Chapter 40

SEBASTIAN

I was still leaning back in the office chair, the cushion squeaking softly beneath me, one arm slung over the rest like I was relaxed—but I wasn’t. Not even close.

I’d gone over my apology to Dahlia at least a dozen times in my head. I wanted it to come out right. Not too formal. Not too emotional either. Just honest. Direct. Real.

Something she could believe in, even after everything.

But even as I practiced, my mind kept looping back to the last time we spoke. The hurt in her eyes. The way she wouldn’t meet my gaze. And worse, the way she smiled at Jack.

That smile haunted me.

My fingers ran across the edge of the desk absently when the door slammed open without warning.

Emily burst in, breathless, cheeks flushed like she’d run through fire to get here.

“Boss!” she said, voice too loud, too alarmed. “You need to come out. Right now.”

I sat up straighter. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Dahlia. And Loren. They’re about to