Amari quickly lifted her gaze, lips parting as if she were about to speak—but no words came out. She was stunned, as if everything happening around her had become too much to process.
Meanwhile, Sebastian, with a stormy expression on his face, silently walked to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for her.
Seeing Amari still standing motionless like she was in a trance, Grandma Josefina gave her a light push and scolded gently, "Child, what are you doing just standing there? Get in the car."
Amari took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. "Grandma, it's getting late. You should head back inside. We'll be going now," she said, trying to sound calm and composed.
She knew they had to leave quickly to avoid stretching the act any further. The facade was getting heavier with every minute. In her mind, she was already making plans—maybe she could get out of the car later and catch a taxi. Better yet, she thought, maybe it was finally time to buy her own car. That way, she wouldn't have to depend on anyone anymore, especially not Sebastian.
Sebastian remained silent, but the tension in his jaw and the fire in his eyes betrayed the simmering anger he was trying to keep contained. His silence was louder than words.
Grandma Josefina, seeing Amari's hesitation, smiled warmly. "I'll go back inside after you've left. Go on now—don't worry about me."
Still, Amari lingered. But then she heard Sebastian's low, irritated voice: "Get in the car."
There was no kindness in his tone—only frustration and cold authority.
Left with no choice, Amari complied. She climbed into the car, and without another word, Sebastian closed the door behind her. He turned to Grandma Josefina and said flatly, "Grandma, please go inside now."
Grandma Josefina scowled, folding her arms. "That's enough talk. Just go already!" she snapped, obviously upset.
As the car pulled away from the estate, a heavy silence settled between them. There was no conversation—only the sound of the engine and the occasional sigh. The air was thick with unresolved emotions, and every second dragged like a weight on Amari's chest.
Once they rounded a corner and were far enough from the house, Amari took a deep breath and broke the silence.
"Stop the car," she said, her voice low and commanding.
Sebastian gave a sharp, sarcastic laugh. "Why? Going to meet another man?"
His words cut like a blade.
Amari's patience snapped. She laughed, too—but hers was bitter and full of pain. "So this is what it's come to, huh? You really think I'm that kind of woman?" She turned to him, eyes narrowing. "Why don't we just end this already? Wouldn't that make you happy?"
In an instant, Sebastian slammed the brakes. The car came to a sudden stop. He turned toward her, eyes intense and unwavering, waiting for what she would say next.
"If you're so eager to end this marriage," Amari continued, "then do it already. Because if you don't, I swear, I will make things hell for you. I'll be in your way, sabotaging everything you try to do. I won't make it easy."
She reached for the door handle, intending to get out. But the door wouldn't budge. It was locked.
Her heart pounded as she turned to him in disbelief. "What's the meaning of this?" she demanded, anger rising in her chest.
Sebastian looked at her, his eyes cold and unflinching. "Do you really think Grandma will always take your side?"
Amari's eyebrows arched, and she gave a mocking smile. "Of course. You think I ran to her crying, right? But Sebastian, even if I had, doesn't divorce matter more to you than her opinion? Just tell me when we're going to the Civil Affairs Bureau so we can get this over with."
Sebastian's temper flared, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened. "You have no idea how impulsive you sound. Have you even thought about what this will do to her? What do you think she'll feel when she finds out?"
Amari took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "If you're so afraid of her reaction, then why don't you be the one to end it? Don't wait for things to blow up in your face. Let's settle it now. Can we meet tomorrow and finalize the divorce?"
Sebastian's voice deepened, each word heavy with anger. "I told you—I'll let you know when I'm available. Now get out of the car."
Amari shook her head, laughing darkly. "You think I want to stay in this car? Sebastian, you'll always be a prisoner of your own arrogance."
With that, she flung the door open, this time successfully. She stepped out without hesitation, the heels of her shoes clicking against the pavement. Her back was straight, her expression unbothered as she walked down the narrow mountain road. She didn't look back even once.
Several hours later, Sebastian arrived at his office.
The silence of the room was broken by the shrill ringing of his phone. He picked it up coolly, as if he had been expecting the call.
"Sir," came the voice at the other end. "She made it down the mountain safely. Nothing unusual happened. No one else was with her."
Sebastian's jaw clenched. "You don't have to follow her anymore."
The person on the line hesitated, surprised by the cold order. "Understood, sir."
He ended the call and placed the phone back on his desk. He stared out the window, the city lights reflecting in his eyes. But his thoughts were not on work—they were replaying Amari's last words over and over again.
He didn't want to think about her anymore. He told himself it was over.
And yet… something felt wrong.
There was a pit in his stomach that wouldn't go away, a quiet voice whispering that despite all the anger and accusations, something had changed—and not for the better.