Sebastian watched Reese, her profile calm and unreadable, his fingers absently rubbing the edge of his suit sleeve. He swallowed, once, then again, searching for the right words.


    He wanted to tell her he hadn''t meant to leave her alone with her injury, that Leslie was actually in trouble and waiting for him at the police station. But as the words formed, he realized that trying to exin would probably just make things worse between them.


    So, instead, he just said, "I''ll have the driver take you both home."


    He hesitated, then added, his voice softer, almost hopeful, "Think about Robbie again, okay?"


    Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away, his steps quick and determined.


    When he reached the parking lot, just before he started the car, Sebastian couldn''t help ncing back at the emergency room. Reese sat alone under the soft yellow lights, hunched over as she cleaned up the cut on her wrist. Her small, delicate figure stood out in the sea of people, and something about that sight twisted in his chest.


    He gripped the steering wheel hard, throat tight, then finally pressed the gas. The ck Bentley slipped away from the hospital and disappeared into the night.


    At the police station, Leslie sat curled up on a bench in the corner, her torn jacket draped over her shoulders, the pale blouse underneath stained, her hair a tangled mess across her cheeks. Her eyes were wide and full of fear.


    As soon as she saw Sebastian, she bolted from her seat, wrapping her arms around his waist like she''d been drowning and he was her only anchor. Her voice shook with panic. "Sebastian, why did you take so long? I was so scared. I thought I''d never see you again..."


    He froze, startled by her sudden embrace, his body stiff. He lifted a hand tofort her, but stopped short when his fingers brushed her shoulder. Instead, he gently pushed her away and helped her sit down. His voice was steady but distant. "It''s okay. I''m here now."


    He knelt in front of her. "No more tears, okay? Tell me what happened."


    Leslie could only shake her head, tears streaming down her face, unable to get a full sentence out.


    A female officer nearby handed her some tissues and exined quietly, “She was followed by a group of thugs tonight. It''s an old neighborhood, and the security isn''t great. Luckily, she reacted fast and made it to the street to call us. She''s not hurt-just shaken up."


    Sebastian frowned, worry creasing his brow.


    He''d always thought her old neighborhood was dangerous. He''d suggested moving her somewhere safer after she came back from abroad, but she''d insisted on staying, saying the ce held all her childhood memories. He hadn''t pushed her, but now he wished he had.


    "It''s not safe there. You can''t stay anymore."


    He met Leslie''s eyes, his tone serious but gentle. "You''ll stay at my ce for now. After I sort everything out, I''ll find you a safer apartment."


    Leslie sniffled, but there was a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes. "Are you sure I won''t be a bother? Will Ms. Meyer be okay with this?"


    Sebastian paused for a moment at the mention of Reese.


    He''d make sure Reese had somewhere else to stay before asking her to move back.


    "It''s fine. Don''t worry about it."


    He stood up as the police finished their report. "Come on. Let''s get you home. You need to rest."


    When Leslie got up, still a little unsteady, Sebastian took off his jacket and settled it around her shoulders, guiding her out to the car.


    As the Bentley pulled away from the station, Leslie leaned her head against the


    window, watching the city lights blur by as her nerves slowly calmed.


    She turned to look at Sebastian, his focus never leaving the road, and said softly, "Sebastian, once things, With ckoak are settled, I''llrave to go back to headquarters."


    She hesitated, then asked, "When are you and Reese going to try for IVF again?


    I''d really like to see the baby before I leave."


    Sebastian''s grip on the steering


    wheel tightened, knuckles white. I''ve


    already arranged for a surrogate


    overseas. When th? baby''s born,


    you want, the baby can stay with you."


    Leslie''s heart skipped. “Why not ask


    Reese? My blood type and health t''d be better for the


    match hers.be better


    baby And... you and Reese are


    married. Isn''t that how it''s supposed


    to be?"


    Sebastian was silent for a moment, eyes fixed on the headlights ahead. His voice was quiet. “She''s still recovering. It''s not safe for her to get pregnant again so soon."


    The truth was, Reese wanted nothing to do with having another child with him. Pushing the issue would only make things worse between them.