Cecilia’s pov
The second chi still rang in my ears as Mom crossed the room, muttering, "That must be Peggy."
Peggy?
My stomach did a small, suspicious sorsault.
Peggy Foster--my mother’s longti coworker and our neighbor. Sweet woman.
The door swung open, and Peggy walked in with her warm smile, but it wasn’t her presence that made my heart skip a beat.
It was the tall figure behind her.
Simon Foster.
Tall, lean, impeccably dressed in a white button-down with sleeves casually rolled to reveal tanned forearms.
Wire-rimd glasses frad intelligent eyes that held both gentleness and intensity.
He looked like he’d walked straight out of an indie film -- the brooding academics type-- more mature than I rembered, with an understated confidence that commanded attention.
The mont he stepped inside, those eyes found mine, and his lips curved into a familiar smile.
"Cecilia," he said, his voice washing over like an old lody. "It’s been a while."
I stood automatically, my face arranging itself into a polite smile. "Indeed, it has."
Beside , Harper leaned in, her breath tickling my ear. "Wait... isn’t this your genius neighbor from middle school ? The one who permanently lived at the top of the honor roll?"
I gritted my teeth. "Your mory is inconveniently perfect."
"I told you back then," Harper whispered gleefully. "Those quiet, intellectual neighbor types are the most dangerous when they grow up."
Before I could formulate a retort, a smooth voice cut through the room like a silver blade.
"Quite the lively gathering tonight."
Sebastian’s voice was soft, almost gentle--and cold enough to freeze blood.
My boss was still seated at the dining table, lazily swirling his wine glass, but his eyes were locked on the scene with predatory focus.
I turned to face him. "Sebastian..."
He smiled, all teeth and no warmth. "You’re full of surprises tonight, aren’t you? Should I be expecting anyone else to show up? Maybe an ex from college? A secret fiancé?"
The sarcasm was thick enough to drown in.
I opened my mouth, but whatever I ant to say got lost sowhere between my brain and my lungs.
Then, just as suddenly, he straightened.
The icy smile vanished, replaced by the polished calm of the man who could charm CEOs and senators alike.
In one smooth motion, Sebastian stood.
The shift was so seamless, it was as if that bitter comnt had never happened.
"Mr. Moore," he said politely, "thank you for your hospitality. Please do let know when that orchid blooms."
"Y-yes, of course," Dad replied with an awkward laugh that did nothing to dissolve the tension.
Sebastian crossed the living room, nodding politely to Mom and Peggy as he passed, his gaze slicing right past Simon like he didn’t exist.
Harper watched him approach with wide eyes, her mouth slightly open like she’d just witnessed a live episode of a drama series.
I couldn’t deal with this. Not now.
I turned to my father. "Dad, Harper and I need to step out for a bit."
"Go, sweetheart," Dad said quickly, already half-rising from his chair, like he couldn’t wait to get out of the blast zone.
I turned to Sebastian, keeping my voice unnaturally steady. "Mr. Black, please enjoy the rest of your evening."
Sebastian didn’t respond verbally, just took another sip of his wine -- slow, deliberate -- before following us toward the door.
Simon stood awkwardly in the entryway, clutching a box of desserts.
"I--I didn’t realize it was a bad ti. We can catch up later, if that’s better."
I nodded quickly, grateful for the out.
"Yes. That would be better."
Harper was already rushing toward the door. I started to follow her when a warm hand slid around my waist, anchoring in place with a grip that was both gentle and uncompromising.
My entire body froze.
Sebastian.
He spoke softly, his tone casual, but every word sharpened like a knife.
His eyes never left mine, but the ssage was clearly ant for Simon.
"She’s been doing well, by the way. Sleeping through the night. Eating properly. Even the nightmares have stopped."
The atmosphere crystallized into ice.
Simon blinked, visibly thrown.
"That’s... I’m glad," he replied, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
My face burned hot enough to lt steel. I couldn’t look at either of them.
"We really need to go," I blurted out. "We’ll talk another ti."
I grabbed Harper’s arm and practically dragged her out the door.
Author’s pov
Simon stood at the doorway, watching their retreating figures.
Only then did he sigh softly before returning to the living room to place the dessert box on the table.
In the living room, Peggy leaned closer to Esther, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Was that her boyfriend? The one in the suit?"
Esther hesitated.
She actually admired Sebastian quite a bit--he was composed, intelligent, protective, and most tellingly, he knew intimate details about Cecilia’s life that only soone very close to her would know.
But there was sothing about him that gave her pause.
He was too sharp-edged. Too dominant.
She wasn’t certain this was the right match.
"She’ll make her own decision," she finally replied softly.
Cecilia’s pov
The door clicked shut behind .
I kept moving forward, gripping Harper’s wrist, my pace quicker than usual.
"Walk faster," I whispered. "Don’t look back."
Harper stumbled alongside while muttering, "This isn’t walking--it’s fleeing for your life."
We descended the side stairs, cut through the garden path, and finally reached the garage.
Harper pressed her key fob, and the car lights flashed twice.
"Seriously, what did you do to attract all this?" she asked, pulling open the passenger door. "Your childhood crush shows up, and your boss goes full territorial Alpha on us. What’s the secret? Do you emit so kind of drama pheromone?"
"Harper." My voice was a warning growl.
"Fine, fine, I’ll shut up." She raised both hands in surrender.
I was about to get into the car when footsteps approached from behind.
Not fast, not heavy, but each step seed to land directly in my heart.
Harper slid into the passenger seat with impressive speed, gently pulling the door closed behind her like she was avoiding crossfire.
I was about to call after her when a hand reached from behind, once again securing itself around my waist.
My heart skipped a beat.
Here it ca.
Sebastian was about to speak.
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