Two days later, the hospital room looked very different.
The machines had been unplugged.
The IV stand had been rolled away.
The steady beeping that had filled the room for days was gone, replaced by quiet morning light streaming through the blinds.
Sebastian Wolfe stood beside the bed, carefully buttoning the last button of a dark shirt that the hospital staff had returned to him.
He moved slower than usual.
Every small movement pulled slightly at the wound in his side.
But he refused to show it.
The doctor stood near the door, holding a clipboard.
"You are being discharged today, Mr. Wolfe," the doctor said.
"But that does not mean you are fully recovered."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
"I assumed that part was obvious."
"You lost a significant amount of blood," the doctor continued calmly.
"Your stitches could reopen if you strain yourself. No work. No stress. No physical exertion."
Sebastian looked unimpressed.
"So I'm supposed to sit around doing nothing."
"Yes."
"That sounds unrealistic."
Lillian, who had been standing quietly near the window, crossed her arms.
"You heard the doctor."
Sebastian turned his head toward her.
"You sound very pleased about this."
She smiled slightly.
"I am."
"Of course you are."
Chloe, leaning casually against the wall with a cup of coffee, snorted.
"I'd pay to see someone force Sebastian Wolfe to rest."
Sebastian gave her a dry look.
"You're enjoying this far too much."
"Absolutely."
The doctor cleared his throat.
"As I was saying, if the wound reopens you will be right back here."
Sebastian sighed quietly.
"That won't happen."
"I hope not," the doctor replied.
Just then a nurse entered the room pushing a wheelchair.
Sebastian stared at it.
"No."
The nurse smiled politely.
"Hospital policy."
"I can walk."
Lillian stepped forward immediately.
"You're using the wheelchair."
Sebastian looked at her slowly.
"You've betrayed me."
"You were stabbed."
"That's not the point."
Chloe grinned from the corner.
"Breaking news," she said.
"Billionaire CEO defeated by hospital wheelchair."
Sebastian rubbed his temple.
"This is humiliating."
"Sit," Lillian said.
He stared at her for a long moment.
Then slowly sat down.
Chloe clapped once.
"Wow. I'm impressed."
Sebastian muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "traitors."
A short while later, they stepped outside the hospital.
Fresh air greeted them immediately.
The sky was clear, the morning bright.
Lillian had already pulled her car up to the front entrance.
Sebastian carefully stood from the wheelchair, ignoring the nurse's concerned look.
"I told you I can walk," he muttered.
"Slowly," Lillian replied.
"I'm aware."
She stayed close beside him as they walked to the car.
Not hovering.
But close enough to catch him if he stumbled.
Sebastian noticed.
He didn't comment on it.
Once inside the car, Lillian started the engine and pulled away from the hospital.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The city passed quietly outside the windows.
Finally Sebastian broke the silence.
"Thank you."
Lillian glanced at him briefly.
"For what?"
"For staying."
Her hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel.
"You don't have to thank me for that."
"Apparently I do."
She shook her head slightly.
"I was worried."
Sebastian studied her.
Then his expression softened slightly.
"You usually hide that better."
She smiled faintly.
"You usually don't get stabbed."
"Fair point."
Silence settled again for a moment.
Then Lillian spoke carefully.
"You said something in the hospital."
Sebastian looked out the window.
"Did I?"
"Yes."
"What did I say?"
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
"You said you liked… someone."
Sebastian remained completely calm.
"I was on pain medication."
She glanced at him again.
"Were you?"
He turned his head toward her slowly.
There was a faint smirk in his eyes.
"Possibly."
Lillian rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile that formed.
"You're impossible."
"And yet you keep driving me home."
"That's because someone has to make sure you don't collapse."
"Very thoughtful."
But his voice sounded warmer than usual.
Eventually the car turned into the long private drive leading to Sebastian's mansion.
The large modern building stood quietly against the morning sky.
As Lillian parked the car, Sebastian looked at the house for a moment.
Then he stepped out slowly.
The front doors opened as soon as they approached.
Two staff members stepped forward immediately.
"Mr. Wolfe," one of them said with clear relief.
"We're very glad to see you home."
Sebastian nodded slightly.
"Thank you."
He stepped inside.
The polished marble floors reflected the soft light from the tall windows.
Lillian followed him.
And then she saw it.
The faint mark on the floor where the blood had once been.
It had been cleaned.
But she remembered exactly what had happened there.
Sebastian noticed her pause.
He followed her gaze.
Realization flickered briefly across his face.
"I thought I lost you here," Lillian said quietly.
Sebastian looked at the floor for a moment.
Then back at her.
"You didn't."
His voice was calm.
Certain.
Lillian nodded slightly, though her chest still felt tight remembering that morning.
Sebastian moved further inside.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He walked into the large living area and immediately reached for his phone on the table.
"Good," he said. "Now I can finally—. "
"No."
He paused.
Lillian had crossed her arms.
"You're resting."
"I've rested."
"You've been unconscious."
"That counts."
"No it doesn't."
Sebastian sighed.
"I have a company to run."
"You have stitches."
"I can answer emails."
"You can sleep."
He looked at her.
"You're very strict."
"You're very stubborn."
He leaned back slightly against the couch.
"And yet you keep staying."
Lillian looked away slightly.
"That's different."
"Is it?"
Before she could answer, she stepped toward the door.
"I should probably go."
Sebastian's eyes lifted.
"Stay."
She paused.
"Just until I fall asleep," he added quietly.
Lillian hesitated.
Then she sighed softly and sat down in the chair beside the couch.
Sebastian leaned back carefully.
Within minutes his breathing slowed.
His eyes closed.
And without really thinking about it—
His hand reached toward hers.
Lillian let him hold it.
And this time…
She didn't pull away.