The café had emptied slowly, leaving only a few patrons lingering with their drinks. Lillian rubbed her temples and let out a long sigh.
Chloe leaned back in her chair, giving her a pointed look. "You can't go home tonight. Honestly, you shouldn't be alone after… everything."
Lillian hesitated, biting her lip. "I… I can just stay at my apartment. It's fine."
Chloe's eyes narrowed. "Fine? Ethan's still there, Lillian. You just saw him with someone else. You're not going back there."
Lillian's chest tightened. "I… I guess not. I could… stay at a hotel?"
Chloe scoffed, leaning closer. "No. That's temporary. I'm talking real safety, comfort. My guest room. Tonight. You're staying with me."
"I don't want to inconvenience you," Lillian said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You're not inconveniencing me. You're my friend. And I'm not letting you sit alone in that apartment while he's still there. No way." Chloe reached across the table, squeezing her hand firmly. "You're staying. End of discussion."
Lillian swallowed and nodded slowly. "Alright… I'll stay. But I need to go grab my things first."
Chloe smiled, triumphant. "Good. Let's go."
Back at Sovereign, Sebastian sat alone in his office. The hum of the computers filled the room, but his mind wasn't on work. It was on her — Lillian Parker.
Her words at the café echoed in his head. About Ethan. About him. About the tissues.
He could still hear her frustration, her confusion. The way she had laughed bitterly and vented without knowing he was listening.
Cold. Rude. Impossible. And then a box of tissues…
He leaned back, rubbing his temples. He might appear indifferent, detached, unfeeling — but that wasn't true.
He cared. In his own way.
His fingers moved over the office phone, dialing a number he knew too well.
The line clicked. "Ethan Bennett."
"Yes, Mr. Wolfe," Ethan answered with a hint of fear, since Sebastian Wolfe never called him unless something happened.
Sebastian's tone was ice. "You're fired."
There was a pause, a stuttered attempt at protest. "Wait—what? I—."
"No. Effective immediately. Do not come to Sovereign again. Pack your things. Leave."
Click.
The line went dead. Sebastian set the receiver down slowly. He didn't smile. He didn't feel relief in the usual sense. He simply let the cold, final clarity of the action sink in.
It was cruel. Harsh. Necessary.
It was exactly the way he cared.
Meanwhile, Lillian and Chloe had returned to her apartment. The hallway smelled faintly of stale air and old carpet. Lillian's hands trembled slightly as she unlocked the door.
Inside, the faint light from the living room revealed that Ethan wasn't here lounging casually on the sofa. He was probably still making his deliveries.
Lillian's stomach twisted. She swallowed hard, stepping back instinctively. "I… I can't. I can't be here."
Chloe's gaze hardened. "Exactly. That's why you're staying with me. You're not sleeping here tonight. End of story."
Lillian's shoulders slumped. "I… alright. Can you help me to gather me things?"
"Of course. Let's do it," Chloe said, guiding her to grab a bag. "You're not facing this alone. Not now, not ever."
Back at Sovereign, Sebastian sat in his office, staring at the empty security monitor. Lillian's desk was empty. The thought of her walking to Chloe's apartment, exhausted and vulnerable, tightened his chest.
He hated that he couldn't openly protect her. That he had to act in cold, precise ways — firing Ethan over the phone — instead of offering comfort.
Yet he had acted. Even if she didn't know it. Even if no one ever would.
This is how I care, he thought. Harsh. Direct. Necessary.
He rubbed his jaw, the faint glow of his monitors reflecting off sharp blue eyes. Even now, he couldn't stop thinking about her: the way she vented, the way she had cried, the way she kept showing up, even exhausted and betrayed.
He clenched his fists. Damn it. I can't be… normal. I can't…
Lillian and Chloe were finally in Chloe's apartment. The guest room was warm, quiet, and welcoming — a stark contrast to the emptiness and betrayal of her apartment.
"I can't believe I'm letting someone else take care of me," Lillian muttered, placing her bag down.
Chloe gave her a teasing look. "You're exhausted, emotionally drained, and Ethan's still at your place. You need this. You're staying here. Full stop."
Lillian leaned back on the bed, sighing. "I guess… you're right."
Chloe perched on the edge of the bed, smirking. "And don't forget — you can vent about Sebastian Wolfe all you want. I won't stop you."
Lillian groaned, running her hands through her hair. "I… hate that I even think about him. Cold, impossible… and yet, somehow, he notices things. Like that stupid box of tissues. I don't get it."
Chloe grinned knowingly. "Classic Mr. Wolfe. Cold, terrifying, impossible… and somehow he cares in the strangest ways."
Lillian let out a long, weary laugh. "I just… I don't know what to do with any of this."
Chloe squeezed her hand. "You don't have to do anything. Just… rest. And let me take care of you tonight."
Back at Sovereign, Sebastian leaned back in his chair. He stared at the desk where Lillian's things usually sat. She was safe — with Chloe, at least — but he felt a faint edge of unease.
His fists unclenched slowly as he reached for the phone again, though he didn't need it. He had done what he could.
Ethan Bennett was gone. Removed. His way of keeping Lillian safe. Cruel, cold, and harsh — but necessary.
Sebastian exhaled, leaning back. He might never say it. He might never show it. But he had acted.
And for now… that had to be enough.