The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 305

Sebastian answered the call. "Lucille, what's wrong?"

Hearing this, Riley's heart dropped into her stomach. She quickly looked over at him. Why was Lucille calling Sebastian right now?

Whatever Lucille said, Sebastian suddenly turned to look at Riley. Guilt-ridden, she immediately averted her eyes.

A faint smirk tugged at the corners of Sebastian's mouth. So she was going to see his mother. Why was she acting like she was sneaking around?

He spoke into the phone, "Understood."

When he hung up, Riley tested the waters. "Is it something with the company? If you're busy, you don't have to take me."

"It's not the company. I'm not busy."

Riley nodded and stayed quiet, though her heart was pounding.

What did Lucille tell him?

Did she reveal that Riley was going to the sanitarium?

Probably not. Lucille had promised to keep it a secret.

A few minutes later, Sebastian dropped Riley off at the entrance of Unity Health Center. She thanked him and got out, watching as he drove away.

Once his car disappeared from sight, Riley immediately hailed one of the taxis waiting in line.

About half an hour later, she arrived at the sanitarium.

Lucille opened the door and greeted her warmly, her voice full of apology. "I'm so sorry to make you come all this way so late, Dr. Vance."

"It's no problem at all. Has Madeline eaten yet?"

"No."

Riley walked into the living room and saw Madeline leaning over the sofa, frantically searching for something. She checked under the cushions, then looked around the floor. Riley turned to Lucille. "What is she looking for?"

"A Jade Amulet."

Madeline spoke exclusively about things from fifteen years ago. Riley played along, staying in character as Evie, while gently probing with questions about Sebastian.

Of course, she only brought up things from before Sebastian turned fifteen. She didn't want to violently rip open the sealed memories of Madeline's trauma. Instead, she used a fragmented, gentle approach, dropping brief, positive mentions of him to test the waters.

Madeline ate more than usual. Lucille was beaming, her eyes red with grateful tears, especially seeing that Madeline could casually talk about Sebastian with Riley without breaking down.

Ever since Madeline fell ill, the staff didn't dare bring up anything related to Sebastian, terrified that the slightest trigger would send her into an episode.

After dinner, Madeline dragged Riley into the study to practice calligraphy.

Riley had never used a traditional calligraphy brush before. She didn't even know how to hold it.

Madeline laughed warmly. "Your mother is something else, not sending you to calligraphy classes. It's fine, come here, I'll teach you."

When Lucille brought in some fruit, Madeline was holding up Riley's chicken-scratch writing, laughing brightly.

Riley blushed in embarrassment, though she was improving. While practicing, she casually asked Madeline if Sebastian knew how to write calligraphy.