Restarting Life: Back From the Dead novel Chapter 17

In times past, Sebastian might have given in without much resistance. But right then, a wave of revulsion and irritation toward Zoey surged through him, leaving no room for mercy.

He pried her hands off his body with a sharp motion. Without hesitation, he spun around, seized her by the neck, and flung her aside as if she were nothing more than a bothersome object.

“Zoey,” he said coldly, his eyes flashing with a fierce anger, “have I been too lenient with you? So much so that you’ve completely forgotten your place?”

Her heart clenched painfully. She shook her head, unwilling to accept his harsh words. Struggling to rise, she placed her hand on the floor, desperation rising inside her like a tide. She needed to escape, to get away from this suffocating tension that was building deep within her chest.

Sebastian shot a brief glance at his bodyguard. Without hesitation, the man moved swiftly, pinning Zoey firmly to the ground.

Sebastian’s grip tightened around her chin, so forceful it felt as if he might break her. “Zoey, I gave you the chance to walk away. You refused. Fine. Then I’ll give you exactly what you deserve. Now is the perfect moment to make you pay for everything you’ve done to Felicia.”

He withdrew his hand with a look of pure disgust, accepting an antiseptic wipe from the bodyguard and cleaning his palm meticulously.

Another glance at the bodyguard was all it took.

The man nodded and began dragging Zoey away. Though she had no idea where they were taking her, a cold dread settled in her stomach. It was clear this was no place she wanted to be.

Frantically, she shook her head again and pleaded, “Sebastian, you can’t do this to me! I never bullied Felicia! I was only following your orders. Please, just let me go.”

Sebastian sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “Zoey, do you really think I wouldn’t find out? My people told me everything. At that party, you deliberately fell down the stairs and blamed Felicia. You wanted her out of the way so you could take her place. I didn’t want to get involved, but since you insist on provoking me, I’ll make sure you pay for every single thing.”

He paused, then added, “Once she’s recovered a bit, take her blood—ten times the amount she owes Felicia—and donate it to the hospital.”

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the mansion, leaving Zoey behind in utter despair.

She collapsed onto the floor, her gaze vacant and hollow. She couldn’t understand what she had done to deserve such cruelty. If only she hadn’t shown up that day—would everything have turned out differently?

Sebastian had always treated her with kindness before. She had almost been able to replace Fiona, take Felicia’s place, and claim it all as her own by marrying him.

But now, everything she had dreamed of was completely shattered.