Cecilia ’s pov
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
She got the full story fast. Too fast.
"I heard everything," Daisy said as she stepped closer, looking guilty. "I don’t understand why the butler would do sothing like that. He’s worked for us for decades and never caused any trouble.
I don’t know why he pretended to be Sebastian. I’ve already sent people to look for him. Since it happened in our house, I’ll make sure you get an explanation."
Answers ?
It sounded fake. Like sothing she morized in front of a mirror.
An old butler would take the fall while the rest of them stayed clean.
I didn’t challenge her. I kept my professional, polite smile in place. "Thank you, Daisy."
"I’m the one who should be apologizing," she went on, pressing her fingers to her temple like she was about to faint.
But sothing felt off. She wasn’t just losing balance.
She was falling straight toward Sebastian.If she leaned a little more, she would’ve landed right in his arms.
"Careful," Sebastian said and reached out automatically.
I moved faster. I stepped in, grabbed her shoulders, and kept her upright.
I didn’t do it gently.
"You look exhausted, Daisy . Maybe you should lie down."
Daisy blinked, clearly thrown off by my interference.
It took her a mont too long to recover.
"With Riley burning up with fever last night and this ss with Cecilia ... I’m the only one holding this house together. How can I rest ?"
I kept my voice even, with just enough warmth to sound concerned.
"A sick child needs her mother most. Since you’ve already sent people to investigate, I’m sure we’ll hear sothing soon."
On the outside, I sounded concerned.But in my head, I was already laughing.
The butler was probably long gone.People who knew too much and screwed up usually didn’t live to talk about it.
Daisy gave a soft smile. "Cecilia , you’re so understanding."
She asked a few more questions about last night, her face a flawless mask of concern and disbelief.
Sebastian eventually called for a staff mber to escort her back to her room.
Once Daisy was gone, he grabbed my arm and pulled into the guest room, slamming the door behind us. Harper and the others were left standing in the hallway.
As soon as the door clicked shut, my smile vanished like a dropped curtain.
I yanked my arm free and walked silently to my suitcase, starting to pack.
Sebastian followed, taking my clothes from my hands. "You’re too clever for your own good."
I didn’t react to the complint. "If I weren’t, you’d be identifying my corpse right now."
His throat moved as he swallowed.He stepped forward and pulled into his arms, murmuring sothing low against my ear.
I froze for a second. Then I snapped back and glared at him.
"You knew ? You were part of this the whole ti ?!"
"If I’d told you, your reaction wouldn’t have been believable," he said casually.
His gaze dropped to the dark circles under my eyes. His voice softened. "You didn’t sleep at all ?"
"Would you have, in my place ? What if they’d decided to break down the door when I didn’t co out ?"
"You’re cautious to the point of paranoia.
Very on-brand for you."
"That’s not a complint."
Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "Back in the hallway... was that jealousy I saw ?"
I knew exactly what he ant.
I blinked, feigning innocence. "Jealous ? ? Not a chance. I just thought soone was giving an Oscar-worthy performance and didn’t want you to fall for it. Professional concern, nothing more."
"Hm," he said, one brow arching. "And your profession is... girlfriend ?"
"And yours is what ? Alpha ? Or actor ?"
Sebastian didn’t bother with another coback. He silenced with a kiss.
It was hungry. Urgent. Fierce.
When he pulled away, I was breathless. His voice dropped to a husky whisper.
"I want to do sothing even more inappropriate right now. May I ?"
I flushed and pressed my hand against his wandering ones, my breathing uneven. "What do you think ?"
Harper and the others were still just outside. If he actually dared...
He stared at for a mont, then reluctantly withdrew. "Get so sleep first. I ant to co to you last night. But soone else made their move first."
He wrapped his arms around , this ti gently. "I’m sorry I didn’t warn you sooner."
"I bla you," I muttered. "It’s your fault I’ve beco a walking target.
So now your punishnt is: stay with while I sleep. Even if the sky falls, don’t you dare leave."
Sebastian picked up without another word and carried toward the bed.
"‘Stay with while I sleep’ sounds way better than ‘bedside vigil.’"
Author ’s pov
anwhile, in the bathroom of another guest room, soone stood near the window, phone pressed tightly to their ear.
Their voice was low, almost a whisper. "It failed."
The person on the other end didn’t hide their irritation.
"Are you stupid ? She just ca out of that nightmare at Martha’s place. Of course she’s on edge. What were you thinking ?"
"How was I supposed to know she wouldn’t fall for it ?"
"She’s not the kind of woman who trusts easily. You really thought so psychological mind gas would work twice ?"
"You an..."
"Take direct action."
A pause. Silence stretched.
Then the voice on the phone turned cold and sharp. There was clear disdain in it.
"What ? Getting cold feet now ?"
"If I make a move, I’ll be exposed!" the person hissed. "It’ll all fall apart!"
"You think you’re not a suspect already ? You’ve already screwed up Plan A. There’s no going back now."
The voice dropped into a chilling monotone.
"Wait for her to lower her guard. Grab her. Then let the fall guy take the heat."
"But...but..."
"No buts."
The voice dropped lower, almost like a final warning.
"Do it now. Before your chance is gone. And one more thing I forgot to tell you. She’s pregnant."
The person by the window froze.
Two seconds passed in stunned silence.
Then ca a sharp whisper:
"W-what ?! She’s pregnant ?!"
Click. The call ended.
The figure gripped the phone tightly.
The plastic casing creaked under the pressure, just shy of snapping.
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