Chapter 41 Caught
Emilia’s POV
The office was finally empty.
I sat at my desk. The buzz of minds faded as they moved out of range—a relief that made my shoulders sag.
Scott had texted me earlier, confirming our dinner plans.
I grabbed my bag and headed for the exit. The later I left, the less chance anyone would see me getting into Scott’s car. The office gossip mill was vicious enough without adding fuel to the fire.
The married assistant having dinner alone with the handsome CEO? Scandalous.
I could already hear the whispers.
Scott was leaning against his car when I stepped outside into the evening air.
"I was starting to think you’d stood me up," he teased, straightening as I approached.
"Sorry," I said quietly. "I just... needed to wait until everyone left."
"I know. That’s why I didn’t come in to rush you."
*She’s trying so hard to be proper. God, I wish things were different. I wish I’d told her how I felt before that bastard—*
His thoughts cut off as I stumbled slightly, pretending to adjust my bag.
I hated hearing his thoughts about me. They made everything so much more complicated.
"Shall we?" He opened the passenger door with a small smile.
I slid into the car, immediately reaching for my seatbelt. Scott moved as if to help me fasten it, but I caught his hand gently.
"Thank you, but I can do it myself."
*Of course. She’s not mine to touch anymore. She never was.*
Pain lanced through his thoughts. I focused on clicking the seatbelt into place, pretending I hadn’t heard.
"I booked Radley Restaurant. Let’s go there."
"That’s... that’s my favorite place."
"I know." His smile was soft, almost sad. "I like it too."
*I like it because you like it. *
I looked away, my throat tight. "Scott..."
"It’s just dinner, Emilia." His voice was gentle. "Between friends."
The drive to West Road was quiet, filled only with the low hum of the engine and the chaotic symphony of minds we passed.
I’d gotten better at filtering the noise. At pushing the voices to the background like white noise. But it still exhausted me, this constant barrage of thoughts that weren’t my own.
Radley Restaurant was exactly as I remembered—all blue tones and Mediterranean charm. The lighting mimicked moonlight on water, casting everything in a dreamy glow. Tables clustered near floor-to-ceiling windows offered views of the quiet street outside.
We found a table by the window. The waiter appeared instantly, placing menus in front of us.
I pushed mine toward Scott. "You choose."
He opened the menu, studying it with concentration.
*Grilled salmon with lemon butter. She loves that. And the Mediterranean salad. Oh, and that pasta dish she ordered last time—*
In the end, he ordered all my favorite dishes.
"How did you know?" I couldn’t help but ask curiously.
Scott looked up, his expression innocent. "Know what?"
"What I like to eat."
"What do you think?"
"Lily told you."
"Guilty." He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Though to be fair, she didn’t give up the information easily. I had to bribe her with coffee."
I touched my forehead, sighing. "She has a big mouth."
"She cares about you," Scott said softly. "We all do."
I turned my gaze toward the window and inadvertently spotted a familiar car. Distinctive. Expensive. Unmistakable.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
"Is that a Rolls-Royce?"
Scott followed my gaze. "Yes. Why?"
No. No, no, no. It can’t be. It’s not him. There are plenty of Rolls-Royces in this city. Plenty of wealthy Alpha assholes who drive cars like that.
It’s not Sebastian. It CAN’T be Sebastian. He said he had a business dinner. He wouldn’t be here. He wouldn’t—
The car door opened.
Sebastian stepped out. He was with another man—someone in an expensive suit, probably a business associate. They were talking, Sebastian’s expression cool and professional.
And they were walking straight toward the restaurant.
"Emilia?" Scott’s voice seemed to come from very far away. "Are you okay? You look pale."
I couldn’t answer. Couldn’t do anything except watch Sebastian approach the entrance.
When Sebastian walked into the restaurant, all the noisy thoughts from other people in the restaurant disappeared completely. Complete, absolute, deafening SILENCE.
Sebastian stood in the doorway, his green eyes sweeping the restaurant.
I had no time to hide and panicked, lowering my head and praying he wouldn’t see me.
Even with my head down, I could feel him walking toward me. I felt like I was about to suffocate because I knew better than anyone how angry Sebastian would be to see me with Scott.
Oh God. Oh God, oh God, oh God—
I wanted so desperately to hear his thoughts. To know what he was thinking. To prepare myself for whatever explosion was coming.
But there was nothing. Just that awful, empty silence where his mind should be.
Scott noticed.
"Emilia, That’s—"
"I know," I whispered.
Sebastian’s footsteps were measured. Controlled. Each one deliberate.
Sebastian stopped beside our table.The silence stretched. Seconds felt like hours.
I forced myself to meet his gaze, my spine straight despite the terror coursing through me. Whatever punishment was coming, I’d face it head-on.
His jaw worked. His hands clenched at his sides.
The Alpha aura intensified, pressing down on me. Demanding submission. Demanding answers.
I waited for the explosion. For the accusations. For him to drag me out of the restaurant by my hair.
But Sebastian didn’t say a word.
He held my gaze for three more agonizing seconds.
Then he turned and walked away.
To a table three rows behind us, where his business associate waited awkwardly.
His abnormal behavior made me very uneasy. Although I had just married this man, I knew his personality well. He wasn’t the type to tolerate being lied to.
Sebastian sat down with his back to me, but I felt his presence like a brand. Felt his eyes on me even though he wasn’t looking.
I had no mood to eat dinner there. After apologizing, I said to Scott, "Should we go somewhere else?"
Scott looked thoughtfully behind me and nodded. "Okay."
After leaving the restaurant, I stood on the street feeling a headache coming on.
Scott drove over, and after I got in the car, Scott asked, "Do you want to go home? I’ll take you home."
"But we haven’t eaten yet," I reminded him.