<h4>Chapter 191: Chapter 191 When the Past Comes Knocking</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    My blood ran cold.


    The cozy little world we’d been wrapped in vanished, popped like a soap bubble, leaving me exposed and chilled to the bone.


    "You two..." Her gaze dropped to our joined hands, and the perfectly polished facade cracked--just enough to show the storm behind her eyes.


    She looked like she was seconds from crying, but too proud to let it happen.


    I reflexively started to pull my hand away.


    Sebastian didn’t let go.


    His grip tightened, quiet but firm. I nced up at him, surprised--and then, almost without thinking, I squeezed back.


    It didn’t fix anything. But it helped.


    Sebastian turned to Amara, his voice like ice. "How did you get in?"


    Amara didn’t get a chance to answer.


    Liam appeared in the doorway from the balcony, looking mildly out of breath and more than a little ufortable.


    "Alpha! You’re back. I was just about to text you--Miss Amara showed up a few minutes ago."


    He offered me a strained, fleeting smile. "Miss Moore. I... wasn’t expecting you."


    The silence that followed could’ve shattered ss.


    He was trying to sound cheerful. It didn’tnd.


    Liam cleared his throat. "Uh... Lady Regina just left. She said that, since this ce is closer to the office, Miss Amara should... stay here. With us."


    The subtext was as subtle as a sledgehammer. Luna Regina had set this trap with surgical precision.


    Sebastian didn’t me Liam--his icy gaze remained fixed on Amara. "Did my mother fail to mention I have a girlfriend now, and that having you stay here would be inconvenient?"


    The word "girlfriend" sliced through Amara like a silver de through a rogue wolf. Her eyes reddened instantly.


    I watched her struggle topose herself, pain shing across her face before she masked it with a practiced smile.


    "Your mother mentioned it," she recovered smoothly. "She also suggested I should get along well with Secretary Moore." She turned her gaze to me, challenge glinting in her eyes. "You wouldn’t mind, would you? You don’t seem the petty type."


    I kept my expression serene, like this drama was happening in another universe altogether.


    "If the Alpha has no objections, neither do I," I replied mildly.


    I recognized the game. Regina hadid a snare where every move was a misstep. Engaging with a rigged system was its own kind of defeat?


    Sebastian’s brow furrowed as he nced down at me. After a moment, he looked back at Amara. "If Cecilia doesn’t mind, then I don’t either."


    Amara’s face tightened.


    I maintained my poker face.


    Sebastian raised his voice. "Liam, please move my things downstairs. Cecilia wants me to stay at her ce."


    I nearly choked on air.


    Amara went rigid, herposure cracking further.


    Sebastian pinched my stunned cheek gently, his smile holding a hint of mischief. "I know what you’re thinking, sweetheart. Your wish is mymand."


    My inner voice screamed: *Are you trying to get your mother to put a hit out on me?*


    "I’ll pack your things right away, Alpha," Liam said, hurrying away with poorly concealed relief.


    Sebastian ignored Amara’s frozen form on the sofa and pulled me toward the hallway. "Let’s go see the kitten."


    We’d barely made it down the corridor when a tiny ball of fluff came bounding toward us.


    I crouched down as the kitten nosed at my hand, purring like a tiny motor.


    "You’ve gotten fat," I teased, scratching gently behind her ears. "In a cute way, obviously."


    She let out a pleased chirp and flopped over dramatically.


    "She still doesn’t have a name," Sebastian said, kneeling beside me. "You should name her."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Me?"


    He nodded. "You’re the one she actually likes."


    I studied the fluffy little creature, who was now enthusiastically trying to chew on my shoce.


    "She’s so round and soft, with that little belly... she reminds me of a muffin. Let’s call her Muffin."


    I turned to him, arms crossed. "Don’t tell me it’s not Alpha-approved."


    He chuckled. "No, it’s perfect. She’s got muffin top vibes for sure."


    He slid his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder as we both reached out to pet her.


    The newly christened muffin stretched, yawned, and rolled onto her back like she fully approved of her absurd new name.


    We stayed like that for a while--curled up in the hallway, ying with a cat like the rest of the world didn’t exist.


    Sebastian and I had just stood up, Muffin nestled contentedly in my arms when Amara’s voice floated over, syrupy-sweet.


    "What an adorable kitten," she said, her smile trained on Sebastian. "Though I do remember you being quite the germophobe. You never kept pets before."


    Sebastian didn’t even blink. "Amara, your tendency to assume you know me is long overdue for correction."


    Her smile twitched, faltering at the edges.


    She looked at him with carefully curated hurt in her eyes, but wisely kept any theatrics in check.


    I kept my gaze on Muffin, gently stroking the soft fur behind her ears.


    I had zero interest in stepping into the emotional minefield that was Sebastian and Amara’s shared past.


    Then, with practiced casualness, Amara pivoted toward me. "Miss Moore, are you free tomorrow? I haven’t been back to Denver in ages--I feelpletely out of touch. Would you mind showing me around a bit?"


    I didn’t hesitate. "Sure. Why not?"


    If she wanted to y nice this time--no meltdowns in public, no drama like Singapore--I was all for it.


    Polite fa?ades were far less exhausting than open warfare.


    "Wonderful!" she beamed. "Oh--I brought you a little something."


    She nodded toward her luggage, and I set Muffin down carefully before trailing after her into the living room.


    "A gift?" I said, feigning cheerful surprise. "You really didn’t have to."


    We sat on the sofa, side by side, as she retrieved a small velvet box and opened it with a flourish, revealing a pair of elegant pearl-drop earrings.


    I let out the right mix of impressed hums and delighted gasps.


    "Let me help you put them on," she offered, voice dripping with sugar.


    "Of course." I tilted my head obligingly.


    We sat close--closer than I liked--as she fastened the earrings with the intimacy of an old friend. Our conversation turned light and chatty, full ofughter that didn’t quite reach either of our eyes.


    Just over the edge of my vision, I caught Sebastian watching us--still, silent, unreadable.


    Then I heard him let out a low, humorlessugh.


    He stepped forward and gently scooped Muffin from the floor.


    "Come on, Muffin," he said quietly, his voice cool and clipped. "Your mom’s busy ying pretend. Let’s get you some dinner."


    I kept the smile on my face. Barely.