He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 144

"And what did you do?" Sebastian continued, his voice dripping with venom. "You stood there and mocked her. Have you no heart at all?"

He piled the guilt onto her like bricks.

Helena listened to his tirade in silence, letting the absurdity of it wash over her.

Did she have no heart? Was she the one mocking Janetta?

Janetta had literally handed her a luxury brand accessory to rub in her face that she was second-best, yet somehow, Sebastian had twisted reality to make Helena the villain.

A suffocating wave of despair crashed over her. She tried frantically to convince herself not to care. She was supposed to be numb to this by now. Hadn't seven years of this exact double standard been enough?

Suddenly, she let out a bitter, exhausted laugh.

"What's so funny?" he demanded, his brow furrowing. "I'm stating facts."

Before the last word even left his mouth, Helena's hand cracked across his cheek. The sound of the slap echoed like a gunshot.

Sebastian stared at her in sheer disbelief, his face instantly darkening into a thunderstorm.

"You are a heartless bastard, Sebastian," she practically growled, her voice shaking with rage.

She tried to wrench her arm free, but he was too fast. His fingers locked around her wrist like a steel vise.

"What did I tell you about raising your hand to me?" he demanded, his voice dropping to a terrifying register.

A chill ran down Helena's spine.

"I swallowed my pride and coaxed you, hoping we could have some peace. But since you don't want to play nice, don't blame me for what happens next," he threatened darkly. "Pick up those pieces. She bought that gift with her own money. The least you can do is accept it."

He knew exactly how to torture her. He found her boundaries and bulldozed right over them, crushing her spirit just to satisfy his own bruised ego.

He stood over her, his imposing figure a suffocating weight, demanding total submission.

Helena opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out.

"I kept my end of the bargain," he stated, his tone merciless. "Now it's time for you to learn your place. I gave you respect. Don't throw it in my face."