34. Lilian
Chapter 34
Lilian
“Don’t hurt him.” Without thinking, I rush forward, placing myself between them. “Leave him alone!”
Hide.
My father’s eyes blaze with fury. “You ungrateful little brat.”
In seconds, his hand is around my throat, squeezing. I gasp for air, clawing at his fingers. The boy behind me screams, and I want to tell him to run, but I can’t breathe.
I can’t move.
Spots dance before my eyes as the pressure builds.
Then, as quickly as it began, everything vanishes. The pressure on my throat is gone, and I’m left standing in a void with the boy. He bows his head solemnly and takes my hand in his.
“Who are you?”
“You betrayed me.”
I sit up in bed, my heart pounding and my skin slick with sweat.
That was… Since I’ve been staying with Sebastian, my dreams have shifted. The usual screams, monsters, and blood have morphed into something different …
And that boy.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed, feeling the cold hardwood floor beneath my feet, my head in my hands.
Who was that boy? And why did he seem so familiar?
Could he be Levi? No, I would recognize Levi as a teenager.
Uncle Marc told me that Levi had found me first.
You betrayed me.
Why can’t I remember?
“Lil?” Sebastian’s voice sounds through the door. “Are you awake?”
My head snaps up. I can’t face him. Not after yesterday.
Maybe my dream mirrored what happened yesterday? Is it my guilt manifesting itself in new, cryptic ways?
Sebastian Barron has always been the one who’s gotten under my skin, who’s made me feel things I never thought possible. And now, I’m closer than ever. Even in my dreams.
What if he’s angry? He probably saw the papers when I left, right? There’s no way he didn’t see. He’s probably furious. I bet he thinks I’m spilling what I read to my uncle or something.
I’m not ready for his accusations, not after it felt so right to be with him. I want it to last a little longer, even if it means clinging to an illusion.
I don’t move, listening intently. The faint sound of footsteps retreating reaches my ears, and the tension in my body eases.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand, breaking the silence, and I scramble to muffle it so Sebastian won’t come back.
Mary: Want to grab dinner at that new restaurant tonight? I could use a girls’ night out.
Gemma: Can’t. I’m out with Elijah.
Mary: He’s monopolizing too much of your time.
Gemma: He was pouting yesterday that it’s the exact opposite .
Mary: * angry-emoji* Fine. What about you, Lil?
Lil: Count me in.
I could use some time away from here to clear my head and gain some perspective on this whole Sebastian situation.
The evening arrives, and I head out with Mary to the restaurant, a modern bistro with sleek lines and ambient lighting. We’re seated in a cozy booth, the leather seats buttery soft. Soft jazz music plays in the background, mingling with the low hum of conversation from the other guests.
“Oh, I already love this place.” She eyes the large flower wall beside us. “I hope the food is good.”
“Hope so, too.”
“Hmm,” she says. “So, how are things with your roommate?”
My smile falters, and I stare down at my napkin. “It’s complicated.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Actually, I’d like to not think about it if that’s fine?”
“Of course, it’s fine. Let me distract you for tonight.”
She orders us cocktails and some small plates to share. I sip my drink, the tart sweetness of pomegranate and vodka hitting my tongue.
“You know my sister’s douchebag boyfriend, Trent?” she asks.
“I think you mentioned him once or twice, yes.”
“Well, apparently, he’s been talking shit about me behind my back.”
“What’s he saying?”
“That I’m a bad influence on Ella.” She rolls her eyes. “Like, hello? She’s a grown-ass woman. ”
“Wow.” I pop a stuffed mushroom in my mouth, savoring the creamy filling melting in my mouth. “Isn’t he the one making Ella miserable?”
“Right? And get this—he told her not to invite me to their housewarming party. How do I know? From another friend. Can you believe that?”
“Seriously? That’s… wow.”
Mary nods vigorously. “I know! And Ella goes along with it. After she exploded at dinner with our parents, I thought she’d break up with him, but apparently, it wasn’t enough.”
“Has she always been like this with him?”
“Pretty much. It’s like she loses all sense of self when she’s around him.” Her shoulders slump, then her eyes shoot up, her head tilting to the side. “Is that?”
I follow her gaze.
Brandon and Naomi are seated at a table quite close to us. She gazes up at him, admiration clear in her eyes, and his arm draped casually over her shoulders. They seem happy and carefree together, unlike Sebastian and me. And there’s another person accompanying them, too. Elliot.
“We should invite them to join us,” Mary says.
“Sure? I don’t want to interrupt their—”
“Hey Naomi, Bran!” She waves them over excitedly,
Naomi’s face falls before her smile reappears, bright as ever. She nudges Brandon, who looks over at us, his eyebrows raising in recognition.
“Hey, Mary! Lil!” Brandon waves. “Fancy seeing you here.”
They make their way over, Elliot trailing behind them.
“So, what brings you all here tonight?” Mary asks.
“Grabbing a bite. Checking out the competition.” Brandon’s arm is still draped around Naomi. “Didn’t expect to run into you ladies. ”
“Mind if we join you?” Naomi already pulls up a chair.
“Not at all!” Mary scoots over to make room. “The more the merrier, right?”
I nod.
Elliot slides into the seat beside me. “Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Lil, right? Remember me?”
“Yes. The food guru who saved me from starvation.”
“Glad I could be of service. How did things go with Bash?”
“Great,” I say. “And your mysterious woman?”
“Working on it.”
We order our main courses and another round of drinks. Brandon and Elliot regale us with stories about their new restaurant and the planned launch party.
I peer at the clock on my phone. 8 pm. Sebastian should be home by now. The thought twists my stomach into knots.
My phone buzzes, and I blink twice. Sebastian’s name flashes on the screen. I dig my teeth into my lip. Part of me desperately wants to hear his voice, to have him tell me everything is okay. But another part fears what he might say, that he might confirm my worst suspicions.
It goes to voicemail and, not even a second later, rings again. I hit ignore.
“Everything alright?” Elliot points at my phone.
“Yeah, I—”
The phone rings a third time. “Sorry.” I answer the phone. “Hey.”
“Hey, Lil.” Sebastian’s voice is tight. “You coming home soon?”
I grimace, glancing around the table. They are immersed in their own conversations, but Elliot’s gaze remains fixed on me.
“I don’t know,” I say.
“So what is everybody getting?” Elliot asks .
“Where are you?” Sebastian demands.
I hesitate. “At Sale Moderne. With Mary and—”
“Stay there.”
“Wait—”
Click.
I pull the phone from my ear, staring at the ‘call ended’ screen. Fantastic.
“Who was that?” Mary asks.
“Sebastian. He’s maybe on his way?”
Brandon chuckles. “Oh, he so definitely is.”
Naomi shoots Brandon a look, who holds up his hands in surrender.
I fidget with my napkin, tearing it into tiny pieces.
The conversation carries on around me, but I can barely focus. My eyes keep darting to the door, my stomach churning with equal parts dread and anticipation.
Why is he coming here? Is he going to make a scene? Drag me out like some misbehaving child? Or worse, kick me out of the apartment altogether?
I down the rest of my drink in one gulp, welcoming the burn. I need to go before he shows up. Make a clean getaway. But my limbs feel heavy, weighed down by indecision.
The door swings open, and my heart lodges in my throat. Sebastian strides in with Connor close behind. His eyes sweep the restaurant before settling on our table. On me.
A muscle twitches in his temple.
Fan-fucking-tastic.