Chapter 69: Deal Or No Deal?
Kourtney’s heart ached at her father’s words, the pain evident in his voice. She could see the turmoil in his eyes, as she knew he was a proud man who barely ever admitted his mistakes. But now…. Now he was doing that in front of everyone.
Taking a deep breath, she responded. “I forgive you, Dad. It’s okay!”
Luke visibly sagged with relief, his shoulders relaxing as he absorbed his daughter’s words. He never thought it would actually be this EASY!
So easy!!!
He reached out quickly and enveloped Kourtney in a warm embrace, further proving their relationship was good again.
Kourtney was taken aback at first. She couldn’t remember the last time she hugged her dad. This man who had never truly cared enough to embrace her for as long as she could remember was doing so now in front of everyone.
She felt bitter-sweet!
Seeing Kourtney’s compassionate response to Luke, the rest of the Allens present, except Kathlyn, started approaching, asking for forgiveness concerning the previous incident at their mansion on the day Sebastian came to take her away.
Kourtney’s mother, Margaret, was the first to step forward, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“Oh, Kourtney, my dear, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe what you’ve been through these past few days. I should have been there for you,” Margaret lamented.
Kourtney’s heart went out to her mother. She knew that Margaret had always tried her best, even if it hadn’t always been enough.
“Mom, it’s okay. I understand. I’m just glad we can put this behind us and move forward as a family,” Kourtney reassured her, reaching out to hold her mother close.
The rest of the Allens nodded in agreement, their eyes reflecting gratitude and relief.
As they gathered around her, Kourtney felt a wave of relief wash over her. The weight of resentment and hurt she had been carrying for so long began to lift, replaced by a sense of healing and reconciliation.
Kathlyn, however, remained aloof at the sidelines, watching in spite. Her bitter expression was readable as she watched everyone circle around Kourtney, trying to suck up to her and get on her good side.
Jealousy and envy coursed through her veins as she watched the scene unfold before her.
Oh, how the tables had turned on her!
She didn’t need to follow the rest of them here in their silly mission to “beg” for Kourtney’s forgiveness. But she wanted to, just so she could get a good look at the new life her sister was living.
She just wanted to see things with her own eyes.
But now… now she knew that coming here had only been a very big mistake because now… now she was even more miserable!
Worse, she felt like she was breaking into pieces!
From the moment they entered the gates of the villa. Kathlyn had been mesmerized. The luxury and grandeur of the entire estate…. She’d never seen anything like it in her entire life.
How could Kourtney get to live in such a glorious mansion?
It was like a castle, meant for kings, queens, and majestic figures.
No! Even better!!!
But funny enough, it wasn’t just the look and feel of “Kourtney’s new home” that was driving Kathlyn insane- it was the man himself who stood at the top of the grand staircase.
The man that Kourtney had married so miraculously, so suddenly!
Sebastian Woods.
Kathlyn couldn’t tear her eyes away from him as he stood there, his towering and imposing figure exuding an air of confidence and power that was simply intoxicating.
She found herself drawn to Sebastian, unable to resist the magnetic charm he oozed.
Such a magnificent man!!!
Kourtney did not deserve him!
How could she marry him?
“Why did Kourtney have to have him?” Kathlyn kept screaming internally, her heart aching with a longing she couldn’t quite name. “Why does she get everything she wants while I’m left with nothing?”
There are millions of women in Australia and billions in the universe, but it had to be Kourtney of all people who gets to be his wife?
Why?
How?
How did she get this lucky?
Unable to bear the envy and bitterness, Kathlyn kept clutching at her pregnant belly as if in pain. But no one seemed to give a fu*k about her. They were all gathered around Kourtney like bees on honey.
This made Kathlyn want to SCREAM, to lash out in anger, to demand why Kourtney of all people deserved such happiness.
Why?
Her jealousy threatened to consume her as she was reduced to being on the sidelines while everyone focused all their attention on Kourtney. She watched as Kourtney interacted with the rest of the family, her warm smile and easy charm drawing them in effortlessly like a magnet.
Meanwhile, as Kourtney continued to embrace each and every one of the Allens, Sebastian observed the sweet family reconciliation scene unfold before him, his gaze cold and calculating.
He was not one to be deceived by mere pleasantries and false gestures.
Unlike Kourtney, he couldn’t be easily fooled and swayed. He knew this display of harmony was just a facade- their fake smiles masking their hidden agendas for his gullible little wife.
With a scoff, Sebastian muttered to himself, “Such a charade.”
He couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the theatrics in front of him and the sheer absurdity of it all.
The Allens may have shown remorse today, but he knew their true colors would surface again.
He could not be won over by their fake attempts at reconciliation; he would remain vigilant, always one step ahead.
He was a man who thrived in chaos, a man who knew how to navigate the treacherous waters of power and deceit.
Finally, amid the family hugs and lovey-dovey moments, Kourtney turned to look back up at her husband- the man who had the “final say” or should we say ultimate ruling.
Her jaw clenched as she met his cold and ruthless gaze. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of conflicting emotions.
On one hand, she despised him for putting her family in such a precarious position. But on the other, she felt a twisted sense of gratitude towards him for defending and protecting her so earnestly.
No one has ever looked out for her this hard!
Taking a deep breath, she excused herself from the center of her family’s reunion, then climbed back up the stairs to meet HIM.
When she got close enough, she spoke in a voice that was both sweet and coquettish, though laced with an undercurrent of defiance.
“Hubby, please, let’s not make this any more difficult than it already is. My family is already here to plead out of desperation. I beg that you to show them some mercy, for my sake if not for theirs. Can you do it for me pleeaasssseee?” she nudged his arm and smiled seductively at him.
Kourtney was smart.
She knew he loved it when she called him “Hubby.”
She knew he loved it when she touched him first or initiated physical contact.
She knew she had to play her cards right if she wanted to protect her family from his wrath.NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.
Desperate times call for desperate measures!
Sebastian’s sky-blue eyes narrowed as he regarded her. He had a predatory gleam in his gaze as he took in her appetizing feminine features from top to bottom.
Just that one touch from her seemed to have set his whole body on fire in a matter of seconds…. His blood pressure seemed to increase just by the alluring look on her face as she made an effort to lure him into doing her wish.
He found it so… pleasing.
He studied her tensed expression as she waited for his response, enjoying the power he held over her, the way she stood before him, torn between her loyalty to her family and her loyalty to him, her HUSBAND. It was a game to him, a twisted dance of manipulation and control, and he was determined to come out on top.
After a moment of silence that seemed to stretch on for an eternity, Sebastian finally spoke, his voice low and dangerous. “Very well, my dear wife. I will consider your pleas to restore your family’s dignity and livelihood. But… only one one condition.”
Kourtney’s heart sank as she braced herself for his ultimatum. She knew that dealing with this man always came at a price, and she could only hope that it wouldn’t be too much for her to handle.
“What… what do you want? What is your condition?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sebastian’s lips curled into a cruel smile as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear.
“You. Me. Tonight. Alone. Naked. In The Shower. Deal or No Deal?”