Chapter 368 Home at Last

Sebastian’s POV

The month in Arabia seemed to last forever. When my plane finally landed in Silverlake City, I walked through the VIP exit and spotted Emilia before she saw me. She waved both arms and bounced on her toes, not even trying to hide her excitement.

I went straight to her and pulled her into my arms. She held me just as tightly, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.

“You’ve lost weight.” She pulled back and brushed her thumb over my cheek. “And you’re tan. Was it that bad over there?”

“Not too bad.”

Ryder finally settled after weeks of being restless. “You’re a terrible liar.”

He was right. The work hadn’t worn me down. Missing her had. I’d spent too many nights awake, counting the days until I could come home.

“How are my parents?” I asked, keeping an arm around her.

“They’re fine. Your mom’s doing a little better with Tiffany being gone. She’s been in a better mood this week.”

“And you?”

She lifted her chin. “Me? I’m doing great. Obviously.”

The house felt less quiet when we got back. My mother had the staff prepare enough food for a dinner party, then filled my plate.

“Eat. You’re far too thin.”

“How did things go in Arabia?” my father asked. He always started with business, but it was also his way of checking whether I’d been eating and sleeping properly.

“Everything went well.” I served Emilia some soup and pushed the bowl toward her. “Have some.”

My mother smiled at my father. “See how our son treats his wife? Why can’t you do that?”

“Are you saying I neglect you?” Titus set down his fork.

“When was the last time you served me anything?”

“We’ve been married for thirty years, Mila. Do I still need to impress you?”

Everyone laughed. For a moment, dinner felt like it used to, before Tiffany’s chair stood empty.

After dinner, Emilia took my suitcase upstairs and unpacked it. She pointed toward the bathroom. “Go take a hot shower. You smell like a twelve-hour flight.”

“Very kind of you.”

“I do my best.”

I stood under the shower and turned the water cold, letting it run over my shoulders. The month away had eased some of my guilt. At the airport, all I’d been able to think about was how much I’d missed Emilia.

Whatever had happened that night in the dark, I’d decided to put it behind me. I would never tell her. Instead, I’d spend the rest of my life making it up to her.

When I came out, the suitcase was empty, and Emilia had a towel ready. “Sit down. Let me dry your hair.”

I sat on the stool, and she stood between my knees, rubbing the towel gently through my hair. She’d changed into something that made her plans for the evening clear. After a month apart, I wanted the same thing, but I stayed still. I couldn’t bring myself to reach for her.

Eventually, she put the towel aside and sat on my lap. Her arms slipped around my neck, and she leaned in to kiss me.

For one awful second, I saw Abigail instead. Her pale face, her smile, the way she’d leaned toward me in the dark. I jumped to my feet and pushed Emilia away.

“Sebastian!”

She caught herself against the dresser and stared at me. The image vanished, leaving Emilia in front of me and no excuse for what I’d done. I pulled her close and wrapped both arms around her.

“I’m sorry. I’m just exhausted.”

“It’s okay.” She studied the dark circles under my eyes, then glanced toward the bed. “Lie down. You look like you haven’t slept in a month.”

She wasn’t far off. Every time I’d closed my eyes in Arabia, I’d pictured Emilia staring at me, angry and hurt. Even when I managed to fall asleep, I never stayed asleep for long.

“Emilia, I haven’t been sleeping.” I lay down beside her. “Sing something for me.”

She snorted. “I’m a Luna, not a jukebox.”

“Please.”

She rolled her eyes but drew my head against her shoulder. Then she started humming an old lullaby, running her fingers through my hair. My chest relaxed, and before long, I fell asleep.

I didn’t wake once that night. It was the first full night’s sleep I’d had in a month. Ryder had been right all along. I couldn’t do this without her.

The next morning, I shaved and looked more like myself again. Emilia and I went downstairs together, and I pulled out her chair before taking my seat.

“Well, well.” My father looked over the breakfast table. “Our son comes home, and suddenly we’re eating like royalty. I see how it is.”

“Don’t start,” my mother said. “Have I ever let you go hungry?”

“Hungry? No. Spoiled like this? Never.”

Emilia picked up a sandwich, added a thick slice of rare steak, and took a large bite. She ate as if she hadn’t had a decent meal in days. Maybe the food was that good, or maybe having me home had helped her appetite.

“Slow down.” I slid a glass of milk toward her. “Have a drink before you choke.”

“I’m fine. I have excellent control.”

She had barely lifted the glass when raised voices came from the entrance. We all turned toward the dining room door.

“Miss, you can’t just walk in. I haven’t announced you.”

“I need to speak to Sebastian. Now.”

I went cold at the sound of her voice. My chair scraped against the floor as I stood, and Ryder growled in my head.

“Miss, please. If Alpha Sebastian agrees to see you, then you can come in.”

“Move.”

Abigail walked into the living room with her chin raised, looking around as if she had every right to be there. The guard followed, still trying to stop her. My parents and Emilia came out of the dining room behind me.

“What are you doing here?”

Abigail looked at each of us and smiled coldly. “Good. You’re all here. Now I won’t have to say it twice.”

I crossed the room and gripped her arm. “Outside. Now,” I growled.

“I’m not going anywhere.” She pulled free and turned toward my family. “They deserve to hear this.”

She looked past me at Emilia and my parents. “I’m pregnant.”