Gasps and screams erupted across the room.
Accompanied by the deafening crash of shattering glass.
It happened too fast to process.
In a split second, Raelynn knew she couldn't dodge it. Instinctively, she twisted her body, trying to protect her head and vital organs.
Before she could brace herself.
A dark figure lunged over, blocking out the lights. Strong arms wrapped tightly around her. She felt a familiar body heat just as a heavy blow struck the back of the person shielding her. The impact made him stagger, taking her down with him onto the nearby sofa.
Raelynn instinctively grabbed fistfuls of his shirt.
It was all a chaotic blur, giving no one time to react.
The heavy display shelf smashed against the marble table, sending fragments of crystal flying everywhere.
Amid the shower of jagged shards, a large hand clamped over her face, shielding her from the razor-sharp debris.
Raelynn's eyes trembled open.
She saw the bloody lacerations carved into the hand covering her face.
Stunned, she shifted her gaze up to meet a pair of notoriously callous, dark eyes.
In that fraction of a second.
She saw a flash of raw fury and panic in Sebastian's gaze. This was a man who wouldn't flinch if the sky collapsed, yet right now, his expression was terrifying.
The hand that had blocked the glass was dripping with blood, but he ignored it, his brows tightly knitted as he quickly scanned her for injuries.
He gripped her arms and pulled her to her feet.
"Are you hurt?" His voice was ice-cold.
Her ears were still ringing. Still reeling from the shock, she opened her mouth to speak.
"Sebastian! Are you okay?!"
Before she could catch her breath, she was forcefully shoved aside. She turned to see Seraphina rushing up to Sebastian, her face a mask of panicked devastation as she examined his wounds. They were both soaked in red wine, looking utterly disheveled.
Seraphina snapped her head around, glaring at Raelynn with venomous hatred. "Look what you did to him! You're a walking disaster!"
She was furious, acting every bit the fiercely protective wife demanding justice for her husband.
But Raelynn had no time for Seraphina's screaming.
Ian saw the sheer terror in her eyes. He knew she was panicking over Lily.
But to everyone else in the room, it looked like she was terrified for him.
Leaning against the sofa, Sebastian watched the exchange with an unreadable expression.
Ian's deep eyes locked onto hers, his voice slow and soothing. "I'm fine, Raelynn. Everything's fine. I got to her fast enough. Lily's safe, and so am I."
As he spoke.
He caught a glimpse of Sebastian standing in the distance.
It had all happened too quickly.
Even if he had wanted to pull Raelynn out of the way, he never would have made it in time because his priority had been Lily. He knew the child was Raelynn's entire world.
But Sebastian's reaction—it had been instantaneous.
Raelynn was completely unharmed.
Seeing Raelynn's tear-filled eyes, Lily reached out from Ian's arms, hugging her tightly and wiping her cheek. "Don't be scared. I'm okay. I'm sorry..."

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!...