Love That Hurts

Just before I could process the rejection, another call came in. It was my grandmother. “Natalie, darling! Did something happen? Why did Zane go to the banquet with another woman?”

Shock hit me like a cold wave. “What? No, Grandma, I’ve been so busy with work. It’s nothing to worry about.”

Her voice softened, concern etched into every word. “Have you told him who you really are yet?”

The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears. “I… I haven’t told him yet. I was going to do it tonight.”

“So, why didn’t you attend the banquet?” my grandmother pressed, noticing the hesitation in my voice.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my tone light. “Something came up, and I couldn’t make it. I’m sorry, but I’m just feeling a bit under the weather.”

My grandmother sighed, her worry palpable even through the phone. “I know how much you invested in that banquet. Why would you suddenly decide to leave for something else?”

I winced, knowing my grandmother knew that I had poured my heart into planning that event. “I just… I developed cold feet about revealing my true identity to Zane. I thought it would be easier to wait.”

Her surprise was evident. “Then when do you plan to tell him the truth? He deserves to know who you truly are.”

I felt the weight of the secret I had carried for so long. “Soon, Grandma. I promise. I just need to figure out the right moment.”

After hanging up, a whirlwind of emotions swept through me.

Thoughts of Zane at the banquet with another woman gnawed at my mind. Could it really be true that Zane is cheating on me? I shrugged it off, believing I was just being impulsive and that isn’t right. I trust Zane. He was always busy, always working late.

Once discharged from the hospital, I attempted to call Zane again. No answer. Frustration bubbled within me as I sent a series of texts, each met with silence.

“Why won’t you pick up?” I muttered to myself, feeling a growing sense of unease.

Just then, a sleek Rolls Royce Phantom pulled up in front of me. The driver’s door swung open, and a tall, handsome man stepped out, exuding confidence. He approached me with an easy smile.

“Hello! I’m Sebastian Sterling, CEO of Vanguard Dynamics,” he introduced himself, extending his hand.

I recognized the name. Vanguard Dynamics had competed for contracts I had awarded to Zane. They were rivals with Zane’s company. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Sterling,” I replied, trying to mask my unease.

“I’m Natalie Winters,” I added, my tone polite but reserved.

Sebastian’s smile widened as he shook my hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Natalie. Are you alright? You look a bit lost,” he observed, his gaze sincere.

“I’m just waiting for someone,” I said, instinctively protective of my situation.

“Would you like a ride home?” he offered, charming and disarming. “I can’t leave a lovely woman stranded.”

“No, thank you,” I replied politely, though curiosity flickered within me. He seemed genuine.

Sebastian’s smile faltered slightly, but he pressed on. “Are you sure? I insist. It’s a long wait, and I’d hate to see you standing here alone.”

His persistence was admirable, but I shook my head again. “I really can’t. I’m just waiting.”

He sighed, clearly not ready to give up. “I have a meeting to attend, but I can drop you off afterward. Just let me know.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine,” I insisted, trying to keep the conversation light.

After a few more attempts, he finally relented, returning to his car with a bemused smile. Just as he settled back into the luxurious interior, his personal assistant, Mark, looked over at him, eyebrows raised.

“Why did you take such an interest in that woman?” Mark asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

Sebastian sighed, his gaze drifting back to where I stood, my expression a mix of confusion and determination. “I don’t know. There’s just something about her,” he admitted. “I can’t quite place my finger on it, but I feel drawn to her.”

Mark chuckled lightly, shaking his head. “You, the notorious womanizer, suddenly interested in a woman you barely know? What’s the catch?”

Sebastian smirked, brushing off the comment. “It’s not like that. It’s different this time. There’s an air of mystery around her, and I want to uncover it.”

“Okay, Sherlock,” Mark replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Just be careful. You don’t want to get caught up in something you can’t handle.”

Sebastian’s smile faded slightly, a hint of seriousness replacing the playfulness. “I know what I want, Mark. And if there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that I want her.”

Sebastian leaned back in the plush leather seat of the car, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. His gaze drifted back to the entrance of the hospital where he had seen me. The image of me standing there lingered in his mind like an unfinished melody.

“Mark,” he said, turning to his assistant, who was busy tapping away on his tablet. “I need you to look her up. Her name is Natalie Winters. I want everything you can find.”

Mark glanced up, surprise flickering across his face. “You’re really interested in her, huh?”

Sebastian nodded, his tone becoming more serious. “She’s a beautiful woman, isn’t she?”

Mark nodded in agreement. “You’re not wrong about that. I’ll look her up and give you feedback as soon as possible.”

“Good,” Sebastian replied, settling back in his seat.

He started the engine of the car and zoomed off.

I watched as the sleek Rolls Royce Phantom glided away, my eyes following its movement until it disappeared from view. Sterling's presence lingered in my mind longer than I expected. He was as handsome as everyone said—tall, with a commanding presence and an easy charm that caught me off guard. I had heard his name countless times in business circles, but this was the first time we had met in person. Our brief interaction replayed vividly in my thoughts.

“Sterling’s got quite the reputation, but I guess there’s more to him,” I mused quietly to myself.

The thought didn’t last long. Frustration quickly returned. I pulled out my phone again and tried calling Zane. No answer.