Chapter 359

Pearl cried for what felt like forever. Dylan didn't hold back at all. He was right in many ways. But she didn't have a time machine. She didn't have the ability to change the choices she had already made. No. She had herself and her life and even in pieces, she was still holding onto it. It should have always been Dylan. He knew it. She knew it. But she was one to follow her heart always. Even if it destroyed her in the end. She had made a vow to Sebastian. To her country. To his. She had to at least try. But today, she was going to sit down and think it all through. She needed to figure out a way to balance it all and still keep her sanity.

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Sebastian hit the pain medication button again. He could feel. And he didn't want to feel anything. Not his physical or his emotional pain. He heard the doctors talking about postponing the surgery. He didn't know why it was even an option. His spine was broken. He couldn't walk. The rest of his life would be lived in a wheelchair. In hospital beds. He was a man. Men don't live like that. Once he was home, he would make the choice as to how he would live. Which was most likely not at all. Pearl was strong. She could run the world if she wanted to. They were better without him.

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Dylan left the palace and felt an overwhelming urge to walk away from Pearl forever. His heart was broken and he was tired of feeling the unbearable weight of it. He knew what her life would be if she left, if she chose him. He always knew what he would give her. All of him. Always. No matter what. He did already. And she deserved it. He pulled the car over and parked. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair and tied it back.

This was his chance to either walk away forever or do what he needed to do for her. Could he never see her again? Could he live with that? No. He knew that wasn't an option. Life without her would be death for him. He loved her. If this didn't work, then he would try to make her see what her life could be. But not now. Now he had to help her.

So he took another deep breath, got out of the car, and walked into the hospital.

"Dylan?" Sebastian asked, wiping his eyes.

Dylan sat down beside his bed. "Hello Sebastian." He said.

"Hey." Sebastian said. He wasn't in the mood for any visitors but he tried to remain cordial.

"I hear you are having some issues with wanting to participate in rehab." Dylan said.

"Fuck it, right? Doesn't matter anyway." Sebastian said.

"Actually, it does matter. It matters a lot." Dylan said.

Sebastian remained silent.

"I recall a conversation you had with Erik years ago. I was in the room, being the supportive friend that I always am. And in that conversation you told him that if he didn't treat Pearl well, if he didn't understand and appreciate the gifts in his life that you would be happy to claim them yourself." Dylan said. Sebastian looked over at him.

"So, dear friend, it's my turn." He said, leaning in very close to Sebastian's face.

"Pearl is your wife. To me and many others, she is the world. Our world. You have three beautiful children and a life that most could ever even dream of having." Dylan began. He leaned in even closer. "But I have to tell you. If you don't get off your ass and work for this family, this woman, I will take her. I will take her and your children and I will give them the life they deserve. I will convince Pearl to leave you and to marry me. I will take your wife, Sebastian. Mark. My. Words." He said.

Sebastian began to turn red and his pulse raced. Dylan could see the anger seethe.

"If you don't appreciate the gifts you have and if you force that beautiful, amazing woman to once again nearly kill herself to hold one of you fucks together, I will take her and your children and they will all be calling me daddy instead of you. Do I make myself clear?" He asked smugly.

"You will never take my family." Sebastian said.

"That's up to you now, isn't it?" Dylan said. He leaned back and stood up. He turned to him and smiled and walked out the door, passing Charles on the way out.