Waking as the Storm Ends

One week before the wedding, I stood outside a private room at a private club and overheard my fianc talking with his buddies.

He said he had never liked me. The one he truly liked was his childhood sweetheart, Melissa Stone.

He said he had only pursued me to disgust my ex, and that he was planning to play my sex video at the wedding, then break off the engagement in public and have my reputation destroyed.

He thought I would obediently walk down the red carpet and wait for him to humiliate me.

But he had no idea that the video about to be played at the wedding would be a sex video of him and Melissa Stone.

Jane Winters POV

My name is Jane Winters. I used to be Adrian Cole's simp, and everyone in their circle mocked me for it.

I spent seven years pining after Adrian Cole, but he was cold to me from beginning to end.

Five years ago, I gave up on Adrian Cole and accepted a confession from his archrival, Sebastian Grant.

From then on, Sebastian Grant spoiled me like I was the center of the universe.

He set off fireworks across the entire city just to celebrate my birthday.

He bought a necklace worth over a hundred million just because I had glanced at it one more time.

To get his parents to agree to let him marry me, he even went on a hunger strike for seven days and seven nights.

I became someone everyone in their circle envied.

I thought so too.

Until one week before the wedding, when I went to the private club to pick Sebastian Grant up and take him home.

When I reached the door of the private room, I was just about to push it open when I heard voices drifting through the crack in the door.

"Sebastian, are you seriously planning to play Jane Winters's sex video at the wedding?"

A loud ringing filled my head and I froze completely, and my whole body froze in place as if I had been struck by lightning.

The one speaking was Sebastian Grant's childhood friend, Joe Harris.

Normally, whenever he saw me, he would respectfully call me Ms. Winters.

"Of course. Sebastian got together with Jane Winters just to disgust Adrian Cole, didn't he?"

The one who answered was another childhood friend, Daniel Carter.

The excitement in his tone was practically overflowing.

Everyone was talking with such enthusiasm that none of them noticed there was still someone standing outside the private room.

I stood outside the door, my mind went completely numb and empty, my ears ringing, and forgetting how to react.

"Tell me, when Adrian Cole sees Jane Winters's sex video at the wedding, do you think he'll be so pissed he coughs blood?"

Roars of laughter came through the crack in the door.

"Forget coughing blood. I bet he'll be so mad he dies on the spot!"

Someone let out a whistle.

"It'll be livestreamed across the internet. Where is Adrian Cole supposed to put his face then?"

The group chattered over one another, their voices full of the thrill of watching a spectacle.

Every time we had sex, Sebastian Grant would hold up his phone and aim it at me.

I would shake my head and say no.

Then he would lean over and kiss my forehead. "Be good. It won't get leaked. I just want to watch it when I miss you, okay?"

My heart had softened, and I had agreed.

I never thought that was the real purpose of those videos.

"Who told Adrian Cole and Sebastian to be archrivals? Otherwise, Sebastian wouldn't have deliberately found a few thugs to assault Jane Winters just to screw with him, then play the hero and save the damsel in distress, confess to her, and put up with his disgust while dating her for five years."

My stomach clenched violently, and a sweet, metallic taste surged up into my mouth.

That stormy night five years ago.

Once again, Adrian Cole had left me by the roadside.

A few thugs rushed out of an alley.

They tore my clothes apart, covered my mouth, and dragged me deep into the alley.

I struggled with everything I had, my fingernails breaking against the ground.

I thought I was going to die in that alley.

Sebastian Grant appeared.

He beat those men off, took off his jacket and wrapped it around me, then carried me into his car.

I curled up in his arms, trembling all over.

He lowered his head. "It's okay now. I'm here."

At that moment, I thought Sebastian Grant was the man I would choose for the rest of my life.

I never imagined that he was the one who had orchestrated that assault.

In that moment, I felt as if the hallway were spinning.

The conversation inside the private room continued.

"Sebastian really had foresight. Back then, he could tell Adrian Cole loved her without realizing it, so he snatched Jane Winters up early."

"Exactly. Adrian Cole regretted it later. How many times has he gone to confess to Jane Winters? But our Sebastian is just too charming. He made Jane Winters so devoted she refused to turn back."

"Right? This wedding will be the final blow to Cole. After this, he'll never be able to hold his head up again in the capital!"

They clinked their glasses again.

The sound of glasses striking the table landed in my heart too.

I leaned against the hallway wall, my legs going weak.

Someone laughingly teased Sebastian Grant.

"Sebastian, why aren't you saying anything? You've treated Jane Winters so well these past five years. Don't tell me you actually developed feelings for her?"

"If Sebastian really fell for her, then he'd have shot himself in the foot!"

I held my breath and stared fixedly at him through the crack in the door.

I was waiting for Sebastian Grant to deny all of it.

Sebastian Grant sat in the seat of honor, his long legs crossed. His expression was hidden in the shadows, dark and unreadable.

The private room was quiet for a long while.

At last, the man's low voice sounded, carrying a hint of mockery.

"Like her? She's boring as hell. I'll take the chance to break off the engagement in public at the wedding."

He said it slowly and unhurriedly.

I could hardly believe those words had come from Sebastian Grant.

But that was his voice.

"I've never liked her. The only one in my heart is Melissa."

Melissa Stone, Sebastian Grant's childhood sweetheart, the group's favourite in their inner circle.

Every time I got jealous, Sebastian Grant would say she was just like a little sister and tell me not to overthink it.

"This game has gone on for five years. It's time for it to end. On the wedding day, I'll destroy Jane Winters completely, and Adrian Cole too."

Sebastian Grant's tone was the same coldness and composure I knew so well.

"Isn't that move a little too ruthless? What will happen to Jane Winters afterward? That's her sex video being livestreamed across the internet!"

"What do you know? If Jane Winters's reputation isn't completely ruined, what if Adrian Cole marries her later?"

"Exactly. Once Jane Winters has her reputation destroyed, Adrian Cole's father will never agree to let her marry into the family."

"Sebastian's move is brilliant!"

"I can't wait to watch Jane Winters's little video and Adrian Cole's dead-man face!"

Laughter burst out in the private room again.

So the five years of feelings had been a scam from beginning to end.

The deep affection I believed in was only an act Sebastian Grant put on to get revenge on Adrian Cole.

The grand wedding I believed in was the execution ground Sebastian Grant had meticulously plotted for me.

I loosened my grip on the door handle.

Tears fell onto the carpet without a sound.

I turned and walked toward the elevator.

The moment the elevator doors closed, I bent over and dry-heaved.

My phone lit up. It was a message from Sebastian Grant.

[Darling, when are you coming to pick me up?]

He was saying he was going to destroy me, yet he was still calling me darling.

I wiped away my tears and typed a reply with force.

[I'm not feeling well. Find a designated driver.]

When I walked out the doors of the private club, the rain came crashing down over my head and face.

As if I couldn't feel it at all, I walked into the rain.

On that stormy night five years ago, Sebastian Grant had pulled me back from hell to the world of the living.

On this stormy night, Sebastian Grant had knocked me from the world of the living back into hell.

Rain poured into my eyes, mixing with my tears.

"I'll destroy Jane Winters completely on the wedding day."

Sebastian Grant's words crashed around in my mind again and again.

They grew louder and louder until they rang like a great bell, as if they wanted to shatter my brain.

Sebastian Grant, you really are a damn good actor.

Since you've lied to me for so long,

on the wedding day, I'll give you a grand gift too.

That isn't too much, is it?

Jane Winters POV

I chased Adrian Cole for seven years.

One stunning glimpse of him on the high school basketball court, and I was done for.

After that, I waited by the court with water at every basketball game.

Every morning, I brought him breakfast.

Adrian Cole never accepted it once. The breakfasts were thrown into the trash untouched.

When I greeted him, he never even lifted his eyelids.

I followed him to the same university, asked around for his schedule, and signed up for every public lecture he took.

After graduation, I went to the Cole family company to apply for a job.

Adrian Cole called security and had me escorted out in front of my coworkers.

His friends treated me like a joke, and when he heard them, he pretended not to.

Until that stormy night, when Adrian Cole's buddy pretended to be him and tricked me into going to a bar.

When I got there, I realized Adrian Cole was sitting in a booth, surrounded by a group of people.

He glanced at me, got up, and left without saying a word.

I walked out of the bar in the rain and ran into those thugs at the mouth of the alley.

Sebastian Grant just happened to appear.

My seven years of obsession ended that night.

Sebastian Grant spoiled me in a showy, extravagant way.

People in their circle said he had picked up the trash Adrian Cole didn't want.

He didn't care. In front of everyone, he held my hand, his eyes only on me.

I believed him. I completely let go of Adrian Cole and loved Sebastian Grant with all my heart.

But then Adrian Cole regretted it.

He came to confess to me, and I rejected him.

The tone in their circle changed overnight, and they began mocking Adrian Cole as a clown.

The two archrivals fought over me for five years.

But I never imagined that the real clown, from beginning to end, was me.

At eleven that night, the door lock clicked.

Sebastian Grant pushed the door open and came in, reeking of alcohol.

When he saw me curled up on the sofa, he crossed the room in a few quick strides and pulled me into his arms.

"Where do you feel unwell? Is it serious?"

His hand pressed against my forehead, his tone urgent.

If I hadn't heard those words in the private room, at this moment, I definitely would have thought I was the happiest person in the world.

I turned my head and avoided his hand.

"I'm just tired from preparing for the wedding. It's nothing."

Sebastian Grant didn't get suspicious. He took my hand and led me toward the bedroom.

"Then let me reward you properly."

Those words made my stomach churn.

I pulled my hand back.

"You reek of smoke and alcohol. It's suffocating."

Sebastian Grant paused, then laughed. "All right, all right. I'll go wash up."

The sound of water came from the bathroom.

I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the floor lamp in the corner of the bedroom.

A photo Sebastian Grant had taken of me in Bali last year was still stuck to the lampshade.

In the photo, I was smiling brightly.

Sebastian Grant was holding me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder.

The water stopped.

Sebastian Grant came out while drying his hair, got into bed, and hugged me from behind.

"In one more week, I'll finally marry you, darling."

I clenched the bedsheet beneath me.

"Do you really not mind that I pursued Adrian Cole before?"

Sebastian Grant's arms tightened.

"Why bring him up? I told you, everything in the past is over."

He buried his face in the hollow of my neck and took a deep breath.

"I only love you."

If I hadn't heard him say with my own ears that he had never liked me, I would have believed him again.

"Mm. It's over."

Sebastian Grant's hand slid up from my waist, restlessly exploring higher.

The image of him holding up his phone flashed through my mind, and my whole body went cold.

"I'm tired today. Next time."

Sebastian Grant's hand stopped.

After a pause, he pulled me a little closer into his arms.

"Okay. We'll do what you want. I'm finally going to marry you."

Sebastian Grant's breathing gradually deepened, and the strength in his arms loosened too.

I lay with my eyes open, staring at the ceiling.

Until Sebastian Grant was completely asleep.

I gently pried Sebastian Grant's arm away and got out of bed.

Sebastian Grant's phone was on the nightstand.

The password was my birthday.

I unlocked it and found the encrypted folder buried deep in his album.

I tried the password three times. On the third try, I entered Melissa Stone's birthday.

It unlocked.

Inside were dozens of videos. All of them were of me.

My stomach cramped again.

Select all. Delete. Empty the trash. Exit the album.

Then I opened Instagram.

In the past, I trusted Sebastian Grant and had never gone through his phone.

Now that the trust was shattered, I had to see everything for myself.

First, I found the group chat between Sebastian Grant and his buddies.

The chat history stretched from several years ago all the way to today.

Joe Harris had once sent a photo of me from behind while I was cooking in the kitchen:

[Jane Winters's body is a five from the front and an eight from the back. Sebastian, how do you even put up with it?]

Sebastian Grant replied with a disgusted reaction image:

[With the lights off in bed, all women are the same.]

Daniel Carter followed up with a string of reaction images:

[Sebastian's sacrifice is way too big. Should we give you an award?]

I kept scrolling.

On my birthday, Sebastian Grant had sent a message:

[Have to act all lovey-dovey for half the day again today. Exhausting.]

Joe Harris replied:

[Thanks for your hard work, Sebastian. The buddies will take you out to relax later.]

My hands were shaking.

I kept scrolling and found a contact hidden in Sebastian Grant's contacts, saved under the note Little Moon.

I tapped on the profile photo. It was a side profile of Melissa Stone.

This Instagram account was different from the one I had added.

It was Melissa Stone's alternate account.

I used my own phone to register a new Instagram account and added Melissa Stone's alternate account.

Melissa Stone's posts had no privacy settings.

The latest one was from three days ago.

A photo: Sebastian Grant's hand rested on her waist, the two of them pressed together, cheek to cheek.

The caption:

[He said he'll come to me as soon as the wedding is over. He can't wait.]

Further back was a ten-second video.

Sebastian Grant was kissing Melissa Stone's forehead, and Melissa Stone was tilting her face up with a smile.

The caption was: [Only I am his darling.]

Further back, Melissa Stone had posted a paragraph:

[He said Jane Winters is like a dead fish in bed. Hahahahaha I'm dying.]

Melissa Stone commented on her own post:

[Poor tool. She still thinks she's Mrs. Grant.]

I put down the phone.

Tears fell onto the screen, splashing like a flower of water and blurring that line of text.

As I cried, I laughed.

I got up and went to the bathroom.

I turned on the faucet, and cold water splashed over my face.

I looked at the shattered, devastated face in the mirror.

My eyes were swollen like peaches, and the tip of my nose was bright red.

"Jane Winters, don't be afraid," I whispered.

My heart hardened inch by inch.

Sebastian Grant, I hope you don't regret this later.

I returned to the bedroom and put Sebastian Grant's phone back where it had been.

Then I opened my own phone and started searching for an immigration agency.

After finishing everything, I lay back down in bed.

Beside me, Sebastian Grant turned over, and his arm reached for me again.

I shifted toward the edge of the bed, moving farther away from him.

Jane Winters POV

When I woke up, Sebastian Grant was no longer in bed.

The sound of a spatula clanging came from the kitchen.

"Darling, get up and eat." Sebastian Grant carried the dishes out.

On the table were heart-shaped egg toast with strawberry jam, all things I liked.

I didn't hurry out. My eyes were still a little swollen.

I pressed cold water over them for ten minutes, then applied a layer of concealer.

Only after confirming nothing looked off did I open the door and go out.

Sebastian Grant pulled out a chair for me to sit down and pushed the soup in front of me.

"After breakfast, let's go to the office together. We have an appointment at the bridal boutique today to try on your wedding dress."

He said it with a smile, his tone full of anticipation.

That wedding dress was designed by Sebastian Grant himself.

He had found a workshop in France to sew it entirely by hand over three months. It was worth eight figures.

Sebastian Grant had said he wanted to give me the best wedding dress in the world.

To put on this show, he really had spent a fortune.

I drank a mouthful of milk and swallowed it down.

"Actually, it doesn't need to be so troublesome."

Sebastian Grant ruffled my hair.

"It's not troublesome. To marry you, any amount of trouble is worth it."

I lowered my head and ate without speaking again.

My phone suddenly rang.

I recognized that ringtone.

It was Melissa Stone's exclusive ringtone.

Sebastian Grant glanced at the caller ID, then got up and walked to the balcony.

"I'll take this call."

He slid the balcony door shut behind him.

The glass cut off his conversation.

But I could see him leaning against the railing, head lowered as he smiled.

I looked away and continued eating.

The egg was fried perfectly.

But when I chewed it, it had no taste at all.

Sebastian Grant hung up the phone and hurriedly pushed the door open to come in.

Sweetheart, you go to the company first. I have something urgent to take care of.

He grabbed the car keys from the table, lowered his head, and kissed my forehead.

Before I could answer, he was already out the door.

The door shut behind him, and the draft blew a napkin off the dining table.

Anything involving Melissa Stone was always urgent.

Clients could be ignored. Meetings could be canceled.

One call from Melissa Stone, and he would come running whenever called.

I set down my spoon.

I pulled up the immigration agency I had saved last night and called them.

Hello, I want to immigrate. The sooner, the better.

Of course, maam. Please submit your documents as soon as possible. The fastest we can complete everything is one week.

One week. Exactly the day of the wedding.

After hanging up, I photographed each document the agency requested and sent them over.

More than half the breakfast on the table was still untouched.

I picked up the plate and dumped all the food into the trash.

Sebastian Grants cooking really was good. Too bad I no longer wanted to eat it.

I took a cab to the company myself.

Ever since I got together with Sebastian Grant, he had asked me to work at his company.

He said it was so he could see me every moment of every day.

Only now did I understand.

Seeing me every moment of every day was so he could keep this chess piece under his nose and prevent it from going out of control.

When I arrived at the office, I shut the door and turned on the computer.

For the past five years, I had worked diligently, and I knew Sebastian Grants companys finances inside and out.

I spent two hours organizing a detailed statement of accounts.

Just as I finished, my phone rang. It was Sebastian Grant.

Sweetheart, go straight to the bridal boutique later. I wont come pick you up.

Youre not coming to the company? I asked. Didnt you have an important client to meet this morning?

The other end of the line paused.

I still have something to take care of.

I knew what it was.

No matter how important the client was, how could they compare to Melissa Stone?

Okay. I hung up, picked up my bag, and left.

The bridal boutique was in the downtown commercial district. The storefront was small, but it was top-tier in the industry.

I didnt go in. I simply stood at the glass door.

Inside, the lighting was soft and expensive. Beneath the crystal chandelier, Melissa Stone stood in front of the fitting mirror.

She was wearing my wedding dress.

The handmade lace hugged her waist, and the train dragged across the floor. The gown fit her like it was custom-made just for her.

Melissa Stone turned, the hem sweeping over the floor like a white flower in full bloom.

The staff member beside her had an indescribable look on her face. She stood in the corner, eyes dodging, and no one dared to speak.

I saw Sebastian Grant standing behind Melissa Stone, both hands in his pants pockets, his expression relaxed.

Melissa Stone tilted her head at the mirror, then looked back at him.

Sebastian, do I look better than Jane Winters in this wedding dress?

Sebastian Grant smiled indulgently.

Our Melissa looks good in anything.

Chapter 4

Jane Winters POV

I pushed the door open and walked in.

The wind chime tinkled sharply as I pushed the door open.

Sebastian Grant turned his head. The moment he saw me, the smile on his face froze.

He quickly pulled his hands out of his pockets and strode over in a few steps, taking my hand.

Sweetheart, you got here so fast?

He stepped between Melissa Stone and me, a hint of urgency in his voice. Melissa is just acting like a child. Shes never worn a wedding dress before. She saw that yours was pretty and wanted to try it on. Sweetheart, dont mind her.

He looked back at Melissa Stone, his tone changing.

Stop messing around. Go change out of it.

It was completely different from the tone he had used when he said, Melissa looks good in anything.

Melissa Stone pouted, lifted the skirt, and reluctantly walked toward the fitting room.

So petty. Its just a wedding dress. Its not like I care.

I stood where I was and quietly watched the scene unfold.

In the past, I would have gotten angry. I would have fought with Sebastian Grant and said Melissa Stone had no sense of boundaries.

Sebastian Grant would then helplessly coax me, saying I was narrow-minded, that Melissa Stone was still young and immature, and that she meant no harm.

The old me really was too stupid.

I believed whatever Sebastian Grant said.

I dont mind. Its just a piece of clothing.

Sebastian Grant froze.

He clearly hadnt expected me to be so calm.

In the past, whenever something involved Melissa Stone, every thorn on my body would stand on end.

He probed, Sweetheart, youre not angry?

Why would I be angry?

I looked at him. Didnt you say shes like your sister? Since shes your sister, if she wants to try it on, let her.

In any case, I wouldnt be wearing that wedding dress. It had nothing to do with me.

A flicker of surprise crossed Sebastian Grants face.

But he didnt think too much of it. Instead, he looked relieved.

Sweetheart, Im glad you can think that way. Youre my wife, and from now on, Melissa will be your sister too.

Sister.

I wondered what kind of sister he meant.

Sebastian

Melissa Stones voice came from the fitting room, dragging out the last syllable.

The dress is stuck. Come help me.

Sebastian Grant glanced back at me, then turned and ran toward the fitting room.

The staff member stood to the side, her expression complicated.

She looked at me sympathetically, poured a glass of warm water, and brought it over.

Why dont you sit over there and wait for a bit?

My expression remained normal. I took the water and sat down in a chair in the resting area.

The two of them didnt come out for a long time.

I had no choice but to take out my phone and scroll.

The first post was a photo Melissa Stone had posted of herself trying on the wedding dress.

Melissa Stone was wearing that wedding dress, standing in front of the mirror.

Sebastian Grant was right beside her, his gaze falling on her with deep affection.

The caption read:

[The wedding dress Sebastian and I designed together. Of course I had to be the first to wear it.]

Sebastian Grant had told me this wedding dress was designed for me and tailored to my measurements.

So it was another lie.

It had been designed for Melissa Stone. The measurements were Melissa Stones too.

No wonder it fit so perfectly.

The comments below were exactly as expected.

Joe Harris:

[Melissa looks insane in a wedding dress! Way prettier than Jane Winters!]

Daniel Carter:

[Sebastians taste has always been on point.]

I exited the post hard and locked my screen.

Melissa Stone, why are you in such a hurry?

This wedding dress will be yours sooner or later.

Sebastian Grant will be yours too.

No one is fighting you for him.

I sat in the resting area and finished three glasses of water.

The fitting room door finally opened.

Sebastian Grant came out first. Melissa Stone followed behind him, changed back into her own clothes, but her expression was deeply satisfied.

Sebastian Grant quickly walked up to me, his face full of tenderness.

Sweetheart, come try on the wedding dress.

I got up and walked over.

Just as I reached the fitting platform, there was a dull sound from above.

I instinctively looked up.

The enormous crystal chandelier had come loose from the ceiling and was crashing straight down.

Melissa!

Sebastian Grants reaction was shockingly fast.

He wrapped an arm around Melissa Stones waist and threw them both to the side. The two of them rolled into a safe area.

All I had time to do was raise my arm to protect my head and face.

The crystal chandelier smashed into my shoulder, shards flying everywhere.

Agonizing pain exploded from my shoulder blade and spread through my entire arm.

Warm blood flowed down along my collarbone.

I was knocked to the floor.

The staffs screams sounded as if they were coming from underwater.

Sebastian Grant crouched three meters away, holding Melissa Stones face in both hands and checking her up and down.

Did it hit you? Does it hurt? Let me see.

His brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes full of heartache.

Melissa Stone curled up in his arms, sobbing softly.

Not even a strand of her hair had been hurt.

Sebastian Grants gaze stayed on Melissa Stone the entire time.

He did not think of me at all.

Before I fainted, I saw Sebastian Grant holding Melissa Stone tightly in his arms, gently wiping the tears from her face with the back of his hand.

Chapter 5

Jane Winters POV

When I woke again, I was in the hospital.

Sebastian Grant was sitting in the chair beside the bed.

One hand was holding mine, while the other propped up his forehead, as if he had just woken from a very light sleep.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked haggard and exhausted.

Sweetheart, youre finally awake.

He leaned toward me with a worried face and reached out to touch my forehead.

The anxious look on his face didnt seem fake.

I pulled my hand free, looked away, and stared at the ceiling.

Sebastian Grants hand froze in midair, then withdrew.

The situation was urgent at the time. Melissa was closer to me. I didnt think.

He paused, his voice hoarse. Sweetheart, Im sorry. I didnt do it on purpose.

I didnt look at him. How bad are my injuries?

Sebastian Grant quickly answered, You needed a few stitches, but the bone wasnt injured. The doctor said you can be discharged in two days.

He raised his hand and smoothed the hair scattered across my pillow.

It wont affect our wedding. The boutique has also taken the wedding dress to be repaired. In a week, sweetheart, youll still be my most beautiful bride.

I had been hit so badly I needed stitches, and his first reaction was that it wouldnt affect the wedding.

What he cared about had never been me as a person. It was whether that performance could go on smoothly.

I tugged at the corner of my mouth. Thats good.

Since it wouldnt affect the wedding, then naturally it wouldnt affect the gift I had prepared for them, either. Nor would it affect my leaving.

It really was good.

For the next few days, Sebastian Grant stayed at the hospital without leaving my side.

Feeding me water and meals, changing my bandages, wiping me downhe did everything himself.

During the day, he had his assistant bring documents to the ward and reviewed them right beside my hospital bed.

At night, after I fell asleep, he still got up to tuck in my blanket.

With my eyes closed, I listened to his light footsteps as he walked over, and I found it absurd.

I was already asleep. Who was he putting on the act for?

On the day I was discharged, Sebastian Grant personally came to pick me up.

But the car did not head in the direction of home.

Sweetheart, to celebrate your recovery, I arranged a surprise for you. Everyone is already waiting.

The car stopped in front of the private club.

I looked at that familiar entrance and said nothing, following him inside.

When he pushed open the private room door, all of Sebastian Grants buddies were there.

Joe Harris was the first to stand, smiling broadly. Jane Winters, congrats on getting discharged!

Daniel Carter also came over with a glass of wine. Jane Winters, youve suffered. Well celebrate properly tonight.

Every single one of them was smiling like they meant it. They were the same group of people who had treated me like a joke in the private room that day.

Melissa Stone was there too.

She sat in the corner. When she saw me come in, she glanced at me lightly, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.

Sebastian Grant pulled me down to sit and personally poured me a glass of juice.

Sweetheart, you just got discharged, so you cant drink. Have juice today.

I didnt think much of it. I took it and began drinking.

The dinner was lively, with glasses clinking all around.

Halfway through the meal, I got up to go to the restroom.

As I walked down the hallway, my head began to feel heavy.

My vision was a little blurry, and my legs were going weak.

I leaned against the wall for a while, cold sweat breaking out on my forehead.

Something was wrong.

A hand suddenly covered my mouth.

Someone dragged me from behind into the private room next door.

The private room door was locked from the inside.

A greasy middle-aged man shoved me onto the sofa, letting out a disgusting laugh.

Pretty little thing, youre mine now.

I retreated in terror, but the man lunged at me like a starving wolf.

I struggled desperately, but my whole body was weak, and I had no strength in my arms.

Not to mention, the other party was a grown man.

The difference in strength was too great.

The man tore my clothes apart.

Get away! Dont touch me!

Pretty little thing, someone gave you to me. Just accept it.

A wave of nausea hit me. My stomach churned violently, and I almost threw up.

Help! Is anyone there? Help me!

I shouted in despair until my voice turned hoarse.

Sebastian Grant!

But no one answered.

The mans hand clamped around my neck.

My vision began to blur, and all that remained in my ears was his vicious laughter and panting.

I remembered that stormy night five years ago and closed my eyes in despair.

How had I forgotten? Last time, Sebastian Grant had been the one who arranged those thugs in the first place, then personally came to play the hero and save the damsel in distress.

How could he possibly come save me?

And this time, who had arranged it?

I closed my eyes in despair.

The private room door was kicked open.

Sebastian Grant rushed in like an asura from hell, his eyes full of violence.

He grabbed the greasy man by the collar, yanked him off me, and threw him onto the floor.

His fist slammed into that greasy face.

The man screamed twice and collapsed to the ground.

But Sebastian Grant did not stop. His fists rained down on the man.

His knuckles were covered in blood. I couldnt tell whether it was his or the mans.

Not until that man had completely passed out and gone still.

Joe Harris and Daniel Carter rushed to the doorway. They were stunned by the scene before them, and neither dared to step forward and pull him away.

I curled up in the corner of the sofa, trembling all over.

My vision went dark, and I lost consciousness.

Chapter 6

Jane Winters POV

When I woke again, I found myself lying in the bed at home.

Sebastian Grant was not in the room.

From the living room came the sound of him on a phone call. Through the door, I couldnt hear what he was saying.

I opened the computer. Sebastian Grants Instagram was still logged in.

I clicked into that group chat and scrolled to their conversations from the past two days.

Two days ago, which was the day I was hit by the crystal chandelier at the bridal boutique.

Sebastian Grant:

[Melissa, you went too far. If the crystal chandelier had hit Jane Winterss face, the wedding wouldnt be able to happen.]

Melissa Stone:

[Who told her to take my wedding dress? I just taught her a lesson!]

Sebastian Grant:

[Shes only wearing it temporarily. Itll be yours sooner or later.]

During the two days I was hospitalized, Joe Harris called for him in the group several times:

[Sebastian, come out for a drink? Stop guarding her. No need to bother with her anymore, right?]

Daniel Carter also joined in the teasing:

[Sebastian, youre way too dedicated. You dont have to go this hard for an act, do you?]

Sebastian Grant did not reply to any of it.

Melissa Stone couldnt sit still anymore and questioned him directly:

[Are you actually in love with Jane Winters?]

Joe Harris reminded him:

[Yeah, Sebastian. She liked Adrian Cole for seven years. She was Adrian Coles simp.]

Daniel Carter echoed:

[Who knows what she and Adrian Cole have done together? Sebastian, dont lose your head.]

Someone else said:

[Sebastian, weve spent so many years preparing this plan. There are only a few days left. We cant fail at the last step.]

After a long time, Sebastian Grant replied with two words:

[I wont.]

Melissa Stone refused to let it go:

[Then call Jane Winters to the private club and drug her yourself. Ill get someone to sleep with her. Then Ill believe you!]

So that was it.

The crystal chandelier had been premeditated by Melissa Stone.

The so-called celebration of my recovery had all been a cover.

Sebastian Grant and the others had planned to hurt me!

There had been something in the glass of juice Sebastian Grant handed me, and he had put it there with his own hands.

That greasy man had been found by Melissa Stone.

Sebastian Grant knew the whole time and cooperated with it.

A new message popped up. It was a voice message Melissa Stone had just sent.

Melissa Stone was crying so hard she could barely breathe:

[Sebastian, why did you save her? Did you really fall for her? Do you not love me anymore?]

After a while, Sebastian Grant replied:

[Melissa, dont overthink it. If something happened to her this time, what would we do if the wedding couldnt go on? Once the wedding is over, you can play with her however you want, okay?]

I let out a miserable laugh. The fury in my heart was beyond words.

I forced myself to stand, walked into the walk-in closet, and began packing my things.

Over the past five years, Sebastian Grant had given me countless things.

Limited edition bags, full sets of jewelry, the latest top-tier haute couture clothes.

Once, all of these had been proof that he loved me.

Now, I tossed these priceless things into cardboard boxes like I was throwing away garbage.

Sebastian Grant heard the noise and pushed the door open.

Sweetheart, you just woke up. What are you busy with?

He looked at the closet that was already more than half empty, his handsome brows drawing together.

The empty room seemed to make him uncomfortable.

When we move into the marital home in a few days, well have to bring all these things over anyway. I might as well pack early.

I didnt lift my head. I answered in a normal tone while continuing to put things into the boxes.

Sebastian Grants brows relaxed, and a smile appeared in his eyes.

He was very satisfied with my answer, thinking I was preparing for their future married life.

Dont wear yourself out.

He walked over and pulled me up. Ill have someone clean all this up. You just woke up, so rest properly and focus on being my bride.

I nodded.

Perfect. I really didnt want to touch any of it anyway.

Sebastian Grant gave the servants a few instructions, changed into another jacket, and left.

He was probably going to coax his little childhood sweetheart.

The servants worked quickly. In less than an hour, they had packed everything into boxes.

I called a secondhand luxury goods buyer.

It was rare for them to run into such a major client, so they brought an appraiser straight to the door.

Wearing gloves, the appraiser examined each item one by one, shaking his head as he looked. These are all brand-new. Some styles are even sold out at the boutiques. Are you sure you want to sell them all?

All of them. Cash payment.

In less than two hours, all the boxes were loaded into the buyers truck.

My phone received a text notification from the bank confirming the deposit.

The number was long enough to keep me fed and clothed for the rest of my life.

I deleted the message, opened a ticket-booking app, and booked a flight for the day of the wedding.