She Took My Seat, He Took Her Side, I Took Another Man Chapter 10

She Took My Seat, He Took Her Side, I Took Another Man Chapter 10

“Mr. Hale. My wife is uncomfortable with your presence. Please leave.”

Sebastian stood in front of me. He had a full head of height on Dominic, and when his gaze dropped down,

the pressure was suffocating.

Dominic still refused to move. “Who do you think you are? I’m not leaving today. If Sienna doesn’t come with

me, I’ll follow her wherever she goes.”

That single sentence set a new low for my definition of shamelessness.

“Not leaving? If I recall correctly, most of your deals have already collapsed. Keep this up, and the board might just remove you from your position entirely. The Langston deal is your lifeline, isn’t it? Three-quarters of your revenue. Mr. Langston is practically on his knees begging me for a partnership opportunity right now. One phone call from me-how many days do you think you’d last?”

Sebastian’s few words drained every last trace of color from Dominic’s face.

“Still here? Then I suppose you’re begging me to make that call.”

At that, Dominic didn’t hesitate for a single second. He grabbed Nina and left.

By the time the wedding formalities wound down, the sky outside was already deepening toward dusk. Lanterns across the estate began to glow one by one, bathing everything in warm amber light. Sebastian stayed beside me through the socializing; I barely had to open my mouth.

The feeling was entirely foreign. For seven years, at every dinner, every banquet, I’d handled everything on my own. Blocking drinks. Making small talk. Keeping a smile plastered on until my face ached. Catching every word and lobbing it back, never once showing fatigue. But now, someone was standing in front of me,

shielding me.

And in that moment, a thought surfaced-how long had this man liked me?

I knew he liked me. He’d never once hidden it. But back then, I’d only had eyes for Dominic. I hadn’t even

glanced in that direction. He’d helped me more times than I could count, and every time, I’d thanked him

politely, kept a polite distance, and politely pretended I hadn’t understood what he meant.

So how long had he been waiting?

“Sebastian,” I said, “how long have you liked me?”

The hand holding his glass paused mid-motion. Then he turned to look at me, a trace of surprise in his eyes. But beneath that surprise was something else entirely-something that looked a lot like finally, after all this

time, being asked the question he’d been waiting for.

“A long time,” he said. “So long I’ve almost lost track of where it even started.”

I said nothing.

He just lifted his glass and drained the rest of his drink in one swallow.

“Sienna.” He set the glass down and tilted his head toward me. “I’m in no rush.”

Those words landed, and it felt like my heart skipped a beat.

The celebration ended late. My parents were staying in the west wing guest room. After dinner, I went to check on them. My mother was already asleep. My father sat by the window, still holding that wad of cash Dominic had thrown at him-smoothing out each bill, one by one.

He sensed me at the door and turned his head.

“Sienna,” he said quietly, “come sit.”

I walked in and took the chair beside him. He laid the money on the table, pressed it flat with his palm, and

said nothing. I didn’t say anything either.

Father and daughter, we just sat there like that for a long time.

Finally, he spoke first. “Sienna. I’m sorry.”

I blinked. “Dad…”

“It’s my fault.” He shook his head. “My whole life, I only had one daughter. And I couldn’t protect her. That’s

on me.”

My throat seized up. I dropped my head and fought back the burning ache with everything I had.

“Dad,” I said, my voice cracking, “I’m fine. Look-I’m right here.”

I drew a breath and forced the heat behind my eyes back down.

“That young man-Sebastian.” Dad paused. “He’s a good one.”

I nodded. We talked deep into the night before I finally came out.

When I left my father’s room, I nearly ran straight into Sebastian, who was carrying a blanket out of the

master bedroom.

“I’ll take the guest room. You’ve had a long day-get some rest.” His voice was careful, tentative.

Seeing him like that, I couldn’t help it-I laughed. “Don’t bother moving. We can share.”

Sebastian stopped. “Sienna. You don’t have to force yourself.”

I shook my head.

From this moment forward, I would never force myself again-or anyone else. What didn’t belong to me, I wouldn’t chase. What didn’t serve me, I wouldn’t do.