Chapter 71

"Oh my God! Alexander! Are you okay?" Isabella silently cursed inside, then forced a laugh. "Mr. Kingsley, you certainly have a way with jokes today. Enough to keep me on my toes."

"I'm serious, Isabella. I'm not joking!" Alexander's voice rose, his large hand reaching out to grip her shoulder, but she smoothly twisted away.

"Mr. Kingsley, as I recall, I've already said everything I needed to say today. Must I spell it out for you?"

"I know you've already rejected me."

Alexander stared at her, his dark eyes filled with bitterness. "I also know you're with Nathaniel now. But I still want you to know—if you ever change your mind, I'll be here. I don't mind being your second choice. Or even your lover."

Isabella nearly scoffed. Lover? What do you take me for?

Yet there was something undeniably magnetic about his gaze, especially now, shadowed with melancholy. No wonder he had always been so successful in love.

Too bad she was completely immune.

Compared to him, she preferred Sebastian's eyes—cold, piercing, yet impossible to ignore.

"Isabella, who was that man who attacked Sebastian? Are you close to him?" Alexander pressed, his tone urgent.

"Mrs. Kingsley!"

Before she could answer, Gordon appeared, dressed in hospital scrubs.

"Why are you out of bed?"

Isabella quickly stepped past Alexander, steadying Gordon. "Even though your injuries aren't severe, you still suffered a concussion. You should be resting, not wandering around."

"Mrs. Kingsley, did you save Mr. Sebastian?" Gordon asked eagerly.

"I didn't do much," she murmured, guilt tightening her chest.

"I knew it. I knew you still cared about him!"

"Is Mr. Sebastian done with his treatment?" Isabella swiftly changed the subject.

Gordon nodded, hopeful. "Mrs. Kingsley, could you stay? Just to see him."

With a deep breath, she walked toward Sebastian's room, her steps heavy.

After all, it was her brother who had hurt him. She couldn't just walk away.

Inside the ward, Sebastian leaned against the bedframe, staring out the window. Despite the bruises marring his face, his sharp features remained striking. His usual cold, proud gaze held a rare vulnerability now, softening his edges.

This was the face she had loved for thirteen years.

Even now, it stirred something in her—though not the same desperate passion as before.

"Mr. Kingsley."

"About tonight—I will get answers. Before I lose my temper, get out of my sight." His voice was ice.

Isabella had always been stubborn. The more someone told her not to do something, the more she wanted to do it.

She stepped closer, meeting his frigid glare head-on. "Mr. Kingsley, I came to apologize. If you want to press charges, do it against me. He hurt you because of me, so I'll take responsibility. If you prefer to settle this privately, I'm willing. If you want to make it public—well, I doubt you'd enjoy the scandal. You're about to marry Victoria. A public feud with your ex-wife won't look good."

Every word cut deep.

She was defending the man who had attacked him. Protecting him.

And Sebastian? He was nothing but a joke to her.

"Isabella, who is he? What is he to you? Why would you risk your life for him?" His voice was rough, his eyes burning.

"The gun wasn't real. I'm fine."

"Does that matter? The moment you stepped in front of him, it meant everything!"

He tried to rise, but pain forced him back. Frustrated, he slammed a fist against the mattress. "You claimed to love me for three years. Yet nothing you did ever proved it. Did you think I was blind?"

The alcohol had stripped away his restraint.

A disciplined soldier, he had endured gunshot wounds without a sound. But this pain—this betrayal—he couldn't control.

"So you're not angry because someone hurt you for me. Not because I nearly died. You're angry because you think I lied to you. Because your pride can't take it." Her voice dripped with disappointment.

Sebastian glared but said nothing.

"Sebastian, we're over. Why does any of this matter?" She exhaled sharply. "You're just furious because what was once yours now belongs to someone else. You hate losing control. That's all this is."

His jaw clenched. "Tell me who he is. Tell me your relationship with him, and I'll drop this."

"No."

"Then leave Nathaniel. Cut ties with the Lockwoods. Maybe then I'll consider settling this privately."

She laughed coldly. "In your dreams."

Her lips, soft and tempting, curved with defiance.

Sebastian's gaze darkened. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was something else.

But right now, he couldn't resist.

"Fine. If you won't talk, I'll have my lawyers handle this." She turned to leave.

In a flash, he grabbed her wrist, yanking her against his chest.

Her body collided with his, her breath hitching as she felt his heartbeat—wild, unsteady.

"Sebastian! Let—mmph!"

His mouth crashed onto hers.

She shoved at his shoulders, but his hand tangled in her hair, holding her in place as he deepened the kiss.

His lips were relentless, his tongue claiming hers with a hunger that left her dizzy.

"Mmph—let go—!"

Her protests dissolved into breathless gasps. She struck his shoulder, but he only kissed her harder, swallowing every sound.

Heat flooded her cheeks. Her knees weakened.

Three years of marriage, and he had never once kissed her like this.

Now? He was devouring her like a man starved.

It was too much. He was too good at this.

How many times has he kissed Victoria?

The thought sent fury through her. With a sharp bite, she drew blood.

"Ah—!" He jerked back, his lips stinging.

"Bastard!" She slapped him—hard.

The sound cracked through the room. A red mark bloomed on his cheek.

Rage flared in his eyes—until he saw hers, glistening with unshed tears, her lips swollen from his kiss.

His anger faltered.

"Sebastian! What am I to you? You humiliated me during our marriage, and now, even divorced, you think you can just—just take what you want?" Her voice shook as she wiped her mouth. "If you need to vent, find someone else. But if you think you can manipulate me, think again. Next time, I'll break more than your pride."

With that, she stormed out.

Sebastian stared after her, regret twisting in his chest. He opened his mouth—but no words came.

What the hell had he just done?

He had kissed her. Like a madman.

Before he could process it, Alexander strode in.

"Sebastian, what was that shouting? I heard you two all the way down the hall." His gaze dropped to Sebastian's bruised lips. His eyes widened. "Oh my God. You didn't—? You're about to marry another woman!"