Chapter 26 Unexplained Feelings

Chapter 26 Unexplained Feelings

George's parting words—"our time will come"—and the undisguised killing intent in Sebastian's eyes sent a chill through her.

She had seen office politics before. She had seen greed and selfishness up close. But she had never felt anything like this. This kind of malice—raw, icy, and rooted in family blood—was something else entirely.

This wasn't calculated ambition. This was the desire to destroy.

Sophie’s hand moved instinctively to her stomach. It was still flat, unchanged.

The thought that the tiny life inside her shared blood with those people sent a chill down her spine.

The nurse finished the basic exam efficiently. She recorded the data and spoke in a practiced, clinical tone. "The patient's vitals are stable. No visible injuries. But given that this was a car accident, we recommend he stay for observation. Twenty-four hours."

"I understand. Thank you." Sophie saw the nurse out and turned back into the room.

Sebastian was propped against the headboard. His face was still grim. His ice-blue eyes were fixed on the window. She had no idea what he was thinking.

George's threat hung in the air like a storm cloud pressing down on the quiet room.

Sophie looked at him. The fear and the cold hadn't left her yet.

But this wasn't the time to drown in her emotions. She pushed everything down and switched back into the composed, efficient version of herself.

"Mr. Carter, it's past noon. What would you like to eat? I can go out and get something for you."

Sebastian finally looked away from the window. His gaze landed on her pale face. He made a low sound of acknowledgment.

Sophie took her phone and keycard and left the hospital.

She knew how particular Sebastian was about food. He wouldn't touch anything from the hospital cafeteria.

Outside, there was a small food street. The smell of fried oil made her stomach turn. Her early pregnancy symptoms were relentless.

She just wanted something simple. Something that would keep her going.

She ended up at a corner stand and bought herself a turkey sandwich.

Then she started looking for something for Sebastian.

She walked into the cleanest-looking fast-casual place she could find. She ordered a balanced meal—grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, roasted potatoes, and a fresh salad. Everything was packed separately. It looked clean and presentable.

When she got back to the room, Sebastian was on the phone. His voice was calm and steady, as if he hadn't just narrowly escaped death.

Sophie quietly set the food on the small table by the bed. Then she took her sandwich and sat in the far corner of the couch, eating in small, careful bites.

Sebastian hung up. His eyes landed on the disposable takeout container. His brow furrowed slightly.

He was used to meals prepared by a private chef. He hadn't eaten fast food in years.

He was about to refuse when his gaze drifted to the corner.

Sophie was hunched over on the couch. She looked small and fragile.

In front of her was an even cheaper paper box. Inside was a plain turkey sandwich. A few wilted lettuce leaves. Nothing else.

Sebastian's expression turned cold.

He remembered her crying in the car, saying she owed three hundred thousand dollars. He remembered the day the project bonuses were distributed. He had seen her in the break room, crying silently.

All that money. She hadn't kept a single cent. It had all gone into the bottomless pit that was her family.

Irritation flared in his chest.

"That's all you're eating?" His voice was sharp. Accusatory.

Sophie jumped. She looked up, still chewing a corner of the sandwich. Her eyes were wide and confused.

Sebastian's frown deepened. He gestured toward the food in front of him with his chin. His tone left no room for argument. "Bring it over here. We'll share."

Sophie blinked. She shook her head quickly. "No, it's fine, Mr. Carter. I bought that for you. This is enough for me."

"Stop arguing." Sebastian's patience snapped. He speared a large piece of grilled chicken with his fork and reached across the room. He dropped it directly into her paper box.

The sauce soaked into the bread and lettuce. It looked absurd.

Sophie stared at the chicken. She froze.

Sebastian saw that she wasn't moving. He added a serving of steamed broccoli. His voice was even colder. "The project bonus was meant to help you pay off your debt. Not starve yourself. Do you want to pass out again and waste more time?"

He always had a reason. A logical one.

Sophie didn't dare refuse again. She moved the chicken to the side and ate in silence. Her emotions were a tangled mess.

Sebastian watched her. The way she lived—frugal to the point of self-punishment—only made his irritation worse.

His face was hard. He added one more thing. "Tomorrow, buy something decent. For both of us. Put it under the City A project expenses. Call it travel costs."

It was the most care he could offer without crossing a line.

Sophie felt a flicker of warmth. She knew Sebastian could be harsh, but he wasn't heartless.

She set down her fork and looked up. She gave him a perfect, professional smile.

"Mr. Carter, you're such a considerate boss. It's an honor to work for you."

The compliment was smooth. Sincere. Textbook secretary behavior.

But it made Sebastian's expression darken instantly.

He hated this. He hated the distance she put between them.

A moment ago, she had been falling apart over him. Crying like her world had ended. Now she was back behind her professional mask, resetting the boundaries to a safe superior-subordinate relationship.

A flicker of mockery and impatience crossed his ice-blue eyes.

"Are you done?" His voice was cold.

"…Yes." Sophie was thrown off by the shift in his mood.

"Then throw out the trash." Sebastian looked away. His tone was clipped.

"Yes, Mr. Carter." Sophie stood immediately. She gathered the containers into a trash bag and left the room quickly.

The room fell silent again.

Sebastian leaned back against the headboard. His face was dark.

He hated this feeling—how easily Sophie could make his emotions spiral out of control.

That line—"you're such a considerate boss"—stuck in his chest like a thorn.

He would rather see her fight back. Anything but that polished, impenetrable smile.

His private phone rang, breaking the silence.

Sebastian's frown deepened. He answered.