Chapter 3

"Pardon?" Sebastian stared at his wife with a stupefied expression.

"I said, keep addressing me as Madam. You can call me Madam Winter, but I don't want you to call me wife or darling. We're not close enough to do that."

For a split second, a trace of grief flickered across Sebastian's face, but it was too quick for Winter to notice before he resumed his stupefied expression. 

"What do you mean we're not close enough to do that? We're married!" Sebastian said. "I don't care what you say. I can call you whatever since you're MY wife!"

'Still the same stubborn, reckless, and dominant young man…'

For some reason, Winter felt nostalgic, which was part of why she got attracted to Sebastian in the first place.

He was young, reckless, and stubborn. Aiden was very loving of her, but he also had his fair share of bad traits, one being his stubbornness.

So she thought Sebastian would treat her kindly once they married, just like Aiden had. 

Too bad she was wrong. 

Winter was usually very meek and obedient to her husband, and even now, there was a fear deep in her heart. She feared what Sebastian and his mother might do if she dared to fight back.

But she realized that being meek wouldn't be able to change her fate; she had to stand up for herself and fight back.

So, she took a deep breath and said, "It doesn't matter whether we're married or not. I know that you don't love me, and I don't love you either. So let's maintain some distance between us."

"What is wrong with you, Winter?" Sebastian asked. He was confused by his wife's sudden change of behavior. "You accepted my proposal and exchanged rings with me. We are married, and you can do nothing about it."

"Or maybe…" Sebastian began, drawing near his wife with an inviting grin, making it easy for Winter to know what he wanted. "Are you mad at me because I spent too much time with my friends outside?"

"Well, don't be mad, alright. The night is still young. So why don't we start now?" Sebastian stood in front of Winter. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, and the heat from his palm made her shiver. "Let's do this, Winter."

Winter closed her eyes for a moment, trying to collect herself. She felt the heat of love from his palm, yet it only took a few seconds for that love to transform into disgust. She quickly brushed his palm off her shoulder. 

Sebastian's eyes darkened as he stared at Winter. "You're rejecting me? Your husband?"

"Yes, and you should know how much I want to call off our marriage," Winter said. 

"Winter! Do you hear what you're saying?!"

"Loud and clear," Winter replied, her voice trembling with fear and excitement. She had long wanted to say this but was scared of his reaction. "I want a divorce, Sebastian Saenz."

Sebastian paused, his gaze unfocused. He scoffed and turned around, his back facing Winter. "You're ridiculous, Winter. Are you telling me that you want a divorce right after our wedding reception?"

"Yes."

Sebastian clenched his fist as he tried to calm himself down. Her answer made him angry yet guilty at the same time. 

There was a long silence between them, and Winter kept staring at his strong back, waiting for his response. 

"You're going crazy. But I get it, it must've been overwhelming for you," Sebastian remarked coldly. "You should rest first. Your body is fragile."

"Don't treat me like a child, Sebastian. I've made it clear—I want a divorce!" Winter raised her voice. She stood and kept her head up despite her legs shaking under the dress. 

Sebastian glanced back, his gaze darkening with so much anger hidden beneath his pupils. "You're not going anywhere. We just got married, and divorce is never an option for us."