“Different, yet the same…

The other Friendly Brother.

Our eyes met.

“So you’re the painter,” he said, his voice smooth, edged with quiet amusement. “The one who had a debate with my brother… and his bodyguard.”

I blinked, caught off guard.He was… different. There was something lighter in the way he spoke compared to Domenic—almost friendly.But still… something about him didn’t ease me.

Beauty must run in their blood, I thought. They were both dangerously attractive… but there was something beneath it. Something that unsettled me.

“Sorry…” I murmured, unsure why I was even apologizing.

He let out a soft breath, lowering the bow completely before stepping closer.

“My name is Sebastian,” he said. “Sebastian De Valmont.”

I blinked, caught off guard.The way he said it—calm, confident—made my heart stutter.

“R–Rose,” I replied quickly. “Rose Morel.”

His lips curved slightly, like he already knew.

“Sorry for disturbing you,” I added, taking a small step back. “I should go home. This place… I don’t like the feeling here.”

My voice dropped without meaning to.

“Your brother…” I hesitated, then forced the words out ----------- Careful now,” a cold voice cut through the air behind me. “You’re speaking badly about me… while standing in my home.”

I froze.Domenic. I turned slowly, my heart tightening as I faced him. His expression was calm—too calm—but his eyes were sharp, watching me like he already knew every thought in my head.

“I wasn’t—” I started, then stopped myself, frustration rising. “No one is speaking for you. I just… I want to go home.”

My voice steadied, even if my chest didn’t.

“Or at least back to my office. I have a meeting.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Sebastian stood just behind me, silent now, his presence still close—too close.

Dominic's gaze flickered briefly toward him before returning to me.

“A meeting,” he repeated slowly, as if testing the word.

Then a faint, humorless smile touched his lips.

“You really think you can just walk out of here… whenever you decide?”

Something in his tone made my stomach drop. And suddenly, leaving didn’t feel as simple as I had thought.“What—? You son of a— I snapped, cutting myself off as frustration took over.

I didn’t wait for a response. I turned and started walking fast—then faster—until it almost became a run.

I just needed to get out. Out of that suffocating place. Out of their presence. Out of whatever twisted tension lived in those walls, my eyes scanned desperately until—The door. Finally.

Relief hit me so suddenly I almost laughed as I pushed it open and stepped outside, breathing in the fresh air like I’d been underwater for too long.

“Leaving already?”

I turned sharply. Sebastian. He was leaning casually against a sleek black motorbike, like he had been there the whole time, waiting. The engine hummed softly beneath him.

“Hey,” he added, tilting his head slightly. “You want a ride?”

For a second, I hesitated.

Then I glanced back at the estate doors behind me. No. I wasn’t going back there.

I exhaled. “Mm… yes, please.”

A small, genuine smile touched his lips this time.

“Thought so.”

He handed me a helmet, his fingers brushing mine for the briefest second—warm, steady.

“Hold on tight, Rose,” he said as I climbed on behind him.

Something in his tone made my pulse quicken again. Not fear this time, Something else. The engine roared to life. And just as we sped away into the fading light… The engine slowed, then stopped.

I blinked, realizing where we were.

“My studio…?” I turned to him, confused. “How do you know where my studio is?”

Sebastian pulled off his helmet, running a hand through his hair like it was nothing.

“It’s a small city,” he said simply. “And it happens to be my family’s city.”

My brows furrowed.

“I know every corner of it.”

“Oh,” I murmured, still trying to process it. Come on,” I said, unlocking the door and glancing back at him. “I can pour you a coffee… as a thank you for helping me escape your home.”

A faint smirk touched his lips as he followed me inside.