Chapter 98
Victor's brief softening gaze hardened instantly the moment the mansion doors creaked open.
Even Celeste, who had been lounging with a sort of false poise, snapped upright—ready, but also visibly overwhelmed, like the air itself had sucker-punched her lungs.
And after what felt like a deliberate, hesitant pause, Sebastian slid inside.
He shut the doors quietly, pulling the night and its hums out of existence with one slow push.
He didn't move right away.
He stood there, posture tired—no, exhausted his body carrying this heavy, drained weakness that made the room feel colder.
His eyes drifted across the space, tracing the atmosphere that was laced with thick, pressurized tension.
And then they found Victor's razor-sharp face, exactly as he expected it.
Unforgiving. Waiting. Probably timing how long it would take him to walk fully into the room, like even his footsteps needed permission.
