Page 33 of Dr. Damaged Protector

"Well, that's good," she said. "Just a friendly reminder that he stays here as well."

"He does?" I blinked twice. "How?"

"He's renovating his house, so he decided to stay with James until he has things sorted," she explained. "I don't even get to talk to him. He maintains his distance from me. But who cares?'" She paused and continued, "As long as I have the moneybags with me, I don't care about what his children think."

Be careful; your true intentions are slipping out.

Then again, Kate loved James.

"I see. Good luck, girl," I said.

"See you soon."

"Same."

****

After checking out, I waited outside the hotel to make it easier for Sebastian to spot me. He arrived, and we made our way to the manor.

"Are any of Lucas's siblings in the manor?" I asked as I recalled the ferocious siblings who weren't glad to see Kate or myself.

"You don't want to see them?" he teased me.

"Absolutely not," I responded immediately. "I'm not so comfortable going there alone."

"Well, you aren't alone," he assured me. "Master Lucas is also at the manor."

"I don't know if that's a good thing," I admitted.

"But he speaks highly about you," he reminded me.

"I know, but still…."

I remembered the office scene. I could barely resist him at the office; if we were at his house, there was no telling what he could do to me and how I would be unable to stop him.

"You're overthinking about it," he said. "You're in safe hands as long as you have Lucas next to you. And his siblings aren't bad people either. It's a complicated situation, but forgive them in advance for any way they'd offend you."

I stared at the older man driving.

"Is there something on my face?" he asked.

"No, you just…sound like a better father to them," I remarked.

"Doubt that," he chuckled dryly.

"Doubt all you want, but it's the truth," I insisted.

"If you say," he shrugged.

The ride to the manor was a peaceful one. Sebastian talked about his daughter; it was apparent how much he cared about her. It was lovely.

****

"You're here!" Kate announced as I lugged my suitcase into the house.

Sebastian had offered to take the suitcase off my hands, but I was okay handling it alone.

"There she is," James asserted as I entered the house.

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