After school finished, Sebastian was packing his bag when Isabelle approached his desk. She was fidgeting with the strap of her bag, looking somewhat nervous.
"Sebastian?" she said quietly.
He looked up. "Yes?"
"Um... my father wanted to thank you properly. For everything you did." Isabelle's cheeks were slightly pink. "My mother too. They were wondering if... if you'd like to come over for dinner tonight? At our house?"
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Your parents want to have dinner with me? Or is it that you want to have dinner with me?"
Isabelle's face turned redder. "I—that's not—they really do want to thank you!"
"I'm sure they do," Sebastian said, his tone teasing. "But that doesn't answer my question."
"You're impossible," Isabelle muttered, looking away, but there was a hint of a smile on her face despite her embarrassment.
Sebastian chuckled softly. "I'd be happy to come to dinner. What time should I arrive?"
"Really?" Isabelle's face brightened immediately. "Around seven? Is that okay?"
"Seven is perfect." Sebastian stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Should I bring anything?"
"No, no! Just yourself is fine." Isabelle smiled, seeming genuinely happy now. "Thank you, Sebastian."
"Thank you for the invitation."
They made their way out of the classroom together. The hallways were mostly empty now, with only a few stragglers remaining. Ethan hadn't been in class for the last period—having been sent to detention, or possibly even facing expulsion after the cafeteria incident.
As they approached the school gates, Sebastian noticed a familiar figure standing near the entrance.
Ethan Cole.
He looked haggard, his uniform still stained from lunch, his hair disheveled. His expression was one of deep regret and desperation.
When he saw Isabelle, he immediately straightened up.
"Isabelle!" Ethan called out, taking a step forward. "Please, can we talk?"
Isabelle stopped, her hand instinctively moving closer to Sebastian's arm. "Ethan... I don't think—"
"Please," Ethan interrupted, his voice breaking slightly. "Just give me five minutes. I know I messed up. I know what I did was wrong. But please, just let me explain."
Sebastian remained silent, watching the scene unfold with calm interest.
Isabelle hesitated, clearly torn. She looked up at Sebastian, as if seeking his opinion.
Sebastian simply gave her a small shrug, indicating it was her choice.
She took a breath and stepped forward slightly, though she maintained her distance from Ethan. "Okay. Five minutes."
"Thank you," Ethan said, relief flooding his features. "Isabelle, I'm so sorry about what happened today. I wasn't thinking straight. Everything that's been happening—the rumors, the lies, people targeting me—I just... I snapped. But I shouldn't have. I know that."
His words came out in a rush, desperate and sincere.
"I've been under so much pressure lately. My sister's medical bills, my father coming home soon, school, work... and then yesterday with Alyssa lying about everything, and today with all those accidents..." He shook his head. "I know how it sounds. I know I sound paranoid. But I swear, Isabelle, I'm not violent. That's not who I am."
Isabelle's expression softened slightly. "Ethan..."
"I care about you," Ethan continued, his voice dropping lower. "More than I've cared about anyone in a long time. And I'm terrified that I've ruined everything between us because I couldn't control my emotions for one moment."
There was genuine pain in his eyes, genuine regret.
Isabelle bit her lower lip, clearly feeling conflicted. "I... I appreciate you apologizing. Really. But what you did today was serious, Ethan. You can't just hit people because you're stressed."
"I know. I know, and I'm going to make it right. I'm going to apologize to Marcus. I'm going to accept whatever punishment the school gives me. I just..." He looked at her pleadingly. "I just need to know that we're okay. That we can still talk."
Isabelle was quiet for a long moment, then she nodded slowly. "Okay. We can talk. But... not right now. I need some time to process everything."
"Of course. Whenever you're ready." Ethan's relief was visible.
Then his expression brightened slightly, as if a thought had just occurred to him. "Do you... do you want to go home together? Like we used to? We could talk on the way, or just... walk. Whatever you're comfortable with."
Isabelle opened her mouth to respond, but then seemed to remember something. She glanced back at Sebastian, who was still standing a few feet away, patiently waiting.
"I'm sorry, Ethan," she said gently. "I'm going with Sebastian today. We... I'm having dinner at my house, and he's coming as a guest."
Ethan's face fell. His eyes moved from Isabelle to Sebastian, and something dark flickered across his expression.
"Oh, I see." he said, his voice hollow.
"It's not like that," Isabelle said quickly. "My parents invited him. They want to thank him for helping my father."
"Right. Of course." Ethan forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "That makes sense. He's... he's been really helpful to your family."
The way he said it made it clear that he knew exactly what had happened at the hospital—his failed attempt to pay the bills, only to discover Sebastian had already handled everything.
"Another time, then?" Isabelle offered, trying to ease the tension.
"Yeah. Another time, have a good dinner."" Ethan's hands clenched at his sides.
He turned and walked away, his shoulders hunched, his entire posture radiating defeat.
Isabelle watched him go, a mixture of pity and relief on her face.
Sebastian stepped up beside her. "Are you alright?"
"I think so," Isabelle said quietly. "I just... I feel bad for him. He's clearly going through a lot."
"You have a kind heart," Sebastian said. "But remember, his problems don't excuse his behavior."
"I know." Isabelle sighed. "Come on, let's go. My parents are probably already preparing dinner."
Sebastian's limousine was waiting at the curb, the driver standing at attention.
As they walked toward it, Isabelle glanced at Sebastian's wrist again, where the Patek Philippe gleamed in the afternoon sun.
"That really is a beautiful watch," she murmured.
"Would you like to try it on?" Sebastian offered.
"What? No! It looks so expensive—"
"It is expensive. Which is why I'm confident you won't run off with it." Sebastian was already unfastening the clasp. "Here, just for a moment."
Despite her protests, Isabelle let him fasten the watch around her smaller wrist. It hung loosely, far too large for her, but she held it up admiringly.
"It's so elegant," she said softly.
"Looks better on you than me," Sebastian said with a slight smile.
Isabelle laughed, shaking her head. "You're such a charmer."
"Only when it's deserved."
She carefully removed the watch and handed it back. Their fingers brushed for a moment, and Isabelle's cheeks colored slightly.
The driver opened the limousine door, and they both slid inside.
As the car pulled away from the school, Sebastian caught one last glimpse of Ethan standing alone near the gates, watching them leave.
The protagonist looked utterly defeated.