Sebastian paused, his gaze unfocused. He scoffed and turned around, his back facing Winter. "You're ridiculous, Winter. Are you telling me that you want a divorce right after our wedding reception?"
"Yes."
Sebastian clenched his fist as he tried to calm himself down. Her answer made him angry yet guilty at the same time.
There was a long silence between them, and Winter kept staring at his strong back, waiting for his response.
"You're crazy. But I get it, it must've been overwhelming for you," Sebastian remarked coldly. "You should rest first. Your body is fragile."
"Don't treat me like a child, Sebastian. I've made it clear—I want a divorce!" Winter raised her voice. She stood and kept her head up despite her legs shaking under the dress.
Sebastian glanced back, his gaze darkening with so much anger hidden beneath his pupils. "You're not going anywhere. We just got married, and divorce is never an option for us."
Winter had predicted Sebastian's answer up to this point.
She knew that Sebastian and his mother were two scheming scums who wanted to take over everything and then leave her dead in a ditch.
But it still hurt her, knowing that Sebastian hadn't changed.
'I think I saw you through my rose-tinted glasses before, Seb. How stupid can I be not to notice your greed?' Winter mocked herself. 'But I don't want to be trapped for the second time. I must get a divorce before it's too late.'
"And do you realize how stupid you sound? Our marriage doesn't have a prenup whatsoever. So if we get divorced, I will have fifty percent of your wealth," Sebastian mentioned. "Only an idiot would get a quick divorce while losing half of her money."
"I don't care if you take half of my assets," Winter said without hesitation. 'It's better for you to take half now than taking everything later. Besides, I refuse to live under the same roof, let alone be touched by a monster like you, Sebastian Saenz.'
Winter's answer this time truly stunned Sebastian. He went quiet for a while and then turned to face her again.
He looked imposing with his broad shoulders, brooding eyes, and sword-like eyebrows.
Winter looked tiny compared to him, especially with her pale and frail body.
But that didn't stop her from standing still, facing him bravely.
"You'd rather split your wealth in half than stay with me?" Sebastian asked incredulously, unsure if Winter had lost her sanity. "What's gotten into you, Winter? What did I do to earn your hatred like this?"
Of course, Winter couldn't say that she had returned in time and experienced all the horrible things Sebastian did to her.
Instead, she replied with a condescending tone, "My gut feeling told me that you're a horrible man."
"You'd rather trust your stupid gut feeling than me, your husband?!"
"My gut feeling is never wrong!"
"WINTER, YOU—!" Sebastian snapped at her, and Winter flinched immediately. He quickly tried to collect himself after seeing her flinch. He didn't want to say something that'd give Winter more reasons to hate him in this life. "You're being unreasonable. You accepted my marriage proposal, went through all the procedures for us to get legally married, and now you want to be separated."
Ignoring his protests, Winter cut to the chase, "I will find a divorce lawyer so we can get separated as soon as possible."
"Even if we get a divorce, do you honestly believe you can manage all of Aiden's wealth and company?" Sebastian challenged. "He has a multi-million dollar real estate company, other branch companies, a stock portfolio, and investments in other sectors. Go on, tell me, do you think you can handle everything without me."
Winter opened her mouth but zipped it the next second because Sebastian was right. She lacked the experience in handling such a massive company.
She knew nothing about investment, real estate, and other sectors that Aiden had worked in.
Winter was the Madam of the house, so all she knew was to manage the household and all the workers inside.
She was very good at doing her job, but none of those could help her to answer Sebastian's question.
Sebastian noticed Winter's bravery started faltering. He scoffed while looking down at her. "Thought so. You've been sheltered all your life. All you're good for is being a homemaker."
"You'll never find another man like me. I have many plans to make the shaky company your late husband left behind soar to new heights. It will be the biggest real estate company in America under my wing," Sebastian boasted. "And what do I ask of you for all my hard work? Nothing. I just want you to sit quietly on your little chair and let me do the rest."
Winter was completely speechless by now.
Because Sebastian didn't lie when he boasted about his skill.
Two years from now, Aiden's company would become the largest real estate developer in the United States, a feat even Aiden couldn't do.
Sebastian had all the qualifications that Winter didn't have to save the company.
"Now, do you want to destroy the company that your dead husband built from the ground up, or let me do the right thing?" Sebastian posed the deadly question that left Winter unable to respond.
Because the answer was painfully obvious.
Winter didn't want to see Aiden's company go bankrupt under her leadership.
Sebastian finally eased up after seeing Winter's confidence slowly dwindle.
"Have you calmed down, Madam Winter 'Saenz'?" Sebastian asked, emphasizing her new surname. He lazily threw his wedding suit onto the floor, "If you're not in the mood to do it tonight, let's just rest. I'm so tired after a long wedding reception. I need sleep."
"You can sleep here, but not me," Winter said. "I'm not going to sleep in the same bed with you."
Sebastian sighed. He massaged his temple as he got a continuous headache having to deal with this woman.
"What now? You refuse to share a bed with your husband?" Sebastian asked. "Seriously, what is wrong with you? Did you hit your head on your way to the bridal room?"