Page 55 of Born Free

I realize now that it’s been quiet for several beats too long. The thoughts are radiating off of Sebastian again.

“You and Roman really never… While you and I were together?”

He finally drops what’s really been building. The cause of so much anger and betrayal and one attempt at murder.

“Roman and I never did anything,” I say. I don’t have to explain myself, but I do want Sebastian to understand. “When you and I were together, I was one thousand percent in, Sebastian. I loved you, and I truly thought I saw the rest of forever with you. Things ending between you and me?” I shake my head. “They never had a thing to do with Roman.”

Sebastian looks over at me, and I see his eyes studying the truth on my face through his sunglasses. Does he believe me? He was so convinced before that Roman and I were having an affair.

But can’t he see it all over me?

I might have kept a lot of things from Sebastian when we were together, and just as Archer King predicted, my lies were my downfall. But that confession I just gave? It is absolute truth.

“You really never realized how Roman looked at you, from the moment he met you?” Sebastian asks, to my surprise, with genuine curiosity in his voice.

I look at Sebastian, feeling just a little unsteady. Confused. Disconnected. “People keep saying that. That Roman has been waiting for me. That there was something from the beginning. But apparently, I’m the world’s most clueless woman, because I truly had no idea.”

Sebastian continues studying me. Sebastian knows me in ways no one else does. There are just some ways that no one else in this world will ever understand me, and I him.

“I believe you,” he says, his voice low, soft. He looks ahead. “But now?”

“Now things are different,” I confess. My confidence doesn’t waver. I take in a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever is about to come. “Things changed. Somewhere along the way, Roman became everything I need, and it was like all the pieces of the puzzle just slid into place.”

Sebastian swears under his breath, looking away at nothing in particular.

“This is not about you, and it’s not about the history between us,” I push on, determination coursing through my veins. “I didn’t go looking for this, but somewhere along the way—”

“You don’t have to explain it, Juliet,” Sebastian says in a hard tone between clenched teeth. “Everyone on the damn planet can see it just looking at the two of you. Like you two were written on the books of time as always being meant to fall for one another. Every bit of me wants to deny it, but I saw the change between you two in that cottage in Roter Himmel.”

Is it true? Is it really that obvious?

Maybe Sebastian isn’t so far off. Archer King also made a prophecy about Roman and me, long before I had any feelings toward Roman but fear.

There are words at the back of my throat, something like “I’m sorry”, but I’m not sorry, and I can’t regret anything in my past because it’s led me right to where I need to be.

“You don’t deserve to be miserable and alone forever, Sebastian,” I say gently. “I wasn’t the one. And yes, I think you have some work to do on yourself, but you’re one of the smartest people I know. You’re so damn capable, it’s astounding. Heal, Sebastian. And then you can find someone you can rise with.”

He is quiet when I’m finished. I know there are dark, heavy thoughts rolling through his head. I know there’s a weight on his chest. I know he wants to argue with my words.

But he simply stays silent.

I want Sebastian to heal. He’s done terrible things. But he is capable of so much love.

It just can’t be with me.

Orlando’s hotel looms just one block away. We wait for the light to change.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I believe everything you’ve said, Juliet,” Sebastian says as those dark eyes slide over to meet mine. “If I had the choice, it would still be you and me, forever. But I can admit that it’s not what was supposed to happen. I don’t have to like it. But I’m not going to stand in your way. You love Roman. Roman loves you. There will be plenty of problems the two of you have to deal with, but I won’t be one of them.”

It's as if a vice falls from my chest. Air comes into my lungs just a little easier. I don’t feel so heavy anymore.

I didn’t need Sebastian’s blessing.

But now that I have it, it feels as if an anchor has just been cut loose from my feet.

“Thank you,” I say hoarsely.

He attempts a small smile but turns away when the crosswalk signal comes on. Without another word, we go our separate ways, him to speak to Orlando, me to get into position and wait.

---