BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 12: The Echoes of Silence

Chapter 12: The Echoes of Silence

Ever since that night at the club, Sebastian has ensconced himself in a shroud of silence, a barrier I can't seem to penetrate. His avoidance has become a constant presence in the penthouse, an unspoken void that follows me from room to room. It's perplexing, this sudden shift in his demeanor, leaving me grappling with an array of emotions I can't quite understand.

Each time I enter a room, his reaction is the same: a hastily mumbled excuse, a swift exit. It's as if my very presence is something he can't bear, a reminder of something he's desperately trying to avoid. I thought we had forged a bond, a kind of friendship, but now I'm left doubting the very foundation of that connection.

In my attempts to bridge this growing chasm, I've confronted him, asking if I've done something to cause this rift. Yet his responses are evasive, a mere brush-off with a terse, "I'm not ignoring you, I just have things to do." But his words don't match his actions, his gaze heavy with an emotion he seems incapable of articulating, a look that seems to say he can barely stand the sight of me.

I couldn't fathom what I might have done to provoke such a stark change in him. We were friends, weren't we? Or at least, I thought we were. So, this morning, in an attempt to bridge the growing chasm between us, I decided to make breakfast. It was a small gesture, but maybe it would prompt Sebastian to talk, to share what was troubling him.

Luke's presence this morning was a warm contrast to the cold void left by Sebastian's absence. "Good morning, beautiful," he greeted me, his voice rich with affection that seemed to fill the room with a comforting glow. His lips brushed my forehead in a tender kiss, momentarily eclipsing the tangled complexities of our marriage with its simplicity.

Despite the unresolved issues simmering between us, Luke's striking good looks were undeniably alluring. There was a magnetic pull in his proximity, a physical appeal that persisted despite the myriad questions and uncertainties underlying our relationship.

"Good morning to you too. I tried my hand at cooking breakfast. Not quite sure about my skills, though. I just followed some YouTube tutorials," I said, my voice tinged with a mix of hopefulness and self-deprecation. The light-hearted tone was an attempt to bring some semblance of normalcy into our strained dynamic.

Luke's laughter, warm and comforting, filled the room as he cupped my cheek affectionately. "Emily, I'd happily eat anything you make. Even if it's horse meat, as long as it's made by you, it'll be perfect," he said, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a flutter through my heart.

I managed a weak smile in response, the complexity of our situation momentarily pushed to the back of my mind. "I hope it's at least edible. Oh, and Sebastian is still sleeping. I left some breakfast for him too."

Luke's response, however, swiftly shifted the mood. Running a hand through his hair in clear exasperation, he let out a frustrated sigh.

"I seriously can't figure out what the fuck is up with Sebastian. Every little thing sets him off. He's like a ticking time bomb lately. Offer him a job, you know, considering it's a hell lot safer for him here with our father on the prowl. But he just flat-out said no, didn't even think twice. Clams up, won't talk about anything. It's like he's walking around with a chip on his shoulder."

He ran a hand roughly through his hair, his agitation palpable."Our dad really did a number on him, but I can't break through to him. Mom and I, we did everything, literally fucking everything, to find him. But he's got this fucked-up narrative in his head, convinced himself we didn't care, which is total bullshit. I'm at my wits' end, Emily. He's being a stubborn asshole, and I have no idea how to break through to him."