12 This instant

Elle felt as though a huge thorn that she never knew was there had been lodged deep within her chest was finally pulled out the moment Sebastian agreed to marry her. The feeling was incredibly… strange. Almost liberating, in fact. She felt as though her heart that was leaden was now as light as a buoy.

"Thank –"

"Don't." The curt reply came as he cut her off, giving his head a small shake. Then he stepped closer and leaned towards her before his indifferent voice ran through her. "There is nothing for you to be thankful for, princess. One day, you will realize that I deserve none of your thanks."

Her breathing shallowed at those words. Just by looking at those grey eyes as cold and hard as a bullet, she felt that what he told her were not just empty words. She could feel that he truly meant it. He was confident that what he was saying would turn out as a reality one day.