Reborn to My Engagement Night
Chapter 9: You Brought This Upon Yourself
Upon hearing her words, Sebastian was visibly taken aback, his expression a mixture of surprise and skepticism. He managed to conjure a self-deprecating chuckle. “Ha, don’t tell me you’re going to say you’ve fallen in love with me? Madelyn, just be honest about your real intentions. There’s no need to put on an act in front of me.”
In his mind, no one understood Madelyn better than he did. He knew her personality, her preferences, and her aversions intimately. Sebastian was acutely aware that he was the last person Madelyn would ever be drawn to affectionately. So, the notion of her suddenly throwing herself into his arms seemed utterly implausible to him. What he failed to realize was that the Madelyn he knew was transforming, determined to reclaim everything she once cherished and lost.
“Sebastian, whether you believe me or not, I really haven’t plotted anything,” Madelyn asserted, her gaze locked on his with earnest sincerity, silently pleading for him to trust her once more.
The moment seemed to stretch, the air thick with tension. Sebastian squinted, assessing her, and finally, with a dismissive snort, he muttered, “Is that so? Well then… don’t blame me for what happens next.”
Before Madelyn could respond, she found herself swept off her feet by Sebastian’s strong arm. He carried her effortlessly up the stairs and, without a moment’s hesitation, tossed her onto the plush expanse of the king-sized bed.
“Ah!”
The events unfolded so rapidly, Madelyn barely had time to process what was happening. A slender shadow loomed over her, and she was instantly enveloped in warmth as Sebastian pressed down against her. “Madelyn, remember, you brought this upon yourself!” he murmured lowly by her ear. His lips found her ear, not with tenderness, but with a consuming intensity, as if he were devouring her, his kisses laden with fierce aggression. The scent of cologne mixed with his distinct masculine essence filled the air around them. His movements were impatient and unrestrained, tinged with a domineering force that was almost intimidating.
Madelyn, caught off guard by the intensity of the moment, recalled the first time they were together; his indifference had been so painful it felt as though she was breaking apart. Now, his actions were charged with a roughness that seemed almost punitive – he wanted her to feel the weight of her decisions. However, this time, instead of shrinking away, Madelyn responded by wrapping her arms around his neck.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. As long as he wishes it, I can endure all these pains.”
Chapter 9: You Brought This Upon Yourself
Sebastian paused, his eyes searching her face for any sign of resistance, but finding none.
During their engagement night, she had been tearful, almost broken, swearing her everlasting disdain for him. But now, she was responding to him, actively engaging in the intensity of the moment. What could have caused such a dramatic change in her?
With this thought, Sebastian suddenly lost his drive. He got up, turning away from her as he methodically buttoned his shirt, leaving Madelyn catching her breath, feeling a mix of relief and a creeping sense of loss. Of course, Madelyn had resolved to give herself to him, heart and soul, but not in the tumultuous state they currently found themselves.
After a moment to collect himself, Sebastian acknowledged his behavior had been rough. He half-turned toward her and softly said, “I’m sorry.”
“Where are you going?” Madelyn asked, panic flickering through her as she feared he might leave. She quickly reached for the hem of his shirt. “Don’t go!”
“I’m just going to take a bath,” Sebastian responded calmly.
Relieved by his clarification, Madelyn relaxed, letting go of his shirt. As the sound of the shower filled the room, she exhaled deeply, the tension easing from her shoulders.
Half an hour later, the bathroom door swung open with a soft sound. Without intending to, Madelyn found her gaze lifting toward the source of the movement. As if drawn by an invisible force, her eyes locked onto the figure emerging from the steam-filled room.
What she saw was a vision of physical perfection. The man standing before her possessed a physique that was both captivating and impeccable. His skin, pale yet radiating health, stretched tightly over well-defined muscles. The subtle play of light and shadow accentuated the faint outline of his eight-pack abs, which seemed to pulse subtly with each breath he took. Wrapped tightly around his waist was a bath towel, modestly concealing his most intimate features. Every aspect of his form was a testament to perfect anatomical sculpture – from his robust chest down to his well-formed calves. His face, exquisitely handsome, was framed by his casually tousled hair, adding to his overall air of sophisticated nonchalance. He resembled a top male model, the kind whose presence graced global fashion campaigns and magazine covers.
Before she knew it, Madelyn was utterly entranced. Sebastian, casually drying his hair with a towel, suddenly felt the intensity of her gaze upon him. Turning around, he caught Madelyn looking at him with an expression that was hungry for affection, her eyes wide and slightly… swallowing.
“Damn it! The way she’s looking at me is stirring something inside me.”
Sebastian quickly adopted a more serious expression and commanded, “Go take a shower now.”
Startled back to reality, Madelyn’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and surprise. She hurried into the bathroom without another word.
Several minutes later, after taking her shower, Madelyn stepped out into a gust of cool air.
Chapter 9: You Brought This Upon Yourself
Turning around, she saw that Sebastian had already changed into his robe. He was seated by the floor-to-ceiling window, a glass of red wine in his hand. He swirled the wine gently, occasionally bringing the glass to his lips, savoring the flavor with a connoisseur’s appreciation. From a distance, his aloof and dignified posture exuded a subtle but unmistakable loneliness.
Suddenly, Madelyn felt an overwhelming impulse to bridge the gap between them, and she acted on it without hesitation. She approached quietly and wrapped her arms around him from behind, taking in the scent of him. This close, she was reminded of the past – how she had always dismissed him with disdain, never truly allowing herself to see him. But she had always known, apart from a few close friends, that Sebastian lived a solitary life. He bore the enormous responsibility of leading a major company, facing countless challenges alone. How many people were waiting for him to falter? Yet, he never disappointed anyone. The only person he ever cared about was Madelyn herself, who turned against him, using every tactic she could think of to push him away. Every time Madelyn considered these truths, she was overwhelmed with a deep, almost unbearable sense of guilt.
Feeling her presence, Sebastian turned slightly, his brow furrowing as he found Madelyn with her wet hair pressed against his back, her small face showing a hint of sadness. Sebastian’s expression softened, and he gently tousled her damp hair. “Go dry your hair quickly; don’t catch a cold,” he advised with a touch of concern.
Madelyn, however, looked up at him with a slightly playful and innocent expression, her face flushed. “Would you mind drying it for me?” she asked, her voice carrying a tender note that was rare for her.
Taken aback by her soft demeanor, which he had never witnessed before, Sebastian found himself momentarily moved. He nodded in agreement. “All right, head to the couch.”
With a childlike smile, Madelyn complied and settled on the nearby dark coffee-colored couch. Shortly after, Sebastian took a hairdryer and carefully positioned himself behind her. His movements were tentative, his slender fingers threading gently through her soft, damp hair, cautious not to cause her any discomfort. A gentle, warm breeze from the hairdryer enveloped her, and Madelyn closed her eyes, lost in the soothing sensation.
By the time Sebastian turned off the hairdryer, he realized that Madelyn had drifted off to sleep. Gently, he led her from the sofa and placed her on the bed, taking care to tuck her in comfortably. Observing her peaceful face in sleep, her skin soft and delicate, her features refined and composed in serene beauty, Sebastian felt an unexpected surge of affection. He sighed deeply, his features knitting together in a frown. Despite everything, he realized he was finding it increasingly difficult to understand her.