The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 412

Chapter 412 Did You Ever Deal With That Girl?

Audrey’s hands jerked on the wheel, and she nearly slammed the horn.

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Her eyes went wide, and the words burst out of her. “That’s it?! Your family said so, and that was it?”

“Yeah. That was it.” Riley turned her head and looked out the window at the streets rushing past. She added, flat and simple, “He went to Havenbrook after that. We started seeing each other there.”

“That’s it?” Audrey’s voice shot up about five notches.

Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “You’re telling me you two got together because of an arranged marriage? No family feud? No love–at–first–sight redemption arc? Not even some messy back–and–forth drama?”

The look on her face was pure agony. Like she was kicking herself for not throwing a full–on meltdown and begging her grandpa to go knock on the Torres family’s door for an alliance.

If she’d known Sebastian was fine with arranged marriages, why the hell had she spent all those years pining in silence?

Riley looked at her, dead serious, and nodded again. “That’s it. It wasn’t romantic. Honestly, it was pretty dry. No sparks flying. It was more like a rational decision between two adults.”

Audrey looked absolutely crushed by how boring the truth was. She stayed quiet through several green lights, probably still stewing in regret.

When the car finally rolled to a stop near the university district, Audrey killed the engine but didn’t get out right away.

She turned her head, her brow furrowed, and gave Riley a weird, hesitant look.

“What?” Riley unbuckled her seatbelt.

Audrey hesitated, then leaned in and dropped her voice even lower. “Riley, did you ever deal with that girl? The one Sebastian’s been hung up on forever?”

Riley’s hand froze on the doorknob.

She turned back, her eyebrow raised. Something sharp flickered in her eyes. “What girl?” “Oh my god. You seriously don’t know? Audrey sucked in a sharp breath like she’d just hit the

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Chapter 412 Did You Ever Deal With That Girl?

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gossip jackpot. “It’s not like everyone in Nexopolis knows, but it’s kind of an open secret. Back in the day, Sebastian only ever used one excuse to shut down every socialite, every heiress. He said he already liked someone. And he’d liked her for a long time.”

Audrey connected the dots as she talked, her imagination firing on all cylinders. “Okay, think about it. You only found out about the arrangement and met him a month ago. So either he already knew you from before, and you’re the one he’s been secretly in love with this entire time. Or he’s still got someone tucked away in his heart–someone even you don’t know about.”

The whole secret–admirer–for–years thing sounded impossible to Riley.

She was sure she’d never crossed paths with Sebastian before that chance meeting in Havenbrook.

As for him having someone else tucked away…

The thought moved through her mind, and something tight and sour flickered in her chest.

But she shoved it back down fast.

“I think your theory’s a little out there.” Riley found her calm voice again. She looked at Audrey with clear, steady eyes. “He’s never mentioned anything like that to me. And as long as he doesn’t bring it up, I won’t ask. Everyone has a past. That’s normal.

“Sebastian’s not selfish. We made an agreement when we first started seeing each other. If one day the person he really likes shows up, or if he realizes this marriage can’t work, we’ll part ways. No drama. No making things ugly.”

She said it so calmly. Almost coldly. Like she had herself on a very tight leash.

Audrey stared at Riley’s unshakable composure and suddenly felt a cold wave of guilt.

her that she’d run her mouth way too much. If any of this got back to Sebastian and he

out she was the one stirring things up, Justin would skin her alive.

robably remembered it wrong. Or he just made it up back then to get girls off his rey rubbed her nose, scrambling to walk it back. “Think about it. If he really had

girl he couldn’t get over, would he be this happy with you right now? He’s probably over ome on, let’s go win that tournament. We need that cartridge!”

Riley didn’t answer. She just lowered her eyes and let her lashes hide the thoughtful look settling in.

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