BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

*Chapter 29: Morning Revelations**

*Chapter 29: Morning Revelations**

As the first light of dawn crept through the window, I awoke to a new day, the excruciating pain of last night now just a dull ache. Sebastian was still there, his eyes, heavy with the weight of worry from the night, watching over me. He had been my unwavering guardian through the dark hours, and a wave of guilt washed over me, thinking about the stress I had caused him. Yet, beneath that tough exterior, I saw the undeniable goodness in Sebastian, a compassionate light he often kept hidden. He had shown me nothing but kindness and concern, his true nature peeking through the protective shell he usually wore.

Noticing my movements, Sebastian immediately came to my side. "Rest, Emily. Let me take care of everything. I'll get breakfast started," he said, his voice filled with a gentle insistence.

I tried to sit up, feeling a surprising sense of strength and clarity. "Emily, please, rest. I'll get you anything you need. I was about to start breakfast and can bring it to your room," he said, his protective instincts clearly at the forefront.

But I felt different this morning – stronger and free of pain. "I'm fine now, really. The pain is gone, and I feel perfectly capable of moving around. Let's not linger in bed any longer," I assured him, eager to shake off the remnants of the previous night's ordeal.

Sebastian looked hesitant, his concern evident in every line of his face. "You need to rest, Emily. The doctor was clear about taking it easy," he reminded me. But I was determined to start the day on a different note. Climbing out of bed, I smiled at him. "Come on, I'm super hungry. I'll help with making breakfast."

In the kitchen, standing side by side, the simplicity of making breakfast together felt like a soothing balm after the night's chaos. As we moved around, I could feel Sebastian's eyes on me, a depth of emotion behind them. It was clear he had something on his mind, something more profound, perhaps about us, lingering unspoken between us.

The air in the kitchen was thick with unspoken words, the tension almost tangible as Sebastian grappled with his thoughts. He started hesitantly, "Look, Emily, about last night... I just want to apologize for kis-"

But I couldn't let him finish. A whirlwind of emotions swirled within me, demanding to be heard. "You don't need to apologize, Sebastian," I said, cutting him off, my voice quivering with the weight of my feelings. "I'm the one who kissed you. I can't quite explain it, but... there's something about you. I know you're worried about hurting Luke, and I don't want to cause him pain either. But I can't ignore these feelings I have for you."

Sebastian's face was a canvas of conflict. "Emily, I can't..." he began, his voice faltering, laden with a mix of emotions. "Luke deserves your love, not me. I'm not... I'm not the man you think I am," he said, a tone of resignation and sorrow lacing his words.

His self-doubt pained me. I stepped closer, reaching out to touch his arm gently. "Sebastian, look at me," I implored, pouring every ounce of my feelings into my voice. "You always see yourself last, convinced you don't deserve happiness. But that's not true. You're not the villain you believe yourself to be. When will you accept that there's good in you?"

My voice grew passionate, my words earnest. "You deserve happiness just as much as Luke does. Stop punishing yourself. For once, look beyond your own darkness." My hand tightened on his arm, my gaze locked on his. "You're so much more than the shadows you hide in. You're kind and caring, and you've been here for me through everything. The goodness in you, Sebastian, it's so obvious to me."

He looked down, unable to meet my gaze, a turmoil of emotions playing across his face. "I kissed you because I see something in you that's worth fighting for. I see the kindness and care you try so hard to hide. I want you, Sebastian." My words hung in the air, a confession of the heart that couldn't be taken back.