That Night Seven Years Ago ( Part 1 ) Thea's POV Seven years ago. The ping from my phone jolted me from restless sleep. I hadn't slept well in nearly two years. On some level, I knew it had everything to do with Sebastian. He went to college, and my heart had felt unsettled, like something essential was missing. Whenever he left Ashworth territory to attend university, I'd toss and turn all night. But during holidays when he returned, I'd sleep like a baby. Grabbing my phone, excitement surged through me as I read the notification. I'd paid good money to have a special program installed that would alert me the moment Sebastian returned to pack territory. And now it was telling me he was back. I jumped out of bed, throwing on clothes at lightning speed. He might be back with Aurora, or maybe with Roman or Damien, but I didn't care. I just wanted to see him, even if only from a distance. Ready to go, I slipped out through my bedroom window. Being the least favorite anomaly of the Sterling family had its perks-my room was tucked away in the most remote corner of the house, making secret escapes considerably easier. Once on the ground, I called a car , my heart pounding harder with each passing minute. This isn't going to end well . The warning whispered through my mind, but I pushed it aside, my thoughts already filled with visions of Sebastian. I hadn't seen him in months and was desperate for even a glimpse. Go home , Thea . You're making a mistake . The warning grew louder, more insistent. I hesitated, as if struggling against myself. No, nothing concerning Sebastian could ever be a mistake. In the end, I shoved those concerns into the darkest corners of my mind and got in the car . I should have listened to that warning. Thirty minutes later, we pulled up outside a dimly lit bar. After paying the driver, I stared at the unfamiliar establishment, puzzled why Sebastian would come to a place like this. It wasn't his style at all. Squaring my shoulders, I used my fake ID to get inside and 1/3 3:23 pm That Night Seven Years Ago (Part 1) quickly found a secluded spot to observe. Within seconds, I spotted him. Surprisingly, he was alone. I watched from the shadows for a while, waiting to see if Roman or Damien would join him, but no one did. He was genuinely here by himself. This might be my only chance to get his attention, especially with Aurora not around. Taking a deep breath, I approached him. "Hi, Sebastian." My voice came out softer than intended. He turned, and to my complete shock, he flashed me a brilliant smile. We barely ever spoke-he usually went out of his way to avoid me- so this smile caught me completely off guard. "Little Thea!" His voice was loud and cheerful. "How are you doing?" That's when I realized he was already drunk, the alcohol having wiped away his usual coldness. He gestured for me to sit, immediately ordering me a drink. After the first sip, I nearly spat it out-it tasted awful. I'd never had alcohol before, but I forced myself to continue. "How's school?" I ventured, gradually relaxing. He laughed, bumping my shoulder. "Is that really what you want to ask me?" "No, I want to ask why you're drinking alone in this dump, but I didn't want to seem nosy. " I surprised myself with my boldness. He swayed slightly as he leaned toward me. "You're so thoughtful." Then he went back to his drink. "Did something happen?" I asked, concern evident in my voice. He didn't answer, just continued drinking. I followed suit, maintaining the silence. After a while, he spoke suddenly. "She won't marry me. " I looked at him in surprise, already feeling the alcohol's warmth climbing my cheeks. "Who? Aurora? " "Yeah. I proposed to her. Ring, down on one knee, the whole thing. But she said no." 2/3 That Night Seven Years Ago (Part 1) Shock rippled through me. He'd proposed to Aurora? I knew they'd been together for a while, but this soon? He loved her so much that he wasn't even going to wait for his mate? A sharp pain shot through my chest, but I tried to hide it. 'She said she's not ready yet, wants to focus on her study first. Why wouldn't she want to? Doesn't she love me?" The pain in his voice was palpable. I didn't know how to respond. Part of me secretly rejoiced that she'd refused, while another part ached for him, seeing how much this had hurt him. "Look, if she doesn't appreciate you, that's her loss. You're amazing, Sebastian, and you deserve better." I raised my glass. He stared at me for a moment, then smiled. "You're right." We clinked glasses and downed our drinks. I don't know how much time passed as we talked, danced, and kept drinking. By the time we left, we were both wasted, him barely able to walk straight. He suggested we share his hotel room, and I agreed-I couldn't go home drunk; my parents would kill me. Minutes later, we were in his room. As soon as the door closed, he was on me. Kissing me, touching me, tearing at my clothes until I was nearly naked. "Fuck, I've wanted this for so long," he slurred, stripping off his own clothes. I giggled stupidly. "Me too… Are you sure about this? Do you really want me?" It was too good to be true-I was finally getting the man of my dreams. "Absolutely. " He led me to the bed. Everything became a blur. I felt his touches, his kisses, his passion. The initial pain gradually gave way to pleasure. When climax hit, I heard him call out a name-" Aurora." Chapter Comments Title: CEO's Wife Spoiled by Three Big Shot Brothers Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance, Billionaire, CEO, Sweet Romance, Modern, Romantic, Hidden Feelings, Office Status: ongoing In "CEO's Wife Spoiled by Three Big Shot Brothers" by CrushReel, a twist of fate leads the daughter of a wealthy family to grow up in the care of another. Upon discovering her true lineage, she returns to her biological family and finds herself embraced by three influential brothers. Caught between two worlds, our protagonist navigates hidden emotions and familial bonds that transcend wealth and status. As she unravels the secrets of her past, love blossoms amidst the backdrop of corporate intrigue and personal growth. This captivating romance novel blends themes of self-discovery with the allure of forbidden love. With a modern setting and a touch of sweet romance, "CEO's Wife Spoiled by Three Big Shot Brothers" promises readers a journey filled with passion and intrigue. Available to read at CrushReel.