Reborn as his captivating wife

Unraveling Control

The car ride back to the Hart mansion was silent at first, the soft hum of the engine filling the space between Elena and Sebastian. Outside, Oakridge's glowing skyline blurred past, but inside the vehicle, Elena shifted uncomfortably in her seat. A strange heat spread through her body, her skin prickling with unexplainable warmth. Her breathing grew uneven, and a light sheen of sweat gathered on her temples.

Sebastian noticed immediately.

"Elena?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet. His gaze darted to her pale face and slightly parted lips, then down to her clenched fists. "What's wrong?"

"I… don't know… I feel… dizzy… hot," Elena murmured, her words slurring slightly as she pressed a hand to her burning cheek. Her vision swam, the car's interior tilting, her body heating uncontrollably.

Sebastian's jaw tightened. "Mason!" His commanding voice rang out.

"Yes, sir?" Mason answered from the front seat, eyes flicking to the rearview mirror.

"Step on it! Get us home immediately," Sebastian ordered, his hand shifting protectively to Elena's trembling shoulder. "Something's wrong with her."

Mason nodded, accelerating smoothly but urgently.

---

By the time they reached the mansion, Elena's legs had turned to jelly. Sebastian didn't waste a second. He lifted her effortlessly into his arms, storming up the steps while the house staff scrambled to clear the way.

Her breath hitched against his chest, her fingers fisting his blazer, her dazed eyes unable to focus. By the time they reached her bedroom, she clung to him like a lifeline.

"Let me go," Sebastian tried, attempting to lower her onto the bed.

But Elena shook her head weakly, wrapping her arms tighter around his neck. Her cheeks were flushed red, her lips slightly swollen, and as she tugged clumsily at the straps of her gown, Sebastian's muscles tensed.

"Damn it," he cursed under his breath, realization dawning. Her reactions, her flushed skin, her dilated pupils...someone had slipped something into her drink. Likely laced with aphrodisiacs.

"Focus, Elena… you need to cool down," he muttered, sweeping her towards the ensuite bathroom.

---

Cold water cascaded down her heated skin as Sebastian held her steady beneath the rainfall shower. Elena whimpered softly, the icy droplets helping to clear the burning fog clouding her mind. Sebastian stood close, his clothes soaked through, but his grip firm and steady, refusing to let her collapse.

When she finally began to calm, her breathing evening out, Sebastian gently wrapped her in a plush towel and carried her back to the bed. He carefully dressed her in a comfortable satin nightdress, adjusting the fabric with surprising tenderness.

He hesitated before leaving but glanced back at her flushed, exhausted face. A sigh escaped him. Without overthinking, he climbed onto the opposite side of the king-sized bed, leaving a respectable distance between them but refusing to leave her alone in such a vulnerable state.

---

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains when Elena stirred. Her head throbbed, and every muscle in her body felt heavy. She groaned, pressing her fingers to her temples.

When she shifted slightly, her hand brushed against something warm and solid.

Startled, she blinked and turned her head—only to find Sebastian lying beside her, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, dark hair tousled against the pillow, jawline sharp and relaxed in sleep.

Her eyes widened as she sat up too quickly, the dizziness making her sway. Why is he here? He always sleeps in the west wing master suite… not here.

Her gaze lingered on him for a brief moment longer, taking in his unfairly handsome features. Her heartbeat fluttered before she shook herself out of it, cheeks heating again—this time for a completely different reason.

"What happened last night?" she whispered, confusion and fragments of hazy memories swirling in her mind.