Chapter 141 Just before Meeting

Chapter 141 Just before Meeting
Sienna
I quickly turned the key in the lock and pushed the door wide, stepping inside just to put some distance between us.
There was no need for him to prove anything. He had proven his devotion in bed long before our world blew apart, and when everything did go to hell, he proved it all over again in literal blood.
“Just get in, Sebastian,” I murmured, stepping across the threshold—and then immediately froze.
I winced, taking in the disaster of my living room. Clothes were tossed over the arm of the sofa, a couple of throw blankets were crumpled on the rug, and mail was piled high on the entry table. I’d completely forgotten that when I rushed out of Bendis weeks ago, cleaning up was the last thing on my mind.
“I... will call housekeeping tomorrow,” I muttered, clearing my throat.
I turned back to look at him. Sebastian was standing just inside the doorway, watching me with those heavy gray eyes, looking very much like a man ready to pull me into his arms and forget the rest of the world exists.
But as much as a part of me wanted to give in, he needded sleep. Tomorrow was the day he would finally meet Ian.
“You can sleep in the room down the hall on the right,” I said, pointing toward the door. “Liam—er, Ian—uses it whenever he stays over. I’m going to go call him in the meantime.”
The second his brother's name left my mouth, the intensity in Sebastian’s gaze faltered. A shadow passed over his features.
“Alright,” he said softly. He hesitated, his jaw working as he looked at me. “Are you and Ian...”
He trailed off, unable to bring himself to finish the question.
“Friends,” I answered gently, cutting off whatever painful scenario was spiraling in his head. “Best buddies. What else would we be? Go rest, Sebastian.”
I stepped closer, reaching up to cup the back of his neck. Stepping on tiptoe, I pressed a soft kiss against his lips. The sudden intimacy made my cheeks burn the second I pulled away—we hadn't even officially put a label on what we were yet, but in moments like this, it felt like we’d belonged to each other.
“Goodnight,” I whispered, stepping back. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
His jaw tightened as my hand left his neck, his dark eyes tracking every inch of my face before he finally surrendered with a nod.
“Goodnight, Sien.”
Once Sebastian closed the bedroom door behind him, I dragged my exhausted body out to the balcony. I pulled my phone from my pocket and unlocked the screen, finally bracing myself to check the notifications I’d been ignoring for days.
“Of course,” I mumbled under my breath.
A long line of missed calls and unread texts from Liam lit up my screen.
I hope he’s still awake, I thought, tapping his contact and bringing the phone to my ear. It didn't even ring twice before he picked up.
“Sienna!” his voice burst through the speaker, frantic and breathless. “How come I haven’t heard a single word from you in weeks? I know you’re busy dealing with your family, but still—you had me out of my mind with worry!”
I let out a soft chuckle, finding genuine comfort in how deeply he cared. “I’m sorry, Liam. It’s a really long story. I was actually wondering if we could meet up tomorrow?”
“Of course!” he replied instantly, his tone lightening. “I have pretty great ears, as you well know, and I’m more than willing to sit through however long it takes.”
I squeezed the railing of the balcony, my heart taking a heavy plunge into my stomach. “Well... you’re going to have to hear the story from someone else.”
“What?”
I took a deep breath, clutching the phone tightly. “I am... well, I am here in Bendis. And I brought your brother with me.”
Silence.
The air on the phone went completely still. I knew how much of a shock this was for him, and I fully prepared myself for him to blow up at me, to accuse me of overstepping, or to tell me he wasn't ready. So I just stood on that balcony and waited.
“Alright,” he finally said, his voice entirely stripped of its usual warmth.
My mouth parted slightly. “You’re... you’re okay with this?”
“Is there any way to stop it when the two of you are already here?”
“Um... no,” I murmured quietly.
“I thought so.”
“I’m really sorry, Liam,” I whispered. “So much happened back at Regalia. Knowing everything I know now... the thought of you living your whole life without ever hearing Sebastian’s side felt too heavy to carry.”
“Okay,” Liam cut in quietly. “This is not something we should be discussing over the phone. I will see you tomorrow. I’ll text you the address.”
Before I could even get another word out, the line went dead.
I bit my lip, my hand trembling slightly as I lowered the phone. A pang of guilt sliced through my chest, but I forced myself to stand firm.
If this awkward, painful bridge meant he would finally learn the truth about what Ophelia had done to their family, it would be worth every drop of anger he threw at me.
By the time the next afternoon rolled around, the sun was shining brightly over the city park.
Sebastian and I were sitting side by side on a quiet wooden bench near the duck pond, but he looked like a man preparing for battle. He was sitting rigidly upright, his broad hands clasped tightly between his knees.
I reached over, wrapping my hand firmly over his calloused fingers, and gave him a soft, reassuring smile.
“You can do this,” I said gently. “But you’ll have to do it alone.”
Sebastian turned his head, his dark gray eyes locking onto mine in confusion.
“This is a sibling reunion,” I explained softly, squeezing his hand. “I wouldn't want to get in the way of what the two of you need to say to each other. Besides, I need to drop by my clinic down the street to clear up a few things.”
His brow furrowed, a flicker of hesitation crossing his features, but he knew I was right.
“I will meet up with Liam once the two of you are finished,” I added, offering him the warmest smile I could muster. “I really hope it goes well.”
I excused myself and began to step away, but before I could take two paces down the paved path, Sebastian’s hand shot out. His fingers wrapped around my wrist, pulling me back until I crashed right against his chest.
He wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight against his solid frame, burying his face in the crook of my shoulder.
“I require strength,” he murmured, his voice muffled against the bare skin of my neck.
A soft wave of tenderness filled my chest. I reached up, wrapping my arms around his broad back, hugging him with everything I had.
“Take all the strength you need,” I whispered into his hair.