The last time Sebastian kicked me out of his car, I knew it was over. I wasn't as heartbroken as I expected. Honestly? I felt relieved. I agreed to the arranged marriage my family set up and prepared to move to Germany with my new fiancé. On Sebastian’s birthday, our friends teased: "I wonder what Sophie got for Sebastian this year? That plot of land he's been eyeing? Bet she hands it over on a silver platter." But the party ended, and I never showed up. He didn't know I was already on a plane to Germany. And he didn't know I was finally done with him. 1 Friday morning, I got a text from Sebastian. Come to the family estate tonight. 6 PM. I replied "Okay" and tossed my phone aside. At six, I went downstairs. Sebastian’s Bentley was waiting. His driver, Mr. King, opened the passenger door for me. I nodded thanks and got in. Unsurprisingly, Sebastian and Bella were in the back seat. They were laughing and chatting, completely ignoring my existence. Fine by me. I leaned back and closed my eyes. After a while, Bella seemed to finally notice the extra person in the car. "Sophie," her voice was soft, almost timid. "Sorry, did we wake you?" Old me would have snapped back. You knew you were loud, so why didn't you shut up? Or maybe, Who do you think you are talking to me? But this time, I didn't. I shook my head calmly. "No. Carry on." Bella froze for a second, then continued, "It's all Sebastian's fault for distracting me. I didn't even see you get in. You aren't mad at me, are you?" She stuck out her tongue playfully, then clung to Sebastian’s arm. "Seb, tell her not to be mad. It's my first time meeting your grandfather. I can't have him upset with me." "Don't worry, Bella." Sebastian’s voice dripped with affection. He kissed her cheek, then looked at me. His eyes were cold, a warning in their depths. "Sophie wouldn't do that. Right?" It wasn't the first time he'd questioned me because of her, but my heart still stung. In his mind, I was that petty. I let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Of course. I wouldn't stoop so low." 2 Something I said triggered him. The air in the car turned freezing. Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "Sophie Shen, what do you mean by that?" I straightened up and met his gaze in the rearview mirror. "I said I wouldn't stoop so low as to sabotage her. Is that clear enough, Mr. Stone?" It was the first time I'd addressed him so formally. Sebastian fell silent. I looked away. Our families had arranged our engagement when we were kids. Back then, he was the handsome, gentle boy next door. I was infatuated with his dark, expressive eyes. Now, the gentleness was gone, replaced by a sharp, cold stranger. And frankly, I didn't want to force my way into his world anymore. The silence was broken by Bella’s sobbing. "It's my fault. I made Sophie angry. I only asked to come because I was nervous about being alone... I'm sorry." She bit her lip, looking at Sebastian with teary eyes. "Sophie, please don't be mad. I won't go." She fumbled with her seatbelt, her hands shaking too much to unbuckle it. Sebastian grabbed her hands, pulling her into his embrace. He murmured comforts until she cried herself to sleep in his arms. When he looked up again, the tenderness vanished. He glared at me. "We both know the engagement is a joke. It means nothing compared to Bella. I'll say this one last time: I don't love you. I only love Bella." I knew. I knew he loved her. The whole social circle knew. His bias was blatant. 3 "If Grandfather didn't insist on seeing you," Sebastian said coldly, "I wouldn't have brought you along to upset Bella. Get out." Kicked out of the car again. But this time, as I stood on the curb, I exhaled. I wasn't devastated. I was... relieved. I remembered my birthday. I had been mad at him for dating Bella. To cheer me up, he rented out the ballroom at The Peninsula. But he arrived halfway through the party. My friends tried to comfort me. "Sebastian definitely saved the best gift for last. Just wait." I believed them. But when he opened the box, it was a bracelet—a free gift-with-purchase that came with the expensive necklace Bella was wearing. Before I could even react, his phone rang. It was Bella. "Seb... did you leave the door unlocked? I hear noises downstairs... I'm scared..." Her voice trembled like a frightened kitten. My skin crawled. But Sebastian ate it up. He chuckled softly. "Babe, I'm at a friend's birthday. Don't be silly." Then came a scream and a crash from the other end of the line. Sebastian’s smile vanished. He looked at me. "Sophie, stay here and enjoy the party. I have to go check on Bella." He didn't wait for me to speak. He turned and ran. I don't know what possessed me, but I chased after him. I only saw his taillights fading into the distance. I squatted on the curb for hours. It started to rain. Night turned into dawn. My legs went numb, and I collapsed onto the pavement. That was the moment I finally understood. Unrequited love is a lonely war. The boy I loved was gone. And finally, so were my feelings for him. 4 "Sophie Shen." I looked up to see a pair of long legs approaching. My gaze traveled up to a face that was devastatingly handsome. Even better than his photo. Months ago, my dad asked if I still wanted to marry Sebastian. I said no. His relationship with Bella was serious. I had lost. Or maybe I never even played. To Sebastian, I was just a childhood joke. But Sebastian’s grandfather credited me with saving his life once, so he insisted I be his granddaughter-in-law. My family didn't know how to break it to the old man. Then, three days ago, Dad showed me a photo. "How about this guy?" He was exactly my type. Dad laughed. "This is the youngest son of the Cheng family. You should get to know him." I didn't realize then that "the Cheng family" meant The Cheng Family of New York. "I didn't think you'd come," Julian Cheng said. After all, my "childhood sweetheart" had just kicked me to the curb. Julian was just a stranger, an arranged match. "Sophie, don't sell yourself short. You're worth showing up for." His eyes were sincere. If I didn't know better, I'd think he liked me. I smiled and got into his car. As I reached for the seatbelt, he leaned over. His scent—clean, expensive—filled my senses. My breath hitched. His long arm reached across me, pulling the belt. For a second, it felt like a hug. My heart started pounding. As he started the engine, his voice was warm. "You probably haven't eaten. May I have the honor of taking you to dinner?" Usually, I don't dine with strangers. But this time, I said, "Sure."
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "386383", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel