Three days later, Sebastian was finally being discharged.
The word should have felt like a victory.
Instead, it felt like a compromise.
A temporary release.
A reminder that he wasn't healthy enough to stay, but not healthy enough to be considered well either.
He sat on the edge of the hospital bed while a nurse reviewed paperwork.
His discharge paperwork.
His medication schedule.
His follow-up appointments.
His restrictions.
Especially his restrictions.
Sebastian was already regretting listening.
"No alcohol."
He nodded.
"Limited stress."
Another nod.
"No driving."
A third nod.
The nurse narrowed her eyes.
"Are you actually listening?"
"Of course."
"You said that last time."
Sebastian sighed.
The nurse looked completely unimpressed.
Frankly, most of the hospital staff seemed unimpressed by him at this point.
A knock interrupted them.
Dr. Reynolds entered carrying a tablet.
"Good morning, Mr. Wolfe."
"Morning."
The doctor glanced at the nurse.
"Ready to go home?"
"Very."
Dr. Reynolds pulled up a chair.
"Before that, we're going to discuss a few things."
Sebastian immediately knew he wasn't going to enjoy this conversation.
The doctor sat down.
"Your condition has stabilized."
Good.
"But that doesn't mean you're recovered."
There it was.
The part he wasn't going to enjoy.
"The seizure was serious."
Sebastian remained quiet.
"The liver disease remains serious."
Still quiet.
"Your insomnia remains serious."
A slight grimace.
"And your alcohol dependency remains serious."
That one hit harder.
The doctor folded his hands.
"You are leaving the hospital because you're stable."
A pause.
"Not because you're healthy."
The room became silent.
Even Sebastian couldn't argue with that.
Dr. Reynolds continued.
"Another seizure remains possible."
Lillian, who had arrived earlier that morning, immediately straightened in her chair.
Sebastian noticed.
And hated the fear that flashed across her face.
The doctor continued.
"For now, I want you resting."
Sebastian sighed.
"Fine."
"I mean actually resting."
That sounded suspicious.
"What exactly does that mean?"
"No work."
There it was.
Sebastian immediately frowned.
"I can work remotely."
"No."
"A few hours."
"No."
"Emails."
"Absolutely not."
Lillian looked away.
The corners of her mouth twitched slightly.
Trying not to smile.
Chloe, who was standing near the window, didn't even bother hiding hers.
Sebastian noticed.
"Traitors."
Neither woman looked guilty.
Dr. Reynolds continued.
"No meetings."
Sebastian sighed.
"No board reviews."
Another sigh.
"No business decisions."
This one nearly killed him.
The doctor raised an eyebrow.
"Any questions?"
"Can I negotiate?"
"No."
Chloe laughed.
Lillian quickly covered her mouth.
The doctor remained completely serious.
"Mr. Wolfe, you nearly died."
The humor immediately disappeared.
Silence settled over the room.
Because there wasn't really a response to that.
Eventually Dr. Reynolds moved on.
"Now."
He looked at Sebastian.
"Who will be monitoring you?"
Sebastian blinked.
"What?"
"When you leave."
The doctor looked down at his notes.
"You live alone."
A statement.
Not a question.
"Yes."
The doctor didn't look happy.
"That concerns me."
Sebastian already knew where this was going.
"I'll be fine."
Dr. Reynolds sighed.
"Mr. Wolfe."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
The doctor's voice sharpened.
"Three days ago you had a seizure."
Sebastian remained silent.
"You lost consciousness."
Still silent.
"If another seizure occurs and nobody is there—."
The doctor didn't finish.
He didn't need to.
Everyone understood.
The room grew quiet.
Because they all knew Sebastian's mansion was empty.
Too large.
Too quiet.
Too isolated.
The image of him collapsing alone in one of those massive rooms was unsettling.
Dr. Reynolds shook his head.
"I'm not comfortable sending you home alone."
Sebastian opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
Because for once, he didn't actually have an argument.
An uncomfortable silence followed.
Everyone thinking.
Everyone trying to find a solution.
Then Lillian spoke.
Quietly.
Almost before she fully thought it through.
"He can stay with me."
The room froze.
Chloe blinked.
The nurse blinked.
Even Dr. Reynolds looked surprised.
Sebastian turned toward her.
"What?"
Lillian suddenly became very aware that everyone was staring.
But she continued anyway.
"I work remotely several days a week already."
Her voice remained steady.
"I can work from home."
Sebastian stared.
Still processing.
Lillian looked at him.
"And Ellie would like that."
The moment those words left her mouth, Sebastian's resistance weakened.
Noticeably.
Because Ellie changed everything.
Still, he shook his head.
"You don't have to do that."
Lillian held his gaze.
"I know."
Simple.
Honest.
And somehow impossible to argue with.
Sebastian looked away first.
Because he didn't know what to say.
Dr. Reynolds immediately nodded.
"I think that's an excellent idea."
Of course he did.
The doctor looked relieved.
"Someone would be available if symptoms worsen."
Another nod.
"Someone could contact emergency services if necessary."
Another nod.
"Someone could monitor him."
By this point Sebastian realized he'd lost.
Completely.
The doctor was already mentally approving the arrangement.
Chloe looked pleased.
Far too pleased.
"Don't."
She smiled innocently.
"I'm not doing anything."
"You look happy."
"I am."
Sebastian groaned.
A little later, while discharge paperwork was being finalized, Dr. Reynolds asked to speak with Lillian privately.
They stepped into the hallway.
Sebastian remained inside the room.
But the door wasn't completely closed.
Which meant he could hear parts of the conversation.
Unfortunately.
Dr. Reynolds folded his arms.
"Miss Parker."
Lillian immediately focused.
"I want to make sure you understand what the next few weeks may look like."
She nodded.
"Okay."
The doctor glanced toward the room.
"He's likely to experience withdrawal symptoms."
Lillian's expression became serious.
"What kind?"
"Anxiety."
She nodded.
"Shaking."
Another nod.
"Irritability."
Lillian actually laughed softly.
"I think I've seen that one before."
The doctor smiled.
"Probably."
Then his expression turned serious again.
"Mood changes."
Lillian listened carefully.
"Trouble sleeping."
Her concern deepened.
"And cravings."
The hallway became quiet.
Dr. Reynolds continued.
"This isn't simply a matter of willpower."
Lillian nodded immediately.
She understood.
"This is his body adjusting."
Another nod.
"There may be difficult days."
Lillian looked toward the room.
Toward Sebastian.
Then back at the doctor.
"I understand."
Sebastian lowered his eyes.
Unexpected guilt settling in his chest.
Because hearing that conversation felt awful.
Lillian already had enough responsibilities.
A career.
A daughter.
Her own life.
And now she was taking care of him too.
The realization sat heavily inside him.
An hour later, the paperwork was finally complete.
The nurse handed over the final documents.
"Congratulations."
Sebastian stood.
"Thank you."
She pointed a finger at him.
"Don't make me see you here next week."
Sebastian almost smiled.
"No promises."
"That wasn't a joke."
"...Right."
The nurse looked horrified.
Lillian laughed.
For the first time all day, the tension eased slightly.
A little while later they were walking toward the hospital exit.
Sebastian carried a small backpack.
Inside were his belongings.
His phone.
His wallet.
His medication.
And folded carefully between everything else—
Ellie's drawing.
The most valuable thing he owned.
The cool New York air greeted them as they stepped outside.
For a moment nobody spoke.
Then they climbed into Lillian's car.
The drive was quiet.
Not uncomfortable.
Just strange.
Three years ago they had imagined a future together.
Then everything had fallen apart.
And now—
Now they were heading to the same home.
Not as a couple.
Not because of romance.
But because of a little girl.
Their little girl.
The thought lingered in Sebastian's mind for the entire drive.
Eventually the apartment building came into view.
Lillian parked.
The engine turned off.
Neither moved immediately.
Sebastian stared up at the building.
The reality finally settled over him.
He wasn't going back to his empty mansion.
He wasn't going back to silence.
He was about to live with Ellie.
Even if only temporarily.
His daughter.
A daughter he still barely knew.
And suddenly he felt more nervous than he had during any board meeting in his entire life.
Lillian stepped out first.
Sebastian followed.
Together they walked toward the apartment.
Up the elevator.
Down the hallway.
Until they reached the door.
Lillian pulled out her keys.
Unlocked it.
And immediately a familiar little voice echoed from inside.
"Mommy!"
Sebastian froze.
Then heard small running footsteps.
Fast.
Excited.
Happy.
And his heart nearly stopped.
Because Ellie was on the other side of that door.
Waiting.