The mansion was quiet.
Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, scattering across the marble floor.
The city outside hummed faintly, distant and irrelevant.
Sebastian groaned.
His head felt like it was being split in half.
Every movement sent stabbing pain through his skull.
His stomach churned, threatening revolt.
He opened his eyes slowly.
The couch was unfamiliar without weight on it beside him.
Lillian wasn't there.
Panic shot through him faster than the hangover.
"Lillian?" he croaked.
His voice barely carried.
Silence answered him.
He tried to sit up.
He really did.
But the room spun violently.
He toppled sideways, then collapsed onto the floor with a loud thud, groaning in pain.
From the kitchen, Lillian's hands paused over the pan she was stirring.
A loud crash echoed through the hallway.
"What now?" she murmured.
Dropping the spatula, she hurried toward the living room.
Sebastian lay sprawled on the floor, eyes squeezed shut, one hand pressed against his forehead.
Pain radiated from every fiber of him.
"Sebastian!" Lillian rushed to him.
Kneeling beside him, she placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Oh my god… stay still. Don't move."
He tried to respond, but only a weak, pained groan escaped.
"…L…Lillian… my head…"
"I know… I know," she whispered, brushing hair from his face.
"We're going to fix this. One step at a time."
She eased one arm under his back, the other under his knees, and carefully guided him upright.
His head lolled slightly against her shoulder.
"You're heavy," she muttered under her breath, though her voice carried no complaint—only concern.
"I… I can… stand…" he murmured faintly, but his attempt at dignity was futile.
He leaned against the couch for support, groaning as dizziness made his legs betray him.
"Not yet," Lillian said softly.
"Sit. Lean back. Just breathe."
He collapsed fully against the cushions, eyes squeezed shut again, pale and trembling.
She pressed a blanket around his shoulders, tugging it close so he felt contained.
"You're okay," she murmured.
"I'm right here. You're not alone."
He groaned again, muffled, "…I shouldn't have… I shouldn't…"
"No," she said firmly, stroking his hair.
"No self-blame right now. Not while you're like this. You're sick, Sebastian. And you're not supposed to fight it alone."
He sighed, the sound ragged.
"I… I feel…" His voice cracked.
"…like I got hit by a truck."
"Pretty much accurate," she said softly, a small smile breaking through her worry.
"And you're lucky I'm here to patch you up."
He let out a weak chuckle that turned into another groan.
"Patch… me… huh."
"Yes," she murmured.
"Step one: get you something to eat before you collapse from dehydration too."
Carefully, she rose, heading back to the kitchen.
She grabbed a tray, placing eggs, toast, juice, and coffee on it.
Her mind kept drifting back to him on the couch, how fragile he looked.
He wasn't the untouchable Sebastian Wolfe right now.
He was just human.
Vulnerable.
The phone rang.
Chloe.
Lillian glanced at the screen.
"Chloe."
She answered quickly, glancing toward the living room.
"Hey! Did you… go to Sebastian's last night?"
Chloe asked, excitement and concern mixing in her tone.
"Yes," Lillian replied softly.
"Everything's okay now. He's resting. He was… very upset, but he's fine."
"Very upset?" Chloe pressed.
"Lillian, what happened?"
"I… I was there for him," Lillian said quietly.
"He needed someone. He's… fine now. Just resting. Don't worry."
There was a pause on the line.
"Okay… good. I just… I wanted to check."
A loud thud echoed down the corridor.
Lillian's heart jumped.
"I… I have to go. I think Sebastian just fell again. I'll talk to you later," she said.
"Wait? What?!" Chloe said, but Lillian cut the call short and slipping the phone into her pocket.
She rushed into the living room.
Sebastian groaned again, still lying half on the floor, half against the couch.
His face was pale, eyes squinting against the sunlight.
"Sebastian!" she called softly but urgently.
She knelt beside him.
"Oh god… you okay?"
He tried to lift his head but only groaned, "…My… head…"
"I know," she whispered.
"Lean on me. You're fine. I've got you."
She gently helped him sit upright, shifting him slowly until he was fully resting against the couch cushions, his legs stretched out, his hands loose at his sides.
"You're a mess," she said softly, brushing hair from his damp forehead.
"I… hate…" he groaned, "…hanging over…"
"You're alive," she said, smiling faintly.
"That's the important part. And I'm here. Always."
Once he was settled, she went back to the kitchen to fetch the tray.
Returning carefully, she placed it on the coffee table.
"Breakfast," she said softly.
"Try to eat something. You need it."
He looked at the plate, hands trembling.
"…Can't… my hands…"
"That's okay," she said, taking his fork gently.
"I'll help you."
He hesitated.
"…I don't want to be a burden…"
"You're not," she said firmly.
"You're human. You need help. Let me do this."
He sighed softly, then nodded, finally letting her guide the fork to his mouth.
Small bites.
She waited, silently encouraging, murmuring, "Good… that's it… take it slow."
After a few minutes, he leaned closer.
Head resting against her shoulder.
"…I'm tired," he whispered, voice low and ragged.
"But… not from sleep."
"I know," she murmured, stroking his hair.
"I can feel it too. You're just… drained. Mentally, emotionally. I've got you."
He exhaled slowly.
"…I… just… want… to stay like this."
"You can," she whispered, adjusting the blanket over him.
"I'm not going anywhere. Not today, not ever."
He shifted slightly, hands resting loosely on her lap, eyes half-closed.
"Thank… you…"
"You don't have to say it," she said softly.
"I know."
The room fell silent except for the faint clatter of utensils on the plate.
Lillian stayed by him, brushing his hair, comforting him with quiet presence.
No words were needed for the bond growing between them in that morning light.
After a few more bites, Sebastian finally leaned fully into her shoulder, exhaling with relief.
"I… I'm okay now," he murmured, though his voice still wavered slightly.
"You are," she said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to his temple.
"And you're not alone anymore. You're safe."
He closed his eyes, chest rising and falling against her, finally surrendering to the comfort and care she offered.
The mansion remained quiet, safe, and warm around them.
Lillian smiled faintly, brushing her fingers through his hair.
"That's it," she whispered.
"Just rest. I'll take care of you."
And for the first time that morning, Sebastian allowed himself to rest, fully and completely.
Knowing Lillian was right there, holding him steady through the aftermath of his pain, hangover, and heartbreak.