Chapter 83
Her heart stuttered.
The past few days’ chaos flooded her mind.
Was he involved?
Or was this just another paranoid thought?
Best not to confront him—not yet.
She turned sharply, moving in the opposite direction, determined to keep her racing heart under control.
Sebastian, however, had already seen reports of Lexi visiting the hospital, confronting Dominic, and demanding answers.
His worry for her had been raw, almost suffocating.
And now, seeing the media swarming with rumors linking her to Logan—his blood boiled.
“Lexi!” he barked, removing his sunglasses, his voice slicing through the late afternoon air.
Her steps faltered.
Her heart hammered, trapped in a chaotic tug-of-war between fear, anger, and desire.
She bolted.
He chased.
Furious, relentless, every step echoing her own panic.
Three steps from him, she glimpsed the subway entrance.
Salvation.
Lexi darted inside, the press of commuters separating her from Sebastian.
She smirked, fleetingly—he would never take the subway, born into wealth and privilege, untouchable in his world.
Her fleeting joy vanished as she saw him pull out a MetroCard and swipe it through the turnstile.
Sebastian.
The Blackwood heir.
Tenacious.
Ridiculous.
“Unbelievable,” she muttered under her breath as she entered the crowded car.
Rush hour was brutal.
He would have to push through the sea of bodies to reach her.
And he did.
But before he could reach her, a piercing scream rang out.
“Hey! Did you just touch my p>
The subway car froze.
All eyes turned.
A middle-aged woman had grabbed Sebastian by the arm, her face red, spittle flying as she accused him.
“How could someone so handsome be so disgusting p>
Sebastian’s face was ice, a storm barely contained behind his dark glasses.
“I did not touch you. Don’t lie.” His tone was steel.
The woman, seasoned and stubborn from years of city streets, was enraged by his arrogance.
“Don’t think your suit scares me! I’ve seen men like you before—wolves in sheep’s clothing p>
Sebastian’s jaw tightened.
His eyes gleamed like sharpened blades.
The urge to rip her into pieces was palpable.
But he stopped himself, knowing his composure was key.
Lexi, however, couldn’t let him take the fall.
She stepped forward, brushing the pain from her forehead where she’d bumped it.
“Sir, I saw him. He didn’t touch you p>
The woman’s eyes swept Lexi from head to toe—young, beautiful, composed.
Yet, fueled by her indignation, she refused to yield.
“We have evidence,” Sebastian interrupted, pulling Lexi into his embrace, strong arms like iron around her.
“This is my girlfriend. I wouldn’t touch anyone else, let alone you p>
He bent, pressing a confident, deliberate kiss to Lexi’s lips.
The world seemed to pause.
Her heart hammered as if her chest would split open, lost in the storm of sensations.
The subway car erupted in flashes—people snapping photos, gasping, whispering.
Lexi pushed him away, her breath ragged, eyes blazing.
Sebastian’s gaze softened, yet the fire remained, a thousand dangerous promises glimmering in his eyes like a galaxy of stars.
Lexi’s heart betrayed her, racing faster than ever, trapped between frustration, desire, and the perilous pull of the Blackwood heir.
Lexi felt as if her entire body was ablaze the moment the subway doors slid open.
She stepped out first, moving quickly, while Sebastian Blackwood followed behind, unhurried and dangerously composed.
“Lexi, what just happened—it was punishment. Don’t misunderstand me… I’m not saying I like you.” His voice was calm, but the intensity beneath it was impossible to ignore as he matched her pace.
They walked side by side along the dimming city streets, the golden haze of sunset draping over them like a gilded shroud.
Lexi ignored him, stopping at a corner convenience store to grab a bottle of water.
She rinsed her mouth repeatedly, disturbed by the lingering taste of his tobacco—his signature scent that clung to her lips and teeth.
Seeing her reaction, Sebastian snatched the water bottle from her hand and flung it into the trash with a sharp thunk.
Did she truly despise the kiss so much?
His brow furrowed, a sour ache creeping into his chest.
“I’m not trying to flaunt my feelings or overstep,” he said, his tone edged with warning.
“But don’t forget… you already have someone in your life. Lauren. Don’t mistake your impulses p>
Lexi’s eyes hardened, icy frost forming over her once-warm gaze.
Sebastian’s expression darkened, storm clouds gathering behind his calm façade, as if lightning might strike at any second.
He leaned closer, voice low, deliberate: “Lexi… what are you trying to say p>
“I’m asking you… don’t shake me, Sebastian,” Lexi replied evenly, her voice steady and unwavering.
“I’m just… a normal person.
I can’t play in a rich man’s game p>
“And what if I want to?” he murmured, light as a breeze, yet each word pounded her chest like the rapid beat of a war drum.
Her eyes flickered, uncertain, caught between fear and fascination.
This demon—did he even realize what he was doing to her?
“Sir!” A sharp voice broke the tension.
Connor, one of Sebastian’s trusted aides, cleared his throat.
Lexi’s head turned slightly, easing her posture.
Connor hesitated, glancing between her and Sebastian.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Sebastian waved him off.
“Speak freely. There’s no need to hide anything p>
Connor nodded, then presented a stack of photos.
“Sir, the investigation you requested has some leads. The surveillance from the accident years ago—most of it was tampered with. We did catch one shadowy figure, though p>
The images were grainy and manipulated, but the silhouette of a woman was unmistakable.
Other details were impossible to determine.
“Does this figure look like Lauren to you?” Sebastian’s eyes narrowed dangerously, the temperature of his voice dropping.
He knew Lauren’s form better than anyone, but this figure… something didn’t match.
If Lauren hadn’t been the one to save him all those years ago… then all his gratitude, all his trust, had been misdirected.
He had been caring for the wrong person while the true savior remained unknown.
Connor shook his head, offering a rational explanation.
“Sir… appearances can change over time. It’s possible it’s her p>