Even Seraphina looked stunned.
She wondered if she had misheard.
Did Ian's daughter just sweetly call Raelynn... Mommy?
Sebastian's dark eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping over like a sharpened blade.
Raelynn felt it, her chest tightening instantly.
She had completely forgotten to remind Lily not to call her Mommy today.
His piercing glare made her spine stiffen.
Seraphina frowned, a look of pure disbelief on her face. "Mr. Hudson, you've already had the child change how she addresses her? That fast?"
She was genuinely shocked.
She had assumed Ian was just messing around with Raelynn.
But to actually let his daughter call Raelynn Mommy? Did he seriously want to marry a woman like her?
Ian turned toward her, his tone challenging. "Does Ms. Vance have a problem with how I run my personal life?"
His voice was deadpan, yet it made Seraphina instantly uncomfortable.
She had just been so surprised that her words had come out sounding like an interrogation.
Ian clearly had no intention of explaining himself. He glanced at Sebastian, giving a curt nod. "Mr. Croix, I'll be taking my daughter inside now."
Sebastian's eyes were unreadable depths.
Regardless of what he was thinking, Raelynn forced herself to stay calm and walked away with Ian and Lily.
Seraphina was still reeling. She cautiously observed Sebastian's face before speaking softly. "It looks like Raelynn really is planning to be that child's stepmother. She looked so proud when the little girl called her Mommy."
If that little girl named Lily truly loved Raelynn...
Would Ian actually accept her? Was Raelynn really in such a rush to find her next meal ticket?
The fact that Raelynn was aiming so aggressively high when picking her next man made Seraphina frown in deep displeasure.
But what bothered her more was Sebastian's reaction.
Sebastian turned slowly. His ink-black eyes held no emotion, and he offered only two cold words: "Let her."
He clearly couldn't care less.
Seraphina couldn't help but smile.
Living in this constant state of limbo was agonizing.
Ensuring she looked completely composed.
Raelynn headed back out to track down Sebastian.
Perhaps it was fate.
Just as she stepped out of the hallway, she ran straight into him standing at the far end, lighting a cigarette.
His tall, imposing silhouette cast an oppressive aura. When he lifted his dark lashes to look at her, the depth in his eyes made her scalp prickle.
Raelynn hesitated for a second before walking over. "Can we talk?"
Sebastian lowered his eyes, pocketed his lighter, and crushed the barely lit cigarette into the nearest trash can. "About what? I don't have any experience raising kids. If you want tips on being a good stepmother, you should ask Mr. Hudson."
Raelynn frowned. She knew Sebastian wasn't a gentle person. More often than not, he was sharp and biting, always knowing exactly how to make someone feel small.
But she didn't have the energy to argue. "I couldn't get ahold of you. When it comes to crucial matters, I expect a basic level of respect, rather than being treated like I don't exist."
She rarely ever called him, unless it was something that absolutely had to be dealt with.
Yet he constantly ignored her calls.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...