The mansion was not quiet.
Lillian knew something was wrong the second she stepped through the front door.
A voice echoed down the hallway.
Sharp.
Cold.
Furious.
Sebastian.
"I said leave it alone!"
Lillian sighed under her breath.
Of course.
She walked quickly toward the office, heels clicking across the marble floor.
As she reached the doorway, the scene inside made her stop.
Sebastian sat behind his desk.
Laptop open.
Files everywhere.
He looked pale, tired… but stubborn as ever.
The nurse stood across from him, clearly overwhelmed.
"Mr. Wolfe, you're supposed to be resting," the nurse said carefully. "Your spine is still healing."
Sebastian didn't even look up from the laptop.
"I didn't hire you to repeat obvious information."
The nurse looked like she wanted to disappear.
"Sir, the doctor specifically said—."
"I know what the doctor said."
His tone sharpened.
"Now either stop interfering or leave."
Lillian had heard enough.
She stepped into the room.
"That won't be necessary."
Both of them looked up.
The nurse immediately looked relieved.
"Miss Parker," she said. "Thank goodness."
Sebastian leaned back slightly in his chair.
His blue eyes narrowed.
"You."
Lillian crossed her arms.
"Yes. Me."
The nurse quickly explained.
"He started working the second we arrived. I tried to stop him but—."
"You tried to interfere with my work," Sebastian corrected coldly.
Lillian didn't even hesitate.
She walked straight to the desk.
Sebastian watched her carefully.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
She reached forward.
Closed the laptop.
Click.
Silence filled the room.
Sebastian stared at the laptop.
Then slowly looked up at her.
"…Miss Parker."
Lillian calmly picked up the laptop.
Sebastian's eyes widened slightly.
"You did not just—."
"I did."
She turned and handed the laptop to the nurse.
"Please hold this."
The nurse took it immediately.
Sebastian looked completely stunned.
"Give that back."
"No."
"You're overstepping."
"You're recovering from spinal surgery."
"That doesn't change anything."
"It changes everything!"
Sebastian leaned forward slightly, frustration rising.
"The company does not stop because I'm injured."
Lillian leaned toward him.
"And you will end up back in surgery if you keep working like this."
His jaw tightened.
"That's not your decision."
"No," she said firmly.
"But apparently someone has to make it."
Sebastian pushed himself up from the chair.
Big mistake.
Pain shot through his spine.
His breath caught.
For a split second he lost balance.
Lillian moved instantly.
She grabbed his arm.
"Careful!"
Sebastian froze.
His hand gripped the desk.
His breathing was tight.
Lillian helped steady him.
For a moment they were standing very close again.
Too close.
Her hand still held his arm.
He looked down at her.
Annoyed.
Embarrassed.
But also… something else.
"Let go," he muttered.
She didn't move.
"Sit down."
"I'm fine."
"Sit."
He glared at her.
She didn't move.
Finally, with a frustrated exhale, Sebastian sat back down.
The nurse watched the scene in quiet amazement.
Lillian turned to her.
"Thank you for trying."
The nurse sighed with relief.
"He refused everything."
"I noticed."
Sebastian folded his arms.
"I'm still here."
"Yes," Lillian replied.
"Unfortunately."
The nurse hid a small smile.
Lillian looked back at her.
"Could you tell me what he needs during recovery?"
Sebastian's head snapped up.
"No."
Both women ignored him.
"The doctor recommended limited movement," the nurse explained. "Pain medication twice a day. He also needs to avoid long periods sitting upright."
Sebastian scoffed.
"That's unrealistic."
Lillian nodded thoughtfully.
"What about walking?"
"Short distances only."
Sebastian leaned back in the chair.
"This is ridiculous."
Lillian looked at the nurse again.
"Could you show me everything I need to know?"
The nurse blinked.
"You mean…?"
"I'll take care of him."
Silence.
Sebastian stared at her.
"You will not."
Lillian ignored him.
The nurse smiled slightly.
"Of course. I can show you the medication schedule and exercises."
Sebastian's patience snapped.
"I did not agree to this."
Lillian finally looked at him.
"And yet it's happening."
"You're my secretary."
"And right now I'm preventing my boss from destroying his spine."
Sebastian leaned forward.
"You're not staying here."
"Yes," she said calmly.
"I am."
The nurse raised an eyebrow.
Sebastian looked at her like she had lost her mind.
"You have your own apartment."
"I'm staying here until you recover."
"That's unnecessary."
"That's not up to you."
Sebastian stared at her.
Completely stunned.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
"This is absurd."
"You nearly collapsed two weeks ago."
"I survived."
"Barely."
The nurse cleared her throat gently.
"Mr. Wolfe, it might actually be helpful if someone stays with you."
Sebastian groaned.
"I don't need supervision."
Lillian smiled slightly.
"Too bad."
He ran a hand through his hair.
"Unbelievable."
The nurse began explaining the medication.
"These are the painkillers. Twice daily."
Lillian nodded.
"And if he refuses?"
The nurse smiled knowingly.
"Be persistent."
Sebastian muttered something under his breath.
Lillian continued listening carefully.
The nurse showed her the exercises.
The schedule.
The warning signs.
Sebastian watched the entire thing unfold like a hostage negotiation.
Finally the nurse packed her bag.
"Well," she said gently. "It looks like Mr. Wolfe is in good hands."
Sebastian looked horrified.
"I disagree."
The nurse laughed softly.
"Call the hospital if you need anything."
Lillian nodded.
"Thank you."
The nurse left.
The mansion fell quiet.
Sebastian leaned back in his chair slowly.
Then looked at Lillian.
"You just took over my house."
"Temporarily."
"You stole my laptop."
"You were abusing it."
"You fired my nurse."
"You fired her."
He sighed.
"This is unbelievable."
Lillian crossed her arms.
"You're welcome."
He studied her carefully.
For a long moment he said nothing.
Then he muttered quietly,
"…At least it's you."
Lillian blinked.
"What?"
Sebastian quickly looked away.
"Nothing."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You were going to say something."
"No."
"You were."
"No, I wasn't."
She leaned forward slightly.
"You said 'at least it's you.'"
He sighed.
"I meant it's slightly less irritating than a stranger."
Lillian smirked.
"High praise."
He rubbed his temple.
"You're very persistent."
"You're very stubborn."
He leaned back carefully in the chair.
"…You're not leaving, are you?"
"No."
He sighed again.
"…This is going to be a long recovery."
Lillian smiled slightly.
"Yes."
"Yes it is."
And for the first time since leaving the hospital—
Sebastian Wolfe knew he had officially lost this battle.
Not to the nurse.
Not to the doctor.
But to Lillian Parker.