Seeing this, the friends rushed to stop him. "Seb, you can't go like this! You’ll scare her to death!"

Only then did Sebastian realize how disheveled he was. He looked down at his alcohol-stained clothes and frowned. "You’re right. I can't see her looking like this."

He rushed into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and changed into clean clothes. But standing in front of the wardrobe, he hesitated. He flipped through his clothes one by one, as if trying to present his best side to Natalia. Finally, he chose a well-tailored black suit that made his frame look tall and his aura cold.

His friends looked at him and couldn't help but say, "Seb, are you going there to propose?"

Sebastian didn't answer, merely looking down to adjust his cuffs, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. Seeing this, the friends stopped joking. Someone suggested, "Seb, let us go with you. If anything happens, we can back you up."

Sebastian nodded, not refusing. He knew his current state wasn't great; having his friends around would at least help him stay calm.

Before leaving, he looked at Chloe with a complex gaze. "Why are you helping me?"

Chloe smiled, though her eyes were filled with tears. "I said I love you. Loving someone means I can even endure him loving someone else, as long as he is happy." She paused, her voice dropping. "When you see her, tell her I’m sorry for me. Before, jealousy blinded me and made me bully her like that."

Sebastian said nothing but gave a nod and turned to leave the villa. On the way to the airport, everything about Natalia kept playing in his mind. He never thought he would be so crazy for a woman—even willing to cast aside all pride and dignity just to get her back.

Chapter Nineteen

The group took an overnight flight to the southern city.

When the plane landed, dawn had not yet broken. A cold wind brushed against his face, but Sebastian felt no chill. A fire seemed to be burning in his heart, fueled by the desperate urge to see Natalia.

As they walked out of the airport, his friends couldn't help but remark, "Seb, remember back then when you and Weston were at each other's throats? You said you’d stay in the north, he’d stay in the south, and you wouldn't step foot in each other's cities even if you were dying. I never thought... you’d actually come here of your own accord."

Sebastian remained silent, merely looking down to adjust his cuffs, a look of resolve in his eyes.

Someone couldn't help but ask, "Seb, are you sure you’ve really fallen for her? By going to find her like this, you’re truly putting yourself at a disadvantage."

"I can give up everything else. I only want her."

The crowd froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Seb, there’s no shame in bending for love!"

Sebastian didn't speak further, quickening his pace toward the pre-arranged car. His mind was filled with Natalia's silhouette; his heart was frantic with the need to see her.

By the time the car stopped in front of Natalia's dance studio, the sun had risen. Sebastian stood at the entrance, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

Inside the studio, Natalia was dancing.

Her figure was as light as a butterfly, spinning to the music as if the entire world had stood still for her. Sebastian stood at the door, mesmerized by the sight of her dancing.

His friends followed behind him. One whispered in admiration, "I have to admit, she really is stunning."

Sebastian shot the man a look as cold as ice.

The man immediately raised his hands in defense. "Seb, she's yours—I wouldn't dare touch her even if I had a thousand lives! I was just talking!"

Sebastian ignored him, his eyes fixed on Natalia. Every movement, every look she gave seemed carved into his heart, impossible to erase.

When Natalia finished her dance and turned to see Sebastian, her expression shifted instantly. She grabbed her belongings to leave, but Sebastian blocked her path.

"Nat, I... I came to apologize." Sebastian’s voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with a trace of pleading. "I was a bastard. I shouldn't have used you, I shouldn't have hurt you. Please, forgive me, okay?"

Natalia looked at her coldly, her voice devoid of any warmth. "If you're here to apologize, then don't bother. I'd rather just forget everything."

Sebastian’s heart sank. He spoke with desperate urgency, "It's not just an apology. I came... to ask you to take me back. Baby, I'm sorry. I've fallen for you. This past month, there hasn't been anyone else in my head but you. Every day without you has been unbearable. Those videos—I never actually intended to release them. Forgive me, please?"

Natalia let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Sebastian, do you think a single apology and a confession of 'love' can erase everything you did to me? You used me, you hurt me, and you even wanted to use those videos to humiliate my brother. Do you honestly think I would ever forgive you?"

Sebastian’s face turned deathly pale, his voice trembling. "Nat, I know I was wrong. I truly know. Just give me one more chance, please? I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, loving you."

Natalia said nothing, looking at him with a gaze that didn't waver for a second.

Sebastian felt as though his heart were being squeezed, the pain making it hard to breathe. He lunged forward, pulling Natalia into a sudden embrace. In that moment, he felt as if his soul had finally returned. Her body was soft and warm—his only salvation in this life.

"Nat, don't go..." his voice was low and broken, filled with plea. "Tell me what I have to do for you to forgive me, and I’ll do it. I’ll even die if that’s what it takes, just please!"

However, the next second, a fist slammed into his face. Sebastian stumbled back a few steps. He looked up to see Weston.

Weston’s eyes were like ice, his voice thick with suppressed rage. "Sebastian, you actually dared to lay a hand on my sister?"

Chapter Twenty

If this had been the past, Sebastian would have surely retaliated tenfold.

But now, he simply wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, swallowed the humiliation, and said in a low voice, "Weston, I’m done fighting you. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. Just let her forgive me."

Weston’s expression shifted instantly, a look of disbelief in his eyes. "Nat, your previous boyfriend... was him?"

Natalia’s face became incredibly strained.

Sebastian looked at Weston, lowering his stance even further. "Weston, let me be with her. I’ll give you anything you want, as long as you give her to me."

Weston’s expression grew colder. Suddenly, he threw another punch into Sebastian’s face. Sebastian didn't fight back, letting himself be hit. Weston pinned him to the ground, landing punch after punch as if venting all his fury.

The friends finally couldn't take it and stepped in to intervene. "That's enough! Do you really want to kill him? If he's dead, you won't have a brother-in-law!"

Weston sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Brother-in-law? Where does he get the nerve?"

With that, he pulled an invitation from his pocket and threw it in front of Sebastian.

Sebastian picked up the invitation and opened it. His face turned white instantly. The invitation read: "Natalia and Weston cordially invite you to attend our wedding."

Sebastian’s mind roared, as if struck by a bolt of lightning. He scrambled to his feet, his voice trembling. "The groom... Weston, what is the meaning of this?"

Weston looked at him coldly, his voice devoid of temperature. "It means exactly what you think it means. I am not her biological brother. I love her. I’ve been pursuing her for a month, and she loves me now too."

Sebastian felt a sharp pain in his heart, making it hard for him to even stand. He looked at Natalia, his voice filled with a desperate plea. "Nat, tell me this is fake."

Tell me this is a goddamn lie!!!

Natalia looked up at him and said, one word at a time, "It’s not fake, Sebastian. It’s real."

"Sebastian, I’ve fallen in love with my brother. I’ve fallen for the rival you hate the most. Are you satisfied now?"

After saying that, she took Weston’s hand and walked away.

Watching them walk off with their fingers interlocked, Sebastian was in a state of utter disbelief. His friends were equally stunned, their eyes wide, muttering, "Holy shit, what is happening? My brain can't process this."

Their reactions mirrored the massive shock of the scene. Inside Sebastian, the flames of jealousy burned alongside a peak of regret and agony he had never felt before. He could not believe that Natalia, who was once so close to him, was now this intimate with Weston.