Chapter 43

When Olivia's pain returned, preventing her from sleeping, Chris panicked. He impulsively drove to Stephanie's.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to answer it?"

Stephanie already knew who it was. "No need..."

Outside, Chris yelled, "Stephanie, open the door!"

Stephanie felt a surge of frustration. She'd hoped for some peace during the night, especially since Chris was at the hospital with Olivia.

Ignoring her, he yelled again, his voice increasingly desperate, "If you don't open the door, I'll have someone unlock it!"

Stephanie frowned. She couldn't believe he'd consider forcing entry. His behavior was appalling.

For a moment, speechless, she looked at Sebastian. "Uh..."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Want me to hide?"

Stephanie felt he understood her thoughts perfectly. She considered asking, but knew better; Sebastian would refuse.

His expression hardened, and she didn't dare suggest it. Sighing, she explained, "There's... still some unfinished business between Chris and me."

Chris's furious voice cut through the air. "You're the one not opening it! If the lock breaks, it's all your fault!"

The sound of a lock being forced followed. Stephanie's jaw dropped – he'd brought a locksmith?

She glared furiously at Sebastian, her anger directed at Chris. Instantly, she spun towards the closet, where her baseball bat was kept. She was prepared to pummel Chris for this stunt.

But as she turned, the door behind her clicked open. She froze. Chris stood there, his face flushed with rage. Seeing the scene before him, he stopped, momentarily stunned.

He might have thought he was at the wrong address, had he not checked the door number again. Everything matched. Stephanie was there. And a man was with her.

Chris's breathing became shallow, erratic. Finally, he exploded, his voice hoarse with fury, "Stephanie, how dare you!"

He turned to Sebastian, whose calm composure felt like a universe of restraint. His features were sharp, his gaze almost intimidating in the bright light. Even in his rage, Chris hesitated, momentarily unnerved by the intensity in Sebastian's eyes.

His gaze fell, slowly drifting from Sebastian's defined abs to the bright pink bath towel. Already struggling for breath, Chris's anger intensified at the sight.

A bitter laugh escaped him. "So, this is why you called off the wedding? Stephanie, you really are something else."

His eyes hardened as he glared at her, stepping further into the room. The locksmith, sensing the escalating tension, quietly withdrew, fleeing the scene – payment and questions forgotten.