Chapter 3: Birthday Lies and Dangerous Hands

The dining room glowed with warmth, filled with the scent of roast chicken and vanilla candles. I forced my smile wider, clinking my glass against his. For a second, I almost felt normal.

Dad looked so pleased, glancing between Sebastian and me. My stomach twisted with anxiety.

He was in high spirits, cheeks flushed with happiness. He shot Sebastian a knowing look—the kind that said he was proud of both of us. I felt a pang of unease.

"You kids have really grown up." His voice cracked with emotion. I longed for the safety of childhood, just for a moment.

His voice was thick with feeling. For a heartbeat, I felt like a little girl again, safe and loved. Bittersweet nostalgia washed over me.

I grinned so wide it hurt.

I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. Under the table, Sebastian pinched my waist—hard. I jumped, startled.

His fingers dug into my side, making me jerk in surprise. I shot him a glare, but he just smirked, the jerk. I wanted to kick him under the table.

If I hadn't stood up to toast when I did, who knows what he would have tried next. Anxiety prickled up my spine.

I could still feel the ghost of his touch, even as I tried to focus on the conversation around me. My mind kept drifting back to him.

The birthday cake came out, and the table erupted in laughter. But beneath it all, I felt a pang of sadness.

The candles flickered, casting golden light over everyone. Someone started singing, way off-key but so enthusiastic, and soon everyone joined in. I remembered birthdays from years ago, when things felt simpler.

After making his wish, Dad turned to Sebastian and grinned, "Sebastian, you're not getting any younger. Shouldn't you hurry up and bring home a girlfriend for us to meet?" My stomach clenched.

Dad's tone was playful, but he meant every word. He wanted grandkids, and Sebastian was his best shot. Tension hummed beneath the laughter.

Sebastian smirked, sliding his hand under the table. I tensed, bracing for whatever he was about to do.

His fingers found mine, tracing lazy circles on my palm. My heart skipped a beat, panic fluttering in my chest.

"Got it, Dad. But I haven't met anyone I like yet." His words dripped with irony, and I barely kept from rolling my eyes.

He winked at me, and I had to bite my tongue not to roll my eyes. God, he was insufferable.

"Then what kind do you like? Let your mom help you look." Dread crept up my spine as Mom jumped in, eager as ever.

Mom chimed in, leaning forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. My stomach twisted with anxiety.

Sebastian's hand pressed against mine under the table, rubbing slow circles across my knuckles. I tried to steady my breathing.

His touch sent shivers up my arm, distracting me. I fought to keep my face neutral, but my cheeks were burning. Panic clawed at my throat.

On the outside, I acted calm—just another bystander. Inside, I was losing it. My thoughts raced.

A thousand what-ifs spun through my mind. What if someone noticed? What if they guessed? My heart hammered in my chest.

Sebastian glanced at me from the corner of his eye. I felt exposed, like he could see straight through me. Nerves prickled down my spine.

His gaze lingered too long, and my breath caught. Heat crept up my neck. Oh God, did anyone else notice?

"Someone like little sis..." he said, voice light as air. My heart stopped.

His words sounded casual, but the air went heavy and dangerous. My palms started to sweat. What was he doing?

The whole family went still, their faces turning serious. Dread washed over me.

An awkward silence fell. Mom looked confused, Dad's smile faltered. I held my breath, desperate for someone to break the tension.

I forced out an awkward laugh. "Sebastian, what kind of joke is that?" My voice was too high, too shaky.

I tried to sound annoyed, but my voice trembled. Please, God, let no one notice.

Sebastian's grip on my wrist tightened, his smile all tease and warning. My heart skipped a beat.

He leaned in, lips brushing my ear. "Little sis, why are you so nervous? I mean someone like you, not you. I wouldn't want that." Relief flooded me.

His words threw me a lifeline, pulling us both back from the edge. I could breathe again. Thank God.

"Oh." I rolled my eyes, pretending to be annoyed. "When I get married, I definitely won't marry someone like you, Sebastian." I tried to sound playful, but my heart was still racing.

I crossed my arms, feigning indignation. The tension at the table finally broke, replaced by laughter and teasing. Relief washed over me.

Everyone started talking at once, and the moment passed. I let out a silent, grateful sigh. Thank God.

That night, I stayed at the old house. Sebastian's room was right next to mine. Anxiety buzzed in my veins.

The walls were thin, and I could hear him moving around, his footsteps soft on the hardwood. I hugged my pillow tight, wishing I could vanish. My nerves were shot.

I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Restlessness gnawed at me, every minute dragging by.

Every creak, every gust of wind outside set my nerves on edge. I checked the clock every few minutes, counting down the hours until sunrise. Hurry up, morning.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. My heart jumped into my throat. Fear iced my veins.

Three quick taps, then silence. My pulse hammered in my ears. I was frozen.

"Autumn, open the door." His voice was barely above a whisper, but it cut through the darkness. I hesitated, torn between wanting and dreading.

My heart pounded so hard it hurt. I squeezed my eyes shut, clutching the blanket tight. I was scared to move.

I tried to steady my breathing, but it was useless. Every muscle trembled. I felt like I was about to shatter.

"I know you're not asleep." Dread crept up my spine.

He sounded amused, like he could see right through me. I bit my lip, refusing to answer. My nerves were stretched thin.

There was a challenge in his tone—a dare I wasn't sure I wanted to accept. My stomach twisted.

I stayed silent, refusing to give in. Defiance warred with fear inside me.

The silence stretched, thick and tense. My mind raced. What was he waiting for?

No more sounds from outside the door. Relief trickled in, but I stayed tense.

I waited, straining to hear his footsteps. All I heard was my own frantic heartbeat. I hated how nervous I was.