What Tristan said was entirely factual.
A profound stillness settled over Sebastian's features, a silent tempest churning briefly beneath the surface. He kept his back to Tristan, showing none of the devastation his cousin had expected.
"You're wrong."
His voice cut through the biting wind, sounding even colder than the night air.
"It wasn't your existence that drove Raelynn and me to this point. You think far too highly of yourself."
Tristan's chest heaved violently at those words, his eyes blazing red—whether from sheer frustration or the agonizing sting of unacknowledged regret, it was hard to tell.
But Sebastian was already done wasting his breath.
He didn't even bother questioning the soul-crushing "truth" Tristan had just dumped on him.
Tristan watched Sebastian walk away, eventually collapsing onto a bench in the courtyard.
He had never wanted to admit how desperately jealous he was of Sebastian. He had truly believed that Raelynn loved him back then. He had silently allowed everything to happen, even plotting out exactly what to do if she finally confessed to him.
His marriage had to be a perfect alliance between powerful families.
He needed a wife who could elevate his status.
Yet he still harbored selfish desires. He genuinely cared for Raelynn. He knew they couldn't have a future, yet part of him secretly hoped for something he refused to openly acknowledge.
Until.
Until he saw that pendant in Raelynn's possession.
He instantly recognized it as Sebastian's.
She treated it like her most prized treasure.
The man she loved was Sebastian, not him.
In that moment, the delicate balance inside him shattered. Everything he had believed, mixed with his undeniable feelings for her, twisted into unspeakable humiliation. He had been completely delusional. Raelynn had never been interested in him.
He was fully aware of what his grandmother was orchestrating on his behalf.
At the time, he hated Raelynn for it.
Why, of all people, did she have to love Sebastian?
He resented her for not choosing him, and he hated Sebastian for never giving the rest of the family a chance to breathe.
Tristan leaned forward. Tears welled in his eyes, but he forced a bitter sneer. "I have never regretted anything."
Raelynn should be the one regretting it.
And as for Sebastian claiming their divorce had nothing to do with him? He didn't buy it for a second.
Sebastian absolutely cared.
He had definitely been the thorn in Sebastian's side all along.
He had beaten Sebastian.
He had to have.
Raelynn was completely oblivious to the chaos unfolding at the Croix estate.
It was just after New Year's, and the holiday spirit still lingered in the air.
She brought Arthur Winslow and Rowan Ortiz to the Yves residence, where the large, blended family shared a meal together.
Of course.

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!...