Chapter 3

Faith was proud to the bone. Once she decided something, no one could change it.

Not even when I was the one asking to break up.

Her first reaction was simple: no.

"Sebastian, you were unconscious all night."

"Your head isn't clear right now."

"This kind of talk."

"I don't want to hear it again."

She turned and walked out of the room.

She wanted to leave me alone to cool off.

What she didn't know was that my mind was already made up.

After dark.

Faith came back, but this time she wasn't alone.

She brought my grandmother with her.

My parents dumped me on Grandma the day I was born, then vanished from my life.

Grandma raised me by herself.

The moment I saw her come in, leaning on her cane, I understood exactly what Faith was doing.

In this whole world.

Grandma was my one weak spot.

And sure enough.

She came to the side of my bed, took my hand, her eyes rimmed red. "Sebastian, honey, Faith told me you don't want her anymore. Is that true?"

I looked over at Faith, not knowing how to answer.

Grandma adored her.

Everyone around me thought that landing a fiancée like Faith.

Was the best thing that had ever happened to the Gilbert family.

But nobody knew.

In the places outsiders never saw.

Just how much pressure I'd been carrying.

Faith lifted a hand and wiped away the tears she'd just forced out.

"Grandma, all I ever wanted was for him to succeed."

"But he thinks I'm trying to control his whole life."

"Is it wrong to want my man to succeed?"

Grandma hurried to comfort her. "Sweetheart, you did nothing wrong. You're wonderful. You're the most capable, most impressive girl I've ever met. Whatever Sebastian did, let me apologize on his behalf."

"Sebastian, this is your fault."

"Faith wants you to succeed."

"You need to work hard."

"Don't let her down."

Facing Grandma's earnest, pleading words.

I nodded hard. "Grandma, I'm sorry. I just spoke too fast and said the wrong thing."

"I never meant to leave Faith."

I paused.

Then I apologized to Faith too.

When I saw the smile lift at the corner of her mouth.

For some reason.

A thread of loathing rose in me for this woman I'd once loved so deeply.

"Grandma, this is a hospital, the smell is awful. Let me take you home first."

Faith took Grandma home, then came back.

Seeing that I was fine.

She spoke as she packed up her things. "I've already handled your discharge."

"This hospital stay cost three thousand, start to finish."

"I paid it, but you're paying me back."

"Same as always. The usual rules."

"Sign an IOU once you're home."

I answered flatly. "Got it."