She Accepted Divorce, He Panicked

141 His Rejection

Scarlett's POV

"You found it on the ground?!" Ava hisses in shock. From the sound of it, she slips into the study and shuts the door, "I-I really lost the key?"

"I'm sorry," Sebastian says.

The bitterness in his voice aches me. He hates lying, and now I forced him to lie, to someone he cares about no less. I'm owning him more and more.

I stick my head out of my door to peek, just to see Ava's minion Ethan pasting his ear on the study's door. We scare each other, and we both pull our heads back.

"But why are you here?" Ava demands with full suspicion, "You told me to meet you in the woods where you saved me."

Shit!

I stick an airpod in my ear as I charge out of the door. I didn't know what Lucas texted her, but I knew it was by the lake! Why didn't I at least tell him that?! I need to warn him!

"The woods?" Sebastian asks with a genuinely confused tone, "Did you misread the text? Is that why you didn't come to the lake?"

What?! I freeze in the hallway, staring into each other with Ethan. He freezes, too, thinking I was surprised by him. I wasn't.

How did Sebastian know?! Lucas would have deleted the text. Even I would do that.

"I'm sorry!" Ava lets out a long relieved sigh, believing Sebastian now, "I thought Scar sent me that text to lure me away so I didn't go..."

Wow, she's good.

Seeing me not making a move, Ethan struggles between playing normal or eavesdroping. In the end, his gossiping heart wins over and he scooches to the door, pressing his ear against it. Hmm...Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

I put my hair down to cover the airpod, pressing my ear on the wall lightly as if doing the same thing. Ethan wants to wave me away, protecting his master, but he wants

141 His Rejection

the gossip too much to make a noise to warn Ava, so I just smile at him and listen on.

"It's okay," Sebastian says simply, "maybe we should go out-"

"Well," Ava suddenly puts on her greasy voice, "since we are here already, maybe we can finish the talk you wanted to have?"

Knock knock. Two knocks come through the mic and I let out a relieved sigh- Sebastian found my phone and had it with me. He saw the phone call on and he is trying to send a message. Yeah, I should rescue him.

"Nothing important," Sebastian dodges, "it can wait."

"Sure, that can wait," Ava sounds in haste, "Seb! Don't you feel like the room is

somewhat... taboo?"

Oh, my, God! I rub my arms for the goosebumps, and I see Ethan mouthing "taboo" with an utterly confused look. He doesn't know Ava and Olivia's little exchange from earlier.

"Ava..." Sebastian sighs.

"Kiss me..." Ava mumbles in a soft voice.

Open my eyes wide, I feel uncomfortable listening. I walk over, yet taking this as the chance of his master's dream finally coming true, Ethan swings at me warningly and I stop. Knock knock. Sebastian knocks on the screen again.

I can just raise my voice and it would be done. Just say anything. I know it's not because of Ethan's threat, but for some reason, I purse my lips and wait.

He won't kiss her, not with me on this side of the phone call. It's a meaningless test. It's the one time that I'm sure he won't hurt me. Even though now it doesn't mean anything anymore. But out of a sudden wave of cruelty, I stand there and wait.

I want to hear his choice. Just one time, I want to see him taking my side.

"I'm

sorry, Ava. I was wrong to stay too close to you," Sebastian suddenly says, his tone strict and heavy, "I'm in love with Scarlett, that's what I wanted to tell you."

141 Me Rejection

"What...?" Ava mumbles, and he does not reply.

"You said you will always be there for me. Liar!" Ava burst out in a shout, crying.

The next second, the study door bursts open and hits Ethan in the head, knocking him to the side. I freeze there when Ava dashes out, and she pauses too before she turns and runs off. "You are good," Ethan drops a cold word before running after her.

Sebastian walks out slowly, locking the door behind him. I turn to walk away, and he catches up, taking me by my waist and pulling me close, his face cloudy. I dodge his eyes but he won't let me. "Are you satisfied with my answer?" He grumbles in a low voice, his eyes filled with pain.