But calling her his ex-wife didn''t really fit, not when the divorce papers were still sitting unsigned.


    Still, with things the way they were, was there honestly any real difference? How were they even supposed to describe what they were to each other now?


    Reese let out a helpless littleugh and looked over at Sebastian. Her eyes were warm and earnest, but underneath, there was a sadness and resignation that no one else could quite see. "Sebastian, you really don''t have to do this."


    The mood in the car dropped instantly. Brady, ever the tactful one, ducked his head and pretended to scroll through his phone.


    Sebastian hesitated. There were things he couldn''t say with Brady right there. He nced at Annie, still soaking wet, and quietly turned up the heat.


    "Go get some clothes for Annie to change into, and bring them to..." He trailed off, thinking about what Reese had just said.


    He forced himself to swallow the bitter feeling rising in his chest and finished quietly, "Bring them to..."


    "To Reese''s ce," he finally said.


    Brady hesitated for a second, then spoke up softly. "Sir, you have that meeting with Elijah..."


    "Cancel it," Sebastian said, staring out the rain-blurred window,pletely unfazed. “No one''sing out in this weather anyway."


    Brady started to say that Elijah was already waiting at the club, but when he saw Sebastian''s face, he thought better of it and just sent a quick text to Elijah''s assistant.


    Reese''s apartment wasn''t far. In a little over ten minutes, the ck SUV pulled up outside her building.


    The rain wasing down hard, wind whipping everything around and sending debris flying. It felt like something could crash down at any second.


    It was the kind of storm people talked about for years. There had already been dozens of idents across the city, and the authorities had issued a red alert, telling everyone to stay inside and off the streets.


    Given how bad it was out there, Reese couldn''t bring herself to leave Sebastian and Brady outside. Besides, with Brady around, Sebastian wouldn''t dare try anything.


    "Alright,e on up. You can leave once the rain lets up."


    The four of them headed upstairs together. Reese took Annie straight to the bathroom, helped her get cleaned up, and handed her one of her own T-shirts to wear, Annie was settled in the study with her O homework, and Reese promised to call her when dinner was ready.


    Back in the living room, Reese spotted Sebastian standing by the sofa, still dripping wet. She grabbed some towels and toiletries from the master bathroom and handed them to him.


    "You should shower too. Don''t get sick."


    A small smile flickered in Sebastian''s eyes. He nodded. "Okay."


    Brady waited until Sebastian finished showering, then used the excuse of needing


    a shower too. After that, he basically hid out in the bathroom, leaving Sebastian and Reese alone.


    Sebastian, freshly showered, stood in the dining room, watching Reese bustle around the kitchen. He couldn''t help but smile to himself.


    Back when Reese still lived in the house, this was what he''de home to every night. No matter howte he got in, there was always a light left on, a warm meal waiting.


    But after Reese moved out, the ce just felt colder with each passing day.


    He hadn''t felt anything like home in a long time. He wondered when-if ever- Reese would want toe back.


    Dinner was ready soon enough.


    Reese called Annie over, set a piece of ribs on her te, then nced at Sebastian, who was awkwardly hovering at the edge of the dining room. "Come eat with us."


    "Thanks." Sebastian sat down, picked up a piece of rib, and tooka bite. The familiar taste nearly undid him. He honestly couldn''t remember thest time he''d eaten Reese cooking. .


    He''d always taken these little things for granted. Now, he realized they were the things he missed the most.


    Trying to hide how he felt, he scooped up some rice and looked up, catching sight


    of Reese and Annie across the table, quietly eating their dinner.


    A wave of happiness washed over him, so real and unexpected that he wished this moment couldst forever.


    That feeling stuck with him long after dinner.


    Later, after Reese tucked Annie in and left the bedroom, she found Sebastian still standing at the kitchen sink.


    His expensive loungewear was rolled up to his elbows, showing off strong forearms as he washed the dishes.