Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 63

One look at George's face told Scarlett he clearly disapproved of her identity and would never accept anything between her and Sebastian.

Realizing this, she couldn't help but laugh at herself—at how childish and ridiculous her previous thoughts had been, believing Sebastian could be her safe harbor.

She closed her phone and collapsed onto the bed, wrapping herself in blankets and curling onto her side. 

Her floor wasn't particularly high, just enough to see the neon signs of the food court across the street. Outside was bustling with life; inside her room, nothing but silence.

Scarlett gazed out, lost in thought, her eyes beginning to sting. When she closed them, she couldn't help but picture that photo of Sebastian and Edith together, making the ache worse. Instinctively, she curled up tighter, almost forming a ball.

Some time later, the sound of a keycard at the door broke the silence. The door opened, then closed. Scarlett remained motionless on the bed.

Sebastian changed his shoes at the entrance, carelessly tossing his jacket onto a nearby stool. 

He unbuckled his watch one-handed as he walked into the bedroom, glancing at the bed. With a soft click, he placed the watch on the dresser.

She remained curled up, seemingly in deep sleep, unaware of another presence in the room. The blanket had somehow wrapped around her head while she slept, enveloping her completely like a protective embrace.

Sebastian turned toward the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water cut through the darkness.

On the bed, Scarlett mumbled something with furrowed brows, then slowly opened her eyes. 

Her gaze fell on the watch on the dresser—the metal band gleaming coldly under the white light, as detached as its owner.

She sat up, the blanket sliding from her shoulders. Underneath, she wore only a thin strapped nightgown, one strap having slipped down her shoulder during sleep. 

She stared at the watch, her heartbeat painfully clear in the silence.

Suddenly, the water stopped. The bathroom door slid open.

Sebastian emerged with wet hair, paused briefly when he saw her sitting up, then remained standing still. Seeing him, Scarlett instinctively clutched the blanket and shrank back.

"Towel," Sebastian reminded her with a slight frown.

Only then did Scarlett snap back to reality and nod. She tossed aside the blanket and retrieved a clean towel from the nearby closet.

When she brought it over, Sebastian didn't reach for it, just raised an eyebrow at her. Holding the towel, Scarlett immediately understood his meaning. She pressed her lips together and reluctantly began drying him off.

She deliberately used more force than necessary, though it hardly affected Sebastian's solid frame. Her small act of defiance only earned a downward glance and a soft chuckle from him.

Hearing his laugh, Scarlett pressed her lips tighter, irritation flashing in her eyes. She shoved the towel at him. "Dry yourself."

Sebastian caught her hand and pulled her into his arms. "Still angry?"

"No." Scarlett yanked her hand away and climbed back onto the bed.

Sebastian watched without comment, finished drying himself, then joined her. 

Feeling his warm body press against her back, Scarlett frowned and tried to move away, only to have Sebastian grip her waist, holding her in place.

His movement startled her into raising her hand defensively. "No, don't—I'm tired!"

"Then sleep," Sebastian said, catching her hand and pressing a kiss to it.

A dull ache made Scarlett clench her teeth, the corners of her eyes reddening. "I don't want to..."

Her repeated refusals darkened Sebastian's expression. He paused briefly, then moved forcefully, bringing them together in the most intimate way. 

Scarlett let out a pained sound, her body curling inward.

Sebastian wasn't comfortable either. He wrapped his arms around her, his large hands gently massaging her stomach. "Relax."

Scarlett bit her lip, trying her best to catch his rythm.

After they finished, Scarlett couldn't bear to move a finger, yet Sebastian wanted more.

"I have work tomorrow," she refused with closed eyes.

"You sleep," was his only response before continuing.

It had been a long time since they'd been intimate, and Scarlett felt unaccustomed to it.  

She pulled her leg free and planted her foot against Sebastian's chest, lifting her eyelids to look at him. "Why don't you go find your fiancée?"

Sebastian grabbed her ankle and silently lifted it up, not answering but not stopping his movements either.

"You—!" Scarlett was mortified. She raised her hands to block him but had no strength left. Sebastian pinned her wrists, leaving her helpless. 

She bit her lip lightly, feeling adrift, like driftwood on water.

After what felt like forever, it ended. Sebastian lay against her chest briefly before withdrawing with a soft sigh.

"She's not like you."

Scarlett kept her eyes closed, still catching her breath as tears slid down her face. She pretended not to hear, just lying there until sleep quickly claimed her. She hadn't been lying—she was truly exhausted.

---

After that night, Scarlett hadn't seen Sebastian for three days. It wasn't that he was avoiding her; she was avoiding him. 

To prevent being found, Scarlett had simply moved into the employee apartment Orion had promised her.

That day, as soon as Scarlett arrived at the MRK Building, Orion summoned her to his office on the middle floor of the MRK Building. 

Nearly the entire floor was his private space. Taking the express elevator from the Integrated Design Department to the twenty-third floor, past the secretary's office, led to his office.

Scarlett encountered Emma in the outer office.

"Hello, Ms. Redd."

Emma acknowledged Scarlett's greeting with a slight nod, not bothering with small talk as she led her inside. "This way, Ms. Seymour. Mr. Watson is waiting for you."

At the office door, Emma knocked, opened it, and poked her head in. "Mr. Watson, Ms. Seymour is here."

"Send her in," came the reply from inside.

Scarlett nodded politely to Emma before entering the office. The office featured the typical black, white, and gray color scheme. While appropriate for an office, it seemed unlike Orion's style.

Having business to attend to, Scarlett didn't linger on her observations. She approached the desk and nodded to the man behind the computer. "Mr. Watson."

Orion was intently focused on his computer screen. Noticing Scarlett from the corner of his eye, he nodded and casually pointed to a spot. "Have a seat. I'll be with you once I finish reviewing this contract."

Scarlett nodded and turned to find a chair positioned in front of the desk.

Orion wasn't particularly focused on the contract. "How was dinner last night?"

Scarlett hadn't expected this topic. Since she'd used Orion's card the previous night, she felt somewhat embarrassed. "It was delicious. Thank you for paying, Mr. Watson."

Orion smiled. "Of course."

Scarlett smiled back but didn't know what else to say, allowing the conversation to lapse into silence.

However, Orion didn't let the awkward silence linger. After finishing with the contract on his screen, he made a few notes on the paper in front of him, moved the monitor aside, and looked at Scarlett.

"Ms. Seymour, I have a project I'd like you to negotiate."