Chapter 10

LILIAN

Lilian sighed as soon as she drove to her uncle’s mansion. Albert Miller, Sebastian’s father, was her mother’s older brother and the richest among four children.

Lilian’s mother was the only female child, and that was why her brothers were so protective of her. Most especially Albert, and no doubt that same possessiveness was transferred to Lilian.

Albert Miller was the best uncle Lilian could ever ask for. He was kind, charming, and humble. He behaved nothing like his son, Sebastian.

Because of the good relationship that existed between her uncle and her mother, Lilian could not decline the invitation.

She finally found a spot to park, reached for her purse and wrapped gift, then got out of her car.

“I was already beginning to think my baby sister wouldn’t show up,” a familiar voice said.

“You know I can’t say no whenever it comes to Uncle Albert. Mom will be so mad at me,” Lilian replied.

Gabriel closed the gap between them and pulled his younger sister into a hug. “You look beautiful as always.” He kissed her cheek.

“Thank you.” She smiled.

“So, how’s Jayda?” He asked as they walked into the mansion.

“She’s good. She had to go over to her parents’ place. That’s why she couldn’t come with me.”

The two living rooms were filled with guests who were either family or close friends of the Millers. Lilian greeted the people she recognized. She went over to the gift corner and placed her gift among other presents that were meant for the celebrant. A card was included in her gift so Uncle Albert would know it was from her.

Vanessa Miller, Sebastian’s mother, was happy to see Lilian. She pulled her into a hug before excusing herself to welcome other guests and check out how the chefs were doing in the kitchen.

Everything about Vanessa was perfection. She looked far younger than her age, and she was also loving and caring. Lilian couldn’t have asked for a better wife for her Uncle Albert. They were truly made for each other.

Like always, Gabriel ditched Lilian to go talk to some girls. She took a glass of red wine from a waiter that was passing by. She was about to settle down on one of the couches when she made eye contact with her uncle, who had Sebastian beside him.

Albert signaled for her to come over and she did just that.

***

LILIAN

“How is my niece doing today?” Albert pulled Lilian in for a hug.

She smiled. “I’m fine, Uncle Albert. Happy birthday to you. Long life and prosperity.”

“Thank you, dear. I’m glad you’re here. Say hello to Sebastian,” Albert said, gesturing at Sebastian who was standing beside him holding a glass of champagne.

Lilian took a glance at the asshole who hurt her best friend. As usual, he was looking very handsome despite the fact that he had a stern look on his face.

He’d be even more handsome if he smiled. Sebastian was the total opposite of his parents and twin sisters. It made Lilian wonder what planet he came from.

“Hello,” Lilian mumbled, looking back at her uncle.

“I was just asking him when he was going to give me my first grandchild,” Albert said.

Sebastian groaned. “We’ve agreed not to talk about this, Dad.”

“I’ll keep on talking about it until you give me a grandchild. I want to have one while I’m still healthy and have the energy to run around with him or her.”

“Fine, I’ll just go have a kid, then,” Sebastian said grouchily.

His father frowned.

“Because I asked for a grandchild doesn’t mean I expect you to get involved with a lady only for the baby, and neither do I expect you to bring a woman to your mom and me, pretending to love each other and then divorcing few days after the baby is born.

“I just want you to be happy and build your own family. I want you to experience what your mother and I have.”

“It’s not my fault, Dad. Women only want me for my money,” Sebastian said with a scowl.

Lilian looked at him in disbelief.

“I believe there’s someone for you out there, someone who will love you for you and not for what you have. Just give yourself the chance to mingle,” Albert completed.

SEBASTIAN

Sebastian wondered why his father was saying all this in front of his cousin, whom he didn’t like a bit.

“You both should catch up. I will go greet the other guests,” Albert said, then left the duo.

LILIAN

After Jayda told Lilian everything Sebastian did, she’d wanted to go give him a piece of her mind, but she’d respected her best friend’s wishes and stayed away.

She remembered that Jayda had said she’d thrown her high heel at him and looked to see if there was still a bump. She chuckled as soon as she saw the right side of his forehead. There was still a slight mark.

“What are you staring at? Don’t you know it’s rude to stare?” Sebastian spoke, handing over the empty glass to a waiter.

Lily chuckled in disbelief. Her cousin was so full of himself.

“You’re one to talk about being rude, Seb, considering you’re one of the rudest men I’ve ever met. I’m ashamed we’re related.”

“Whatever makes you sleep at night.” He tucked his hands into his pocket.

“By the way, what happened to your forehead?” Lilian asked, pretending not to know anything.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I bumped my head against the wall,” Sebastian said almost immediately as if he had been practicing the lie.

“Really? It looks like someone threw something at you. Like a stone or something.” Lilian mocked, trying to hold back her laughter. She was happy that her best friend had defended herself against this jerk.

“As I said, it’s none of your business,” Sebastian said through gritted teeth.

Lilian could see the anger all over his face, but she didn’t care. He deserved getting hit by a shoe.

“So when will you give your dad a grandchild?” Lilian asked, but Sebastian gave her no reply. She laughed at him.

“Perhaps if you treat people nicer and stop having stupid thoughts that everyone is after your money, you might eventually find someone willing to put up with you.”

Sebastian’s expression turned even darker. “I didn’t ask you for advice.”

Lilian chuckled right in his face. “You’re a dumbass and a huge asshole. I feel so sorry for whoever you end up with. I also pray your child never acts like you.”

“Don’t bring my future unborn child into this,” he snarled.

“That’s if you eventually have one and not die a lonely person,” Lilian mocked.

A petite blonde walked up to Sebastian, wrapped one of her arms around his waist possessively, and shot Lilian a polite glare.

Lilian shook her head in disbelief. She couldn’t believe Sebastian had moved on as if what happened between him and her best friend meant nothing. Jayda, on the other hand, was trying very hard to forget about him.

“I hope you know he will end it with you the moment you both step out of this party,” Lilian said to the blonde clinging to Sebastian.

“Sheila is not my date. She’s a friend.” Sebastian said as he untangled Sheila’s arm from his.

It was so obvious Sheila was into him. She might be his friend, but the blonde wanted to be more than that.

Lilian wanted to break her promise to Jayda but held herself back. Jayda didn’t want Sebastian to know she was friends with Lilian. Her best friend’s feelings mattered more than Lilian’s need for revenge.

That didn’t mean she couldn’t be a little petty, though.

“I saw you at Louix about a month ago. I called out to you, but you were with a beautiful woman. Your eyes never left hers, which is why I guess you didn’t see me. Was she that special?”

SEBASTIAN

Sebastian went still. She was talking about the night he’d gone there with Jayda. That was the last time he’d been there, and that was the last time he’d had sex. He couldn’t believe he had been celibate for a month now.

“What I do with my life is not your business, Lilian,” he growled.

From his reaction, Lilian could tell he felt the same way as Jayda. She was satisfied her best friend was not the only one suffering.

“I shouldn’t be telling you this, but because you’re my cousin, I will. A colleague of mine came with that same woman to our office party last week. Liam said he likes her, and he not only plans on making her his girlfriend but also his wife and mother of his future children. He said she’s gone through a lot of heartbreaks, and he plans on making her forget all the douchebags that hurt her.”

Lilian smiled. She knew her mission was accomplished when she saw Sebastian’s angry face with his clenched fists. That would teach him the lesson he deserved.