Page 5 of Forever His Favorite
Harold froze mid-breakdown, his frantic eyes dimming, confusion replacing his panic. His chest still heaved, his lips trembling as though he didn’t know whether to keep crying or listen.
Emily sighed, softening her tone as she forced a small, reassuring smile. “I don’t even remember exactly how I got these, but Sebastian didn’t hurt me!”
Harold’s tears stopped as fast as they had come. He leaned closer, searching her face like he could peel away the truth from her skin.
“You are not lying to me?” he asked, his voice small and uncertain.
“Yes, I’m not lying!” Emily said gently, as if she were calming a frightened child. “I’m alright.”
Before Harold could answer, a deep voice cut through the house. “Who are you talking about?”
The sound of it made Emily’s heart jolt.
Both she and Harold turned toward the staircase. Sebastian was descending slowly, his sharp gaze flickered between them.
Harold jerked upright, springing to his feet as if caught doing something forbidden. Emily scrambled up after him.
The tears in Harold’s eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a blaze of fury as he squared his shoulders.
“You brought a woman into your home without telling our family?” His voice trembled, half with anger, half with nerves. “I’ll complain to Aunt Camila and Mom. I’ll tell them everything you’ve done! How could you not even inform anyone in our family before getting married?”
In the next breath, Sebastian’s arm coiled around Emily’s waist. With a swift pull, he yanked her off balance. She stumbled forward, colliding with his chest, her breath catching as his body heat wrapped around her.
He kept her pressed tightly to him, her small frame caged in his hold. Sebastian lowered his head until his lips hovered by her ear, his breath hot against her skin. His voice was quiet but laced with intimacy and authority. “Baby, Harold is going to tell his mom about us today.”
Emily’s pulse raced as she stared up at him, caught in the intensity of his gaze. “What?” she whispered, barely able to process the words.
Sebastian’s gaze bore into her, his brows raised in a quiet, teasing challenge. “Any problem?”
Her face flamed, her throat tight. “N-No,” she blurted quickly, stumbling over the words. “I’m just… not used to being this close to you in front of people. Or telling them about… us.”
She tried to step back, but his hold only grew firmer, locking her in place. With effort, she twisted in his arms just enough to face Harold. A nervous laugh slipped from her lips. “Harold, I am married to Sebastian.”
Harold’s face fell. His anger drained, leaving sadness etched across his features. His gaze dropped, then lifted back to Emily with a heavy look. “I know. I heard it at the party.”
Then, without warning, he reached out, grabbing Emily’s hand and pulling her toward himself. She stumbled, her balance tipping as he tugged her close.
His face twisted with emotion as he turned toward Sebastian, his voice pleading. “Bro, can you please stop hurting Miss Emily? If you want, hurt me instead! I won’t say a word—I’ll take it all, every bit of it. Just don’t hurt her.”
Emily’s eyes widened, startled by the sheer desperation in his tone.
Sebastian’s expression darkened instantly, irritation flashing in his eyes. In a flash, Sebastian’s hand snapped out, seizing Emily’s wrist and yanking her back into his chest. She gasped at the sudden motion, her body pressed tight against his again. His arm slid firmly around her waist, locking her against him.
His cold gaze cut toward Harold. “Don’t snatch my wife like that again,” Sebastian said in a low, displeased voice. His arm tightened possessively around Emily’s waist, the hard line of his jaw clenching as his eyes glinted dangerously. “She is your sister-in-law. From now on, you’ll respect her. She’s not your friend anymore.”
Harold’s pleading face instantly shifted. Offense and shock twisted his features. His brows furrowed, and he shot Sebastian a glare, snapping, “No, I don’t want to. Miss Emily is my friend!”
Sebastian’s gaze sharpened. “Alright then,” he said coldly, “You’re going back to Canada tomorrow. For the next seven years, you’ll continue your studies there.”
A strangled, angry sound ripped from Harold’s throat, somewhere between a protest and a sob. His face reddened with frustration, his eyes glossing with tears.
He clenched his fists and, despite his rebellion, his gaze swung desperately to Emily. Through those unshed tears, he stammered out in surrender, “Sister-in-law… I-I’ll respect you from now on.”
Chapter 3 Perfect Gifts
Emily’s lips parted in discomfort, her brows pinching together. She gave Harold a stiff, awkward look, almost cringing, and turned toward Sebastian. “Stop it. I feel so uncomfortable.”
Sebastian pulled her closer, pressing her against his chest until her heartbeat thudded against his.His head dipped, his breath ghosting against her cheek as his lips brushed dangerously close to her ear.
