The afternoon sunlight hit the mansion in warm streaks, slicing through the quiet like a warning.
There was a knock on the front door. Lillian froze.
Sebastian stirred on the bed, his dark eyes narrowing behind the bandage at his forehead.
Lillian's stomach tightened.
"The police," she whispered.
Sebastian didn't move at first, then slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, rubbing his temple.
"Let them in."
Minutes later, two officers stepped inside, professional and precise. They carried notepads, pens, and a kind of no-nonsense seriousness that made the mansion feel even colder.
"Mr. Wolfe, Miss Parker," one officer began.
"We need statements about the incident involving Ethan Bennett —your ex-boyfriend—and the events leading up to it."
Chloe, standing just behind Lillian, whispered, "Stay calm. Just stick to the facts."
"I will," Lillian said softly, though her fingers twisted nervously.
Sebastian's gaze was on her. Protective, sharp. He didn't speak yet, just stood by, silently guiding her with small nods whenever she faltered.
"Let's start with you, Miss Parker," the officer continued.
"Can you tell us exactly what happened this morning?"
Lillian took a deep breath. She recounted everything—Ethan showing up, the flowers, the threats, the forceful grabbing, the car, the drive. Every detail.
Sebastian's jaw tightened when she mentioned Ethan's strength. His fingers curled slightly, but he didn't interrupt.
Chloe leaned closer.
"Breathe, Lillian. You're doing fine."
The officer paused at the end of her statement.
"Were you injured?"
Lillian held up her bandaged wrist and arm.
"Yes. But… he didn't get very far thanks to Mr. Wolfe."
The officer's gaze shifted to Sebastian, who finally spoke. His voice calm, but with a hard edge.
"I arrived shortly after Ethan Bennett forced her into the car. He was restrained before it escalated further. Miss Parker is safe."
One officer scribbled notes rapidly. "And you, sir? Any injuries?"
Sebastian touched the side of his head, feeling the slowly forming bruise. "Minor. I'm fine."
"Minor?" the officer said skeptically.
"You were involved in a physical confrontation. We need full disclosure."
Sebastian's expression didn't change.
"Full disclosure: I confronted Ethan. He's no longer a threat. That's all that matters."
Chloe rolled her eyes slightly, but kept her voice steady.
"He's fine. Just a few scratches and bruises. We've been taking care of both of them."
The officers continued their questions, methodical and unyielding. They asked about the timeline, the car, the exact injuries, how Sebastian found her, and if there were any witnesses.
Lillian recounted each moment honestly. Her voice wavered when she spoke of the fear—the panic that had overtaken her—and Sebastian's eyes never left her.
At one point, the officer looked directly at Sebastian.
"Did you consider medical assistance for Miss Parker or yourself?"
Sebastian's gaze hardened.
"I considered it. Then I decided it was safer to handle things privately. She was unharmed by the time I arrived."
The officers exchanged glances.
"We'll need to file this formally, of course. But your cooperation has been… helpful."
After another half hour of detailed questions, notes, and signatures, the police finally left.
The mansion was silent again, but the tension lingered like smoke in the air.
Sebastian sank into the armchair by the bed, rubbing his temple. Lillian followed, her footsteps quiet. She couldn't help but notice the bruise forming under his hair, the slight tremble in his fingers.
"You didn't have to do this," she said softly.
"You could've gone to the hospital."
Sebastian shook his head.
"Not until I knew you were safe. That's always been my priority."
She swallowed. The words touched her in ways she hadn't expected.
They walked in silence to the bedroom. Sebastian's bedroom.
He sat on the edge of the bed, exhausted but alert, still watching her with those intense dark eyes.
Lillian felt her heartbeat pick up.
"You should sit," he said quietly.
She hesitated, then lowered herself onto the bed beside him.
The room felt smaller suddenly, the walls closing in around the two of them.
Neither spoke for a moment.
Then, slowly, Sebastian reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered near her cheek.
Her breath caught.
"You don't know how much you scare me sometimes," Lillian murmured, almost too quietly.
He leaned closer. His voice was low, raw.
"And yet… you don't run."
Her heart skipped a beat. The air between them was thick, charged.
Sebastian's hand moved slightly, closer to hers. She didn't pull away.
Their faces were inches apart now.
She could feel the heat of his breath. The faint pulse of his heartbeat against her hand.
A moment stretched.
Lillian's lips parted slightly.
Sebastian's lips hovered near hers.
Then—
"Guys! Coffee!"
Chloe's loud voice erupted from the doorway, shattering the fragile tension.
Both of them jumped, snapping apart immediately.
Chloe appeared in the doorway, holding a tray with steaming mugs.
"I thought you could use this. You know, caffeine and… adult things."
Sebastian blinked, almost glaring at her.
"Did you have to come in exactly now?"
Chloe tilted her head innocently.
"I did. Timing is everything, you know?"
Lillian buried her face in her hands, feeling heat rush to her cheeks.
Sebastian rubbed the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath.
"I almost… never mind."
Chloe set the tray down, oblivious to the tension she'd just destroyed.
"Here you go. Tea for you, black coffee for you, and—."
She glanced at Lillian.
"Chocolate, because trauma recovery requires it."
Sebastian's jaw tightened, but he sat back. Lillian peeked at him from behind her fingers.
"I swear, Chloe," she muttered.
"I save lives," Chloe said cheerfully. "Yours, apparently. And you're welcome."
Sebastian shook his head, running a hand through his hair.
"You've ruined a moment that could've changed everything."
Lillian peeked up. "Changed everything?"
"Never mind," he muttered, leaning back against the pillows. "Coffee."
The three of them settled awkwardly, Chloe making small talk, Sebastian mostly silent, Lillian unsure where to look.
But even with Chloe interrupting, the moment lingered in Lillian's mind.
The almost-kiss.
The closeness.
The warmth.
Sebastian noticed her staring, and for a brief moment, his eyes softened. There was no anger, only… longing.
Lillian's heart beat faster.
She could feel it—something between them had shifted. Something unspoken but undeniable.
Chloe, blissfully unaware, continued to chatter about the police questioning, minor details about filing reports, and whether Ethan could be charged.
Sebastian finally sighed, voice low and intimate.
"I don't want anyone else. Not at Sovereign, not in my life… just you."
Lillian froze. Her cheeks flushed. She didn't answer immediately.
Chloe, in the background, hummed while pouring coffee. Oblivious.
Sebastian's hand brushed slightly against hers, almost accidentally.
Lillian swallowed hard, her lips dry.
"I… I'll think about it," she whispered.
He gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod.
"Good. That's all I need."
The quiet returned, except for the faint hiss of coffee steaming on the tray.
Chloe hummed another tune, breaking the silence in a way that only she could.
Lillian leaned back, heart still racing.
Sebastian looked at her, a mix of exhaustion, frustration, and desire in his eyes.
They didn't speak.
They didn't need to.
Not yet.
Because even interrupted, even blocked by Chloe's timing, something had changed.
Something had shifted between them that neither would ever forget.
And both of them knew—when the moment came again, they wouldn't hesitate.