He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 101

Sebastian Hayes knew exactly what Janetta Ramirez was getting at. He thought he would agree without hesitation. After all, he could never bear to see her suffer. But in that moment, he found himself hesitating. "Sebastian, are you going to be busy that day?" Janetta looked at him with a pitiful expression, having already prepared her excuse. A second later, she looked ready to burst into tears. "It's just that you're always there every year. If you don't show up, especially with the current situation, I'm terrified the rumors will spiral completely out of control." As she spoke, she grabbed his hand, her tone turning pleading. "You don't have to stay the whole time, but could you at least make an appearance? Please?" She bit her lip, gazing up at him with desperate fragility. Having known her for so many years, Sebastian knew her all too well. She wouldn't give up until she got what she wanted. Besides, he still carried a lingering sense of guilt toward her. So, even though impatience prickled at him, he agreed just to pacify her and prevent any further drama at such a critical juncture. "I'll be there," he said simply. Those few words instantly wiped away her sorrow. She leaned in to kiss him. "Thank you. I love you so, so much." "Be a good girl and get some rest. Don't overexert yourself lately. The doctor said you need to take it easy," he murmured, gently pulling back. "Okay." Janetta nodded. Sebastian didn't linger any longer. Since she had achieved her goal, she wasn't going to cling to him. Besides, she had already arranged for reporters to be stationed outside the apartment building. Naturally, they would leak the news of Sebastian visiting her place. She lowered her gaze, brimming with absolute confidence. She had waited ten years; there was no way she would allow any accidents now. She would never hand Sebastian over to someone else. In her dreams!

Back at the villa, Helena Wallace was cooking pasta. No matter how wildly the rumors raged online, she stayed completely out of it. She knew she had grown entirely numb to it all. But being repeatedly manipulated and controlled by Sebastian left a suffocating weight in her chest that simply wouldn't dissipate. So she had come down to cook herself some pasta. At the very least, it gave her something to do, keeping her mind occupied so her thoughts wouldn't spiral out of control. She was terrified of losing her composure. Soon, a savory aroma drifted through the kitchen. Her appetite was practically non-existent, so she was just making a simple dish of pasta. She finished the sauce and set it aside in a bowl. As the water beside it reached a rolling boil, she prepared to drop the noodles in. Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her. She froze for a split second, knowing exactly who it was without even needing to turn around. After seven years of marriage, she could recognize Sebastian's footsteps anywhere. She could even gauge his current mood just by the rhythm of his stride. "What are you doing?" his deep, resonant voice asked moments later. Helena remained silent, unsure if he was doing this on purpose or if it was merely a coincidence. She could feel his tall frame boxing her in. His hands rested firmly on the edge of the granite counter, trapping her perfectly between his arms. Catching their reflection in the dark kitchen window, she suddenly grew very quiet. This was a scene she had longed for countless times throughout their seven-year marriage. Her cooking a meal while her husband wrapped his arms around her from behind. She had always thought a moment like that would be so incredibly sweet—a true glimpse of marital bliss. But Sebastian had never done this before. He had always looked at her with coldness and impatience. The only time he ever showed her any patience was when they were in bed. And now, Helena knew perfectly well that this sudden display of tenderness was solely because of the baby growing inside her.