Cecilia ’s pov
Sebastian’s face didn’t change as he ended the call. "Understood. Stay put. We’re coming."
He slipped the phone into his pocket and gestured for Tang and to follow him toward the CT room.
As we got closer, I saw Sawyer standing with Riley in his arms, gently rocking her. Daisy sat on one of the hallway chairs, eyes red-rimd, wearing the expression of soone deeply wronged. Two nurses stood nearby, clearly uneasy with the tension in the air.
I kept my voice even as I approached. "Daisy, can you tell what happened with Harper ?"
Daisy looked up, voice soft and trembling just enough to sound fragile. "She was so... harsh. I told her I wasn’t feeling well and asked her to slow down, but she completely ignored ."
She paused, letting the mont stretch. "When I needed to use the restroom, she didn’t help at all. I ended up falling and scraping my knee."
Every word was carefully chosen. It was a performance, and I knew it.
But I kept my face neutral.
"Harper can co off as intense," I said smoothly. "She’s used to doing things her own way. If she made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry."
Daisy gave a dramatic sigh. "It’s fine. I’m probably just emotional because of Riley."
"That’s very understanding of you," I said with a polite nod.
She gave a hopeful look. "Would you mind calling her ? I’d like to apologize in person."
"Of course." I took out my phone and dialed Harper. It went straight to voicemail.
I tried again. Then again.
Each ti, the call dropped after a few rings.
I frowned. "That’s odd. She’s not picking up."
Sebastian’s voice cut through like ice. "Don’t bother. Let her go."
I was about to try one more ti, but the look in his eyes made stop.
"This is all my fault," Daisy said softly. "Now she’s not even speaking to you. Maybe you should go find her. Don’t worry about ."
I shook my head. "She’ll co back when she’s ready."
"She couldn’t even handle caring for a patient," Sebastian said, voice like steel. "And she’s the one who’s upset ? That’s so ego."
"Let it go, Sebastian," Daisy said gently, as if stepping in to defend Harper. "It wasn’t all her fault. I wasn’t exactly doing great either. Please... don’t fire her over this."
Sebastian’s voice hardened. "Daisy, I’ve got it under control. I’ll deal with it."
There was no question whose side he was on.
She lowered her gaze, playing the part of the remorseful woman. But her eyes ? They told a different story.
Everything was falling into place. Just like she intended.
Just then, the doctor approached, holding Riley’s results. "It’s a viral infection. Nothing serious. The dication Dr. Harlan prescribed is fine. You can continue with it."
"Thank you, doctor," Daisy said with a perfectly polite smile.
After he left, she turned to Sebastian. "Looks like we misjudged Dr. Harlan. These fevers do spike like this sotis."
"Seems I was wrong," Sebastian said, giving her a tight nod.
Since Riley didn’t need to be admitted, we got ready to leave.
But after a few steps, Daisy slowed down and pressed a hand to her forehead. "Cecilia, would you mind helping ? You’re steady and gentle. I’d feel safer with you."
Sebastian opened his mouth. "Let Tang help. He’s stronger. You won’t fall."
Daisy gave a small, almost bashful smile, wrapping her arms around herself. "That wouldn’t be appropriate. I barely know him. It’s just awkward."
I stepped forward before it could turn into sothing dumber.
"I’ve got her."
She linked her arm through mine, leaning in just enough to look weak without being dramatic.
We walked slowly to the cars, and she kept up a stream of soft chatter like we were old friends.
When we reached the parking lot, we naturally ended up in the sa car. Sebastian joined us, Riley still sleeping in his arms. Tang and Sawyer took the second vehicle.
During the drive, I kept trying to call Harper. Still nothing.
"Still no answer ?" Daisy asked, her tone light but her eyes watching carefully.
"No. This isn’t like her." I didn’t even try to hide the worry in my voice. "Do you think she might still be at the hospital ?"
Daisy tilted her head, pretending to think. "I saw her leave, but if you’re worried, I can send soone to look."
"No... I’m sure she’s fine," I said.
Author ’s pov
By three o’clock, the convoy returned to Sebastian’s grandmother’s estate.
Daisy handed Riley off to Sebastian and went to rest.
Before heading to her room, she made a quick call to Dr. Harlan, full of apologies and over-the-top praise.
She even invited him over for tea later, her tone sweet enough to rot teeth.
By six, Harper still hadn’t called. No ssages. No word.
At dinner, Cecilia finally snapped.
She stared across the table at Sebastian, her voice sharp.
"Harper’s my best friend. She’s been missing the entire afternoon, and you’re just sitting there like everything’s fine ?"
Sebastian looked up, calm and cold.
"What would you prefer I do, Cecilia ? Go hunt her down myself ?"
"You could at least send Tang to check on her. She’s alone. What if she’s hurt ?"
His tone dropped an octave, flatter than before.
"She’s a lawyer I hired, nothing more. If she wants to throw a tantrum and disappear, that’s her choice. Not my problem."
He paused. "When she gets back, she’s fired."
Cecilia slamd her hand on the table. Plates rattled.
"Touch her, and we’re done. For good."
Sebastian’s expression darkened. The air in the room seed to freeze.
"You’re forgetting your place," he said, voice like ice.
"Sleeping with doesn’t give you a voice in this room."
Cecilia didn’t flinch.
"You’re right," she said quietly. "It doesn’t."
She rose to her feet, calm and deliberate.
"But you know what it does give ?"
"A front row seat to what a hollow man looks like."
She straightened, and looked him dead in the eye.
"I’m done being silent."
She didn’t wait for a reply.
With one hard sweep of her arm, she knocked her plate and glass to the floor. The crash echoed through the room.
She turned and walked out without another word.
Sebastian didn’t move.
But the cold that rolled off him said everything.
Across the table, Tang and Sawyer kept their heads down, both too smart to say anything.
Daisy blinked, her mouth slightly open as if stunned.
"Sebastian... I didn’t realize there was so much tension between you and Cecilia."
He didn’t look at her.
"Apologies for the scene."
Daisy lowered her eyes, voice soft.
"I didn’t know she and Harper were so close. Or that... you and Cecilia were that serious. I’m so sorry. This is probably my fault. I should’ve been more patient with Harper at the hospital."
Sebastian’s eyes stayed distant, his voice like steel.
"I’ve been too lenient. She’s gotten comfortable. That ends now."
He didn’t blink. "Don’t worry about her. Let’s eat."
Daisy hesitated. "But..."
She stopped herself, one hand rising to cover her mouth in what looked like distress.
But behind her lowered lashes, a flicker of satisfaction passed through her eyes.
A flash of victory, so quick it almost went unnoticed.
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