don''t worry."