The smell of food filled the quiet mansion kitchen.
Lillian stood at the stove, stirring the pan carefully. Steam rose around her as she tasted the sauce with a spoon. She frowned slightly, then added a small pinch of salt.
"Not bad," she muttered to herself.
Cooking had never been a problem for her. She just rarely had time for it.
Tonight, however, someone upstairs refused to eat unless she practically forced him to.
She plated the food neatly—grilled chicken, vegetables, and rice. Simple, healthy. Exactly what the nurse had suggested.
Lillian placed the plate on a tray along with a glass of water.
Then she headed upstairs.
Sebastian was exactly where she left him.
Sitting in bed.
Back against the pillows.
Looking irritated.
But at least he wasn't working.
Lillian walked in and placed the tray on the bedside table.
"Dinner, Mr. Wolfe."
Sebastian looked down at the plate.
Then back up at her.
Then down again.
He didn't touch it.
Lillian crossed her arms.
"…Is something wrong?"
Sebastian's eyes lifted slowly.
"I didn't know you could cook."
She blinked.
Then immediately turned away, pretending to adjust the tray.
"That's not important," she said flatly.
Sebastian continued studying the food.
"You made this?"
"Yes."
"Yourself?"
"Yes, Mr. Wolfe."
He looked at the plate again.
Suspicion crossed his face.
"…Is it edible?"
Lillian shot him a look.
"Eat the food."
Sebastian leaned back slightly.
"You didn't answer the question."
"Eat. The. Food."
There was a long pause.
Then Sebastian picked up the fork.
He took one bite.
Lillian watched him closely.
He chewed slowly.
His expression didn't change.
At all.
"Mr. Wolfe?"
Silence.
Then he took another bite.
And another.
Lillian raised an eyebrow.
"You're eating it."
"Yes."
"You didn't complain."
"Should I?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Just finish your food."
Sebastian continued eating quietly.
Within a few minutes the plate was empty.
He set the fork down.
Lillian immediately handed him a glass of water.
And a pill.
Sebastian stared at the pill like it personally offended him.
"…What is that."
"Your painkiller."
"I don't need it."
"Yes, you do."
"I'm fine."
"You winced when you sat up earlier."
"That was temporary."
Lillian didn't move.
Her arm stayed extended.
"Take it."
Sebastian leaned back against the pillows.
"No."
Lillian sighed.
"Mr. Wolfe."
Silence.
"Sebastian."
His eyes flicked up immediately.
She only used his name when she was serious.
"…You're overusing that," he muttered.
"Take the painkiller."
"I'm not in pain."
"You had spinal surgery."
"I'm aware."
"You're taking the medication."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Lillian narrowed her green eyes.
"You're incredibly stubborn."
"I've been told."
"Take it."
Sebastian looked at the pill again.
Then at her.
Then sighed.
"…Fine."
He took the pill from her hand.
Swallowed it with the water.
Lillian nodded with satisfaction.
"Good."
Sebastian looked deeply unimpressed.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little."
A few seconds passed.
Then Lillian glanced down at the list on her phone.
She cleared her throat.
"Mr. Wolfe… are you ready for your bath?"
Sebastian looked horrified.
"…My what?"
"Your bath."
"I'm taking a shower."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"I'm not taking a bath like a child."
"You can't stand for long periods."
"I can."
"You tried walking up the stairs earlier and nearly collapsed."
"That was unrelated."
"Bath."
"Shower."
"Bath."
Sebastian exhaled slowly.
His patience was clearly evaporating.
"Miss Parker…"
"Yes?"
"I am not taking a bath."
"You are."
"Why?"
"Doctor's orders."
"I doubt that."
"I spoke to the nurse."
"That explains a lot."
Lillian folded her arms.
"You're bathing."
Sebastian stared at her.
Then sighed heavily.
"…Unbelievable."
She stepped forward.
"Come on, Mr. Wolfe."
He swung his legs slowly off the bed.
Immediately he stiffened slightly.
His back protested.
Lillian noticed.
She pretended not to.
"Careful," she said quietly.
Sebastian stood up slowly.
Lillian stepped closer and supported his arm.
He glanced down at her hand.
"You're very persistent."
"You're very difficult."
Together they walked slowly toward the ensuite bathroom.
Sebastian moved carefully, clearly trying not to show discomfort.
But halfway there—
He suddenly changed direction.
Walking toward the wardrobe instead.
Lillian frowned.
"Mr. Wolfe?"
He kept walking.
"Where are you going?"
Sebastian opened the wardrobe.
Then looked back at her calmly.
"I need clothes."
"…Clothes?"
"Yes."
He pulled out a pair of dark pajamas.
Then looked directly at her.
"Unless you'd like a repeat of what happened last time."
Lillian froze.
Then immediately turned bright red.
The hotel memory hit her instantly.
Sebastian.
Door open.
Only a towel.
His chest.
The teasing.
Her blush deepened.
"I— that— that's not—."
Sebastian's mouth twitched slightly.
He was absolutely enjoying this.
Lillian turned away quickly.
"Just get your clothes, Mr. Wolfe."
Sebastian closed the wardrobe.
"Already done."
He walked toward the bathroom door.
Then paused beside her.
"Interesting reaction."
Her face got even redder.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course you don't."
He stepped inside the bathroom.
Lillian quickly moved to the door.
"I'll be right outside if you need help."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
"I will not need help."
"Mr. Wolfe."
"Yes?"
"You're taking a bath."
He sighed.
"…Yes, Miss Parker."
"And don't turn it into a shower."
"I heard you the first five times."
She nodded once.
Satisfied.
Then stepped back.
And closed the bathroom door.
Lillian leaned against the wall outside the bathroom.
Her heart was beating faster than it should.
She pressed her hands to her cheeks.
"Get it together," she whispered.
But her mind kept replaying it.
His voice.
His teasing.
The memory of that hotel room.
And the way he looked at her just now.
She groaned softly.
"This is going to be a long recovery."
Inside the bathroom, water began filling the tub.
And Sebastian Wolfe was already planning how to get his laptop back.