That unnervingly calm, almost ruthless question completely shattered Raelynn's breath.
A short, uncontrollable laugh escaped her lips.
So now she was the wicked villain? Slapping the two of them back-to-back.
And they were the tragic star-crossed lovers?
Her chest heaved, her throat tightening until oxygen felt scarce. A ringing echoed in her ears as she clutched her still-numb hand, meeting the man's profound gaze.
The warm courtyard lights cascaded over him.
Yet, she felt chilled to the bone.
"Why don't you hit me back for her?" Raelynn wasn't wearing a coat, and the cold wind made the end of her sentence tremble slightly, but the mockery in her eyes was entirely undisguised.
She was genuinely curious.
Just how far would Sebastian go for his mistress? How ugly was he willing to make things with her?
If the roles were reversed and Seraphina had slapped her today, he would probably be worrying about Seraphina hurting her hand!
Sebastian stared deeply at her stark white face, ignoring her challenge. "Why are you so angry? Raelynn, there's a reason for everything you do, isn't there?"
He didn't even entertain her taunt about hitting her back.
Instead, he struck right at her core with terrifying precision.
It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over Raelynn. She hated how Sebastian could always laser in on the most crucial detail.
After all, from their perspective, she was just an outsider to Professor Finch's family. Yet here she was, absolutely furious over their household matters...
"Seb? Are you okay?" Seraphina, safe behind his back, finally snapped out of her daze. Forgetting her own swollen cheek, she looked up at him in a panic.
Sebastian's gaze briefly swept over Raelynn as he reassured the woman behind him, "I'm fine."
Raelynn watched the scene unfold.
She really did look like the evil antagonist trying to tear apart true love. Even though she was legally married to him, it somehow felt like she was the one in the wrong.
Seraphina finally turned a glacial glare toward Raelynn. "Are you insane? You actually raised a hand against Seb? Do you even have an ounce of decency? Based on your psychotic behavior today, we have every right to press charges!"
"We?"
Raelynn echoed the word slowly. "Under what title? The mistress? The side piece? The homewrecker?"
Her choice of words was deliberately degrading.
Seraphina's face cycled through several shades of red and white. Even though she hated Raelynn's unhinged hostility, they were still at Professor Finch's house. She couldn't afford to get dragged into a screaming match here and let Raelynn further ruin her image in front of the old man.
Just as expected.
Sebastian's dark eyes narrowed slightly. He tilted his sharp jaw, glancing up toward the second floor of the villa, but he didn't insist on going inside to check on the child.
Raelynn remained silent.
But she sneered internally.
She really owed Sebastian a thank you. Because he was so fiercely protective of Seraphina's reputation, he had just missed the chance to meet his own daughter.
"Apologies for the intrusion today. I'll return another time to make amends," Sebastian said. He wasn't entirely unreasonable. He gave Preston a brief nod.
Preston offered a polite, totally fake smile. "If you come without Ms. Vance and that kid, you might actually get past the front door."
To that, Sebastian offered no comment.
Seraphina was seething with resentment, but there was nothing she could do.
Today was supposed to be the day Sebastian's massive donation to The Lily's Hope Foundation won the professor over. Instead, it had blown up in her face.
Before she left, she shot Raelynn a vicious glare.
"You should be grateful we're at Professor Finch's house today, Raelynn. Out of respect for him, I won't pursue this. But don't delude yourself. Someone of Professor Finch's status won't be won over just because you run around playing the loyal lapdog."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...