Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

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Stella had never felt a constitution so thoroughly wrecked as Sebastian’s.

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Every internal organ bore scars. The pain from such old, deep injuries was a constant, relentless companion, haunting Sebastian in every waking moment.

“You have quite the tolerance for pain,” Stella remarked, her gaze lowered. Her tone was deceptively light, laced with a clear thread of sarcasm.

Sebastian paid her no mind. He simply reached for the phone and dialed an internal number.

Within moments, John hurried in with a medical case: He stopped short at the sight of Stella.

“Mr. Gray, your medicine,” John said, his face set in a hard, displeased line as he walked past her.

“Ms. Carter, what are you doing here?” he asked pointedly.

“What’s your problem with me?” Stella retorted, a sharp and mocking smile on her lips. She wasn’t the type to let anyone’s attitude slide.

“Remember this, Ms. Carter. Mr. Gray can’t have coffee,” John stated bluntly, his tone cool.

It suddenly came back to Stella. The coffee she’d given Sebastian at the hospital was strong black coffee. And she’d served it with ice.

“John, Sebastian cut in sharply, his gaze silencing him.

John

mediately bowed his head and held out the medication.

“That medicine only numbs the pain,” Stella said, blocking John’s hand. “It makes ulcers worse. That’s what’s causing the bleeding.”

“Mr. Gray’s real problem is…” Stella began, her eyes drifting to Sebastian.

He sat there in a black robe, distant and closed off. Looking at him, she couldn’t bring herself to say that he seemed weary of life.

With his body so damaged, living meant constant pain. Some days, it felt like survival was a heavier burden than letting go.

“What’s really wrong with him?” John pressed, his loyalty making him push for details.

“John, have the kitchen make something to eat,” Sebastian cut in, his voice cool. He settled back into the sofa, seemingly unruffled that Stella had seen right through him.

“Mr. Gray…” John started, hesitating.

“Now,” Sebastian said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

12:08 Tue, Jan 13

Chapter 10

With a clipped nod, John turned and left the room.

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A chill touched Stella’s ankles. She glanced down to see Snowball. It was coiled on the floor, lifting its head at the slightest sound to watch over Sebastian.

‘A python with a conscience, she thought wryly.

“Stay back,” Sebastian warned, his breath carrying the sharp, metallic scent of blood.

His gaze drifted to the loose neckline of her top, lingering for a split second on a small, dark mole just above her collarbone. He forced himself to look away, a tightness forming in his chest.

Stella stood facing him. The soft lamplight gave her skin a smooth, delicate glow. Her long, slender legs and her face, which was distractingly lovely, were all softened by an air of profound weariness.

“I didn’t know coffee was off limits for you,” Stella said, and then cleared her throat awkwardly. “But you say no, so we share the blame.”

didn’t

She leaned back against the cabinet, her collarbones sharp as she deftly split the responsibility between them.

The simple truth was she didn’t want him gone. He was her golden goose, and though he was moody, complicated, and far from stable, he was still her responsibility.

Maybe it was just another kind of instinct, an impulse to cling to the first person she was tied to.

Sebastian coughed, a rough sound laced with the faint smell of blood.

“Clever,” he said quietly, his tone flat and distant, making him seem even more unapproachable.

But Stella wasn’t focused on his words.

Her eyes had dropped to where his robe hung loose, revealing a glimpse of his waist.

The muscles there tightened with each cough, looking firm and smooth under the fabric.

“If you keep going like this, it will kill you,” Stella said, her voice direct and clear.

Her long, silky hair flowed behind her as she moved, making her look both beautiful and ethereal.

“Without you, that child will lose his support. How long do you think he can survive on his own?” she continued.

“Stella,” Sebastian said, his intense eyes fixed on her face. A dangerous tension began to spread through the air.

“You know I’m right,” Stella said with a quiet laugh, her body still relaxed and showing no sign of intimidation. “I can make it hurt less.”

His condition was severe. There was no simple or fast cure. For now, all she could do was ease the symptoms.

“What do you want?” Sebastian asked, his voice low.

12:08 Tue, Jan 13

Chapter 10

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He snatched her wrist abruptly. His gaze was inscrutable, his manner detached, yet as he looked down at her calm, unflinching face, something in his own expression wavered for just an instant.

“What is it,” he continued, the words precise, “that you want from me?”

He tugged her closer, the movement abrupt enough to stir the massive white python coiled in a heap beneath the sofa.

John stood in the doorway, tray in hand. Stepping inside now seemed like the wrong move.

Stella steadied herself against the dark sofa. His scent filled the air around her, cool and clean and so completely his. Lingering just beneath the surface was the faint, metallic trace of blood.

“There is indeed something I want,” she said.

A faint, sharp smile played on her lips.

Sebastian watched her, his expression cool, waiting for her to state her terms.

Even John listened from outside, expression guarded, anticipating a high price.

“Equality,” Stella said softly.

“I’m not an employee you can command,” she said, her voice light but her gaze steady. “I want to stand beside you, not beneath you.”

Her slender fingers lifted, brushing gently at the dried blood on the corner of his mouth.

“That’s all,” Stella said quietly, watching a small bead of blood bloom against her finger.

Sebastian’s lips tightened.

“Stella…” Sebastian’s voice was low, his eyes holding something she couldn’t name as he looked at her.

“There’s only one person in this whole family who stands beside me as an equal. Do you know who it is?” His question came easily, like a slow–spreading trap.

Her wrist remained held tight in his grasp. She waited, her captivating eyes quiet but watchful.

After a long pause, his grip fell away. He retreated into the shadows behind him, his voice cool and final. “Leave.”

The shift in the room was immediate. His mood had turned, sharp and dark.

The question stayed with her, silent but persistent, as she left the room and stepped into the hallway beyond.

Outside, John was waiting with a tray of food. His expression was troubled as he handed it to her. He watched her walk away, looking as though he wanted to speak, but no words came.

In the Gray family, only Sebastian’s wife could stand beside him as his true equal,

12:08 Tue, Jan 13

Chapter 10

Stella opened her eyes to morning light.

Lucas was sitting in the soft glow, quietly playing with the python’s tail.

Snowball wore a little crocheted shark hat today. It looked funny and sweet on its big body.