The courthouse felt colder than Lillian expected.
She clutched Sebastian's hand tightly as they walked down the polished hallway, the low murmur of reporters' cameras buzzing faintly behind the glass doors.
"I still can't believe this is happening," she whispered, leaning slightly into him.
Sebastian squeezed her hand gently.
"It's over. Well… almost."
She looked up at him, eyes wide.
"Almost?"
"Almost," he repeated, voice low.
"Until the judge officially sentences him, it isn't completely over."
Her stomach twisted at the thought.
Ethan Bennett, the man who had attacked Sebastian outside the building, would finally face the consequences.
But just seeing him restrained in the courtroom earlier had made her pulse quicken.
They entered the courtroom.
Ethan was already there, sitting at the defendant's table in handcuffs, his dark eyes filled with rage.
The moment his gaze landed on Sebastian and Lillian, a flicker of twisted recognition and hatred crossed his face.
"He's really here," Lillian murmured, her grip tightening on Sebastian's arm.
Sebastian's jaw tightened, his gaze flicking briefly to Ethan.
"Yeah. And he won't be able to touch either of us ever again."
Lillian exhaled slowly.
"I just… I can't believe this is real. He actually tried to hurt you… because of me."
Sebastian turned to her, softening his expression.
"I know. But we're here. And nothing he does changes that. Not now. Not ever."
The judge entered, and the courtroom fell silent.
Lillian felt the tension coil tighter in her chest as the sentencing began.
"Ethan Bennett," the judge's voice rang out, crisp and firm.
"You have been found guilty of attempted murder. Given the severity of your actions and the danger you posed, this court sentences you to twenty years in state prison."
Lillian felt the air in her lungs finally release.
She glanced at Sebastian, whose expression was calm but still carried the faint trace of tension.
Relief swept over her.
Ethan's reaction was immediate.
He slammed his hands on the table, the handcuffs rattling.
"This… this isn't fair! She's mine! She's mine, Wolfe!" His voice cracked, full of rage.
Sebastian didn't flinch. His blue eyes locked on Ethan's.
"You made your choice, Ethan. And now you live with it."
The bailiffs stepped forward and escorted Ethan from the courtroom.
As they passed, he spun his head toward Sebastian and Lillian, his glare filled with hatred.
Lillian shivered, instinctively squeezing Sebastian's arm.
"You okay?" he murmured softly, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
"I… I think so," she admitted.
"It's just… unreal."
Sebastian brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear.
"It's real, Lillian. But it's done. He can't hurt us anymore."
She leaned into him, exhaling a shaky breath.
"I just… I never expected to feel this safe after everything. After the attack, the trial…"
He pressed a hand lightly to her back.
"You don't have to worry anymore. I've got you."
Outside, the sunlight felt unusually bright as they walked to the car.
Sebastian shielded her from the press with a broad arm, his presence commanding.
"Where are we going?" she asked, attempting to sound casual.
"Somewhere private," he said with a small smile.
"Somewhere we can actually breathe and celebrate without the world staring at us."
"Your mansion?" she guessed.
"Exactly," he replied, unlocking the car.
The drive back was quiet, filled with the soft hum of the engine.
Lillian rested her head against the window, watching the city blur by.
"I still can't believe it's finally over," she murmured.
Sebastian glanced at her, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
"Over? I'd say we're just starting to feel safe."
She chuckled softly.
"Safe with you… yes."
When they arrived at the mansion, Lillian felt that familiar mix of awe and comfort.
She had been here before, but the quiet of the night made it feel even more private, almost magical.
"Home sweet home," Sebastian said, loosening his tie.
"Relax. It's just us now."
She smiled, grateful.
"I'm glad it's over… the parents meeting, the trial… everything."
Sebastian poured two glasses of wine, setting hers in front of her.
"A toast?"
"To us," she said softly, clinking her glass against his.
"To surviving everything," he replied.
They drank, the quiet clink of glasses a grounding rhythm.
Lillian felt the weight of the past weeks slowly lift, replaced by warmth and security.
"You know," she began, tracing the rim of her glass with a finger, "I kept thinking about what could have happened. About Ethan… about how close it came."
Sebastian stepped closer, taking her hand.
"I know. But we're here. Together. And nothing can change that."
She looked up at him, eyes bright with emotion.
"I can't thank you enough, Sebastian. For protecting me… for being there… for everything."
He brushed a loose strand of hair from her face.
"You don't need to thank me. I chose to be there. Always."
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Always?"
"Always," he repeated, voice low and steady.
"Through everything, Lillian. I'm not going anywhere."
She smiled, leaning into him.
"Good. Because I'm not letting you go either."
He grinned, lifting her hand to his lips and brushing a gentle kiss across her knuckles.
"I like that."
They moved to the terrace, the city lights stretching beneath them like a glittering sea.
Sebastian handed her a soft blanket, which she wrapped around her shoulders, shivering slightly in the crisp night air.
"I have to admit," Lillian said softly, leaning back into him, "I was nervous about what today would be like. Seeing him… facing him in court…"
He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.
"We survived it. That's what matters. Together."
She rested her head against his chest.
"I feel… like nothing can touch me when I'm with you."
"Exactly," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.
"You're safe. With me. Always."
They sat in quiet companionship for a long moment.
Lillian let herself relax completely, letting go of fear, tension, and anxiety.
"And to think," she murmured with a laugh, "I was nervous about today."
"Look at us," Sebastian said, brushing circles on the back of her hand.
"Survived a courtroom, survived Ethan, survived the media. Still standing. Together."
Lillian laughed softly, warmth spreading in her chest.
"Together," she echoed.
He smiled, leaning back in his chair and letting her hand rest in his.
"Exactly. And now… we just enjoy this. Just us."
She nodded, content.
"Just us."
The city stretched below them in silence, twinkling like scattered diamonds.
Lillian Parker felt entirely safe, entirely seen, and entirely loved for the first time in weeks.
"I like this," she whispered, leaning back into his chest.
"No pressures, no trial, no cameras… just… us."
"Then we'll have more nights like this," Sebastian murmured, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Private, playful, ours."
She smiled softly, heart light.
"I'd like that."
"And I'll make sure we have them," he promised, leaning closer.
"Because nothing matters more than you."
And for the first time in weeks, Lillian felt that finally, truly, everything could be okay.