Chapter 190

"Emily follows Susan everywhere. It's been like that since they were kids. In school, Emily would get lunch for her and even tie her shoelaces. She was like a nanny. When Susan was going to study abroad, Henry didn't want her to go alone, so he sent Emily with her."

Hearing this, Isabella thought of Susan's arrogance and said, "Emily's got it rough."

"That's not the whole story," Kelsey said. "When they were applying to colleges, Emily didn't get in, but Susan, who always had bad grades, got into a top university. At the Anderson family banquet, everyone drank a lot and stayed over. Someone saw Emily coming out of Sebastian's room in the middle of the night, and rumors started."

Kelsey watched Isabella's reaction. "My brother asked Sebastian about it, but he didn't confirm or deny anything. One Christmas, I saw Sebastian and Emily walking together with friends. Since then, people said they were a couple."

"And then?" Isabella was intrigued.

"Then Susan went abroad, and Emily went with her."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Isabella said, "That doesn't prove anything. If Sebastian doesn't admit it, it didn't happen."

"True," Kelsey said, worried. "But aren't you afraid old feelings might come back?"

Isabella was surprised, then laughed. "I never thought about that."

Seeing Emily and Sebastian together had made her uneasy and jealous. But she had realized they hadn't done anything wrong. She trusted Sebastian and didn't think Emily was that bad. Gradually, she stopped worrying.

Maybe because of recent experiences, Isabella stayed calm hearing Kelsey's stories.

"Anyway, keep an eye out," Kelsey advised, still uneasy.

Because of Kelsey's words, Isabella felt a bit suspicious when she saw Sebastian.

That night, after they were intimate, Sebastian held her as they fell asleep. But Isabella couldn't sleep.

She finally spoke up. "Sebastian?"

Sebastian, half-asleep, responded groggily.

"Kelsey told me some things about you and Emily."

Sebastian's breathing was heavy. Just when Isabella thought he was asleep, Sebastian moved and kissed her hair lightly. "If you want to know something, ask me directly. I'll tell you everything."

Isabella lifted her head. "You'll tell me everything?"

"Yes." Sebastian looked at her tenderly.

Isabella said, "Now that you say that, I don't want to ask anymore."

"Why?" Sebastian held her tighter, his cheek brushing her ear, tickling her. "Not interested in my past?"

Isabella said, "I was curious after hearing Kelsey. But since you're so straightforward, I believe there's nothing between you and Emily."

Sebastian chuckled. "But I still want to tell you."

Isabella wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'd love to listen."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you didn't want to ask?"

"Whether I want to ask is one thing. Whether you want to tell is another. The best relationships are where you share without being asked."

Sebastian chuckled. "Didn't know you were a philosopher, Bella."

Isabella nudged him. "Come on, spill it."

"Alright." Sebastian's eyes softened. He ran his fingers through her hair and began recounting the past.

It was Susan's graduation banquet. The place was packed, and the air reeked of alcohol. Young Sebastian was in a foul mood after a big argument with Charles and had a few too many drinks.

A servant took him upstairs to rest, and he ran into Susan and Emily at the corner. Susan was furious, kicking and cursing at Emily, even tearing her dress. Emily just stood there, head down, silent.

Sebastian didn't want to get involved, but he saw a bit of himself in Emily. So he stepped in.

"Sebastian?" Susan stopped immediately, her anger replaced by a sweet demeanor. The dispute ended just like that.

Sebastian went to his room to rest later. In the middle of the night, he felt someone crawl into his bed-a cold, trembling body. Startled, he pushed the person away and turned on the lights. Emily stood up shakily from the floor, crying.

She revealed that Susan had taken her grades. Emily was the one who got into the top university, but Susan took credit, ruining Emily's chance to escape. Emily started undressing, begging Sebastian to take her away, willing to trade her body for it.

Sebastian refused and kicked her out of the room.

"So you didn't deny the rumors to protect Emily?" Isabella asked.

Sebastian shook his head. "I didn't confirm or deny anything. If it happened, it happened. She needed a shield, and it wasn't a big deal for me, so I let them think what they wanted."

Isabella looked at him with admiration. "You're too good, Mr. Landon."

Sebastian lowered his head, nibbling on her lips. "It was nothing. I was just afraid telling you would make you uncomfortable. There's nothing between me and her."

"I know," Isabella nodded. "I believe you."

"Good."

With her doubts cleared, Isabella finally felt at ease. "Alright, let's sleep."

Sebastian turned over, holding her chin and shaking it gently. "I can't sleep now."

Isabella opened her eyes. "Hmm?"

Feeling the change in his lower body, Isabella's eyes widened. "Didn't we just do it?"

Sebastian laughed and pecked her lips. "You know your husband's stamina."

With that, he pulled the blanket over their heads.

Under the blanket, Isabella's voice pleaded, "Sebastian, stop."