CHAPTER 435: CHAPTER 435 TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND

He bit the inside of his cheek. Stay professional.

"Sir, the minutes from yesterday’s meeting are ready for review," she said, placing a folder on his desk.

"Leave it there," he said shortly, not daring to meet her eyes.

Lilith didn’t take it personally. She simply nodded and turned to leave.

And just like every time—he found himself watching her walk away.

Then it happened.

Outside his glass office, one of the visiting clients, a man from marketing looked up from his tablet and openly stared at her as she passed. He even smirked, leaned a little closer to whisper something to his colleague, and both chuckled.

Sebastian’s jaw tightened.

He gripped his pen so hard it nearly snapped. His heart thudded, and his breath caught in his throat.

He wasn’t sure what irritated him more: the fact that they dared to stare at his secretary like that, or that he had no right to do anything about it.

His Lilith.

No—not his.

She was married.

He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair, feeling like he was going mad.

How could someone have this kind of effect on him?

How could she be so close, yet so far?

And how could he hate her invisible husband this much?

He stood up suddenly and walked out of his office. The team outside startled as they saw the storm brewing in his eyes.

"Mr. Carter—do you need—?"

"Nothing," he said flatly.

He strode past the marketing team without even glancing at them, though his presence made both men fall silent instantly. They sat straighter, looked away. His aura was too strong, too cold. Everyone knew—when Sebastian Carter was in a mood, you didn’t cross him.

Meanwhile, Lilith was standing by the printer, collecting a few pages.

He saw her.

Her long lashes lowered as she read a file, one hand tucked in her waist, the other lightly tapping her nails as she waited.

She wasn’t doing anything. Just standing there.

But he couldn’t look away.

When she turned to go back to her desk, her gaze met his—just for a second.

He quickly turned away.

He had to stop this.

He had to stop wanting her.

She was married. And yet... every time someone else so much as looked at her, he wanted to punch something.

Sebastian returned to his office and shut the glass door.

He didn’t work.

He sat.

And thought.

His reflection in the dark monitor screen looked back at him, cold and tired.

She’s married. Respect that. Stay away.

But his chest felt heavy. And his mind... kept whispering the same words over and over again.

But I want her to be mine.

***

The clock ticked past 8:30 PM.

Everyone had gone home. The office floor was empty, lights dimmed, leaving only a warm glow above the CEO’s corner and the secretary’s desk near the glass wall.

Lilith was still there, typing something quietly, her fingers dancing over the keyboard, completely focused.

Sebastian hadn’t left either.

Not that he had any work left.

He was just... watching her from his office.

He hated how his heart picked up pace every time her hair brushed her cheek or how her expression softened when she was deep in thought. He hated how this felt like something more than just a normal workday.

He wanted to speak with her. Just once without pretending he didn’t care.

Finally, he stood and opened his door.

She looked up, startled.

"Still here, sir?" she asked, her voice calm and polite.

He nodded. "And you?"

"Just finishing up the monthly report. I thought I’d get a head start."

He stepped closer.

Closer than he should have.

Her lips parted slightly when he reached her desk. She straightened, suddenly aware of how quiet it was. How close he was. How the city lights outside reflected his sharp figure behind her.

"I wanted to talk to you," he said, his voice quieter now.

She blinked. "About...?"

He paused. His fingers tapped once against the edge of her desk.

And then he spoke softly, "You said you’re married."

She nodded. "Yes."

"To someone you love?"

Lilith held his gaze. "Yes. Very much."

Sebastian’s throat felt tight. He nodded slowly, trying to hide the storm behind his eyes.

He leaned against the desk beside her, his shoulder brushing hers.

There was silence.

Heavy. Almost dangerous.

"Tell me more about your husband."

The question came like a quiet stab. His eyes were steady, but she could see the tension behind them. The way his jaw tightened. The way he folded his hands like he was preparing to be hurt.

He knew asking would make it worse.

But he asked anyway.

Lilith didn’t look away. Her throat tightened as she forced a small smile.

"He’s a complicated man," she said, calmly. "Not perfect."

Sebastian chuckled, bitter. "So you love him despite that?"

She nodded slowly. "Because of that."

He looked at her hands—the way she folded them neatly in her lap. Then he raised his eyes again, trying to read something... anything behind her expression.

"Is he good to you?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Does he understand you?"

"Better than I understand myself sometimes."

Her words were honest, yet gentle, and each one felt like it chipped away something inside him. He didn’t know why they made his chest ache.

He nodded again, swallowing something bitter.

Lilith exhaled quietly and looked out the window. "He’s patient... but also reckless. He breaks things when he’s angry.. But he’s warm. So warm it hurts. And he makes me feel like I belong somewhere."

Sebastian’s lips parted, but no words came. His hands gripped the edge of her desk.

"And when I’m with him," she added softly, "I forget everything that ever went wrong."

The silence returned. He stared at her like he was trying to remember something that never made it into his memory.

"What does he do?" he asked next.

Lilith’s smile faltered for a moment. "He used to run a company. Just like you."

Sebastian blinked.

Lilith’s gaze didn’t waver.

"And now?" he asked, almost hesitant.

Lilith tilted her head slightly. "He’s recovering. He was sick for a long time."

Sebastian’s brows drew together. "What kind of sickness?"

She paused.