My Stone-Hearted Billionaire Husband

“Boss. Here’s video footage of the Madame eating with her office mates around when you called.

Sebastian squinted his eyes as he observed the footage closely. His wife was eating with two others, a female and a blonde “male,” chatting and laughing happily.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He sat up straighter on the hospital bed and watched intently. At the time of his call, only the male was with her on the table.

He couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy and anger once again as he watched the two of them.

“Who’s that guy?” Sebastian demanded, his voice cold and commanding as he pointed at the male figure in the video.

The security guards glanced at each other before one replied, “We’re not sure, Boss. Seems to be one of the Madame’s coworkers or a friend.”

Sebastian clenched his jaw. He didn’t like the idea of his wife spending time with another man, especially in a relaxed and friendly manner, despite it being her workplace. Was she that close with all her male colleagues?

“Keep an eye on him. I want to know more about this guy and do it discreetly,” he sneered.

************

“Where is he?” Kourtney asked impatiently as she followed Sebastian’s kind-looking elderly driver into the hospital.

She didn’t expect that his driver would bring her to the hospital of all places or that he might be here. Her mind raced with worry. The man had sounded perfectly fine on the phone when he demanded she meet him.

There was no hint of any medical emergency in his cold voice either. So, why the hospital? Was he sick or something?

Despite their rugged relationship, she couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to him. He was her legal husband, after all.

“This way, Madame.” Sebastian’s driver, Mr Martins, led her to a private area in the hospital.

As they approached a door, he stopped and turned to her. “Mrs. Woods, Mr. Woods is inside. He asked me to bring you here. Please go in.”

Kourtney nodded, and then she pushed open the door. As she entered, she was met with the sight of her husband, seated on the edge of a hospital bed, looking perfectly healthy, albeit a bit irritated.

‘So, I’ve been worried for nothing!’

She caught sight of Jamie, his assistant who had played the role of best man during their “wedding” if that can even be classified as a wedding at all. And then three others who looked like his security guards all greeted her.

Sebastian looked up as she entered, and their eyes locked. He seemed relieved to see her, although his expression remained stern. He thought she looked even prettier in her working clothes, a beautiful office attire that exuded confidence and professionalism, showcasing her impeccable fashion sense.

She donned a crisp white blouse and a navy blue high-waisted knee-length pencil skirt that hugged her feminine curves elegantly

He swallowed hard and sucked in a deep breath when he saw her. But then…..

“You’re 4 minutes late.”

Kourtney rolled her eyes. “Not my fault. There was a slight traffic jam.”

“And what kind of woman leaves her sick husband for three days, not caring if he is dead or alive?” Sebastian’s tone was laced with anger, his gaze piercing her like ice.

He remembered saying he would give her a call during the drive to her family home after they wedded. Wasn’t she supposed to be worried that he hadn’t called as promised?

“Excuse me? How was I supposed to know you were sick? And what is even the problem with you? I’m sure you’re not sick at all. You look pretty fine to me.”

Sebastian scoffed, “Fine indeed. You think I’m fine just because I don’t look like I’m on my deathbed? Do you have any idea what I’ve been through the last three days?”

“Well, you can’t blame me for being a bit skeptical. So… remind me why I’m here again?” Kourtney said crossing her arms, her patience wearing thin.

Jamie and the others stood around awkwardly, watching the bickering couple without daring to make a sound. They stood somewhat like statues in a museum.

“To take good care of me.”

As soon as Sebastian said those words, Jamie and the security guards all exchanged confused glances, each wondering what was going on in their boss’s head. Since when did he ever need anyone to take care of him?

Meanwhile, Kourtney grimaced. “What??”

Sebastian ignored her shocked response. “Firstly, I’m hungry. And I’m sure you’ve just had your lunch. I need someone to feed me. My hands feel like they’ve forgotten how to hold utensils properly.”

“Excuse me??”

“I said, feed me!”

Kourtney’s disbelief was quickly giving way to annoyance.

“YYou’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?” Sebastian said arrogantly, his superiority evident in every syllable.

Kourtney blinked in confusion. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered under her breath.

“First of all, we barely know each other, and this ‘marriage’ was a rash decision. Second, I have a job and responsibilities. You can’t just demand that I drop everything and play house with you. Feed you? Are you a baby or what?”

Sebastian’s gaze bore into hers. “You agreed to this marriage. You knew what you were getting into.”

Kourtney sighed in frustration. She did agree to this marriage, but she never anticipated it would involve playing nurse to a grown man who seemed perfectly capable of taking care of himself.

“With all due respect, Mr. Woods, I can’t just drop everything and be at your beck and call because you’re feeling a little under the weather. I’m not your nanny.”

Sebastian’s face turned a shade darker, his anger steaming just beneath the surface. “A little under the weather? Is that what you think this is? Woman, you have no idea what I’ve been going through. The pain, the discomfort, the misery. You’re supposed to be my Wife, but you don’t care, do you?”

Kourtney couldn’t believe the audacity of this man. They barely knew each other, and their marriage had been a whirlwind. Now, she was accused of neglecting her “sick” husband.

She pouted her lips in vexation. It was the way he kept sounding as if they were a close and loving couple that irked her the most.

They were practically strangers who had entered into a hasty marriage due to unforeseen circumstances. Their relationship had barely scratched the surface, and now he expected her to play the doting wife. It was absurd!

“Mr. Woods, I don’t appreciate being summoned like this, especially when I’m so busy with work. I have a job, a life, and responsibilities too, you know.”

“The more you talk, the more hungry I become!” Sebastian yawned.

Kourtney had had enough of this nonsense.

“For God’s sake, Mr. Woods, why can’t you just involve your family or friends? I mean, people who know you better and can provide the care you need? Or better still, hire a nanny. You’re rich.”

Sebastian’s expression hardened, and he clenched his jaw. “I don’t want anyone else. I want only my Wife. It’s your duty to take care of me when I’m not well.”

Jamie, still standing in the corner, had a hard time containing his laughter at their heightened arguments. He had witnessed their unconventional marriage and knew that these two were like oil and water. Watching them bickering like this was like watching a sitcom, and he was desperately trying not to giggle out, or he might lose his precious job.

He had to admit, Mrs. Woods’s arrival has certainly made things more interesting around here.

He had been witness to Sebastian’s abrupt change in behavior. One moment, his boss woke up from a 3-day coma, feeling quite energetic and even refusing his Doctor’s advice to stay on medicated drips. And the next moment, he was acting like a helpless patient who needed to be fed because his wife had arrived. It was nothing short of comical!

Sebastian, however, seemed oblivious to the absurdity and hilariousness of the situation. “I need you here, and you’ll stay.”

“Fine,” Kourtney finally conceded. “I’ll stay for a while and make sure you’re okay. But don’t expect too much.”

She couldn’t believe she had to feed this grown-ass man like a goddam baby. Things were becoming more complicated than she had anticipated. The man was way too demanding for her liking. He acted like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum, and she felt frustrated.

‘I thought the tabloids said he was a cold and ruthless person who hated everyone, especially women,’ Kourtney thought, rolling her eyes internally.

There was a stark contrast between the man the tabloids had portrayed and the one currently in front of her.

Those headlines, those sensationalized stories that had followed Sebastian Woods for years, had depicted a man who cared for nothing and no one. They said he was a man who valued no ties, a complete loner. But now, here he was, asking her to care for him like a proper spouse should.

He had even demanded her presence as if his life depended on it. She couldn’t help but wonder why he was acting so different and spoiled like this.