Chapter 11

Isabella’s Pov

My lungs seized.

Sebastian stood before me—no trace of the fragile man I once believed him to be.

He stood tall. Commanding. Towering over me.

His gaze was sharp. Focused. Calculating. No confusion clouded his eyes.

Innocence had vanished. So had that empty stare.

He looked lethal.

“You… you can walk?” The words left me in a choked whisper.

Sebastian tilted his head. His eyes locked on me like a hawk sighting prey.

“And speak,” he replied, voice smooth and controlled.

My chest tightened. My mind reeled, struggling to make sense of it.

“You’re not disabled? Your mind isn’t… broken?” My voice shook. “Then why—”

He lifted a hand. “Calm down, Isabella.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for panic. “There’s an explanation.”

“An explanation?” I laughed, sharp and unsteady. “I bathed you. I undressed you—thinking you were a child!”

A slow, wicked smirk touched his lips. “I won’t lie. That day tested my control.” His eyes glinted. “I fought hard not to react.”

I went still.

He stepped closer. His voice dropped, low and teasing.

“But looking back…” He sighed, a dark amusement in his tone. “I have no idea how I held back.”

My hand flew out before I could think.

It struck his cheek with a sharp crack.

Sebastian didn’t even flinch. His smirk only deepened. His gaze turned intense.

“You lied to me,” I spat. “You watched me—”

He moved lightning fast.

His hands locked around my waist. He yanked me hard against his chest.

I gasped, struggling.

But I was trapped.

Too close.

His scent wrapped around me—clean aftershave and rich coffee.

My heart hammered. Heat flooded my veins, pooling low in my stomach.

A flutter tightened in my chest. Warmth climbed my neck.

I hated this.

I hated how my body answered his.

“Let me go,” I whispered, but the words sounded weak.

Sebastian leaned in. His lips brushed my ear. “Why?”

My breath caught.

Why was I feeling like this? I’d never seen him this way before.

He had always been helpless. Childlike.

But now…

Now I knew.

I’d been living with a fully aware, dangerous man.

And he was toying with me.

Sebastian chuckled softly. His fingers traced my spine.

“You’re being cold, Isabella.” Amusement colored his voice. “Aren’t you my wife?”

I clenched my jaw, pushing against him. He didn’t move.

His lips grazed my neck. Electricity shot through me.

Then—he bit down.

I gasped at the sharp sting. He pulled back slightly, studying the mark on my skin.

“A hickey,” he murmured, satisfied.

My legs shook. I felt weak in his arms. My own body betrayed me.

Wetness gathered between my thighs. My toes curled.

“Stop,” I murmured, but there was no force behind it.

He laughed softly. “Why? You asked me what marriage means.”

He was enjoying this. Tormenting me. He knew exactly what he was doing.

This couldn’t be happening.

This wasn’t real.

I needed to escape.

Then his voice turned icy.

“Why are you here, Isabella?”

I blinked, disoriented. “W–What?”

His grip tightened.

“What are you planning with Alexander?”

My breath caught.

Alexander?

What did he have to do with this?

Sebastian’s expression shifted. All playfulness vanished. His eyes turned deadly. Sharp.

“Enough games,” he said, tone freezing. “I know Alexander sent you. He wants to know what I’m doing. Doesn’t he?”

I stared, shocked. “What are you talking about?”

Sebastian laughed low—a sound without humor. “Don’t play innocent. We both know you’d do anything for Alexander.” His fingers brushed my jaw, then tightened. “Even sleep with another man.”

Rage blinded me.

My hand struck his cheek again.

This time, he flinched.

My whole body trembled. “How dare you?”

Sebastian turned his face back to me. His expression was unreadable.

Silence fell.

Thick. Heavy. Dangerous.

Then, he smirked.

And that terrified me more than anything.