Sebastian's weight shifted against her.
At first, Lillian thought he was just leaning closer again.
Then his body suddenly went completely slack.
"Sebastian?" she said softly.
No response.
His forehead slid further against her shoulder, and his grip around her loosened.
Lillian frowned and gently leaned back so she could see his face.
"Sebastian?"
His eyes were closed.
His breathing had deepened into the slow, heavy rhythm of someone completely out.
She blinked at him for a moment.
"Did you just… pass out on me?"
Nothing.
Not even a twitch.
Lillian let out a small sigh.
"Well," she murmured quietly, "that answers that."
She shifted slightly, trying to support his weight without letting him slip off the couch.
"Okay… come on. Let's get you lying down properly."
It took some effort.
Sebastian was tall, broad-shouldered, and currently about as cooperative as a bag of bricks.
Lillian slid one arm behind his back.
"Easy… easy…" she whispered, gently guiding him sideways.
His body tipped, and she managed to ease him down onto the couch cushions.
His head landed awkwardly near the armrest.
She immediately adjusted it.
"No, that's not going to work," she muttered.
Carefully, she nudged his shoulders until he was stretched out along the length of the couch.
Sebastian didn't stir.
Not even a little.
Lillian sat back slightly, catching her breath.
"Wow," she murmured.
"You're heavier than you look."
Her eyes drifted to the whiskey bottle still sitting on the floor nearby.
She leaned down and picked it up, examining the nearly empty glass.
"Yeah… you definitely overdid it tonight."
She set the bottle on the table far away from him.
"Drink water tomorrow," she added quietly.
"You're going to hate yourself in the morning."
When she looked back at him, Sebastian's expression was still tense, even in sleep.
His brow was faintly furrowed.
Like his mind was still fighting battles somewhere far away.
Lillian's chest tightened.
"You're still worrying… even when you're unconscious," she whispered.
She glanced around the living room.
After a moment, she noticed a folded blanket draped over a nearby chair.
"Perfect."
She stood, grabbed it, and returned to the couch.
"Let's make this a little more comfortable."
Carefully, she unfolded the blanket and draped it over him, pulling it gently over his chest and shoulders.
Sebastian shifted slightly under the warmth but didn't wake.
"There," she murmured.
She sat down beside him again.
For a few seconds, she just watched him.
It was strange seeing Sebastian Wolfe like this.
Silent.
Still.
No sharp gaze.
No calculated control.
Just… human.
Vulnerable.
She shook her head slightly.
"You know," she said quietly, "if the board of directors saw you right now, they'd never believe it."
Her eyes softened.
"Mr. Perfect Control himself."
Sebastian didn't respond.
Lillian leaned back into the couch, but almost immediately she frowned again.
His head was tilted awkwardly against the cushion.
"That can't be comfortable."
She hesitated.
Then slowly, she slid one hand beneath his head.
"Sorry," she whispered automatically.
Gently, she lifted it.
She shifted her position slightly and guided his head onto her lap.
Sebastian exhaled softly but stayed asleep.
Lillian adjusted the blanket again so it still covered him.
"There we go," she murmured.
Her fingers slowly moved into his hair.
She began stroking it gently.
Soft.
Slow.
Comforting.
The room grew quiet again.
Only the faint hum of the house and Sebastian's steady breathing filled the air.
Lillian looked down at him.
"You look different like this," she said softly.
Her fingers brushed through his hair again.
"Less intimidating."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Actually… a lot less intimidating."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"You're lucky I'm the one seeing this."
Her fingers brushed lightly along his temple.
"Anyone else would never let you live this down."
Sebastian shifted slightly.
A faint mumble escaped him.
Lillian froze.
"Sebastian?"
But he didn't wake.
She relaxed again.
"Yeah… you're definitely out."
Her hand returned to its slow rhythm through his hair.
"You scared everyone today," she said quietly.
Her voice softened.
"You scared me."
She sighed and leaned her head back against the couch.
"When you stormed out of the office like that…"
Her fingers paused briefly.
"I've never seen you lose control like that before."
Sebastian remained silent.
Lillian continued watching him.
"You always seem like you've got everything figured out," she said quietly.
Her fingers resumed their slow movements.
"But tonight…"
She shook her head slightly.
"You looked like the world just collapsed."
Her gaze softened again.
"And when you said you failed…"
She swallowed.
"I wish I knew what happened."
She looked down at him again.
"But you don't have to tell me yet."
Her fingers brushed gently across his forehead.
"You'll tell me when you're ready."
Another quiet moment passed.
Then Lillian chuckled softly.
"You know what the funniest part is?"
She looked at his sleeping face.
"You're probably going to wake up tomorrow and pretend none of this happened."
She nodded slightly.
"Yeah… that sounds like you."
Her fingers moved gently through his hair again.
"And you'll probably try to act like you weren't drunk and emotional and completely dramatic."
She smiled faintly.
"But I'll know."
Sebastian shifted slightly again, his head pressing more comfortably against her lap.
Lillian softened instantly.
"That's it," she whispered.
"Get comfortable."
She brushed a few strands of hair away from his forehead.
"You work too hard."
Her voice dropped to a quiet murmur.
"You think you have to carry everything alone."
She sighed softly.
"You don't."
Another long silence stretched between them.
Lillian watched his chest rise and fall slowly.
Her hand never stopped its gentle motion.
"You know," she said softly, "you told me earlier that you didn't deserve this."
She shook her head slightly.
"You're wrong."
Her fingers lightly traced the side of his temple.
"You deserve someone who stays."
She looked down at him again.
"And I meant what I said."
Her voice grew softer.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Sebastian mumbled something again, barely audible.
Lillian leaned down slightly.
"What was that?"
No response.
She smiled faintly.
"Yeah… still asleep."
Her hand moved slowly across his hair again.
"You're probably dreaming about work."
She sighed.
"That would be very on-brand for you."
Her gaze drifted across the quiet living room.
"You really need a break," she murmured.
Then she looked down at him again.
"And apparently, tonight your body forced you to take one."
She leaned her head gently against the back of the couch.
Her fingers continued moving through his hair.
"I'll keep watch," she whispered quietly.
Sebastian slept on.
Peaceful now.
The tension that had filled the room earlier had faded.
And Lillian stayed exactly where she was.
Watching over him.
Not moving.
Not leaving.
Just quietly keeping her promise.
"I'm here," she whispered one last time.
And the quiet mansion settled around them as the night grew deeper.