Chapter 26: She Wasn’t Afraid Of Him
“Nothing to be overly concerned about Mrs. Woods, just some series of physical breakdowns caused by extreme fatigue. Apparently, your husband is a workaholic,” Ryan lied diplomatically.
Kourtney’s eyes narrowed in a mixture of relief and annoyance. “Fatigue? That’s it?”
“Yes, he just needs some rest and a healthier work-life balance. It’s not uncommon for high achievers to push themselves too hard. Bastian needs to learn when to take a break.”
Kourtney sneered. “OH… I see. It was nothing serious, and your friend here made me pamper and feed him like he was some dying old Grandpa! All this drama for fatigue?”
Sebastian, unapologetic, shot back, “Well, isn’t it nice to know you care so much?”
Kourtney, not one to let Sebastian have the last word, retorted, “Oh, you’ll be lucky if I even lift a finger again. You can feed yourself!”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, a challenge in his eyes. “Is that so?”
He shot her a sour look while Ryan couldn’t help but chuckle as he watched the bickering couple.
His handsomely sculpted face hinted at an age comparable to Sebastian’s very late twenties. Kourtney was good at reading people, and she sensed an air of genuine concern from him. It was clear that Ryan cared deeply for Sebastian’s well-being.
‘Well, that is a good thing. At least this man’s annoying ass still has good people around him,’ she thought.
“You’re my darling wife! What’s wrong about feeding your beloved husband?” Sebastian scoffed, his eyes flashing with dominance.
Kourtney rolled her eyes at Sebastian’s grandiose statements. He was always trying to make it seem like they were a happily married and deeply in love couple.
“Well…. I didn’t sign up to be your nanny. I have better things to do than pamper an overgrown man-child!” she shot back with a haughty snort.
Sebastian, his ego slightly wounded, sighed, recognizing the stubbornness he had married into. Funny enough, he seemed to like that she was stubborn. He found a peculiar joy and strange satisfaction from the fact that she wasn’t afraid to stand up to him.
She even dared to mock and defy him in front of others. And he enjoyed it!
For years, people tiptoed around him, fearful and obedient. In fact, he had grown bored of everyone being afraid of him, obeying his every command and doing his bidding without question. Finally, there was someone who challenged him, even if that someone happened to be his wife.
It was something he hadn’t realized he needed in his boring and soulless life-a challenge that made him feel even more alive than any conquest or business deal.
They were both strong-willed individuals who didn’t back down easily and it created a unique dynamic between them. It was a refreshing change, even if it meant they clashed from time to time like this.
His tone was edged with amusement as he spoke again. “You always find a reason to complain, don’t you?”
“Maybe if you weren’t so dramatic, I wouldn’t have to,” Kourtney sneered, her lips curling with contempt.
Ryan, silently observing the theatrical exchange between them, found himself grinning from ear to ear as they went back and forth.
The almighty and seemingly invulnerable business mogul, Sebastian Woods was being treated like any other husband by his wife. He never thought he’d see the day when Sebastian would be taunted like this by a woman.
Ryan had known him since childhood as a formidable and aloof figure. Sebastian was also notorious for his cold-hearted and narcissistic nature, so seeing him teased and challenged by his wife was a revelation.
Actually, it was laughable!
“Ahem,” he cleared his throat, “Bastian, we need to go over some important details privately. We must discuss your condition and ways you could avoid getting breakdowns like this in the future.”
Kourtney, sensing an opportunity to leave the room and give them space for their conversation, decided to play along.
“I’ll go out to get some fresh air for a while. Please excuse me!”
She really needed the fresh air, especially after that intimate moment with Sebastian earlier. A soft blush crept up her cheeks as she remembered how tightly he held her against his body.
‘Oh God. What a pervert,’ she thought.
“Make sure you don’t go too far!!!” Sebastian’s deep voice contained an air of authority.
“Whatever!” Kourtney nonchalantly replied to him and then gave a polite nod to Ryan before working towards the door.
“BBut the allergy…. Isn’t it the reason you’re here in the first place?” Ryan cut to the chase as soon as the door closed behind Kourtney. His eyebrow shot up in disbelief.
He was still at a loss for words and had so many questions racing through his mind that he hardly knew where to begin.
“Yes, it is,” Sebastian said with a smirk.
“Then how come you’re suddenly cured and could embrace her? We’ve been working for years on your condition. We had no breakthroughs.”
Sebastian’s eyes gleamed with a mysterious amusement.
“I don’t know Ryan. It just seems like a miracle because my allergy seems to be non-existent with her alone.”
Ryan’s shock deepened. His scientific mind struggled to process the revelation. “Bbut how?”
“Honestly… I don’t understand it either. But it’s a good thing for me. I decided to take the plunge, so now I’ve married her,” Sebastian said firmly, his words leaving no room for doubt. A small smile played on his lips.
Torn between the skepticism and the evidence before him, Ryan managed a weak smile. “This is… wow… so unexpected.”
“Life often is, my friend.”
“Well…. she’s one of a kind!”
Sebastian grinned. “I know.”
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Kourtney gracefully exited the room, leaving Sebastian and Ryan to their serious discussion. Once outside, she took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and frustration.
Encounters with Sebastian always left her feeling emotionally charged, and stepping into the hospital corridor was like stepping into a different world.
She strolled around aimlessly, her mind replaying the recent events until she came across a fruit stand strategically placed in one of the lobbies. The vibrant colors and fresh scent instantly caught her attention, and she found herself contemplating whether to buy some for Sebastian.
She pondered, “Well, he’s not feeling well, and fresh fruits would be good for him.”
She loved eating fruits herself; they were a source of comfort and energy, especially when she was over-stressed or had fatigue from work.
However, her practical side kicked in. “No, he would probably mock me for being overly caring. After all, I did declare I wouldn’t bother with him anymore.”
She stood there for a moment, deliberating the decision to buy fruits for her supposedly sick husband. Despite his annoying and arrogant behavior, there was a part of her that cared a part that wanted to make sure he was taken care of.
“Oh… why do I even care? I don’t even like that arrogant perv!”
It felt strange that she cared enough to consider buying him fruits, even though he was so exasperating. She sighed, remembering how he would likely become more pompous and ridicule her for it.
After a brief internal struggle, she finally decided to buy some apples, pineapples, watermelons, grapes, and berries.
“I’d just say I was craving fruits and wanted to eat some for myself before thinking of him,” she muttered to herself.
With a small bag of fruits in hand, Kourtney started making her way back to Sebastian’s hospital room.
However, her steps halted when a couple caught her eye in the hallway – they were standing close, sharing a sweet and romantic moment. The man held the woman’s hand, and they exchanged smiles as she caressed her tummy lightly.
The hospital corridor suddenly felt suffocating as she struggled to breathe while a pang of hatred and jealousy tugged at her heart!