chapter 116
Elena's POV:
I placed the bowl of freshly washed fruit on the small side table.
The way Nicolas and Damian had stormed out sent my mind racing through possibilities. Had Sebastian said something harsh?
"They're just jealous," Sebastian said, his voice carrying that particular blend of smugness and affection that I'd grown to recognize.
He shifted against the pillows, wincing slightly at the movement, though I suspected he was exaggerating for my benefit.
"Here I am, injured and confined to a hospital bed, and yet I have the most beautiful woman in the world taking care of me. Meanwhile, they're perfectly healthy and completely alone."
The casual arrogance in his tone should have irritated me, but instead, I found myself fighting back a small smile.
Even bedridden and bandaged, he managed to radiate that insufferable confidence. I reached for a particularly plump strawberry from the bowl, examining it with exaggerated interest.
"Is that so?" I murmured, turning the fruit between my fingers. "And here I thought they'd finally had enough of you showing off."
His eyes tracked my movements with predatory focus, a hint of his old intensity flickering. "Having your love is something worth bragging about for the rest of my life."
The raw intensity in his voice made my breath catch. He never held back, never tempered his feelings or couched them in safer terms.
His love was like everything else about him—overwhelming, possessive, absolute.
"Too much honesty can be dangerous," I said, leaning forward to place the strawberry against his lips.
He bit into the fruit while it was still in my hand, his teeth grazing my fingertips with deliberate precision.
The sensation shot through me like electricity, and I nearly dropped the remainder of the strawberry. His eyes never left mine as he chewed slowly, savoring both the fruit and my flustered reaction.
"You were saying?" he asked innocently, though the slight curve of his mouth betrayed his satisfaction.
Heat flooded my cheeks, and I busied myself with selecting another strawberry, trying to ignore the way my pulse had quickened. "You're supposed to be resting."
"I am resting." He opened his mouth expectantly, like a baby bird waiting to be fed, though there was nothing innocent about the way his tongue darted out to wet his lips. "This is very restful."
Two could play at this game. I held the next strawberry just out of reach, watching his eyes narrow with frustration. "Maybe you've had enough."
The low growl that rumbled from his chest at being denied the strawberry sent an inappropriate thrill through me.
Without warning, his hand shot out, catching my wrist and tugging me forward. I gasped as I tumbled carefully against his uninjured side, the strawberry dropping forgotten onto the blanket.
I'd meant to tease him, to regain some control, but as always with Sebastian, I found myself caught in my own trap.
I found myself trapped against his chest, close enough to feel the satisfied rumble of his laughter.
"If you won't give me the strawberry," he murmured, his voice dropping to that dangerous whisper that always made my pulse race, "then I'll just have to have you instead."
His lips brushed against my ear, and I shivered despite the warmth of his embrace.
Before he could make good on his threat, a knock at the door saved me from whatever he was planning. I froze like a guilty teenager, and I quickly tried to extract myself from his arms, my face burning with embarrassment.
Marcus's voice came through, professionally neutral: "Mr. Ross is here to see you both."
Sebastian and I exchanged a quick glance, his playful demeanor shifting to something more guarded. I smoothed my hair and straightened my clothes before crossing the room to open the door, trying to compose myself for my father's visit.
The door pushed open, and Robert stepped inside.
I immediately rose to greet him, crossing the space between us quickly. "Dad, what brings you here?"
He forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, turning first to acknowledge Sebastian with a polite nod. "Sebastian, how are you feeling?"
Sebastian inclined his head slightly, his expression neutral but not unwelcoming. "Recovering well under Elena's care. You look tired, Mr. Ross. Been busy lately?"
I pulled over a chair for my father, watching as he sank into it gratefully.
He rubbed his temples with both hands, a gesture that spoke of bone-deep weariness. "Yes, running between the hospital and the company. It's been... overwhelming."
"The company?" I couldn't hide my confusion. "Which one?"
He took a slow sip of water before answering. "Rebecca... she's developed severe uremia. Her kidneys are failing. She needs a transplant."
His voice was hollow, mechanical, as if he'd repeated this information too many times already. "She asked me to temporarily take over her position while she's hospitalized."
My mouth fell open in shock. "Uremia? That's... that's serious."
No wonder I hadn't heard anything about Vivienne having contact with her mother lately. The woman who'd made my life miserable for years was now fighting for her own life.
"Does she know?" I asked quietly. "About what Vivienne did?"
Robert nodded, his expression grim. "She knows everything. She's already begged Lucas to take her to visit Vivienne in prison."
My hand froze mid-motion as I set down the water pitcher, a chill running through me.
Marcus couldn't have acted this quickly—could he? The thought of Vivienne potentially walking free again made my stomach turn.
"She won't be getting bail, will she?" I kept my voice steady, though inside I was calculating timelines.
Robert shook his head with a bitter smile. "Don't worry about that. From what I understand, their mother-daughter bond isn't as unshakeable as Rebecca seems to think."