03
Sebastian found himself lingering at home more often than usual. The nights he used to spend in clubs or in the company of different women felt strangely empty now. The thrill that once came with his escapades had faded, replaced by an unsettling curiosity about the woman he was engaged to.
He spent his evenings after classes in their shared apartment, waiting for Amelia to come home. The routine was new and uncomfortable, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to understand her better. The memory of her cold smile and sharp words haunted him, driving him to seek some kind of resolution.
Amelia came home late each night, her presence barely acknowledged by Sebastian. He didn’t try to talk to her, sensing that any attempt would be met with her usual indifference or cutting remarks. Instead, he watched her every move, noting details he had never bothered to observe before.
He noticed how tall she was, her posture always perfect, exuding a quiet confidence. There was a serenity about her when she was focused on something, whether it was her studies or her meticulous nightly routines. Despite her aloofness, there was an undeniable grace in the way she moved, a precision that reflected her sharp intellect.
One night, Amelia returned even later than usual. Sebastian pretended to be absorbed in a book on the couch, but his eyes followed her as she walked past him without a word. She went straight to her room, and he could hear the faint sounds of her unpacking her bag, organizing her things with the same methodical care she applied to everything.
As the days turned into weeks, Sebastian noticed a troubling pattern. Amelia started coming home less frequently, sometimes disappearing for days on end. Her absence gnawed at him, filling the apartment with an eerie silence. He found himself worrying about her, wondering where she was sleeping, and why she seemed to be avoiding their home.
One evening, after a particularly long day, Sebastian sat alone in the dimly lit living room. The clock ticked past midnight, and there was still no sign of Amelia. He had texted her earlier, a simple message asking if she would be home, but received no reply. It was becoming a common occurrence, and it left him feeling more isolated than ever.
He stood up and wandered into her room, something he had avoided doing before. The room was neat, as always, but there were signs of her absence. A few missing textbooks, a suitcase that looked like it had been hastily packed and unpacked multiple times. He frowned, trying to piece together her movements.
Where could she be going? he wondered. Who was she with?
The questions swirled in his mind, and for the first time, he felt a pang of jealousy. The irony was not lost on him. He, who had spent years indulging in his whims, now found himself obsessing over the woman he had neglected.
The following morning, Sebastian decided to change his approach. He attended his classes, but his mind was elsewhere. After his final lecture, he headed to the library, one of Amelia’s frequent haunts. He hoped to catch a glimpse of her, to see if she was as composed and serene as she appeared at home.
He found her in a quiet corner, surrounded by stacks of biology textbooks and research papers. She was engrossed in her work, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration. He watched her from a distance, not wanting to disturb her. There was something almost ethereal about her in that moment, a stark contrast to the cold, indifferent woman she became at home.
As the days passed, Sebastian’s routine became increasingly centered around Amelia. He waited for her in the evenings, hoping for some interaction, but she continued to elude him. Her late-night returns became less frequent until, eventually, she stopped coming home altogether.
The empty apartment felt suffocating. Sebastian found himself missing her presence, even if it was just the silent companionship they had once shared. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had driven her away, that his actions had finally caught up with him.
**********
The following week, a dinner was arranged between both sets of parents. The dining room was filled with the warm aroma of a home-cooked meal, and the atmosphere was cheerful. Cleo and Inigo sat across from Sebastian’s parents, Richard and Eleanor. The conversation flowed easily, with laughter and light-hearted banter filling the room.
Sebastian and Amelia sat next to each other, a united front for the benefit of their families. Sebastian watched Amelia closely, noting how her indifference masked her true feelings. She participated in the conversation, but her responses were polite and detached, as if she were merely fulfilling an obligation.
Inigo shared a story from his recent tour, causing everyone to laugh. "And then, of course, the drummer got lost backstage, and we had to start the encore without him!"
Everyone chuckled, the light-hearted mood infectious. Even Cleo, known for her icy demeanor, allowed herself a rare smile.
As the laughter died down, Amelia took a sip of her wine, her gaze drifting around the table. "You know," she said calmly, her voice cutting through the jovial atmosphere, "I've been thinking a lot lately."
All eyes turned to her, curiosity piqued.
"Maybe we should reconsider the wedding," she continued, her tone logical and detached. "We're young, and this engagement feels like a mistake. Perhaps it would be better if we went our separate ways."
The room fell silent, the previous warmth dissipating in an instant. Sebastian's parents exchanged uneasy glances, while Cleo and Inigo remained composed, though their surprise was evident.
Sebastian's gaze sharpened, cold and piercing as he looked at Amelia. "What are you saying?" he asked, his voice low and dangerously calm.
Amelia met his gaze without flinching. "I'm saying that maybe I should find a man who truly suits me, and you can easily find a woman who suits you. We don’t have to be bound by an arrangement that neither of us wanted."
There was a moment of stunned silence. Richard and Eleanor looked visibly uncomfortable, while Cleo and Inigo seemed to be considering her words carefully.
"You know," Richard began hesitantly, "Amelia might have a point. You both are very young and—"
Sebastian cut him off, his voice cold and commanding. "No," he said firmly, his eyes locked onto Amelia’s. "We will be married after graduation, as soon as possible."
Amelia's eyes narrowed slightly. "Sebastian, you’ve said before that you don’t want children. That’s why I need to find someone who shares my desire for a big family."
His jaw clenched, a muscle twitching as he fought to control his temper. "If it’s children you want, I’ll give them to you," he declared, his voice laced with a mix of anger and something else—something darker.
Amelia shook her head, her expression resolute. "I don’t want to force you into a life you don’t want. It’s best for us to end this engagement now."
Sebastian’s eyes flashed with unexpected jealousy, his mind racing with images of another man touching Amelia, kissing her, making her pregnant. The thought made his blood boil. In his mind, it should be him.
"You’re not finding anyone else," he said through gritted teeth, his voice low and threatening. "We’re getting married after college, and I’ll make sure you get your wish immediately."
The room was thick with tension, the parents exchanging worried glances. They had noticed Sebastian’s barely concealed jealousy, the way his eyes burned with a possessive intensity.
Cleo spoke up, her voice gentle yet firm. "If that’s what you both want, we will support you."
Inigo nodded, though he seemed more concerned about the sudden shift in dynamics. "We just want what’s best for you both."
The dinner resumed, but the light-heartedness was gone, replaced by an undercurrent of tension. Sebastian’s parents tried to steer the conversation back to safer topics, but the atmosphere remained strained.
As the meal drew to a close, Sebastian and Amelia's silent battle continued. Each glance was a test of wills, each word a calculated move in their unspoken game. The parents might have been confused, but Sebastian was resolute. He would marry Amelia, and he would unravel the mystery of her cold indifference, no matter what it took. His stare was dark, hot, and full of determination, making Amelia’s brows furrow in response.
***********