“Do you really wish for me and Sebastian to divorce so badly? Weren’t you just acting like the best of brothers before?”
Caitlin’s words immediately made Yosef feel as though the ground could swallow him whole.
He quickly tried to explain, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean it that way, I just heard…”
“Before anything becomes a done deal, I advise you to stop overthinking.”
Caitlin walked past him but stopped, turning back to say, “Though I like fresh meat, you’re not quite tender enough. Such a pity!”
Yosef froze. “…”
Sebastian, overhearing this, couldn’t help but think of the time Caitlin had called him “old jerky,” and his mood soured.
Was she only interested in younger guys like his son? Could it be that she had a thing for younger boys?
“Not tender enough?” Yosef certainly didn’t think of himself as old!
Seeing Caitlin walking away, he quickly grabbed her wrist. “Trinity, I’m three years younger than Sebastian. I might look mature, but actually, I-”
Before he could finish, Caitlin coldly interrupted, “Yosef, you should understand what I mean. And please, take your hand off me!”
At this point, Sebastian could hear Yosef was clearly pestering Caitlin. Was he already getting touchy-feely with her?
He couldn’t stand that Yosef was pulling such moves behind his back. An idea crossed his mind, and he quickly executed it.
“Ahh…”
He let out a loud, dramatic cry and collapsed to the ground, shouting for help.
“Help!”
Both Caitlin and Yosef heard the cry.
“Not good!”
Recognizing it was Sebastian’s voice, Caitlin immediately wrenched her wrist free and sprinted forward.
Yosef, not knowing what was happening, followed her.
Running past a cluster of bushes, Caitlin, under the dim yellow light, saw the man lying on the ground.
“Sebastian! What happened?”
Caitlin ran over to check on him.
“Is that you, Caitlin? Help me, I fell!”
Sebastian waved his arms in the air, looking for support.
“What are you doing running out here so late?”
Caitlin complained, catching his hands and helping him up.
Sebastian’s arm draped over her shoulders, turning him into a kind of “hanger.”
“Where did you go earlier? Why are you back so late? Do you know I can’t go a step without you?”
Caitlin shot him a glance, thinking he was starting to lose his mind. How could he suddenly talk so sweetly?
“I went to find Howard. I had Xavi take him to get a haircut. His hair was getting long.”
Caitlin explained briefly.
A haircut?
Sebastian thought this was a good idea. After all, he could collect the child’s hair!
“Oh, well, let’s go home. Caitlin, I feel so unsafe without you around, it’s like the world is pitch-black…”
Sebastian said, purposefully leaning his head onto her shoulder, acting completely dependent.
Caitlin?
Ugh!
She nearly gagged!
Caitlin was quick-witted, and she figured that Sebastian had probably overheard her conversation with Yosef and was now putting on this show.
Was he trying to perform in front of Yosef?
Yosef, seeing the interaction between them, began to have doubts about what his mother had told him.
Would Sebastian really divorce Caitlin?
They didn’t look like a couple on the verge of separation!
“Let’s go. It’s late. We should all head back.”
Caitlin glanced at Yosef, saying this for his benefit.
Yosef didn’t have any good excuses to offer, so he could only awkwardly turn and leave, his back a bit dejected.
Once he was gone, Caitlin helped Sebastian walk back toward Vanderbilt Manor.
“Can you move your piggy brain off me?”
Caitlin asked, not holding back.
“Who are you calling a pig brain? Why do you always sound so harsh?”
Sebastian lifted his head, annoyed. Why was she always so mean with her words?
“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to listen.”
Caitlin bluntly retorted, “You were performing just now to impress your brother, weren’t you? Should I get you an Oscar for Best Performance?”
“Hmph! What else could I do? He’s changed his tune and is already trying to pursue my woman.”
Sebastian didn’t even realize what he had just blurted out.
“I’m not your woman. Watch your words.”
“…”
Sebastian fell silent. He realized he had said too much and that he’d misspoken.
She was just his temporary, nominal wife, after all!
As they neared Vanderbilt Manor, they heard hurried footsteps and Marcus’s voice in the distance.
“Hurry! Split up and search! We must find her!”
The others had flashlights and were dispersing.
When Marcus and the others passed by Vanderbilt Manor, Caitlin spoke up, “Marcus! What are you looking for so late?”
Marcus, still focused on searching, didn’t notice Caitlin and Sebastian in the shadows at first. He froze for a moment before replying,
“Oh, Caitlin! We’re looking for… looking for GiGi, the old lady’s GiGi… You two haven’t gone to rest yet?”
Marcus’s eyes flickered nervously, and his face looked somewhat anxious as he quickly made an excuse.
“We were just out for a walk, preparing to head back.”
“Alright, alright. We won’t disturb you. We’ll go look for GiGi.”
Marcus quickly led the others away.
Back at Vanderbilt Manor, Caitlin dumped Sebastian on the sofa and poured herself a glass of water.
After drinking, she muttered, “Strange, GiGi has been missing since the fire that day. Why are they still searching for her days later?”
Seeing Sebastian’s grim expression, Caitlin suddenly widened her eyes.
“Sebastian, have you already made a move? The little house…”
What else could have made Marcus so anxious if not Octavia’s disappearance?
“Yes, I’ve rescued her. And I’ve confirmed that she is indeed my aunt.”
Sebastian clenched his teeth as he spoke, his forehead muscles tight, and his hands balled into fists.
He was so angry!
Angry at those who had imprisoned his aunt!
Angry at the deceit that had lasted for years.
He had always thought his aunt was living abroad, possibly even married. But little did he know, she had been right here, living in near inhumane conditions.
“Have you met her? What are you planning to do?”
“Not yet. I plan to see her tomorrow. I need to get to the bottom of this!”
“Alright.”
Caitlin supported his decision. Maybe Octavia would be the key to uncovering the truth behind everything.
*
Later that evening,
Xavi returned with Bruce, and Caitlin took a quick glance at her son’s new haircut. It was a bit shorter, but it wasn’t a big change.
“Let’s go, Howard. Time for a bath!”
Caitlin led her son upstairs, while Sebastian turned to Xavi. “Got everything?”
“Got it, Young Master! Hair and nails!”
Xavi said with a proud grin, clearly expecting praise.
“Good! Tomorrow morning, once the identification office opens, you go.”
“Understood!”
“As fast as possible. I want the results in three days!”
“Got it!”
Sebastian nodded, his heart racing. In just three days, he would finally know her true identity!