Chapter 226
Cecilia’s pov
The tension in the car was suffocating, thick enough to cut through.
I kept my gaze fixed on the window, watching the jagged skyline blur past, pretending I couldn’t feel Sebastian sitting inches away, silent and unreadable.
By the time we pulled up to the house, I practically jumped out, desperate for air.
Four of us filed into the sprawling house, each wrapped in our own silence.
“I need to go over a few things before the meeting,” Sebastian said once we stepped inside. His voice was cool, careful. “I won’t be long p>
I nodded, keeping my eyes on the floor. “I should get changed. Sawyer’s going with me to the reception p>
That was it–no questions, no hesitation. Just two people passing each other like strangers in the hallway of a house that wasn’t home.
We moved in opposite directions, our usual choreography of avoidance.
When his door finally clicked shut behind him, I felt a sharp wave of relief… followed immediately by something that felt annoyingly close to disappointment.
Back in my room, I tore through my suitcase with more frustration than urgency, as if fabric and zippers could absorb everything I didn’t have the words for.
Eventually, I settled on a black dress–sleek, subtle, and just structured enough to feel like armor.
The neckline was modest, the back dipped low–elegant, with a subtle edge.
I didn’t rush. I lined my eyes with practiced precision, chose a fragrance that lingered without announcing itself, and added just enough color to my lips.My hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders, effortless by design.
The woman in the mirror looked calm. Controlled.
The kind of woman who could watch someone walk away and not flinch–at least, not on the outside.
After one last glance, I stepped into the hallway and made my way to Sawyer’s room.
I knocked lightly.
“Sawyer, you ready?” I called.
“Just a minute,” came his voice, muffled through the door.
I smirked, leaning against the wall. “Seriously? I thought I was the high-maintenance one. We’ve got time before the reception–what do you think about hitting a few shops? Harper wants me to pick up a bag she saw last week, and I still need something for my mom p>
Silence.
I took his lack of objection as agreement and turned–only to find Sebastian standing at his door, watching me.
My smile faltered.
He hadn’t changed clothes. Not even a loosened tie. He looked exactly as he had in the car.
Was he really going to meet his mystery ’friend’ like that? No shower, no effort?
“Heading out to meet your friend, Alpha?” I asked, slipping my polished smile back into place like armor.
Sebastian’s eyes flicked over me–my dress, my lips.
Something shifted in his expression.
“Yes,” he said quietly. “You and Sawyer should enjoy yourselves. Shopping, the reception… have fun p>
“You too,” I replied automatically. “Have a great time p>
His jaw clenched.
“A great time?” he said, voice low. “You think I’m with someone else–and you’re fine with that p>
My smile slipped.
The words between us pressed hard against the silence we’d spent so long perfecting.
Anger surged through me, hot and fast.
“You tell me to have fun, I say the same…so what’s the problem?” My voice spiked, sharper than I meant. “Who you see, what you do…do I get a say? Can I stop you p>
My hands trembled.
“I’ve tried to make this work. I’ve been patient. Accommodating. And now I’m the one with the attitude?” I swallowed. “And now I’m the one with the attitude p>
What the hell right does he have to be upset?
Sebastian stared at me, his eyes catching my fury like dark water catching light–too still, too deep.
Then something shifted.
He exhaled slowly, like the fight had drained out of him before it even started.
“I’m sorry for ruining your mood,” he said, voice quiet, almost detached. “This whole trip… I haven’t made you happy. That’s on me. If you don’t trust me, I’ve failed. I haven’t been good enough p>
The words landed like a slap in a silent room.
My anger screeched to a halt, like slamming the brakes at a green light.
Wait. Wasn’t this a fight?
I tried to read his face, but he looked away, his expression slipping into shadow.
He pulled out his phone, scrolled for a second, then handed it to me.
His call log.
“Evelyn’s engaged,” he said. “She and Vance–her fiancé–and I go way back. I’m not sure what made you think otherwise, but maybe I gave you reasons to doubt me p>
His voice softened. “Still…don’t beat yourself up over this. Just be happy, Cecilia. Isn’t that what you do? Keep moving forward p>
Heat crept up my neck. Shame settled low in my stomach.
“Thanks for explaining,” I murmured. “I understand now p>
He watched me, gaze lingering–not unkind, but piercing. As if he could see straight through me.
Then he stepped closer.
“You still don’t look happy,” he said. “If it’s because you feel trapped, let me be clear–you’re not. You have a choice. Be with me, or don’t. It’s your call p>
My breath caught. I looked up–and the look in his eyes was like standing too close to a flame. Intense. Steady. Dangerous, if I stayed too long.
Before I could speak, he turned and walked into his room, the door closing quietly behind him.
I stood frozen in the hallway, thoughts spinning like leaves in a wind tunnel.
It’s my choice?
My thoughts wouldn’t settle. They spun in tight, erratic circles–Sebastian’s voice echoing in my head like a skipped record.
“Cecilia?” Sawyer’s voice cut through the haze.
I blinked, startled, and turned slightly as he stepped into the hallway. He looked uneasy–shoulders tense, mouth pressed into a thin line.
He’d heard us.
I didn’t bother pretending otherwise. I just kept walking.
He kept pace beside me, glancing over like he wasn’t sure if he should speak. We reached the landing before he gave in.
“Actually… about the Alpha p>
“Hm?” I said, not really listening.
He faltered at my tone. “Nothing,” he said quickly. “If you don’t really care about him, you shouldn’t force yourself p>
Don’t care?
That thought stuck like a splinter under my skin.
The question echoed a little too loudly in my head–and I missed a step.
“Whoa–careful.” Sawyer caught my arm, steadying me.
I muttered a quick thanks, but didn’t meet his eyes
By the time we reached the bottom of the stairs, I forced myself to breathe.
Outside, Tang was lounging in the courtyard, one leg casually propped over the other, a slice of pizza in hand.
He waved when he saw us. “You guys heading out p>
Sawyer raised an eyebrow. “You’re coming too p>
Tang grinned, taking another bite. “Wherever Cecilia goes, I go p>
Sawyer gave him a look. “Right. Sure. Fine. Let’s go p>
The three of us got into the car. Sawyer rattled off the party address and passed it to Tang, who slid into the driver’s seat like he owned it.
The engine rumbled to life, and the house disappeared behind us.