Chapter 169

Cecilia’s pov

Xavier ignored Sebastian’s sarcasm with the smooth, unflappable grace of a man used to sidestepping his own guilt.

His eyes locked on mine, softening with that old, familiar vulnerability – the kind that used to crack my armor like glass.

“Will you come with me?”he asked quietly. “Just one last time p>

Right. And I’m the queen of forgiveness.

I knew exactly what he was looking for. Same thing he’d been chasing for years: closure. Or maybe a miracle.

I held his gaze, letting a slow, saccharine smile curve my lips – sweet, easy, and absolutely counterfeit.

“Sure,”I said lightly.

Xavier’s whole face lit up like he thought I’d handed him a second chance.

What he didn’t realize was I wasn’t offering redemption – I was leading him to the grave where I’d buried our story, six feet under with the rest of my regrets.

And I hadn’t loved him since the day I picked up the shovel.

The four of us climbed out of the SUV.

Xavier immediately moved toward me, arms outstretched to carry me.

Just as he approached, Sebastian materialized at my side.

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around Sebastian’s waist, clinging to him naturally.

Sawyer’s eyes nearly popped out of his head at my casual embrace.

I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “Our CEO is… stronger p>

Sebastian looked down at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Indeed. I could lift a full-grown bull p>

Sebastian lifted me effortlessly into his arms.

I pressed my lips together, saying nothing.

The night breeze rippled across the lake’s surface, creating small waves that seemed to mirror the tension between us.

Xavier stood frozen.

“That way,” I pointed, tired of watching Xavier stand motionless like a statue.

I had no desire to waste more time with him.

When we reached the edge of the grove, I tapped Sebastian’s shoulder.

“Stop here,”I said. “Let him go alone p>

“We could go together,” Xavier said quickly. Desperation crept into his voice like a leak he couldn’t plug.

“Xavier,” I said, voice calm but final, “I have already put it down”

For once, the message actually landed.

His face crumpled, like something inside him cracked. “You – “

I lifted my chin. “Go. Say goodbye properly. Closure’s healthy. So is moving on p>

He looked like he might argue – but he didn’t. Instead, he turned and walked toward the trees, every step heavy.

As soon as he was a few yards away, I jabbed Sebastian in the chest.”Let’s go, quickly p>

If we didn’t leave now, we might never escape.

Sebastian looked intrigued. “Let’s watch a bit longer p>

I boldly punched his chest. “Let’s go p>

Finally, Sebastian turned and quietly carried me away.

Back at the car, I frantically urged Sawyer, “Quick, quick! Start driving p>

My urgency nearly caused Sawyer to accelerate the car straight into the lake.

As we left the campus, I spotted Henry standing at the gate, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Xavier’s Beta. Always conveniently nearby when things went sideways.

Seeing our vehicle, he respectfully nodded and approached to greet us.

I lowered my window.

Luna – “he started, then caught himself. “Ms. Moore p>

He glanced at Sebastian and gave a polite nod. “Alpha Sebastian”

The look on his face said exactly what he was thinking: Where the hell is my boss?

I smiled sweetly. “He’s by the wood. Near the lake p>

Henry hesitated.

“Don’t worry,”I added. “He’ll come out eventually. Probably with closure. Or a poem p>

And with that, I rolled up the window.

A few hours earlier, after finally escaping Xavier’s emotional turmoil, our car passed by the sports clinic where I’d left my vehicle.

“My car’s here. I need to get it,” I told Sawyer.

He pulled over.

“Alpha, Sawyer, I’ll be going now,” I said, opening the door.

After exiting, I breathed a quiet sigh of relief and carefully made my way to my car.

I had barely closed my door when the passenger side opened and Sebastian slid in.

“My car needs detailing,”he said casually, stretching out his legs. “I told Sawyer to handle it. Figured I’d hitch a ride with Secretary Moore – if that’s alright p>

My mouth fell open slightly. I blinked. Twice.

But since he’d already ghosted his driver, I didn’t exactly have a choice.

And considering he’d just saved my skin again, I wasn’t about to argue.

I started the engine.

A few miles in, I risked a glance in his direction. “Thanks. For earlier p>

“No need to thank me,”he said, voice low and calm. “It was the right thing to do. I should’ve done it sooner p>

I swallowed. The words felt heavier than they should’ve.

Then he crossed his arms, turning toward me with that unreadable look that always made me want to either kiss him or jump out of the car.

“Cecilia,”he said slowly, “you’re still pretending nothing’s happening between us p>

I gripped the steering wheel tighter.

He continued, tone deceptively soft. “I said I wouldn’t push, and I won’t. I respect – “

“Then can’t we just go back to how things were?”I cut in, trying to keep it breezy. Casual. Safe.

But he wasn’t buying it.

“Funny,” he said, tilting his head. “I was just about to say that after respecting your boundaries, maybe you could try respecting mine p>

I bit the inside of my cheek. Damn it.

He leaned a little closer, invading my personal space the way only he could. “Shouldn’t you be my girlfriend by now p>

I blinked. “What p>

“My girlfriend,”he repeated, like it wasn’t the emotional landmine it was. “You know, actual title, shared responsibilities, the whole inconveniently real deal p>

I let out a dry laugh. “Sebastian, how can I be your girlfriend when I’m not even pretending to take responsibility for… whatever this is p>

He didn’t flinch. “Okay. Then let’s start there. Pretend to be my girlfriend p>

I stared at him.

“I don’t care what you feel,” he said simply. “You don’t have to be emotionally invested. Just act like you are p>

My lungs felt tight, like there wasn’t enough air in the cabin.

I didn’t respond.

He didn’t press, just leaned back in the seat, shutting his eyes like he hadn’t just dropped a relationship ultimatum disguised as a compromise.

The silence stretched. I stole a glance at him.

Could the little mermaid really watch the prince walk away without growing legs and chasing after him?

Probably not. But I wasn’t ready to admit that.

The car rolled into his neighborhood.

“I’ve got to head to my parents’ place this weekend,”I blurted, barely waiting for the car to stop. “So, uh… you can hop out here p>

He didn’t move.

Instead, he rotated his wrist with an exaggerated grimace. “Ugh. My hand hurts. Might be broken p>

I blinked. “What p>