The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 107

107 The Boy She Saved

Hazel’s POV 20

The room felt smaller with just the two of us in it. Sebastian stood by the closed door his tall frame somehow making the luxurious sitting room seem inadequate. The soft lighting caught the angles of his face, highlighting cheekbones that could cut glass

“I believe you have questions for me, he repeated when I didn’t speak

I gathered my thoughts, trying to steady my racing heart. “Would you prefer to have this conversation here or somewhere more private?”

A hint of surprise flickered across his face. “There’s a balcony on the east wing. Not many guests venture there.

“Lead the way I said.

We walked side by side through the crowded ballroom. Every few steps, someone would try to catch Sebastian’s attention, but he deftly maneuvered us through the sea of people with polite nods and brief acknowledgments, His hand occasionally brushed against the small of my back, sending tingles up my spine.

The balcony was exactly as he’d described – secluded and peaceful. The night air carried the scent of jasmine from the gardens below. Stars dotted the inky sky above us, and the city lights glittered in the distance

Sebastian leaned against the stone balustrade, his profile sharp against the night sky

“Better?” he asked

“Much” I took a deep breath. “Now, I think you owe me some explanations

He turned to face me fully. The moonlight cast half his face in shadow, making hin

look almost otherworldly “What would you like to know first?”

Did you know me before all this? Before my boutique?”

“Yes.” No hesitation, just straightforward honesty

The confirmation sent a shiver through me despite the mild evening. “So all these meetings, these coincidences.

Has been intentional; he finished for me Though not all were directly on bestrated

by me

We both started speaking at once, then stopped abruptly. A smile rugged at his lips

genuine and warm

“Please, go ahead. he offered.

1 steeled myself “When and where did we meet? Because I have no memory of you before the day you walked into my boutique

Sebastian’s gaze drifted past me, as if looking into the past. “It was many years ago. You were visiting your grandmother’s hometown for the summer

My breath caught. “The village near the military base?

“Yes’ His eyes returned to mine, searching. “I was a troubled teenager, sent there as part of a disciplinary program.

Memories flickered at the edges of my consciousness – hazy, distant things I hadn’t thought about in years. “I spent several summers there when I was young.

“I know. His voice was soft. “You were a local fixture – bright, friendly, always

exploring

I frowned, trying to place him in my childhood memories. “Did we play together? Were

we friends?”

A shadow crossed his face. “No. We weren’t friends. But our paths crossed in a

significant way.”

“How?” I pressed, growing frustrated with the fragments he was offering.

“You saved my life; he said simply. “Twice.”

The words hung between us, heavy with meaning I couldn’t fully grasp. “… what? Did I pull you from a river or something?”

Sebashan chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Nothing so dramatic The brst time was much more ordinary, though no less important.”

1 crossed my arins, confused. “I think I would remember saving someone’s life

“You were about nine years old he began, his voice taking on a storytelling quality. “I

Hay Sher S

was fourteen and angry at the world. One day, I got into a fight with some local boys

be to bigger than me. It wasnt going well

As he spoke, something stured in my memory

shouting, the sound of fists on flesh

my small legs pumping as Iran

I was outnumbered and losing badly. Sebastian continued: “They had me cornered behind the general store. No one was around to help – except a little girl with pigtails who happened to be passing by.

“Did 1 My voice faltered. “Did I fight them off?”

His Laugh was genuine this time, a rich sound that made my heart flutter. “No. You were tiny. But you did something smarter. You ran to get the police officer who

patrolled the village square.

The memory crystallized suddenly – Officer Chen, with his kind eyes and gray mustache. The way my lungs had burned as I sprinted to find him.

“You told him there were ‘big boys hurting a smaller boy behind the store.” Sebastian said. “You led him right to us. If you hadn’t, I might have ended up with much worse than a few broken ribs and a concussion.”

My hand flew to my mouth. “Oh my god. You were one of the injured boys?”

His eyes held mine, intense and unwavering. “I was the injured boy. The only one.

The weight of his revelation pressed against my chest. “That’s why you’ve been helping

me? Out of some… childhood debt?”

“Partly” he admitted. “But there’s more to the story.”

“The second time,” I whispered.

Sebastian nodded. “The second time was different. More intimate, though you

probably don’t remember it either

My pulse quickened. “Tell me

“I had a rare blood type; he explained. “After the fight, Ineeded a transfusion. The local clinic didn’t have enough supply

A chill ran through me as pieces began to align. “They asked for donors

Yes And one little gid with the same care blood type volunteered. Her grandmother gave permission His voice softened “You were terrified of necrile

The memory flooded back- the antiseptic smell of the clinic, the nurse with the kind voice, the way I’d squeezed my eyes shut when the needle went in

“You gave blood for a stranger.” Sebastian said. “For me

My knees felt suddenly weak. I gripped the balustrade for support

“All this time? I whispered, “when you showed up at my boutique

“I recognized you immediately he confirmed. “You’d grown up, of course, but your eyes were the same.

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