Chapter 44
Seraphine's POV
A searing pain clawed through my stomach, my throat bone-dry and tight.
I cracked my eyes open, vision still blurry, but I could make out a familiar tall figure sitting by the bed.
Backlit by the dim lamp, his features were shadowed and unclear.
Was this a dream?
Only in dreams would Octavius sit beside me like this, staying with me without a word.
I tugged at my parched lips, voice small and wounded. "This isn't real. Octavius would never be this gentle with me."
Before I could finish, a warm, large hand captured mine from where it had slipped outside the covers, shoving it back under with surprising force.
But he didn't let go. Instead, his fingers threaded through mine, claiming each space between with possessive certainty.
The fog in my brain cleared instantly. My eyes flew open wide, finally focusing on who sat beside me.
It really was Octavius.
What was he doing here?
I tried to pull my hand free. Octavius only gripped tighter.
He looked at me, something complicated flickering in his gaze, his gorgeous face twisted with awkwardness like he wanted to say something but couldn't quite get it out.
After two beats of silence, Octavius looked away, forcing his tone into casual indifference. "I heard about what happened at Grandpa's place."
I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Heard what?"
Octavius cleared his throat lightly. "Smart move, not trading the contract for favors."
His tone made it sound like he was doing me some grand favor.
Here he was, warming my hand in his, yet twisting his words into something cold.
The memory of what Octavius said at the bar—what he did—hit me all over again. My eyes instantly burned with tears.
"I don't want to see you," I turned my face away. "You seemed pretty happy with Quinlan. Why don't you go find her?"
"That was deliberate. I said it to get under your skin." Octavius softened his voice, poking at my puffed-out cheek. "You seriously couldn't tell?"
I froze, turning back to look at him.
"You were trying to make me jealous? Why?"
A flush crept up Octavius's ears, his gaze darting away like I'd caught him red-handed. It took him a long moment to snap back gruffly, "Don't interrogate me. You just passed out from stomach pain, and you're already running your mouth the second you wake up?"
Watching him care so much while stubbornly refusing to admit it, the hurt inside me slowly dissolved, replaced by something warm and fizzy.
Actually... in the car earlier, Octavius had been jealous, hadn't he?
He'd seen me close to Zephyr, so he'd lashed out at me in the car.
He thought I'd traded the contract to never see him again—that's why he was angry, why he deliberately gave me the cold shoulder.
I didn't push further. Instead, I tested the waters by leaning toward him slightly, using our joined hands as an anchor to rest my cheek against the back of his hand.
Octavius stiffened. "What are you doing?"
I mumbled quietly, "Still sleepy."
Octavius arched an eyebrow. "Then go back to sleep."
"Will you stay with me?" I gave him my best wounded-puppy look, bottom lip jutting out. "I can't sleep well when you're not here. Just like this—stay with me, okay?"
I stared at Octavius with all the sincerity I could muster.
I didn't need a mirror to know exactly how pitiful I looked right now.
This was my tried-and-true trick.
Back before things went south between us, I'd even leveraged his connections to help Mitchell's company network with the right people.
Octavius always fell for this act.
Even when he was hurt or jealous, he couldn't bear to disappoint me. Even knowing I was doing it for another man, he never refused any of my requests or coquettish pleas.
This man might look intimidating—everyone gave him a wide berth—but only I knew his true nature.
Once Octavius decided to care about someone, he went all in, heart and soul. Like a cat rolling over to expose its soft belly, completely trusting you won't strike at its most vulnerable spot.
Sure enough, Octavius wavered.
He shifted to lean against the bed, following my lead, his voice taking on a hint of indulgent affection.
"Fine, quit your whining. Go to sleep."
I nodded, letting myself drift off again.
This time, my stomach didn't hurt as much. The steady warmth against my cheek gave me a sense of peace I hadn't felt in forever.
When I woke again, night had fully fallen.
The room was empty except for me.
Octavius was gone.
A hollow ache settled in my chest, like the whole world had abandoned me.
The IV needle had been removed from the back of my hand, only a small bandage remaining.
I got out of bed, surprised to find my body felt much lighter. My stomach had stopped hurting, leaving only a faint whisper of hunger.
The moment I stepped out of the guest room, muffled voices drifted up from downstairs. The atmosphere sounded... tense.
I made my way to the staircase landing and spotted Ondine's absence immediately—only Zephyr and Octavius stood facing each other in the living room, the air between them thick and frozen.
Zephyr spoke first, his usual shy demeanor replaced by stark seriousness.
"Octavius, I don't care how powerful you are. Seraphine's been through enough!"
"Yeah, she screwed up before. But she's changed—she's trying to make things right. Can't you just back off? Leave her alone? Stop tormenting her!"
Zephyr's voice rose with emotion, looking like he was ready to throw down with Octavius if it came to that.
His words wrapped around my heart like a warm blanket.
Zephyr was observant and protective, genuinely looking out for me just like Ondine did.
Octavius's face remained expressionless, though his eyes grew even icier.
After Zephyr finished, Octavius responded with deliberate slowness. "Why don't you ask Seraphine herself if she wants me to leave her alone?"
I couldn't help it—I cleared my throat softly.
Both men's heads whipped toward me at once.
Zephyr rushed forward two steps, studying my face with concern. "You're awake. Seraphine, how are you feeling?"
I descended the stairs, cutting through the tension radiating between them. "Thank you. I'm fine now."
I positioned myself between them, giving Zephyr a reassuring smile.
"It's getting late. I should head home."
Zephyr's brow furrowed with worry as he looked at me.
"Seraphine, you still look pale. Why don't you just stay here tonight? Ondine will be back soon."
"That's not necessary. I don't want to impose on you guys." I reached out to pat his arm, genuine gratitude in my voice. "I really appreciate everything you did today, though."
I turned to Octavius. "Let's go."
Octavius gave Zephyr one long, penetrating look before turning to pull me toward the exit.
Zephyr followed after us. "You're really riding with him? What if something happens again on the way? Let me drive you instead."
Octavius had already tugged me outside when he stopped and turned back, his face going glacial. "Zephyr, you'd better—"
"Octavius." I cut him off, my eyes pleading.
Octavius bit back whatever harsh words he'd been about to say, settling for a cold snort instead. "Mind your own business. And quit playing knight in shining armor. What's between us? You don't get a say."
With that, he slammed the door shut, leaving Zephyr inside.
I sighed helplessly, following Octavius to the car.
The second I closed the car door, Octavius's voice dripped with unmistakable jealousy beside me.
"You're pretty popular, aren't you?"