The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 566

Riley followed her gaze, and all the air vanished from her lungs.

Standing quietly near the path's intersection was Sebastian. He had clearly heard his aunt's voice. As he looked up, his gaze collided violently with Riley's.

In the span of that locked stare, the entire world seemed to fall dead silent.

The memories and the agony she had just fought to bury clawed their way back to the surface. Her hands clenched into tight fists, and she found herself completely incapable of looking away.

Sebastian's steady gaze lingered for a fraction of a second on her reddened eyes before shifting to Genevieve. His voice was smooth and even. "Aunt Genevieve."

Genevieve's lips quirked up into a faint smile as she casually glanced at the woman beside her. "What brings you here?"

He closed the distance between them with slow, measured steps. "Franklin had an errand to run, so I came to pick you up."

"Is that so?" His aunt offered a cryptic laugh. "You're swamped. There was no need to come all the way out here when I could've just grabbed a cab. You should head back. I promised your mother I'd stay for dinner. A busy man like you doesn't have time to just sit around and wait."

Catching her teasing tone, a barely perceptible crease formed between his brows. He remained completely straight-faced. "I've cleared my schedule for the afternoon. I don't mind waiting."

"Then care to join us for a walk?" she asked.

"Alright."

Genevieve turned to Riley. "You don't mind, do you?"

She shook her head silently.

The three of them continued down the path.

Genevieve, who had been walking between them, suddenly stumbled and shifted to the side, leaving Riley squarely in the middle. Riley discreetly glanced at the man walking beside her. It had only been a week, but his jawline appeared even sharper, his frame visibly leaner.

Was he overworking himself?

Or was his insomnia flaring up again?

Her sleep therapy sessions with him had ended the day they split. She had subtly warned Franklin that stopping the treatment could be disastrous, urging him to ensure Sebastian stayed on track. But Franklin had confessed that his boss refused to listen.

"Why is everyone so quiet?" Genevieve's voice shattered the silence.

Riley offered a painfully awkward smile. What could she possibly say?