The grand hall fell silent.
Every head turned as the rhythmic sound of heels clicked against the polished marble staircase.
And then she appeared.
Bella Harrison.
She descended gracefully, her champagne-gold gown shimmering under the chandelier's glow. The dress hugged her figure in all the right places, a soft silk that caught the light with every step. The sweetheart neckline framed her delicate collarbones, while the daringly low back revealed smooth, glowing skin. A thigh-high slit teased with every stride, showing off her long legs adorned in strappy crystal-studded heels.
Her soft curls cascaded over one shoulder, brushing against a diamond pendant that sparkled with each step. Her hazel eyes, highlighted with golden tones, gleamed with quiet confidence, and her glossy pink lips curved in a smile that could stop hearts.
And Sebastian Whitmore's heart did stop.
His breath caught sharply. His chest clenched. For a moment, the world blurred, the chatter faded, and it was only her. His girl.
Five years.
Five years since he last saw her. Five years of carrying her memory like a ghost. And now—here she was, real and devastatingly beautiful.
Sebastian's usually composed expression faltered. His storm-grey eyes widened, his lips parting as though he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. Then, slowly, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth—small, private, dangerous.
I came back planning to dig into her life tomorrow. To gather every detail… and now fate drops her right in front of me. Bella Harrison. My Senorita.
Bella, oblivious to the storm she'd just unleashed, rushed forward and hugged her father tightly.
"Happy birthday, my princess," Richard Harrison said, voice warm with pride.
Bella grinned up at him, eyes dancing.
"Just your princess?"
Her playful reply brought chuckles across the hall.
"Oh la la, Senorita!" Julian Whitmore gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "Are you trying to kill every man alive with this hotness?"
Bella smirked, tossing her curls back. "Well… I am hot. And clearly—it's working." She winked at him boldly.
Julian stumbled back in mock pain, holding his heart. "Someone call the ambulance. I've been slain!"
The room erupted in laughter.
But Sebastian didn't laugh.
He stared. Stared like a starving man. His smirk grew slowly, darkly. Desire and possession burned in his veins. God, she's so damn hot. Not the innocent little girl I left five years ago. She's confident, bold… a woman now. Those lips—juicy, glossy… I want to bite them. That back—smooth, perfect… I want to kiss every inch.
His fists clenched at his sides as he inhaled deeply, forcing himself to stay composed. Every second was torture.
And then—she felt it.
Bella stopped mid-conversation, her smile faltering as her skin prickled under an invisible fire. Slowly, she turned her head.
Her hazel eyes locked with his storm-grey ones.
Her brows knit in confusion at the way he was staring at her—so intensely, so unapologetically. She tilted her head, raising a single brow as though silently asking, What?
Sebastian's lips curved into a smirk. That sexy, dangerous smirk.
Bella rolled her eyes and turned away, but his smirk only widened.
She's fire. She has attitude. Perfect.
His thoughts tangled into a vow:
Bella Harrison. Senorita. Abhi's sister. Always so close, yet I never noticed. But now? Now you're mine. Be ready, my girl. I'm not letting you slip again.
"Baby doll, you look beautiful," Abby Harrison said warmly, hugging his sister.
"Thanks, Brother," Bella smiled, melting in his embrace.
Sebastian's jaw tightened. He masked it quickly, but the possessiveness burning inside him was fierce. He hated—absolutely hated—that anyone else could hold her so freely.
Feeling his eyes continously she gets annoyed thinking
Why is he staring at me like that?
Seriously, what's his problem? Frowning every time Abby, Julian, or Mia hug me… who does that? Ugh, arrogant people are the worst. Heartless, controlling jerks.
But even as she rolled her eyes inwardly, her pulse raced.
And yet… damn it, why does his stare feel like it's burning through my skin? Why does it make it so hard to breath.
"Senorita," Julian cut in, tilting his head curiously, "what are you thinking about?"
Bella smirked, masking her racing thoughts. "Oh, nothing you can handle."
The laughter picked up again—but Sebastian Whitmore's gaze never wavered.
Bella twirled gracefully as the last wave of laughter faded. Her gown shimmered like liquid gold under the lights, and her smile was brighter than any jewel. She tapped her chin playfully and looked around the group.
"By the way," Bella teased, her eyes glinting mischievously, "where is my gift?"
Julian clutched his stomach dramatically.
"First cut the cake so I can eat, then I'll give you a gift!"
Everyone chuckled at his antics—until a deep, familiar voice thundered from the entrance.
"Darling!"
The hall fell silent.
All heads turned toward the doorway, and there he stood—Jake Harrison.
Handsome, tall, dressed in a tailored navy suit that clung perfectly to his broad shoulders, a sleek suitcase in his hand. His boyish grin stretched wide, his dark hair slightly tousled from travel.
Bella's hazel eyes lit up instantly, her breath catching.
Her lips whispered his name like a prayer.
"Jake…"
Before anyone could react, Jake opened his arms wide.
Bella didn't hesitate. She ran. The sound of her heels clicking against the marble echoed like drumbeats as she closed the distance. And then—with a joyful laugh—she leapt into his embrace.
He caught her effortlessly, spinning her once as though she weighed nothing. Bella's laughter rang through the hall like music.
"I missed you so much!" she whispered against his ear, her voice trembling with happiness. "Thank you, thank you, Jake—you made my birthday so special! I love you so much."
And then—without thought—she pressed a quick kiss against his cheek.
Jake chuckled warmly, hugging her tighter.
"How could I ever miss my darling's birthday?"
The room filled with soft laughter and smiles from the Harrisons and Whitmores alike.
Everyone—except one.
Sebastian Whitmore.
His storm-grey eyes hardened, his jaw tightening like steel. His face remained outwardly composed, but inside… fire. A raging inferno. His blood boiled, jealousy clawing at his chest until it burned to breathe.
Darling?
She just ran into his arms—like she belonged there.
She kissed him. In front of everyone. And she smiled for him, a smile I've been craving for five damn years.
Sebastian's fists curled at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. His body stiffened, his throat thick with a rage he couldn't express. The sound of Bella's laughter with Jake felt like knives against his skin.
He couldn't take it anymore.
Without a word, he turned sharply on his heel and strode out of the hall. His polished shoes clicked against the marble, echoing louder than they should have, each step dripping with restrained fury.
He pushed through the tall glass doors and out into the lawn.
Cool night air hit his face, but it wasn't enough to douse the fire inside him. The garden lights glowed softly, casting golden halos over the grass and hedges. Yet even the peaceful beauty of the evening couldn't calm him.
Sebastian stopped in the middle of the lawn, his chest heaving. He dragged a hand through his hair, pacing like a caged lion. His stormy eyes were blazing with unspoken words.
She called him darling. She kissed him.
Every second replayed in his head, sharper, crueler. His jaw clenched, the muscle ticking as he tried to rein in his emotions.
For the first time in years, Sebastian Whitmore—the man of control, of precision, of cold power—felt utterly powerless.
And it drove him insane.