Chapter 274 No Longer His

Chapter 274: Chapter 274 No Longer His

That night, sleep eluded nearly everyone.

Lainey lay awake, terrified Henry would cross paths with Eira before she could control the story.

Vincent stared at the ceiling, wondering whether Serena would survive the judgment.

Serena had no time to sleep. She spent the night calling in favors and begging former colleagues for help. She even considered asking Ryan Sullivan for an advance on her research funding.

A few people sent money, but the amount barely made a dent in the $118 million judgment.

No matter how fast she tried to fill the hole, the number only seemed to grow.

She texted Alpha Sebastian.

[Please answer me. We need to talk.]

He left her on read.

Locked inside his dark bedroom, Alpha Sebastian chain-smoked beside the open window. The smoke clung to his shirt and burned his throat, but it was easier to breathe than it was to think.

Just before dawn, he grabbed his keys.

He drove to Number Nine at Southridge Estates.

Two dogs slept in the kennel near the front gate. The moment they heard his engine, they sprang to their feet. His scent reached them, and their friendly barks turned into low, suspicious growls.

Alpha Sebastian stopped across the street and stared at the three-story house.

Every window was dark.

He knew Eira’s old routine. At six sharp, a light would come on in her bedroom, no matter the season.

Six o’clock came and went.The house remained dark.

At six fifty, a light flickered on downstairs.

Alpha Sebastian’s stomach tightened. Had Eira moved out?

But the dogs were still there. She would never leave them behind.

At seven thirty, a second-floor window finally brightened.

There she was.

Alpha Sebastian let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Then the ache returned. She used to wake before dawn to cook for him. Now she had a housekeeper, a new home, and no reason to hurry for anyone.

When the front gate began to open, Alpha Sebastian ducked behind a hedge.

He knew it was pathetic. He didn’t care. He only wanted to see her.

Mrs. Jones stepped outside, then turned back toward the house.

"Morning, Miss Crawford. Breakfast is ready."

"Thank you, Mrs. Jones."

"Oh, honey, I’m on the payroll. You don’t have to thank me." Mrs. Jones laughed warmly. "Come sit. You shouldn’t eat alone."

"I don’t mind the company."

"Then you should invite that young man to join us sometime."

Alpha Sebastian’s fingers tightened around the hedge.

He strained to hear Eira’s answer, but all he caught was a soft murmur.

Mrs. Jones brightened. "Was that a yes?"

Another quiet murmur followed.

"Dinner too?" she asked.

Eira nodded.

"Got it." Mrs. Jones practically beamed.

Alpha Sebastian’s chest tightened.

Inside, Eira took another bite of oatmeal before adding, "We’re moving in a little over a week."

Mrs. Jones paused. "To Ashford Lane?"

"The renovations are almost finished. I need to stop by after work and sign off on everything. Dinner may run late, so don’t wait for me. If Killian gets home first, tell him to eat."

"All right, sweetheart."

A few minutes later, Mrs. Jones sent Alpha Killian a message.

[Miss Crawford is doing the final walkthrough at Ashford Lane this afternoon. She may be home late tonight. Don’t wait for dinner if you’re hungry.]

Alpha Killian read the message as he settled into the back seat of his car.

A faint, knowing glint flashed in his silver eyes.

"After you drop Eira off at work, stop by Sterling Estate. I need you to take care of something."

--

Alpha Killian had barely stepped out of the car at Number Nine when he noticed Alpha Sebastian lingering near the gate.

Before he could say anything, the front door opened.

Eira stepped outside.

For one awkward moment, the three of them stood there in silence.

Alpha Killian’s cold gaze swept over Alpha Sebastian, sharp and unreadable, as if he were an unwanted stain on an otherwise perfect morning.

Alpha Sebastian swallowed.

"Eira. Morning."

She gave him one flat look, then turned toward the car without answering.

Alpha Killian followed, his tall frame blocking Alpha Sebastian from view.

"Eira, wait." Alpha Sebastian hurried after them. "I know I screwed up. I’m not asking for another chance. I’m not even asking you to forgive me."

Eira paused.

"Then what do you want?"

His face crumpled. "Don’t pretend I’m invisible."

For a moment, she simply looked at him. The pleading in his voice no longer moved her. It only made him seem like a stranger who had wandered into the wrong life.

"You’re not part of my life anymore, Sebastian."

She stepped into the car.

Alpha Killian’s voice cut through the cold morning air.

"A decent ex knows when to stay gone."

Alpha Sebastian flinched as if he had been struck.

"Eira."

He said her name like it was the last thing he had left.

She didn’t look back.

The door shut, and the car pulled away. In the rearview mirror, Alpha Sebastian grew smaller beside the gate. His mouth opened around one final cry.

"Eira!"

His voice broke.

Inside the car, Alpha Killian watched the figure disappear behind them. His expression remained controlled, but a crease formed between his brows.

After a long silence, he asked, "Do you think something broken can ever be made whole again?"

Eira understood what he was really asking.

"If you put the pieces back together carefully, maybe," she said, watching Palo Alto slide past the window. "But the cracks never disappear. They stay there, reminding you where the damage happened."

Alpha Killian said nothing.

"I don’t know if other people can find beauty in something repaired," Eira continued. "Maybe they can. I can’t. I spent too long losing myself to keep someone else happy. I’m not doing that again."

The tension eased from Alpha Killian’s shoulders.

"A broken thing isn’t worth repairing," he said. "Sometimes, you’re better off replacing it."

Eira turned to him.

For a second, their eyes met.

Then Eira looked out the window again, hiding the warmth rising into her face.

The car pulled into Sterling Tower’s private entrance. They stepped into the marble lobby and separated at the elevators.

Eira headed down to the underground lab while Alpha Killian took the express lift to the top floor.

As the doors closed, one thought stayed with him:He had no intention of letting anyone hurt her again.