"You know what, human doll?"
Sebastian’s eyes widened instantly, snapping to her with a look of pure shock.
Human doll?
He blinked, staring at her like he had misheard.
Sebastian blinked, certain he had misheard. "Human doll?" he repeated, his brows furrowing.
Lilith, leaning lazily against the railing, met his stunned expression with a smirk. "Yes. You’re such a pretty human doll," she said nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Now let’s not focus on that."
Sebastian stood frozen, unable to process anything beyond those words.
The wind blew gently around them, but all he could hear was that nickname echoing in his head on repeat.
Human doll.
His eyes narrowed slightly as if trying to figure out how—or why—she had come up with something like that.
This was the first time someone had ever dared to give him a nickname.
And...
It was actually... cute.
Sebastian’s lips parted, but no words came out. His heart, which was usually calm and composed, was now racing unreasonably fast.
Anyway, whatever Lilith does... she’s always pretty.
Whatever name she calls me in the future...
Sebastian’s gaze softened as he watched her, the corners of his mouth twitching into a faint, almost invisible smile.
Before he realized it, his thoughts drifted further—imagining.
He could already picture it.
Lilith calling him random names throughout the day—her human doll, her sir, her idiot, her Sebastian. Maybe one day... something more.
Sebastian swallowed, suddenly feeling warm under the collar of his shirt.
The image of Lilith lounging around in his home, calling him human doll as if they had been together for years, lodged itself stubbornly in his mind.
What’s wrong with me?
Lilith tilted her head, noticing his prolonged silence.
"You’re really stuck on that name, huh?" she asked, raising a brow.
Sebastian blinked, realizing he had been staring too long. He cleared his throat, forcing himself to regain composure, though the faint pink dusting his ears betrayed him.
"I just... didn’t expect that," he admitted, shoving his hands into his pockets in an attempt to appear nonchalant.
Lilith’s smirk widened. "Get used to it, human doll."
Sebastian exhaled slowly, his eyes lingering on her as the wind ruffled her hair.
I could.
Lilith’s playful smirk faded as her face grew serious.
Seriously? She thought, narrowing her eyes slightly at Sebastian.
Is this human doll really making me forget the point of this entire conversation?
Sebastian noticed the change instantly, his gaze softening but curious. He stepped a little closer, tilting his head as he watched her with those deep, beautiful eyes.
"Yes? What were you going to say?" he asked, his voice low, filed with quiet anticipation.
Lilith exhaled, brushing her hair back as if steadying herself. She locked eyes with him, holding his gaze for a long moment.
Finally, with a small sigh, she crossed her arms and said with firm resolve, "Okay... I’m ready to be your girlfriend."
For a split second, silence stretched between them.
Then—
Sebastian’s entire face lit up.
His eyes brightened, the sharp lines of his features softening as a rare, genuine smile threatened to break through. He tried to contain it, but the subtle twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.
Lilith couldn’t help but notice how he suddenly looked... boyish.
Cute.
But—
"But," Lilith added, her tone dropping slightly, dragging the word out just enough to break the warmth hanging in the air.
Sebastian’s smile froze. His expression tensed almost immediately, his brows drawing together as his eyes locked on her.
"...But?" he repeated, his voice quieter now, laced with caution.
Lilith’s gaze flickered to him, watching as his fist tightened, his entire posture shifting in anticipation of whatever she was about to say.
His eyes searched hers, waiting.
****
Grandma Bria dragged Rose behind her by the wrist. The cozy warmth that once filled the house now felt far away, replaced by the cold, Ruthless presence of grandma Bria.
Maria, the kind nanny Sebastian had hired for Rose, hurried after them, her heart racing as she tried to intervene.
"Madam, please—she’s just a child! You can’t take her like this. Sebastian wouldn’t approve!" Maria pleaded, stepping forward to block their path in the hallway.
Grandma Bria’s cold gaze snapped toward Maria, eyes narrowing dangerously. Without hesitation, a sharp slap echoed through the house.
Maria stumbled back, holding her cheek in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock.
"Know your place," Bria hissed, her voice cutting through the heavy silence. "You are nothing but a servant. This is my family, and I will handle things as I see fit."
Maria’s hand trembled against her face, but her attention quickly shifted to Rose. The young girl stood frozen, tears brimming in her eyes.
"Grandma, please..." Rose’s voice trembled, her bottom lip quivering. "I don’t want to stay here. I want to go with brother..."
Bria’s grip around Rose’s wrist tightened painfully, making her wince.
"You are staying with me," Grandma Bria snapped, dragging Rose further outside.
Maria rushed forward, desperate to follow.
But Bria’s cold glare froze her in place. "Leave," she ordered harshly. "Your services are no longer needed."
Maria’s heart pounded, tears welling in her eyes. "Please... Sir wouldn’t—"
"Sebastian isn’t here, is he?" Bria interrupted icily. "I am. And I will do as I please."
Rose’s teary gaze met Maria’s one last time as Bria dragged her up the stairs.
I have to call sir... Maria thought desperately, her hands trembling as she pulled out her phone.
Grandma Bria forcefully shoved Rose into the backseat of her car, her grip ironclad around the young girl’s wrist. Rose winced, trying to pull away, but Bria’s hold only tightened.
Sienna followed closely behind, her heart practically singing with satisfaction. Finally, she thought. Rose is out of the way.
"Grandma, be careful," Sienna said, though her voice was laced with poorly-hidden amusement. "She’s fragile, you don’t want to hurt her."
Bria scoffed but didn’t loosen her hold.
As she moved to close the car door, shadows shifted near the driveway.
Out of the darkness, five men came out—tall, broad, and unmistakably intimidating. Their black suits were crisp, and the way they carried themselves made it clear they weren’t ordinary bodyguards. The glint of firearms at their waists shimmered faintly under the house landscape lighting.
Grandma Bria’s hand froze mid-air, her eyes narrowing at the sight.