Chapter 5
Just then, Sebastian called.
Nathaniel answered, “Mr. Hayes.”
Sebastian’s cold voice came through the phone, “Did you bring Roxanne back?”
Nathaniel swallowed hard. “No. Ms. Sawyer secretly bought a ticket to Cloudia City.”
Sebastian fell silent. He ended the call without a word.
His face remained impassive as he pulled up Roxanne’s number and dialed. This time, he was making the call himself. This was considered his concession.
But the call rang for a long time until it disconnected automatically. Roxanne didn’t pick up the phone.
Sebastian stared at the darkened screen, his expression unchanged. She had quite the temper. Not only did she ignore Nathaniel’s calls, but she ignored his calls, too.
Sebastian called his other assistant, Jamie Jones.
“Find out where Roxanne is staying in Cloudia City. Book the earliest flight. I’ll go get her myself.”
Jamie hesitated for a moment before answering in a polite tone, “Yes, Mr. Hayes.”
…
Roxanne had always wanted to visit Cloudia City. The city had stunning landscapes, a pleasant climate, and breathtaking scenery. She planned to travel from there all the way back, taking her time over the course of a month.
The grandeur of the mountains and the clarity of the water allowed her emotional wounds to fade into insignificance. She felt as if her heart had been cleansed in the process.
Compared to nature’s vastness, her heartache seemed trivial.
Roxanne joined a tour group to Crystal Lake and admired the most beautiful willow blossoms. After a full day of exploring, she returned to her homestay at 9:00 pm.
When she unlocked the door, she saw a tall, familiar figure sitting inside.
She rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Her eyes widened in shock.
The figure was still there. It wasn’t a hallucination.
For a moment, her eyes wavered. Why was Sebastian here?
His commanding presence filled the room. Impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, he exuded authority even while seated.
He was making phone calls.
He lifted his gaze, his face expressionless as he looked at Roxanne standing in the doorway. “Why didn’t your phone ring?”
Roxanne froze for a second. She pursed her lips and said, “I threw the old number away.”
Sebastian nodded and put away his phone.
“I’ll get you a replacement when we return. Now, pack your things. We’re going back to Valoria.”
Roxanne’s lips twitched. She instinctively took a step back. Her bright eyes were sharp and resolute.
“Sebastian, we’ve broken up.”
Sebastian frowned. “Just because I canceled the engagement party? Does it matter that much to you?”
Roxanne pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
Sebastian took long strides toward her and sighed. “I’ll make it up to you with a grander engagement party. Don’t be mad, alright? Look. I even came all the way here for you.”
Roxanne scoffed, retreating further until she reached the hallway. “So what? Am I supposed to be grateful? Do I need to thank you for your generosity?”
A bitter smile tugged at her lips. “I don’t want it! I don’t want your pity, and I don’t want you. We’re done.”
It was the second time she mentioned that they were done.
Sebastian had originally intended to be patient, but now, his face darkened. “Break up? Could you really do it?”
His voice carried an arrogant disdain. His words were like a blade to her chest.
Yes, Roxanne couldn’t bring herself to break up with him. Everyone knew she couldn’t. Sebastian knew it, too.
He knew how deeply, passionately, and recklessly she loved him. That was why he never hesitated to hurt her, ignore her, and neglect her.
Even the people around him looked down on her.
It was her fault. She had been too much of a hopeless romantic, lowering herself to the point of insignificance. She had made herself the easiest target.
Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head and met his gaze firmly. “I will, and I can.”
Roxanne pointed to the door. “Now, please leave.”
Her calm and distant demeanor made Sebastian frown.
For the past seven years, she had always been his bright little sunshine. Even when she threw a tantrum, it was only because she wanted him to comfort her. He would always pat her head, and everything would be fine.
But now, she felt like a stranger. Her indifferent gaze unsettled him.
He felt a pang in his stomach, the pain sharp and sudden. He rubbed his forehead, trying to suppress his growing frustration.
“Roxanne, stop this. You know I’m busy, and I don’t have time to coax you right now. Just be good, okay?”
The exhaustion on his face was real. He’d taken a red-eye flight and arrived at the homestay around 10:00 am. He hadn’t slept since then and had been waiting for her.
He had already shown his willingness to compromise. She should be satisfied and take the chance to step down.
But Roxanne took another step back. The love in her eyes was gone.
“Sebastian, I don’t need you to coax me. You never did before, and I won’t need it in the future. This is where we end.”
She turned and walked toward the door. “If you won’t leave, I will.”
As she did, a loud crash echoed behind her.
She turned around in shock.
Sebastian had collapsed to the floor. His tall frame curled up in pain.
A sleek, professional woman swiftly brushed past her and rushed to Sebastian’s side.
“Mr. Hayes, are you alright?” Jamie’s face was filled with urgency.
She shot a glare at Roxanne. “Mr. Hayes flew overnight to find you. He hasn’t had a sip of water since yesterday. Ms. Sawyer, don’t you think you’re being too heartless?”
Roxanne pulled out her phone and called an ambulance. She calmly relayed the situation before she hung up.
“I’ve already called an ambulance. That’s not heartless, right?”
With that, she turned to leave.
Jamie stared after her, stunned. “Aren’t you going to the hospital to take care of Mr. Hayes?”
Roxanne didn’t stop in her tracks. “I’m not a doctor. What’s the point?”
Sebastian clutched his stomach, pain wacking his body. His blurred vision fixed on her unwavering figure, walking away without hesitation.
