Page 199 of When We Ignite

“Yeah.”

“I’ve been talking to Elena. Fortunately, she’s not as put off by our relationship as the American public. She still wants to build this company with me. We’ve been meeting with lawyers, drawing up contracts. Everything is settled. We start next week.”

I blinked. “That sounds like good news.”

“It is, but…”

Realization hit me like a slap.

She was from Spain. The company was hers and Sebastian’s. There was no reason for him to stay.

I shook my head, my breath catching. “You can’t leave.”

My voice didn’t even sound like mine. It was high-pitched, distant.

Sebastian cupped my cheek. “I can’t stay here, Ethan.”

“Why?”

“My reputation is shot. It doesn’t matter that you’re legal—all people see is my teenage brother-in-law. And it’s not just about me. It’s about you too. You’re starting your life. You shouldn’t have to do that under this shadow. I don’t want this following you around forever. If I leave, the stories will go away. People will forget.”

My heart splintered. I understood what he was saying, but that didn’t make it any easier to swallow.

“But you’ll come back, right?” I gripped his shirt. “You travel all the time. You can work there and come back.”

The answer was written plainly on his face before he shook his head.

“We have to end this, pet.”

I shut my eyes, the burn behind them intensifying. “I don’t care what people say about me.”

“You don’t right now. But you will—when it starts costing you opportunities.” He tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze.

His expression softened. “You’re spectacular, Ethan. You’re so much more than just this.” His voice wavered, thick with emotion. “I’m so sorry—for all of it. For being the reason your life has been ripped open like this. But you need to know this: you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Unexpected, yes. But I have never, not for a single second, regretted you.”

I shook my head, my vision blurring. “Stop that. Stop saying goodbye.”

His exhale was shaky. “I have to, my darling. This has to be goodbye.”

“You said you’d never close the door on me, Ash.”

He nodded, voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t lie.”

Sebastian pressed a lingering kiss to my lips before sitting up and reaching for his clothes.

I followed him, watching as he picked up a small box and handed it to me. I gave him a skeptical look, but he nudged it toward me. Slowly, I flipped it open, my breath catching when I saw the delicate gold chain inside. A small, round medallion dangled from it, engraved with the letter C. I ran my fingers over it, confused, before looking up at him. That’s when I noticed—he was wearing one too.

I swallowed hard. “What…?”

Sebastian moved closer, his expression soft. “I had them made when we were in Spain. I was going to give it to you after the wedding, but this way…this way it means even more.” He lifted his own chain, letting the small pendant rest against his chest. “P for pet. This way, I can always keep you close to my heart.”

I swallowed hard. It was so him, this small, quiet gesture, something so deeply intimate beneath all his usual arrogance. I couldn’t even thank him—tears welled up and spilled before I could stop them.

I wiped my eyes stubbornly, then glanced down at my own chain. “Why does—” I stopped, realization hitting me like a punch to the chest.

Sebastian smirked, playful even in the face of all this pain.

I let out a watery laugh. “You’re an idiot.”