Chapter 4Who Are You Dating?

When we arrived at the restaurant, the maître d' bowed respectfully. "Mr. Henderson."

He led us to a private room in the back, an elegant space complete with its own koi pond.

I sat across from Sebastian. He had the cuffs of his shirt loosely rolled up, revealing well-defined wrists. The pale skin made the blue veins stand out even more.

"You can order," I said, not even looking at the menu. "I'm not a picky eater."

Sebastian smiled. "Alright."

I took the opportunity to text the kid, Noah. [You told Sebastian you wanted to eat at a French place? I almost got caught. Are there any other details I need to know? Tell me now.]

Suddenly, the door to our room was pushed open.

A familiar voice rang out. "Sebastian? You're back in the country?"

I froze.

Julian clicked his tongue, his voice bored. "I thought this room was empty, so I didn't bother making a reservation. The others are full. Mind if we share?"

I ducked my head, trying to shrink into nothing. But I forgot what Julian once told me: he could recognize me even if I was reduced to ashes, just so he could scatter me to the wind himself.

"Thea?" The lazy drawl in his voice instantly turned to ice.

I didn't dare look up.

Worse, my phone lit up with a reply.

[Huh? No way. I never told my brother where I wanted to eat. I hate French food. I like rotisserie chicken.]

My eyes widened in horror.

"Look at me, Thea," Julian growled, his voice a low threat.

Sebastian's fingers tapped lightly on the table. "Is that any way to speak to your sister-in-law?"

"My what?" Julian's voice shot up an octave.

Only then did I slowly raise my head, offering a weak smile. "What a coincidence." Then, taking Sebastian's cue, I added, "Little brother."

"Who the hell is your little brother?!" Julian exploded. He pointed a shaking finger at me, then turned to Sebastian. "You don't know she dated me?"

Sebastian sipped his coffee, completely unbothered. "I didn't. Are you two still together?"

"No, no! We broke up a long time ago," I interjected quickly.

"Shut up," Julian snapped, his voice tight with suppressed rage. Each word was ground out from between his teeth. His hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles white. "Sebastian, didn't you run a background check on me when I was dating her? Don't you dare lie to my face and say you don't know who she is."

Sebastian crossed his legs, his posture relaxed. In the suffocating tension, he actually managed a lazy smile. "I did. So what?"

Julian's eyes were red with fury.

I sighed and decided to intervene. "Don't be mad. Maybe we just weren't meant to be. Why don't you have some water and calm down?"

I started to get up to pour him a glass.

"Thea." Sebastian's voice was light, but his gaze was sharp.

My heart seized. I immediately sat back down, perfectly still.

Julian looked at me in disbelief. "You argue with me about everything, but you listen to him like that? Did he put a spell on you?"

I didn't answer. To be honest, Sebastian was just more intimidating.

A long silence passed.

Finally, Julian's voice was hoarse. "When did you two get together?"

I couldn't answer that.

Sebastian answered for me, his tone even. "End of last year."

"When, exactly?" Julian pressed, relentless.

"The day after Christmas."

My smile froze on my face.

A cold, mocking sneer spread across Julian's lips. "Wow, Thea. You really are something else."

Julian and I had broken up on Christmas Day.

But I wasn't the one who started talking to Sebastian on the 26th!

I kept my mouth shut, swallowing the bitter truth, and let him think I was the kind of girl who moved on in a day.

Seeing my silence, Julian slammed the door on his way out.