At her core, Raelynn had a vicious bite.
She knew exactly where to slide the knife for maximum damage.
And she delivered it wrapped in a tone of mock sympathy, leaving her target bleeding but unable to retaliate.
Sebastian’s footsteps hit the pavement, the gravel grinding softly under his expensive shoes.
He stared quietly at her face.
It was impossible to tell which of her venomous words he was dissecting.
It felt as though every syllable she spoke had grown fangs, ripping bloody holes right through him.
He let out a faint, dismissive scoff before finally speaking. "So, did you enjoy the show?"
He hadn't lost his temper.
His question hovered in the air, loaded with unknown intent.
Raelynn knew he was likely mocking her, but she had zero interest in playing the saint. She shook her head. "Not even close. We've barely scratched the surface. It wasn't nearly tragic enough. For people like them, I firmly believe they need to be completely gutted and left with absolutely nothing before I'll be satisfied."
Most of the trauma in her early life was directly orchestrated by Seraphina, Blanche, and Silas.
Sure, they hadn't held a gun to her head or physically tortured her, but they were the architects of her misery.
Of course she felt this wasn't enough.
Hearing her ruthless declaration, Sebastian let out a sudden, dark laugh. It vanished so quickly it felt like a hallucination. "You really are heartless, Raelynn. It's best you treat everyone exactly like this."
It was impossible to tell if it was a compliment or an insult.
Raelynn didn't care. She felt completely liberated. Watching the people she despised crash and burn was exhilarating, and she had no problem tossing him a mocking smile. "Oh, I almost forgot. Hearing me talk about her like that must be tearing your heart to shreds. My apologies."
She had firmly planted herself in the VIP seats as an absolute spectator.
She was entirely immune to the chaos of his love life, laughing at the wreckage with the ultimate detachment.
Sebastian watched the raw emotion dancing in her eyes, his own gaze remaining somber.
Raelynn stopped at the front door.
She was genuinely curious.
How exactly was Sebastian going to clean up a catastrophic mess of this magnitude for Seraphina?
The Yves family wasn't going to roll over.
Seraphina and Blanche had played everyone for fools.
Julian would never let it slide. Brothers turning on each other? Now that would be entertaining.
"Why are you two together?"
"Just a coincidence," Raelynn fired back immediately.
She quickly reached down to take Lily's hand. "It's past your bedtime, and you're keeping your grandpa awake. Come on, Mama's putting you to sleep."
Lily nodded obediently.
But she knew her manners. She looked over her shoulder at the man who was still staring at them. "Goodbye, Mister."
Hearing the word "Mister," Raelynn felt a cold sweat break out down her spine. She grabbed Lily and practically sprinted inside.
Sebastian didn't reply.
He never intended to.
Professor Finch didn't rush back inside.
He stood on the porch, hands clasped behind his back, staring Sebastian down.
There was no need for pleasantries.
He dropped a blatant warning. "Don't sell me that coincidence nonsense either."
"It seems you and Raelynn can finally be in the same space without drawing blood, Mr. Croix. I trust this means you'll be giving your wholehearted blessing when she and young Hudson walk down the aisle?"

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!...