Chosen as the Cursed Alpha's Seventh Bride

Emilia’s POV

I was in the bathroom, still wrapped in a towel, when I heard it.

"Emilia! Emilia, come out! Quick!"

Lily’s voice. High. Panicked.

I grabbed my bathrobe and tied it as I walked out. "What’s wrong? What the hell is going on?"

She burst into the living room. Her face was pale.

"It’s worse than hell. Alpha Sebastian is here."

My body froze. Just for a second. Then I forced myself to keep moving.

Shit. How did he find me?

I already knew what happened as Lily was thinking before she opened her mouth.

*Oh god oh god oh god. He followed me. He definitely followed me. I’m so dead. He’s going to kill me for lying.*

Lily raised her hand. "I swear I didn’t tell Alpha Sebastian you were here."

I quickly went over and hugged Lily. "Don’t be nervous, dear. I’m not blaming you. Just take your time."

"I met him at the gate, and I did exactly what you told me. I thought he bought it. Even Scott bought it. But that bastard didn’t."

*He’s a wicked yet smart Alpha.*

I walked to the window. Pulled the curtain back just an inch. Through the gap, I saw a black car. A man leaning against it.

I knew that silhouette anywhere.

"He’s sure you’re here," Lily said, appearing beside me. "He’s waiting."

I stared at him for a long moment. He lit a cigarette. Didn’t move. Just stood there. Waiting.

Fine.

I let the curtain fall, turned, and walked to the bedroom.

"Hey! You’re not just going to forgive him, are you? Hey, Emilia! Have you forgotten how he treated you?"

I ignored her. Pulled on jeans and a sweater. Combed my wet hair back with my fingers. Didn’t bother with makeup.

I walked out the door.

The night air was cool. The street was quiet. My footsteps were the only sound until I stopped in front of him.

Sebastian straightened up when he saw me. Slowly. Like he had all the time in the world. He crushed the half-smoked cigarette under his shoe.

I glanced at the ground. Cigarette butts everywhere. He’d been here a while.

I looked at him. Expressionless. "What do you want?"

"Is your hand getting better?"

I almost laughed.

"Does it have anything to do with you? Who am I to you?"

His jaw tightened. He lit another cigarette.

"Tell me why you’re here."

"I’m quite worried about you."

He said it like it was simple. Like he hadn’t locked me in a car and left me to die. Like he hadn’t gambled me away to his friends.

I let out a short laugh. Cold. "You’re worried? You think that makes up for what you did? Sebastian, I’m not a three-year-old child. And you don’t have to pretend to be merciful here."

"I know you’re very angry now—"

"So?"

I cut him off. I was waiting for it. That one word.

Just say it. Just say you’re sorry. Is it that hard?

He said, "I really didn’t remember that you had claustrophobia at that time."

"It’s not surprising at all," I said. "You could treat me like a bet and leave me to your friends. How could you possibly remember what illness I’m suffering from?"

"You were the one who said your self-respect was worthless."

My chest burned. "No matter how worthless it is, it doesn’t mean I don’t want it. People like me don’t have many things in life. I’m not rich enough to throw away anything that still matters."

Silence.

We just stood there. Staring at each other. The tension was thick enough to choke on.

Finally, he broke first.

"Come back with me."

I turned around. "Say that to me only when you really realize your mistake."

I walked back to the house. I didn’t look back.

But I could feel his eyes on me the whole way.

As I closed the door, I let out a bitter smile.

All I wanted was one word. "Sorry." But that arrogant bastard couldn’t even give me that.

Two days passed.

I stayed at Lily’s place. Ate her food. Watched her TV. She didn’t ask questions, which I appreciated.

Then my phone buzzed. Scott.

"I’m outside. Come down when you’re ready."

I stared at the screen. How the hell did he know I was here?

I walked out of the bedroom. Lily was on the couch, scrolling through her phone. She looked up when she saw me grab my keys.

"Going out?"

"Scott’s here."

Her eyebrows shot up. She let out a low whistle. "You haven’t lost your popularity, have you?"

"Don’t get jealous. I’ll bring you back some snacks."

Lily blushed and threw a pillow at me. "Go on, get to your date."

I walked downstairs. Scott was leaning against his car, arms crossed. He smiled when he saw me.

"Mr. Scott," I said flatly. "What can I do for you at such a late hour?"

He chuckled. "Don’t act like a stranger."

Then his eyes landed on my hand. The bandage. His smile faded. He grabbed my wrist before I could pull away.

"What happened to your hand?"

I glanced up at the second-floor window. As expected, Lily’s silhouette was pressed against the glass.

I pulled my hand back slowly. "Nothing."

"Did you quarrel with Sebastian?"

"No."

"Then why are you staying here?"

I sighed. "Scott, I know how you feel about me. But I’m already married. No matter how much you care, it’s useless. Why waste your time?"

"Emilia." His voice was soft. "You’re the only one I want."

I heard his thoughts loud and clear. *"She must have suffered at Sebastian’s hands. If only she’d divorce him. I’d take care of her."*

A woman’s heart is fragile, especially after being hurt by another man.

I was touched by Scott’s words, but I didn’t waver.

I pretended I didn’t hear it.

"If there’s nothing else, I—"

"Have supper with me. You owe me from last time."

I blinked. "It’s too late, isn’t it?"

He smiled. "What can I do? I came here on an empty stomach. I thought my luck wouldn’t be so bad that I’d be rejected every time."

I hesitated. "Can we bring Lily along?"

He shook his head. "I just want to be with you."

I was still struggling when he opened the passenger door and made a gesture.

"If you still refuse today, I’ll start collecting interest. The number of meals doubles every time you say no. If you don’t want to owe me that many, you should pay your debt as soon as possible."

I sighed and got in the car.