Chapter 40

Chapter 40
Joanna's POV

I sat at my desk, staring at the spreadsheet on my screen while my fingers mechanically typed in data.

But my mind was miles away from the numbers and formulas. Zayne's words from this morning kept echoing in my head like a broken record.

"He seems to be pushing through some business plan with questionable funding sources."

I glanced toward his office. Through the glass walls, I could see him sitting at the head of the conference table, surrounded by men in expensive suits. His face was set in that familiar mask of cold authority. Even from this distance, I could feel the weight of his presence, the way everyone leaned slightly away from him.

'Sebastian, are you really doing something bad?' I wondered, watching him gesture sharply at something on the table. 'How much don't I know about you?'

The men nodded in unison at whatever Sebastian had said. Puppets dancing to his tune. Just like me.

"Joanna? You okay?"

I jumped, nearly knocking over my coffee mug. Lisa from accounting was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Sorry, what?" I stammered, feeling heat rush to my cheeks.

"I asked if you were okay. You've been staring at Mr. King's office for like five minutes straight." She gave me a knowing smirk. "Though I can't blame you. He's not exactly hard on the eyes."

I forced a smile. "Just zoned out. Didn't sleep well."

As Lisa walked away, I returned to my spreadsheet, trying to focus. But every few minutes, my eyes drifted back to Sebastian's office. He was the richest man I knew, powerful enough to control lives with a single phone call. How deep did his darkness go?

By late afternoon, my head was pounding from the stress. Zayne's warning, Daniel's earlier accusations, the memory of Sebastian's kiss... it was all too much.

---

At five o'clock, I gathered my courage and knocked softly on Sebastian's office door.

"Come in," his deep voice commanded.

I stepped inside, keeping my eyes lowered. He was sitting behind his massive desk, pen in hand, not bothering to look up at me.

"What is it?" The coldness in his tone made me wince.

"I... I wanted to let you know I'm planning to visit my mother at the hospital after work," I said quietly. "I'll come back to the house afterward."

'Why am I asking his permission?' I thought bitterly. 'But I know why—because I'm afraid of what he might do if I don't.'

Sebastian set his pen down with deliberate slowness and finally looked at me. His eyes swept over my face, searching for something. I felt exposed, vulnerable.

"That's fine," he said, his voice still cool but lacking the edge from a moment ago. "Just don't be too late. I don't like waiting."

I nodded, turning to leave when his voice stopped me.

"Joanna."

I looked back, my heart inexplicably speeding up.

"If there's anything you need for the hospital... for your mother... talk to Nolan."

The unexpected offer caught me off guard. Was this concern? From Sebastian?

"Thank you," I managed, confusion swirling inside me.

As I walked out of his office, I couldn't help wondering: 'Sebastian, what are you really doing? Controlling me or caring for me?'

---

The hospital room was warm and smelled of antiseptic. My mother looked small against the white sheets, but her smile when she saw me lit up her tired face.

"Joanna, sweetheart," she said, reaching for my hand.

Tommy jumped up from his chair by the window, his homework forgotten. "Joanna!" He wrapped his arms around my waist, and for a moment, everything felt right in the world.

I sat at Mom's bedside, holding her thin hand in mine. Despite the surgery, color had returned to her cheeks, and the doctors were optimistic about her recovery.

"How are you feeling today?" I asked, pushing a strand of hair from her forehead.

"Better every day," she said, though I could see the fatigue in her eyes. "But what about you? You look tired, Joanna. Are you working too hard?"

I forced a smile. "I'm fine, Mom. The job is good—pays well, and that's what matters right now."

My mother's eyes filled with concern. "Money isn't everything, sweetheart. I know you're doing this for us, but I don't want you sacrificing your happiness." She squeezed my hand. "If that job is making you unhappy, you should leave. We'll figure something out. We always have."

My throat tightened with emotion. "Mom, it's okay. Really. The job is fine, and the pay is helping with your treatments and Tommy's school."

She didn't look convinced. "Joanna, I've lived long enough to know when my daughter is hiding something." She cupped my cheek. "I don't want you giving up your life for us. No mother wants to be a burden to her children."

"You're not a burden," I insisted, fighting back tears. "You've never been a burden."

I glanced at Tommy, who was back at the window, playing a game on my old phone. He deserved so much better than what life had given him. We all did.

---

"Joanna, we need to talk."

I had just stepped out of my mother's room when Daniel's voice made me turn. My brother's face was tight with concern, dark circles under his eyes making him look older than his twenty-eight years.

"Let's go somewhere private," he said, guiding me down the hallway to a quieter section.

Once we were alone, he turned to me, his expression serious. "Tell me you've quit working for Sebastian King."

I looked away. "Daniel, it's not that simple—"

"It is that simple!" His voice rose slightly before he caught himself. "Joanna, do you know what his company is doing? There's a demolition project in the Bronx where I've been working. The original residents are getting pennies for compensation while Sebastian's company is pocketing the difference from what the government provided!"

My blood ran cold. Zayne's warnings from this morning suddenly seemed more real, more threatening.

"That... that can't be right," I stammered. "There must be some mistake."

Daniel's eyes flashed with anger. "There's no mistake, Joanna. People are losing their homes and getting next to nothing for it. And you're working for the man responsible!"

I leaned against the wall, feeling dizzy. "Daniel, I can't just quit. Mom's treatments, Tommy's school—"

"So you'll take blood money?" His words stung like a slap.

I bit my lip, fighting back tears. "I'll... I'll look for another job. After I get this month's paycheck, I'll leave. I promise."

Daniel's face softened slightly. "Joanna, stay away from him. He's not a good person."

As I watched my brother walk away, Zayne's warning and Daniel's accusations swirled in my mind. 'Sebastian, who are you really?'

---

I returned to Sebastian's mansion earlier than expected. The house was quiet; Peter informed me that Sebastian was at a business dinner and would be late.

As I walked toward my room, I passed Sebastian's study and noticed something unusual—the door was ajar.

I stopped, my heart suddenly pounding. Sebastian always kept his study locked. Always.

'If I went in, maybe I could find something about the demolition project... something to prove Daniel wrong. Or right.'

I stood frozen in the hallway, staring at that partially open door like it was a gateway to answers I both craved and feared.

'If Sebastian caught me...'

But what if Daniel was right? What if Sebastian was stealing from vulnerable people? Didn't I have a responsibility to find out?

My hand trembled as I reached for the doorknob.