chapter 48
Elena's POV:
I fumbled to silence it, pressing my back against the wall as I heard Sebastian's movements pause.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I waited.
The humiliation of being caught watching him—especially after my show of indifference—would be unbearable.
When the sounds of his training resumed, I exhaled shakily and crept back toward my room, not daring to run in case the sound of footsteps gave me away.
Only when I'd closed the door behind me did I dare to look at my phone.
The missed call from Vivienne Sterling glared up at me from the screen. My jaw clenched—her timing had nearly exposed me.
I hit redial with more force than necessary, my free hand still trembling slightly from the close call.
"You'd better have a damn good reason for—"
"My, my," Vivienne's honeyed voice cut through my anger, dripping with false concern. "Such hostility, dear sister. Marriage not agreeing with you already?"
I could practically see her smirk through the phone. My fingers tightened around the device until my knuckles went white.
"What do you want, Vivienne?"
"Just checking in on the blushing bride," she cooed, her voice shifting to something sharper, more gleeful. "Though you don't sound very... blissful. Trouble in paradise so soon? Can't keep your new husband's attention for even a week?"
I closed my eyes, suddenly understanding the real reason for her call. Of course, she'd seen it—the gossip blogs, the society pages, whatever trash was circulating about Sebastian and that woman at the private room.
Vivienne had always had a talent for sniffing out scandal, especially when it could be used against me.
The mocking laughter that followed made my stomach turn.
"Don't worry, Elena. When you come crawling back, I'll make sure Father keeps your old room ready. The servants' quarters, wasn't it?"
I let her ramble on, her voice becoming increasingly shrill as she painted elaborate pictures of my inevitable downfall.
The old Elena might have flinched at each barb, might have felt that familiar sting of inadequacy. But now? Now I simply listened with the detached amusement one might feel watching a particularly desperate street performer.
When she finally paused for breath, I spoke with deliberate slowness, each word measured and calm. "Speaking of scandals, how's yours going? I heard the Sterling name has been... struggling lately."
The sudden silence on the other end was delicious.
"Does Lucas still trust you, Vivienne? After those photos from the party surfaced?" I examined my nails with feigned casualness, though she couldn't see the gesture. "And I heard several luxury brands pulled their ambassador contracts. Such a shame."
"Those were minor setbacks!" she hissed, her composure cracking like thin ice. "A few lost brands mean nothing. I'm still Vivienne Sterling, while you're just some nobody perfumer."
"Oh, did I mention?" I interrupted smoothly. "The Harrods called me yesterday. They're very interested in my work. In fact, they've offered me their exclusive fragrance collaboration. The one they pulled from you."
The shriek that erupted from the phone was so loud I had to hold it away from my ear. She sounded absolutely unhinged, screaming obscenities and threats that would have made a sailor blush.
I ended the call mid-tirade, blocking her number with a satisfied tap. Let her scream into the void—I had better things to do than listen to her tantrums.
My mood considerably improved, and I headed downstairs to raid the kitchen. After demolishing a plate of cold cuts and fruit, I climbed back up to my room, humming under my breath.
The day was looking up after all.
Which was, of course, the exact moment I collided with a wall of damp, warm muscle.
"Oh!" I threw my hands up to cover my eyes, though not before getting an eyeful of Sebastian fresh from the shower, water still beading on his skin. "I didn't—sorry, I—"
Through the deliberate gaps between my fingers, I watched him wrap a towel more securely around his waist.
Unlike our previous encounters, he seemed almost... modest? The towel sat high on his hips, and he'd even draped another around his shoulders, covering most of his chest.
"Nothing I haven't seen before," I muttered, lowering my hands when it became clear he was decent.
"Interesting." His eyes glinted with dark amusement. "So you admit to looking?"
My body went rigid for a split second before I forced myself to relax. "I don't know what you're talking about."
The words came out too fast, too defensive. "I was in my room. Making calls. Why would I watch you?"
"Is that so?" He stepped closer, still dripping slightly. "Strange. I was certain I heard something. During my workout."
My face burned. "That's—maybe it was a mouse. You know, looking for food, or—" The words had barely left my mouth before I wanted to bite my tongue off. A mouse? In this immaculate manor?
Sebastian's lips curved into a predatory smile as he moved even closer, backing me against the hallway wall. "A mouse," he repeated softly, bracing one hand beside my head. "Yes, perhaps you're right. A rather large mouse, with a fondness for lurking in doorways."
The space between us shrank with each word, his breath warm against my face.
My heart hammered against my ribs, guilt and something else making my skin flush hot. Just when I thought I might actually confess, salvation came in the form of a phone ringing from his bedroom.
"Your phone!" I ducked under his arm with embarrassing eagerness, practically sprinting to his nightstand. "It might be important. Business, or—here, let me get it for you."
I snatched up the device like a lifeline, glancing at the screen. Nicholas Black.
"Answer it," Sebastian said from the doorway, still wearing that knowing smirk.
"But it's not for me—"
"Answer it, Elena."
With reluctant fingers, I swiped to accept the call but immediately held the phone out toward Sebastian, keeping it at arm's length like it might bite.
"Hello? Sebastian?" Nicholas's voice filtered through the speaker, growing increasingly confused. "Anyone there? Why is there no sound?"
I shook my head frantically at Sebastian, pressing my lips together in stubborn silence.
Sebastian sighed, his expression somewhere between amusement and exasperation. "What is it, Nicholas?"
"Finally! Thought I'd called a wrong number for a second there." Nicholas's voice betrayed a rare hint of unease. "Regarding what I mentioned at the club—Rose's return. I require your input on an appropriate gift."
Sebastian glanced at me with calculating eyes. "Elena's right here. Perhaps she could offer a feminine perspective on gift-giving—but first, you need to explain what happened at the club today."