Cecilia’s pov
I watched as Cassian flashed a knowing smile but said nothing.
Zane sat at the edge of the bed, pushing up his glasses like it was more habit than necessity.
"I won’t let anything happen to you," he said, his voice just a little too steady to sound natural.
"I’ve brought in a top-tier team. They’ll keep an eye on you, day and night."
"Throwing money at again, huh?" Cassian replied with his usual smart-ass grin.
"We’re family. You don’t have to thank ," Zane said, his tone softening a little too conveniently.
"I just want you safe. Grandma’s been asking about you nonstop. You should stop by and see her when you get back."
"I will," Cassian nodded.
"She’s not as strong as she used to be. Another scare might really shake her up.
Her birthday’s next month, so just... don’t bring this up."
That sudden tenderness in his voice made my stomach twist.
Cassian gave him a look that said he wasn’t buying it.
"How thoughtful of you," he said dryly. "Don’t worry, I won’t say a word."
The hypocrisy in the room was thick enough to choke on.
Zane knew damn well that his wife Maggie was behind all of this.
But here he was, acting like it was so kind of freak accident, just to avoid admitting guilt.
He was the one who let the monster into their lives. And now he was pretending to be the protective uncle? Spare .
The sa man who could treat his pregnant wife and newborn son like afterthoughts was suddenly all heart?
It turned my stomach.
And the thought that this man might be my...
God. What kind of cosmic joke was the God playing on ?
"I’m feeling dizzy," I muttered to Sebastian, not even bothering to make it sound real. "I need so air."
Sebastian gave a worried look, then nodded, silently telling to go.
A few steps away, Zaria had clearly picked up on my move.
"Sa. Feeling a little lightheaded myself. Let’s get out of here."
I shot her a look. Was she serious? Probably not. But I wasn’t going to question it.
We slipped out of the room, and it didn’t take long for the others to follow.
By the ti they joined us, Zaria and I were already sitting on the couch in the living room.
I was trying to steady my breathing, to sort through the chaos in my head before it completely crashed down on .
"Cece, are you feeling okay?" Luna Regina rushed over, concern etched into her face.
But her eyes said sothing else. She actually looked... hopeful.
"Is sothing wrong, Cecilia? You look pale. Should we take you to the hospital?" Zane asked, shouldering his way past Alpha Yardley to sit right next to .
I felt Sebastian’s gaze tighten.His eyes cooled, sharp with quiet suspicion, as he watched the scene unfold.
Everyone was crowding around like mbers of so suburban gossip club who just found out I might be hiding a secret.
They were done grilling Cassian.
Now it was my turn in the spotlight.
Caught between the Black family’s expectations and Zane’s unwanted attention, I wanted the floor to swallow whole. What a fucking ss.
I pressed my fingers to my forehead, hoping it would make the lie more convincing.
"It’s nothing serious. Just a little lightheaded. Probably... anemia."
"Cece, that’s not sothing to ignore. It could affect... well, sothing important."Luna Regina stopped herself, then quickly added, "I an, your health."
She shot a quick look at Alpha Yardley.
Alpha Yardley picked up on it instantly, like they’d rehearsed this.
"Absolutely. Health is the top priority. I’ll call Dr. Payton and set up an appointnt. Sebastian will go with you, of course."
He was already on the phone before I had ti to protest.
From his tone, it was clear this wasn’t optional.
I shot Sebastian a look that said: Please, save .
He answered with one of his own: Don’t worry, I’ve got you.
When the call ended, Alpha Yardley turned toward Luna Regina.
"All set. Four o’clock this afternoon. You and Sebastian will take her."
Luna Regina nodded, and for a second, she almost looked pleased.
A cold feeling crept through . Were they starting to suspect I was pregnant?
Before I could spiral any further, a new voice cut through the tension.
"I’ve got nothing on my schedule today. I’ll co too."
The entire Black family froze, like soone had just suggested bringing a rattlesnake to brunch.
The silence that followed was painfully thick.
Every pair of eyes swung toward Zane, staring at him like he was so creep trying to tag along to a doctor’s appointnt ant to be private.
I kept my expression blank, doing everything I could not to let the fury bubbling inside show.
Sebastian’s brow twitched. It was a small movent, but enough to tell he wasn’t thrilled either.
"Zane, if you’re that bored, go back to Colorado Springs," Luna Regina snapped. She rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck.
Zane turned to Alpha Yardley, clearly embarrassed."Yardley, I didn’t an anything by it. I just thought..."
"That’s enough," Alpha Yardley said sharply."We should be setting an example, not stirring the pot. Don’t make this more of a circus than it already is."
Finally, soone was telling him off.
Sebastian stood, offering the escape I’d been praying for.
"I have a eting this morning. Co on, Cecilia."
I shot up like I’d just heard the fire alarm.
As we reached the door, Luna Regina’s voice followed us.
"Don’t forget about the appointnt this afternoon!"
Sebastian didn’t even look back.
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