Natalia nodded. After a pause, she asked, "Will you invite my brother?"

Sebastian was silent for so long that Natalia thought he wouldn't answer. Finally, he whispered, "Yes. I’ll invite him."

Natalia smiled, but her eyes were filled with tears. "Good."

Over the next two days, Sebastian was busy with the gala preparations, while Natalia began packing her life away. she organized everything and said her goodbyes to her friends one by one.

The night before the birthday gala, Sebastian returned. He held her, wanting to kiss her, but she pushed him away, claiming it was her period. Sebastian didn't force her, but with an intense possessiveness, he left a trail of marks along her neck. He whispered, "Now everyone will know you belong to me."

Natalia didn't say a word; she simply endured it.

In the middle of the night, while Sebastian slept soundly, she quietly reached for his phone. She opened his group chat with his friends. They were discussing the plan for tomorrow.

"Seb, it’s Natalia’s birthday tomorrow. Weren't you going to release those videos? Why haven't you sent them yet?"

"Yeah, Seb, hurry up."

"Seb, haven't you seen the messages? we’ve been reminding you since this morning, and it’s already night."

Natalia’s fingers shook. She exited the chat, found the private vault, and began deleting the videos one by one. The moment everything was gone and the trash folder was purged, she finally felt a sense of liberation.

Early the next morning, she stood by the door with her luggage.

Sebastian happened to wake up then. Seeing her at the door, he was momentarily confused. "Baby, where are you going?"

"To pick up my brother," Natalia said calmly.

Sebastian glanced at her suitcases, looking perplexed. "It’s just a pickup. Why the luggage?"

"These are some of my old dance costumes. I want my brother to take them back with him."

By now, she had learned from Sebastian; the lie came to her with practiced ease.

As expected, it worked. Sebastian didn't ask further. He got out of bed and hugged her. "Wait for me. I’ll go with you."

Natalia shook her head. "Let's announce our relationship at the gala. I’m worried he won't take it well otherwise. You head to the venue first."

Sebastian thought about it and seemingly agreed that they shouldn't rush it. He ruffled her hair and nodded with a smile. "Alright. Come over as soon as you can. I’ll be waiting for you."

After he finished getting ready, he drove straight to the gala. Natalia stood there watching his car disappear into the distance. Only then did she hail a taxi and head for the airport.

Check-in, baggage drop, boarding—everything went smoothly.

Once she was on the plane, Natalia opened her chat with Sebastian. She had thought about so many things to say as a final message. She wanted to tell him she had heard everything that day at the club. She wanted to scream at him and ask why he had done this to her.

But now, when it was truly time to end it, she only typed a short sentence.

[Sebastian, let's break up. I don't love you anymore.]

After sending it, the plane began its slow ascent. She looked out at the white clouds, blocked every single one of his contact methods, and powered off her phone.

Goodbye.

To New York, and to Sebastian.

Chapter Nine

Sebastian’s car came to a slow halt in front of the gala hall. The moment the door opened and he stepped out, he was swarmed by his circle of friends.

They crowded around him, speaking all at once, their faces lit with excitement and anticipation as if waiting for a grand performance to begin.

"Seb, where’s the video? Weren't you going to post it today?" someone asked impatiently, eyes gleaming with gossip.

Sebastian’s brow furrowed slightly. He pulled his phone from his pocket with unhurried movements. Under the predatory, expectant gazes of the crowd, the faint glow of the screen flickered in his hand.

However, just as everyone thought he was about to unlock it, he suddenly slid the phone back into his pocket and said flatly, "I’m not posting it."

Those four words were like a massive boulder dropped into a still lake, instantly triggering a thousand waves.

Everyone’s eyes widened, their faces masks of disbelief.

"Not posting it?!" they cried out in unison.

Someone couldn't help but press him. "Seb, what do you mean? Didn't we agree to give Weston a 'grand gift' today?"

"Yeah, we’ve been preparing for so long. Why the sudden change of heart? Seb, don't play jokes on us!"

Sebastian’s gaze turned cold, a trace of impatience in his tone. "It doesn't mean anything. I just don't think it’s the right time yet. The more videos we collect, the deeper Weston’s agony will be. What’s the rush?"

The men looked at each other, clearly surprised by his answer.

Someone muttered under their breath, "It’s been three years. Isn't that enough? Seb, you’ve been acting really strange lately." Another friend went straight to the point: "Seb, tell me the truth. Are you—"

"No!" Sebastian cut him off sharply, his voice like ice. His sharp gaze swept over every person present. "The videos are of me and her. I’ll post them when I feel like it. I appreciate the concern, but don't overstep."

The atmosphere turned awkward instantly. The friends hurried to smooth things over with placating tones.

"Seb, we didn't mean it like that. Don't be angry," one said, patting his shoulder.

"Right, right. We were just asking. Don't take it to heart."

Sebastian didn't speak again. He turned and walked into the gala hall to inspect the arrangements. His eyes scanned every detail, his frown deepening.

He pointed at the floral arrangements, his voice low and commanding. "These flowers won't do. Replace them. She doesn't like pink; she likes blue. Go buy new ones immediately."

He pointed to the carpet. "This carpet too. The color is too dark. Swap it for something lighter."

"And why is this area so empty? Put up balloons."

"Pile the gifts here. Didn't I buy a whole mountain of gifts!"

The waiters and planning team were driven in circles by his commands. His friends stood to the side, dumbfounded.

Someone whispered, "What’s wrong with him? He’s never been this invested before. Is this still the cynical Sebastian we know?"

"Yeah, I have no idea what he’s thinking. Wasn't he just using Natalia? Just throw a random party and be done with it. Why all this trouble?"

Another shook his head. "Something is wrong. Very wrong."

Sebastian seemed not to hear them. He pulled an exquisite box from his coat and gently opened it. A breathtakingly radiant necklace appeared before their eyes.

He looked up and asked those around him, "Do you think she’ll like this?"

Someone leaned in for a look and gasped. "Holy shit! Isn't that the one Princess Diana wore? It’s worth hundreds of millions! Seb, are you seriously giving this to Natalia? That’s a hell of an investment!"

Sebastian’s expression looked a bit unnatural, though his tone remained cold. "Only by doing this will she love me even more deeply."

The friends let out a breath of relief. One laughed and patted his shoulder. "So Seb is playing the long game to catch the big fish! As expected of you—meticulous as always!"

Sebastian didn't reply. He simply put the box away and scanned every corner of the hall once more, as if confirming everything was perfect. His focus was so intense it felt foreign, as if this gala were more than just a tool for revenge.

Soon, guests began to arrive. Most were prominent figures in the city’s elite circles. Seeing Sebastian, they all came forward with smiles to greet him.

"Mr. Sebastian, such a grand birthday party for your girlfriend. Quite the gesture!" someone teased. "When’s the wedding? We’re all waiting for the invitation!"

Sebastian offered a faint, composed smile. "Soon. As soon as she says yes, I’ll marry her."

The guests laughed and praised his devotion.

Standing to the side and hearing his answers, the expressions on his friends' faces grew increasingly complex.

One whispered, "Seb is acting too well. Even I’m starting to believe it."

Another shook his head repeatedly. "No. Something is really wrong. He’s never been this serious before."

The gala officially began. The lights were dazzling, and the music was elegant.

But Natalia was nowhere to be found.

Sebastian stood in the center of the hall, his gaze drifting toward the door every few seconds, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. He reached for his phone, intending to call and ask where she was.

Suddenly, the doors were shoved open.

Chapter Ten

The moment the doors opened, a flash of joy crossed Sebastian’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a biting chill.

Because the person who walked in wasn't Natalia. it was Chloe.

She was dressed in a magnificent gown, her makeup flawless, yet she couldn't hide the grievance and fury on her face. Her gaze locked onto Sebastian, and she marched toward him with determination.