The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 303

The man wore a slate-gray shirt, the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, revealing his toned forearms. He held a rattle, shaking it gently to produce a crisp, cheerful rhythm.

Alora lay in her stroller, clearly delighted. Her tiny arms and legs waved in the air as she babbled happily.

Hearing the door open, Sebastian looked up at Riley. "You're back?"

This was the first time they had seen each other since he asked her to give him an answer about his confession. His face was calm, his demeanor as steady as ever, acting as if those boundary-crossing words had never left his lips.

Riley steadied her slightly frantic heartbeat and nodded, feigning naturalness. "Yeah. What brings you over?"

Sebastian continued shaking the rattle, his gaze soft as he looked at Alora. "It's been a few days. I wanted to see her."

Quinn Logan's words suddenly flashed in Riley's mind.

'Alora has Pierce's blood in her veins. Can Sebastian really accept that without any resentment?'

Sebastian genuinely seemed to adore Alora. Ever since she was born, he had shown her an undeniable favoritism—expensive gifts, unique milestone presents, clothes, toys, and constant visits.

He treated Alora better than her own biological father, Pierce, ever did.

Perhaps he really didn't mind that Alora wasn't his flesh and blood?

The next second, Riley realized what she was thinking, and her heart gave a violently frightened jolt.

Why was she entertaining these thoughts?

Even if Alora didn't exist, a relationship with Sebastian was utterly impossible.

Their backgrounds, their social standing, their entangled histories—it was an uncrossable chasm. They weren't even from the same world.

Just then, Mrs. Gable stepped out of the kitchen. "Riley, dinner is ready. Shall I serve it?"

Riley turned to Sebastian and asked politely, "Sebastian, have you eaten?"

"No."

Riley was slightly taken aback. She thought he would politely say he had already eaten, or that he had business to attend to. After all, she hadn't prepared anything special, and the simple home-cooked meals were far below his usual standard.

"We don't have much prepared, but if you don't mind the simple fare, you're welcome to stay."

"I don't mind at all. I just hope it isn't too much trouble."

She had always seen him as a trusted older brother figure, but he wanted to date her.

Who could stay calm under those circumstances?

Riley forced an awkward smile and muttered, "I'm not tense."

A flash of resignation crossed Sebastian's eyes. She had been staring at her plate the entire time, too afraid to even look at him, and she called that 'not tense'? She might as well have 'I don't want to be alone with you' written on her forehead.

"Pretend I never said what I did that day. Let's just go back to the way we used to be."

Riley looked at him in surprise. She had been agonizing over how to bring up the subject and reject him, yet he had taken the initiative to drop it himself.

To give up before even hearing her answer—was he never serious to begin with?

Was it just a momentary whim? A casual remark?

This was for the best. It saved her from having to reject him and making things painfully awkward.

Riley felt an immense sense of relief. The heavy stone that had been weighing on her chest for the past two days was finally lifted. The overwhelming lightness masked the faint, almost imperceptible sting of disappointment buried deep within her heart.