Author's pov
Just beyond the emotional battlefield outside that hallway, another storm was quietly building.
Inside the room, Dahlia stared at Sebastian with undisguised fear.
"Why... " she stammered, "why did you rescue me?"
Sebastian's lips curved into a cold smile, his eyes glittering with dry amusement. "Maybe I'm just a naturally kind person?"
Mrs. Dahlia flinched. She had been part of the machine that broke his mother.
The idea that he'd save her out of kindness was almost comical.
"You saved me because I'm useful," she said slowly, her voice gaining steadiness. "You want to use me against Maggie Locke."
Sebastian let out a cold chuckle. "You're not quite as clueless as you look."
He settled deeper into his chair, crossing one leg over the other. "Maggie's been looking for y
