The wail of the ambulance sirens cut through the early morning calm, echoing across the streets as it raced toward Sebastian Wolfe's mansion.
Lillian's heart thudded painfully in her chest, every second dragging as she followed the paramedics across the marble floors.
"Keep pressure on the wound!" one of the EMTs barked as they lifted Sebastian onto a stretcher.
"I've got him," Lillian said immediately.
Her hands still pressed lightly but firmly on the dark crimson stain across his side.
Her fingers trembled slightly, but she refused to let go.
Sebastian groaned softly, his blue eyes fluttering open, trying to glare at her.
"I—don't… need…" His voice was hoarse, weak, almost inaudible.
"Yes, you do," Lillian cut in sharply.
"Shut up and let me worry about you, okay?"
He blinked at her, pain flickering across his face, but said nothing.
She saw the faint twitch at the corner of his lips, the only acknowledgment he could muster. It was fleeting, but it was there.
The paramedics worked quickly, checking his vitals, hooking him up to an IV, and administering oxygen.
Lillian followed closely, her hands never leaving his.
"You shouldn't have done this alone," she whispered, leaning closer, her voice breaking slightly.
"You could have died, Sebastian."
"I… didn't… want…" he rasped, his hand weakly brushing hers.
"Hospitals… useless…"
"I don't care," she snapped, her own frustration mixing with fear.
"You're not going to die because of stubbornness. Not today. Not ever."
He managed a weak smirk despite the blood and exhaustion.
"You really are impossible… you know that?"
"You're one to talk," she muttered, almost smiling, though tears threatened her control.
The ambulance doors closed with a sharp clang, and Lillian climbed in beside him.
The ride through the city was tense, every bump and turn sending jolts through Sebastian's injured body.
He groaned and hissed at the pain, but he didn't complain enough to make her stop him from keeping pressure on the wound.
"You'll be fine," Lillian murmured, gripping his hand tightly.
"Just stay with me, okay? Look at me, Sebastian. Stay awake."
He squeezed her hand weakly in response.
"You… really… care, don't you?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
"I do," she admitted, her throat tight.
"More than I realized… more than I probably should."
His blue eyes fluttered closed again.
Lillian brushed a strand of hair from his forehead.
"Don't you dare pass out on me," she warned softly.
"I'll—."
A sharp breath escaped him, and he opened his eyes again, weak but focused.
"I… knew… you'd…" He stopped, coughing into the oxygen mask.
"Save me…"
Lillian felt her heart twist painfully.
He wasn't just the cold, impossible Sebastian Wolfe here—he was vulnerable, human, and in need of her.
And she wasn't letting him go. Not now. Not ever.
The ambulance wove through the city streets, the sirens announcing their urgent passage.
Lillian's hands never left his side, adjusting the pressure as needed, whispering encouragements that seemed to barely reach him over his shallow breaths and groans.
Minutes stretched into an eternity.
Then, finally, the hospital appeared—a large, imposing building with flashing lights and the faint smell of antiseptic reaching them even before they stepped inside.
The paramedics wheeled him in quickly. Lillian followed without hesitation, keeping close to the stretcher.
Doctors and nurses immediately surrounded them, assessing Sebastian's condition, while she stayed at his side, refusing to let go of his hand.
"Name?" one nurse asked.
"Sebastian Wolfe," Lillian replied quickly.
"CEO of Sovereign Technologies. He was attacked last night—stab wound to the side. He refused help before I found him."
The nurse's eyes flicked toward Sebastian, then back to Lillian.
"We'll take over from here. You can wait in the lobby or a waiting area, but we need to prep him for treatment immediately."
"No!" Lillian shook her head, gripping his hand tighter.
"I'm staying. He's not alone—not for a second. He can't be alone. Please, just let me stay."
The nurse hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.
"All right. But you need to give us space and let us do our work."
Sebastian's blue eyes fluttered open weakly.
"Lillian…" he murmured, his voice strained.
"I'm here," she whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.
"I'm not going anywhere."
He tried to lift his head, but pain cut through him sharply. Lillian gently held him down.
"Don't move. Just breathe. I'm right here."
The nurses moved to start the treatment, prepping him for possible surgery, while Lillian stayed by his side.
Her fingers never left his, her eyes tracking his every reaction, every twitch, every flinch of pain.
"You're… so stubborn," she murmured, tears threatening again.
"Why… why won't you let anyone help you?"
"I… like… doing things… my way," he admitted weakly, giving her a small, tired smirk.
"Not… used to…" His voice trailed off, half-lost in the haze of pain and blood loss.
"Well, you're not doing it alone this time," Lillian said firmly.
"I don't care how much you hate hospitals, Sebastian. You're not leaving this room until I know you're going to be okay."
A faint warmth spread in his chest at her words, the first flicker of relief since Ethan's attack.
Even in his weakened state, he reached for her hand again, holding it tightly.
The sound of the hospital's intercom beeped faintly, but she didn't move.
She wasn't leaving him.
Minutes later, they began to wheel him down the corridor toward the treatment rooms.
Lillian followed, moving quickly to match their pace.
She whispered reassurances as he winced with every bump, pressing a hand to his shoulder.
"Almost there," she murmured.
"Just a little farther. You're going to be okay, Sebastian. I promise."
He coughed, trying to murmur something, but she shook her head.
"No words. Just stay with me. That's all I need."
Finally, the team reached a private room.
Sebastian was gently moved onto a hospital bed.
Monitors beeped and machines hummed.
Lillian stayed by his side, refusing to sit down, her eyes never leaving his face.
"Keep talking to me," she whispered.
"Keep your eyes open. Please. I need you awake."
His eyes fluttered up to hers, filled with pain, fear, and something soft—something he had only ever shown to her.
"Lillian…" he whispered, voice barely audible.
"I'm here," she said firmly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.
"I'm not going anywhere."
He gave a small, exhausted smile, squeezing her hand weakly.
"You… shouldn't…"
"I don't care," she said, voice breaking.
"I'm here. And you're not going anywhere either."
For the first time since the attack, Sebastian allowed himself to relax slightly, leaning back against the pillows.
Even in pain, even weakened by blood loss, he felt her presence like a shield. Safe.
And Lillian realized, fully and undeniably, that she would do whatever it took to keep him safe.
Because Sebastian Wolfe—cold, impossible, infuriating Sebastian Wolfe—was hers. And she would not let him go.