Sebastian's expression hardened in an instant. His face turned red, contorting with anger. The temperature inside the Limo seemed to drop as he was so offended by her question. It was as if she had insulted his very existence.
He gaped at the woman, thinking if it would be too harsh if he threw her out from the car window.
This woman was bold enough to question his manhood right in his face. The last person who did that was no longer alive to tell the tale. Her audacity was out of this world!
When Kourtney saw that he didn't respond, she took it as a sign that he was guilty and continued to press on.
"How dare you use me as some sort of scapegoat! Marrying me to become your trophy wife just to hide who you really are? Who does that?"
Sebastian's stony expression grew even worse.
But when he looked at the adorable face of the woman as she awaited his response, he felt his anger begin to subside.
No, it wasn't her fault! He honestly couldn't blame her for asking.
The media also didn't know about his allergies. He'd made sure to keep it hidden, or his rivals might use that weakness against him. Only a few family, friends, and people who work closely with him are aware of it.
Those stupid rumors about him being impotent or "that way" were all over the internet. It was all they could come up with to explain his dislike for women, and he'd never cared to address it.
His angry face was soon replaced by a smugness that sent a shiver down Kourtney's spine. He suddenly thought of something and twisted his lips into a cunning smirk.
"If you're so curious to find out the truth, let's go have our wedding night. Then you can confirm yourself if the rumors are true or not."
Kourtney's face flushed crimson red, and she looked away, feeling a mixture of embarrassment, confusion, frustration, and attraction. She hadn't expected such a bold suggestion from him.
"I... I don't want it. Forget what I said," she stammered. "Please, take me home now. I want to go home!"
Sebastian leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms with a self-satisfied smirk still lingering across his face. He seemed to enjoy seeing her flustered and uncomfortable, and he took pleasure in having the upper hand in their conversation.
"What home are you even talking about? Your family's or Mine?"
"Of course, my family's home. Where else?"
"Ah Ah! Very funny!" Sebastian chuckled darkly. "You do remember, don't you, that we are legally married now? That means you're moving in with me immediately. My house is your new home now."
"What?"
"You heard me, Wife."
"You must be joking. Right? You're a joker!"
"Whatever makes you think I'm joking? I never make jokes!" Sebastian replied with a condescending tone.
Kourtney's eyes widened in disbelief. This was moving too fast, even for a flash marriage. She had only known him for a few hours.
"You can't be serious, Mr Woods. We just got married out of the blue, and now you expect me to just... move in with you?"
"I'm just informing you, not asking for your opinion."
"You..."
"As my wife, you will move in with me. It's only natural for a husband and wife to live together. Isn't it? You don't have a choice in the matter." Sebastian cut her off in a cold and serious tone.
The papers were signed, the vows were made, the marriage was legal, and she was now bound to him. His house will be her residence, and she will comply.
Kourtney knew now that he was damn serious, and the realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
"You can't force me to do something I'm not ready for! It is my life, my decision, not yours."
Sebastian's face darkened.
'She should feel honored to live in my home and be a part of my world. Why the rebellion?' he thought gloomily.
He had always been a man of control, and the idea of someone challenging that control was foreign to him. It was something he wasn't used to.
"I can't just move in with you! We barely know each other." Kourtney protested, trying her best to reason with him. "What am I even going to tell my Family? That I just married a stranger? I can't just move out when I haven't gotten the chance to tell them. It's absurd!!!"
Sebastian leaned in closer, his expression filled with arrogance. "You don't get to call the shots here, Kourtney. We're married, and you'll do well to remember that because it's in your best interest to obey me. Moving in with me is part of what you signed up for."
Kourtney felt a sense of unease settles in her chest. She knew he was right. They were legally bound to each other now. She realized she could never win against this man. He would always hold power over her as long as he was her legal husband.
"M... Mr. Woods, I need some time to adjust to this new reality," she pleaded, her voice more vulnerable now. "I'm not saying I'll never move in with you, but I just need a little space to think and process everything. And also, plan how to let my family know."
A flicker of emotion passed through her husband's eyes, momentarily softening his stern and intimidating expression. He considered her words for a moment.
"Fine," he finally said, his voice tinged with annoyance. "I'll give you just one week to come to terms with this. One week!"
"Only one week? Are you kidding me?"
"What do you want? The whole year?" he scoffed.
"I...I..."
"If you still refuse to inform your people and move in with me after one week. I'd come to pick you up myself," he added with stern finality.
This woman made him talk too much, and he felt his vocal cords would crack soon. Before meeting her today, he hardly talked this much in a single day. All he does is give simple and short instructions all day to his staff. And he can command an entire room with a single brooding stare.
There has never been a need for him to engage in lengthy and stressful conversations like this. But here he was!
This remarkable woman, now his wife, challenged him in ways he never expected.
Meanwhile, Kourtney stared at Sebastian with a mixture of disbelief and defiance. She couldn't believe he was giving her an ultimatum to move in with him within a week. She had been foolishly hanging on to her last thread of hope, thinking that maybe the guy just wanted a wife on paper.
The very thought that she would begin to live in the same house with this arrogant and domineering freak never crossed her mind.
Thankfully, after what seemed like an endless and tense ride, the Limo soon approached the gate of her family's estate.
"Mr. Woods, please tell them to pack here! You don't need to enter the estate grounds." Kourtney sat up in a panic.
She didn't want anyone to see her getting down from this incredibly expensive Limo. That would raise her family's suspicions. She figured she would find time to sit everyone down and break the shocking news.
"I know," he smirked.
Kourtney quickly alighted the vehicle without bothering to spare the man a glance. She walked into the villa in long strides, not caring to bid him farewell.
Or what was she supposed to say?
It's been such a long and frustrating day for her. And right now, she just wanted to lie down in the comfort of her bed.
"Kourtney??"
Just as she was about to head upstairs to her bedroom, she heard her name being called. It was the voice of the she-devil herself.
The home-wrecker!
She noticed a hint of surprise flash on her little sister's face. However, it quickly disappeared as her expression turned into a menacing smile.
"Kourtney, I didn't expect to see you here."
"I live here, so where else should I be?"
Kathlyn was taken aback for a moment and seemed disturbed. She has known Kourtney since birth, and she understood her all too well.
She knew that Kourtney was the type of person who would move out and probably cut ties with their family after what had happened that day. After all, she had snatched her fiancé, Brandon, and their parents had supported the affair, even giving their blessings for Kathlyn to marry him in Kourtney's place.
So why is Kourtney still here?
'Or maybe she came back to take out her luggage?' Kathlyn thought, hopefully.
"I was just concerned, Sis, that's all."
"Concerned about what exactly? That I'm not looking miserable and wallowing in self-pity after you stole my fiancé?"
"Oh, please, Kourt! You and Brandon were never a good match. He already told you he was bored with you, and he found something more exciting in me. It's not my fault he chose me over you."
Kourtney felt her temper flaring up, but she took a deep breath, reminding herself not to let Kathlyn provoke her.
"Great, I'm happy he chose you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go to my room. I'm really tired from a very long day." She turned away and was about to start heading up the staircase, but Kathlyn was quick to grasp her arm.
"Brandon has always liked me from the start. You were just too blind to see it. His love for me is stronger than whatever he felt for you. You need to accept that."
"Yes, Kathlyn. I don't care anymore. I already accepted it," Kourtney replied, rolling back her eyes in boredom.
"Well, I just wanted to tell you that Brandon and I are going to have a family of our own. I guess Mum and Dad already told you. I'm carrying his child," Kathlyn declared while she caressed her stomach gently and lovingly in a bid to upset Kourtney even more.
Kourtney's heart clenched at the painful reminder. She had known about it from their parents, but hearing it from Kathlyn directly stung even more. It was a bitter reminder of the betrayal she had endured from her sister and the man she had loved and cherished for three years.
"Congratulations, I'm happy for you," she said coolly, her voice steady. "Have your family with Brandon. You both deserve each other, to be honest."
"Why are you pretending to be happy for me when you're not, Sis? I know you probably wish me and my child to disappear so you can be with Brandon again," Kathlyn mocked.
"Ah... In your dreams! I'll never accept Brandon back, even if he comes crawling to me on all fours like a dog. You don't have to worry, Kathlyn. Brandon is yours now, and I never go back to my abandoned trash or vomit. You should know that by now!" Kourtney said with disgust as she walked away to her bedroom.
Kathlyn's eyes widened in surprise at her fierce response. It was almost like Kourtney had changed to a different person from the meek and hurt girl she saw a few hours ago.
She also noticed how Kourtney indeed didn't seem affected... at all.
'Why is it that she doesn't seem to care? Why isn't she bitter about it? Wasn't Brandon the love of her life for three good years?' Kathlyn thought bitterly.
And what was even more surprising to her was that Kourtney looked okay, maybe even brighter than she was before. Kathlyn had been expecting her to look tattered and miserable, at least.
'How could she have moved on so quickly in less than a day? It's impossible!' Kathlyn thought.'Why are you acting like this? Why aren't you falling apart? Why? Did I miss something?'
***********
On the uppermost floor of a grand mansion located in the heart of the city, Sebastian Woods sat regally on a plush chair. Donning a luxurious black robe, he exuded an air of elegance and sophistication.
Part of his broad chest was exposed, revealing a toned physique that made him look like a living Adonis.
In one hand, he held a fat cigar, its fragrant smoke curling around him like a cloud, and in the other, a glass of whiskey.
A small, contented smile played on his lips as his mind wandered to thoughts of his new wife. He found himself thinking about her nonstop since he came back.
Somehow, he wished she had agreed to go home with him tonight, even though they barely knew each other.
Taking a long drag from his cigar, he let the smoke swirl around him as he reminisced about their whirlwind encounter. From their car collision to the moment they exchanged vows, everything had happened so fast. But it felt right, and he couldn't be more pleased.
With a contented sigh, Sebastian stubbed out the remains of his cigar before picking up his cell phone to make a call. As soon as the line connected, Sebastian spoke, not caring if the other person was listening.
"Jamie, inform the company that I got married. Update the website and let the world know."
Sebastian knew the significance of making such an announcement. He would no longer be known as the city's most eligible bachelor, but he didn't mind. What mattered most was that, for the first time in forever, he felt comfortable in the presence of a woman, and it gave him hope of having a normal life again. But there was something else on his mind.
"Also," he added as an afterthought, "send some bodyguards to follow my wife discreetly. I want to know she's safe at all times."
As a business magnet with billions worth of assets and also lots of rivals, he knew he needed to protect his wife from any potential threats or dangers that might lurk in the shadows. He needed to ensure she was always covered by a team he could trust.
"Consider it done, sir. I'll handle it personally," Jamie assured him, understanding the gravity of the situation.
There was also a particular reason why Sebastian wanted his bodyguards to tail her every movement, one that he kept to himself.
He wanted to know every detail of her life, her whereabouts, who she was with, and what she was doing like he was an obsessed stalker.
"Sir, I also found out why Mrs. Woods was crying just like you instructed." Jamie's voice through the phone line jolted Sebastian back from his wandering thoughts.
"So what is it."
"The Madame got dumped by her fiancé for her sister earlier today. They were supposed to get married in about three weeks."
"Hmmmm. I see." Sebastian said before taking another sip from his glass of whiskey.
His already cold and icy gaze darkened even more with an unfathomable expression on his face.
No one could guess what he was thinking at that moment....