Chapter 254

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian strolled through the Blackwood estate gardens, her fingers brushing against the dew-kissed petals of late-blooming roses. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the sprawling grounds, painting everything in warm hues.

She had barely slept last night, her mind restless with thoughts of Donovan and his sudden reappearance. The way he had looked at her—like she was still his—sent a shiver down her spine. But she wasn’t his anymore. She belonged to Sebastian now, and she wouldn’t let Donovan’s lingering presence shake her resolve.

A rustling sound made her turn. Oliver, Sebastian’s seven-year-old son, peeked out from behind a towering oak, his mischievous grin unmistakable.

"Are you hiding from your tutor again?" Lillian arched a brow, fighting a smile.

Oliver giggled, darting forward to clutch her hand. "He’s boring! He keeps talking about numbers and letters. I want to train with the warriors!"

Lillian ruffled his hair. "You will, one day. But first, you have to learn how to read battle strategies."

Oliver pouted but didn’t argue further. His attention shifted suddenly, his small body tensing. "Someone’s coming."

Lillian followed his gaze. Victoria, Sebastian’s daughter, strode toward them, her expression unreadable. The engagement ring on her finger glinted in the sunlight—a cruel reminder of the past.

"Lillian," Victoria greeted coolly. "Father wants to see you."

Lillian’s pulse quickened. "Did he say why?"

Victoria’s lips curled slightly. "No. But I’d hurry if I were you. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting."

Without another word, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the stone path.

Oliver tugged at Lillian’s sleeve. "Don’t go. She’s mean."

Lillian squeezed his hand reassuringly. "It’s okay. I’ll be fine."

But as she made her way to Sebastian’s study, unease coiled in her stomach. Something was off. The air felt heavier, charged with tension.

When she reached the door, she hesitated before knocking.

"Come in," Sebastian’s deep voice called.

She stepped inside, only to freeze.

Because standing beside Sebastian, his cold eyes locked onto her, was Donovan.

And the smirk on his face told her this wasn’t a coincidence.

He had planned this.

Sebastian’s expression was unreadable as he spoke.

"Lillian," he said smoothly. "We have a problem."

Her heart dropped.

What now?

Lillian's POV

“You want me to go with you?” Beatrice asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

I nodded eagerly.

“Yes,” I told her, unable to hide my excitement. “It’ll only be for a few weeks. And honestly, I think we both need this break.”

She hesitated, biting her lip. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”

“You could never intrude, Bea,” I assured her, squeezing her hand. “Besides, I don’t want to go alone.”

A slow grin spread across her face.

“Well… I do have a ridiculous amount of unused vacation days,” she mused.

“And it’s during the school break, so you won’t miss anything,” I added, nudging her playfully. “Come on, Bea. Say yes.”

She laughed, then nodded. “Okay, yes!”

The rest of the night was spent catching up on everything we’d missed over the past few days. Having my best friend back felt like a missing piece slotting into place. The more we talked—and the more we planned for our tropical getaway—the more our excitement grew.

I pulled up the email detailing the competition venue—a luxurious resort in an exotic location, fully sponsored by the event organizers. The only thing Beatrice needed to arrange was her flight and, of course, a new swimsuit.

Luckily, the seat beside mine was still available, and she managed to book it without any issues before the night was over.

Lucien hadn’t bothered us for the rest of the evening, and I couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at me. At one point, while Beatrice dozed off, I slipped out to check on him. But he wasn’t in the kitchen, and one of the night guards mentioned seeing him leave shortly after we returned.

I figured he needed space, so I let him be.

Beatrice left early the next morning to freshen up before her late classes. When I finally dragged myself downstairs, I walked straight into a heated argument between Lucien and Giselle.

“How could you choose her over me?” Giselle hissed, her voice trembling with barely restrained fury. “After everything we’ve been through? I’ve waited for you for years—”

“I never asked you to wait,” Lucien cut in, shaking his head. “I thought we agreed to keep our personal lives separate from work. Why are you confronting me like this?”

“Because you won’t talk to me otherwise!” she cried, her voice breaking. “This isn’t fair, Lucien!”

“You’re the one being unfair, Giselle,” he shot back, turning to face her fully. “I’ve found my mate. You were once my friend. You should be happy for me.”

Her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “I’m in love with you,” she whispered, her voice raw with emotion. “I thought you felt something too—”