Chapter 287
Cecilia’s pov
I rushed toward the study with Muffin clutched to my chest, my heart hammering against my ribs.
The door was ajar, and I peered inside cautiously.
What I saw wasn’t even close to what I expected.
Tang had Xavier pinned to the floor, one arm twisted behind his back.
Sebastian was leaning against his desk, calm as ever, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
“Tang,” Sebastian said calmly. “Let him go. Help Alpha Xavier up. He just bumped into the globe,that’s all p>
Tang released his grip, though he clearly wasn’t buying that explanation.
I pieced it together quickly.
Tang must’ve been listening at the door when something loud crashed inside.
He ran in, saw Xavier holding the globe, and thought things had gone violent.
“My apologies,” Tang muttered, helping Xavier up.
Xavier’s jaw was clenched hard as he rubbed his arm, eyes burning.
“Alpha Xavier,” Sebastian said, “I’ve thought about it. I’m willing to work with you p>
He paused, letting the words hang. “But only on one condition p>
“Name it,” Xavier said, voice tight.
Sebastian smiled, sharp and cool.”You follow my lead p>
I could practically feel Xavier’s ego flinch. Working with his romantic rival? Barely tolerable. Taking orders? No chance.
“We can collaborate,” Xavier said stiffly.” But what makes your judgment better than mine p>
Sebastian let out a long, pointed sigh. “You’re being petty, Alpha Xavier. Go home. Sleep on it p>
He motioned to Tang, who picked up the fallen globe and handed it over.
Sebastian nudged the globe toward Xavier with one hand, tone dry. “Here. Since you seemed ready to swing it, maybe take it home. Roll it around if you’re still feeling jumpy p>
Xavier’s expression went full arctic. He didn’t take the globe. He just stood and walked out.
I turned and hurried back to the living room, Muffin still in my arms. I’d barely made it before Xavier caught up.
“Cecilia,” he said behind me, voice lower than I expected.
I turned, keeping my face blank. “Goodbye, Xavier p>
His face changed for a second. Maybe he was hurt. Or maybe just disappointed and trying to hide it.
“Goodbye?” he asked.”That sounds… final. If I died tomorrow, would you even care p>
“Honestly? No.” I wasn’t here for his guilt games.
Xavier gave a dry laugh. “I figured you’d say that p>
“Then why ask?” I sighed. “Just get out of here and live your own life p>
His eyes lit up like I’d just handed him hope on a golden platter. He was already rewriting my dismissal into some secret sign of affection.
That shift made my skin crawl.
“About the baby,” he said suddenly, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper.
My stomach clenched, and for a second, I thought I’d misheard him.
“Before your scent changes,” he continued, leaning in slightly, like this was some backroom deal.
“I can take care of everything with the hospital. Quietly. No one has to know. Not even him p>
My breath caught. Seriously?
“We may not be mates anymore,” he added, his voice slipping into that gentle, almost rehearsed tone guys use when they think they’re being noble, “but you shouldn’t have to deal with this on your own p>
“How thoughtful,” I said, smiling so hard my face practically cracked.
Of course he hadn’t forgotten that little “Misunderstanding.” Why would my life ever be easy?
“I should go,” he muttered, eyeing Muffin curled up against my chest.”That cat’s dumb. Just like you p>
And with that parting jab, he turned and walked out.
Muffin seemed to take it personally. He let out a pitiful meow and buried his face in my clothes. I instinctively tightened my arms around him.
“Don’t listen to him, Muffin. You’re the smartest cat in Denver,” I whispered, stroking his fur.” Right? You know it p>
“Meeow… mrrrow His sad little whines tugged at my heart.
Sebastian emerged from the study, phone still in hand.
Noticing Muffin’s distress, Sebastian crossed the room and crouched in front of us.
“What happened to him p>
“Someone insulted his intelligence,” I said, skipping over the part where I was collateral damage.
Sebastian gently cupped Muffin’s furry face, examining him like a tiny patient.
“Simple? No way. Let’s see… Nope. You’re a genius. Brightest little guy in the whole city p>
Muffin immediately perked up under his praise, purring so loud it practically vibrated through my arms.
Tang appeared a moment later and scooped Muffin up, promising him playtime and treats.
I watched them disappear down the hall, then turned back to Sebastian.
I kept thinking about what I’d overheard. This mysterious ‘collaboration’ with Xavier. I wanted to ask. Badly. But if they’d closed the door on me, maybe they didn’t think I should be involved.
Still, the silence between us stretched.
“No questions?” Sebastian asked, his tone unreadable.
I hesitated. Then shook my head. ” None that I want to ask right now p>
I forced my voice steady. “Tang said he thinks someone followed me last night. It’s been bugging me. I barely slept p>
Sebastian’s expression sharpened.
“You think it’s Belinda p>
“I’ve been wondering. Those photos felt like a warning. If she sent them, she could be behind the stalking too p>
Sebastian nodded slowly.
“If it’s her, that means she knows more than we thought. About both families. And she definitely doesn’t want my mother to find you.”Sebastian listened closely as I laid out my theory, his expression unreadable.
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
“So that’s why you came clean earlier. You’re worried someone might grab you off the street and I’d have no idea what happened p>
He grinned.”Not gonna lie, you being cautious looks good on you p>
Heat crept up my neck. Had I really been that obvious?
“Who isn’t afraid of getting murdered?” I snapped.” It’s not like I’m some fearless secret agent! “
I turned and stalked toward the bedroom, irritation prickling under my skin.
Sebastian followed, caught up in two strides, and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me back into him. His chest was warm against my back, his hold solid and steady.
“I wasn’t mocking you,” he said quietly, his lips brushing my hair.” I’ve been looking into this. Someone’s definitely been keeping tabs on you p>
He paused.”Even before yesterday, I had a feeling. A lot of people were watching at that gala. Someone probably recognized you or my mom and didn’t want you two talking. So they began watching you the second you walked out p>
“Who is it?” I asked, heart starting to thump.
He looked like he already had the answer.
“Have you heard of the Van Horn family? They run a jewelry empire. Their daughter, Molly, used info from the gala to pretend to be you when she visited my family. But I think there’s more going on than a case of mistaken identity p>
“What do you mean p>
“Molly had info no one else should’ve had. Someone gave her access to the gala’s private security feeds. Dahlia almost got shut down, and the footage vanished the same night she did p>
He lowered his voice.”Now ask yourself… who has the power to do that p>
“Wait,” I said slowly.”You’re saying it’s Maggie Locke? That she’s trying again, this time through the Van Horns p>
“That’s my working theory. Ninety percent sure. Even if I’m missing a few puzzle pieces, the overall picture fits p>
He turned me gently, his hands resting on my shoulders.
“Don’t worry. Tang’s staying on you tomorrow. You won’t be alone p>
His calm should’ve reassured me. Instead, a chill slipped down my spine.
Denver suddenly felt… crowded.Too many shadows. Too many eyes.
“I need a hot shower,” I muttered, pulling away and heading for the bathroom.
I left my phone on the nightstand as I closed the door behind me.