The car pulled up in front of Lillian's parents' house, a stately home nestled on a quiet street.
Lillian's hands were slightly clammy as she adjusted her blazer.
She glanced at Sebastian Wolfe, who sat beside her, calm and composed as always.
"You ready?" she asked softly.
"Ready," he replied, his hand brushing hers briefly.
The touch was grounding, reassuring.
She took a deep breath and opened the car door.
He stepped out first, straightening his jacket.
In his other hand, he carried a small, elegant box wrapped in cream paper with a golden ribbon.
"I brought gifts," he said quietly, almost as an afterthought.
Lillian smiled softly.
"You didn't have to."
"I wanted to."
His eyes briefly met hers, and she felt her heart skip.
The front door opened before she could knock.
Her mother, Caroline Parker, stood there, arms crossed, wearing an expression that could cut glass.
"Lillian, you're late," she said, though her eyes flicked to Sebastian immediately.
"And you must be Mr. Wolfe," Caroline added, her tone smooth but assessing.
Sebastian inclined his head slightly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Parker."
Her father, Thomas Parker, appeared from behind her.
Taller than she remembered, with a calm but inquisitive gaze.
"And you must be the man our daughter has been… keeping busy," he said with a hint of humor.
Sebastian smiled faintly.
"Busy is a relative term."
Caroline's eyes narrowed subtly, then she gestured toward the door.
"Come in. All of you."
The living room was warm, sunlight spilling through the windows.
Lillian led the way, subtly placing her hand in Sebastian's as they walked.
"Tea? Coffee?" Caroline asked, her sharp eyes still on Sebastian.
"Tea would be perfect," he replied smoothly, placing the small gift box gently on the side table.
Lillian sat on the couch, trying not to fidget, while her parents scrutinized Sebastian with intensity.
He sat opposite them, composed and polite, yet aware of the subtle tension in the room.
Caroline leaned forward, steepling her fingers.
"So, Sebastian… tell me about your work. How did you and Lillian meet?"
Sebastian's lips curved faintly.
"We met at Sovereign Technologies. She's been my secretary for a few years."
Caroline's gaze sharpened.
"And you trust her with everything?"
He looked at Lillian, then back at her mother.
"I do. Completely. She's intelligent, capable… and remarkably grounded."
Lillian felt a warmth rise in her chest at his words.
Her mother, however, wasn't letting him off easily.
"And how do you plan to protect her from… everything that comes with your world?" Caroline asked, leaning slightly closer.
"The attention, the pressure, the lawsuits?"
Sebastian's eyes softened.
"I'm aware of what my life entails. I also know that Lillian is aware. And she's not alone—she'll never be alone in any of it."
Caroline's expression didn't soften, but there was a flicker of something—respect, maybe.
"Hmm. Very well. But what about your personal life? Your family?"
Sebastian's jaw tightened slightly.
He glanced at Lillian, whose hand instinctively reached for his under the table.
He gave her a small, reassuring squeeze before speaking.
"My mother… passed away years ago. My father is ill," he said quietly, his gaze dropping to the teacup in front of him.
"I had a brother, but…" His voice faltered just slightly.
"I don't… speak of him much."
Caroline's eyes narrowed, picking up on the tension.
"Not much? Or not at all?"
He shook his head, almost imperceptibly.
"It's complicated. Some things are private, even from those closest to me."
Thomas Parker leaned forward, his curiosity open but gentle.
"And yet here you are, allowing us into this part of your life. That says a lot."
Sebastian inclined his head.
"Lillian is very important to me. I want you to understand that."
Lillian's mother studied him intently, then tilted her head slightly.
"You're very calm under pressure… but tell me, Sebastian, how do you handle… fear? Anger?"
Sebastian met her gaze steadily.
"I don't let it control me. And I don't let it dictate my decisions."
He paused, eyes flicking briefly to Lillian.
"Not for myself, not for her."
Her father's gaze softened slightly.
"I like that. A man who thinks before he acts."
Caroline leaned back, arms crossed again.
"And yet… you've survived… attacks. And here you are, in front of us, unshaken."
Sebastian allowed a faint smile.
"Experience teaches you how to survive, Mrs. Parker. And how to keep the people you care about safe."
Lillian felt her chest tighten.
She reached across the table, brushing her hand over his subtly.
He responded with a soft, grounding squeeze.
Caroline's eyes flicked toward Lillian.
"You seem very protective, Lillian. Make sure he deserves your trust."
"He does," Lillian said firmly, surprising herself with the certainty in her voice.
Caroline gave a faint smile, leaning back.
"I'll be watching, but I appreciate honesty. And you, Sebastian, seem… sincere."
Sebastian inclined his head slightly.
"Thank you. I promise you, I will do everything to honor that trust."
Thomas cleared his throat, changing the subject smoothly.
"And your childhood? Your family?"
Sebastian's gaze dropped for a fraction of a second.
"Like I said, my mother is gone. My father is very ill. My brother… some things are… unresolved. That's all I'm comfortable sharing for now."
Lillian noticed the slight tension in his jaw and the way his hands tightened.
She reached for his hand under the table again, giving a reassuring squeeze.
Caroline gave a thoughtful nod.
"Fair enough. Some things are… private."
Thomas leaned back, eyes thoughtful.
"Well, I can see why Lillian cares for you. And I can see why she's happy."
Sebastian allowed himself a small smile, glancing briefly at Lillian.
"Her happiness matters more than anything."
A short pause followed.
Then Sebastian stood and gestured toward the gift box.
"These are for you, Mrs. Parker, Mr. Parker. A small token of gratitude for welcoming me into your home."
Caroline and Thomas exchanged glances before Lillian's mother carefully unwrapped the box.
Inside were two crystal decanters, elegantly etched, along with a small note.
Lillian's mother's eyes softened as she read it.
"Thoughtful," she murmured.
Thomas lifted his, inspecting it with interest.
"Well… impressive, Wolfe. You didn't just show up empty-handed."
Sebastian inclined his head politely.
"I wanted to make a good first impression."
Lillian felt a rush of warmth at the small moments—the way he had thought of everything, from the gift to the way he handled her parents' questions.
Her mother's expression softened further.
"I'll admit… you've handled yourself well under scrutiny."
"And under interrogation," Thomas added with a faint smirk.
Sebastian allowed a small chuckle.
"Interrogation is an art form, Mr. Parker. You've both mastered it."
Lillian laughed softly, leaning slightly into him.
"I think you're charming everyone here."
Sebastian's gaze softened.
"I only hope to be worthy of your trust, Lillian. And your family's."
Caroline finally leaned back with a nod.
"We'll see. But you've started on the right foot. Keep it up."
Sebastian offered a respectful nod.
"I will."
Lillian felt a rush of warmth and gratitude. She reached over, hugging him quickly under the table.
"Thank you… for doing this. For coming."
He returned the gesture subtly, leaning in close.
"For you? Always."
Her parents exchanged glances, a quiet smile forming on Thomas's face.
Caroline's eyes softened slightly, though she maintained her poised demeanor.
The rest of the afternoon passed with small talk, laughter, and subtle glances between Lillian and Sebastian.
Despite the probing questions, the underlying tension had eased, replaced by cautious warmth and an unspoken understanding.
As they prepared to leave, Caroline gave a small, approving nod.
"We'll be watching, Sebastian. But you've started on the right foot."
Sebastian inclined his head politely.
"I understand. And I appreciate your honesty."
Outside, Lillian exhaled softly, her hand finding his again.
"That wasn't as terrifying as I thought," she murmured.
Sebastian smirked faintly.
"I told you… nothing to worry about. You have me."
Her heart skipped, warmth flooding her chest.
"Always."
He gave her hand a soft squeeze, blue eyes holding hers.
"Always."
And for the first time that day, as they walked toward the car, Lillian felt a quiet sense of relief.
Sebastian had navigated her parents' scrutiny flawlessly—and she had never felt prouder to be by his side.