Chapter 363 The Ties That Bind

Cecilia ’s pov

The drive to Martha’s estate gave me a chance to think. I needed to figure out what I was going to say when I saw her.

To be honest, I liked Martha. She was sharp, and in her own way, she carried herself with grace. At least, that was true before she found out I was dating Sebastian.

After that, her attitude changed. She got colder, more distant.

I couldn’t blame her. She’d been hoping to set Sebastian up with her granddaughter, Jessica. And I was clearly in the way.

Even so, I’d eaten plenty of her food over the past few days.

And sure, that honey cream cake nearly sent me to heaven, but it felt wrong to leave without checking on her.The least I could do was stop by, see how she was doing, and say goodbye properly.

Cassian knocked. When we heard a quiet “Come in,” he pushed the door open. Sebastian and I stepped in behind him.

The room was large, connected to a private study.

But I didn’t look at Martha first.My eyes landed instantly on Zane.He looked pale.

Martha sat propped up in bed, her expression unreadable.

The tension in the room was thick enough to chew.

I paused for a second when I saw Zane.

He did too. His face went from surprised, to hopeful, to disappointed.

I wasn’t interested in whatever was going on in his head.

“Sebastian. Cecilia,” Zane greeted, voice soft.

“Uncle Zane,” Sebastian answered, polite but distant.

“Mr. Zane,” I replied, keeping my tone just above freezing.

“You just got back from your trip, and now you’re here with Sebastian ? That must be exhausting,” he said, eyes settling on me with what passed for concern.

I gave him a polite smile, the kind you give a stranger you’re trying to ignore.

Zane didn’t know what to say, so he just stood there and stared.

Sebastian stepped in front of me a little, his voice steady but more serious. “Uncle Zane.”

Zane shifted, acting like he didn’t notice.

Cassian spoke up. “Uncle, you’re here early.”

“Oh, Jessica grabbed a slice of honey cream cake from here yesterday and posted a photo in the family group chat.

Xenia saw it and wanted some. Our chef tried to make it, but she wouldn’t eat it.

So I figured Martha might have more.”

A flicker of something sharp passed over Cassian’s face.

Sebastian and I exchanged a glance.

[Yep. The Locke family really was a circus.]

“You came for cake ?” Martha said, her voice smooth but sharp. “Cassian, go downstairs and box up whatever’s left. Make sure your uncle takes all of it. He can pass it around the whole family.”

Zane blinked. “Mom ?”

Martha didn’t even look at him. “Don’t get sentimental. If he likes it, let him enjoy it. Plenty to go around.

Cassian chuckled. “Grandma, are we sure that’s a good idea ?”

She turned her eyes to Zane. “If it doesn’t kill them, maybe it’ll teach them something. He came here for the cake. Let him have it.”

Zane finally seemed to realize something wasn’t right.

“I’ll get it packed,” Cassian said smoothly.

“Good boy,” Martha said, her tone softening only for him.

Zane didn’t argue.

Sebastian waited until things had settled, then gently led me to Martha’s side.

He stood straight, calm, and didn’t sugarcoat it. “Mrs.Martha, I just wanted to thank you for looking after Cecilia while I was away. It means a lot to me.”

I caught the pause in her eyes.

Martha blinked, then smiled politely. “You’ll make me blush, Sebastian.”

“And I also heard there were… expectations.” He paused. “Just to be clear, Cecilia and I are together.”

Martha looked like she’d just bitten into something sour.

“I didn’t know,” she said simply. “No one told me.”

“Well, now you do,” Sebastian replied, voice steady as ever.

Martha nodded slowly.

“I was hoping to see you and Jessica connect,” she said, tone even. “But I suppose that ship has sailed.”

There was no malice in her voice. Just acceptance.

She sighed. “I’m sorry. I was out of the loop. Truly. I wish you both the best.”

Sebastian’s smile finally reached his eyes. “Thank you.”

I stayed quiet, but I could feel his hand wrapped around mine, steady and warm.

And in that moment, I understood exactly why he’d been so eager to come here the moment Martha woke up.

He hadn’t come to pay respects.He’d come to close a door.

Once things felt settled, Sebastian stood up.

“We’ll be heading back to Denver soon,” he said. “Next time you’re in town, let us host you properly.”

“Of course,” Martha replied with a warm smile. “No need for formalities. I’ll just stay at your place. I’ve known the Black family forever.”

That caught me off guard. I’d expected her to hold a grudge. Maybe toss in a subtle dig. But she didn’t.

Instead, she smiled like we were already old friends.

I looked at her more closely and realized my smile looked a lot like hers.

Something in me eased.

I stepped forward a little, voice softer than I expected.

“Thank you for everything these past few days.”

And I meant it.

“No need to thank me,” Martha said, her smile relaxing further. “It gets a little lonely up here. Having young people around makes the place feel alive.”

She paused, then gave me a playful wink.

“Too bad the timing’s not better. I would’ve kept you here longer. I’ve got more desserts you haven’t even seen.”

Her voice was warm and teasing.

Wrinkles had softened the sharp beauty she once had, but the spark in her gaze hadn’t gone anywhere.

I smiled. “Then I’ll have to come back. I can’t miss out on dessert.”

“It’s a deal,” Martha said with mock seriousness.

I let out a small laugh.

Just then, Zane jumped in.

“Mom, there’s something you don’t know yet. Cecilia is actually—”