Chapter 238

Stephanie slept straight through until ten in the evening, waking only because of hunger. The alcohol had long worn off since the afternoon, but she still felt groggy as she opened her eyes, parched beyond belief. The room was empty except for her. She sat up, swung her legs off the bed, and got to her feet.

Just as she took two steps forward, she heard Sebastian’s voice coming from the balcony. He was on the phone.

“Finish him.”

His voice was low, but Stephanie still caught the chilling and dangerous undertone in his words. Finish who? She had always known the Giovanni family was dangerous, and Sebastian, being the heir of the Lucano family, carried that bloodline and everything that came with the two families.

Lost in thought, she barely noticed the sound of the glass door sliding open. Sebastian stepped inside. Their eyes met in the dim lighting. In an instant, the cold menace in his gaze vanished, replaced by the warmth reserved only for her. It was like watching a deity switch between divinity and devilry in the blink of an eye. Even his aura shifted—one moment, sharp and dangerous, the next, gentle and soothing. Sebastian walked over and brushed his fingers against her cheek. “Awake?”

Her fever had gone down. His voice was noticeably softer than when he was on the phone. Stephanie was still a little dazed, and without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his lean waist.

“Sebastian.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m thirsty… and hungry,” she mumbled. Her body already felt awful after drinking, and she hadn’t eaten anything since the afternoon. Now, she was truly starving.

Sebastian ruffled her hair. “Come on, let’s get something to eat.”

“I want the steamed pork from here, stir-fried smoked pork with bamboo shoots, and camphor tea duck.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Okay.” She had a good memory—even after sleeping, she still remembered exactly what she wanted. He agreed to all her requests, then turned on the lights completely and grabbed a thick coat for her.

Stephanie obediently zipped it up. “It’s going to snow tomorrow,” Sebastian said.

“Really? I love it!” Snow, she loved snow. Sebastian put on his coat, the black, mid-length piece draping over his broad shoulders, an elegant mix of warmth and the dangerous allure of darkness. Stephanie found herself staring, completely entranced. Sebastian turned back and caught her starstruck expression. “What are you looking at?”

His sudden words snapped her out of it. She quickly shook her head. “Nothing! Nothing at all.”

Wait… “What’s wrong with your lip?” She suddenly noticed a small wound at the corner of his mouth and instinctively reached out to touch it. Sebastian caught her wrist in an instant. “Don’t touch it.”

Stephanie raised a brow. “Well, that’s a surprise. Someone actually managed to hurt you there. Sebby, do you have a girlfriend?” The moment she said it, Sebastian’s face stiffened, and an uneasy feeling shot through her chest. She had suffered plenty of lip injuries herself—she knew exactly how they happened. Could it be that Sebastian really had a girlfriend now? The thought made her breath hitch.

Sebastian flicked her forehead. “What kind of nonsense are you thinking?”

Stephanie pouted. “Did I say something wrong?” Did she? The second the words left her mouth, she regretted them. “Let’s go eat.” Not waiting for a reply, she hooked her arm through Sebastian’s and pulled him toward the door. Or maybe, she just didn’t dare hear his answer. Sebastian glanced down at her head, sensing the slight gloom in her aura.