I stared for several seconds.

“Who's in love with me?”

“Xavier Sutton.”

Sebastian enclosed my hand in his.

“What he feels for you isn't simply an uncle's concern for his niece.”

“That's impossible.”

I rejected it without hesitation.

“He's looked after me since I was little. He took me to amusement parks and went to parent-teacher meetings for me. When I first started learning perfumery, he found my teacher.”

The more I said, the more absurd it seemed.

“Yes, he's only five years older, but I've always thought of him as family. How could he...”

“You seeing him as family doesn't mean he feels the same way.”

Sebastian interrupted calmly.

“He doesn't look at you the way an uncle looks at a niece.”

I frowned. “How does he look at me?”

Sebastian fell silent for a moment.

Like himself. Like a man who wanted to possess someone.

But he didn't say that.

He only explained gently, “I'm a man, Sophie. I know what another man is thinking.”

“I'm your boyfriend. You need to trust my judgment.”

I interrupted before he finished.

“But Uncle Xavier said we'd already broken up.”

I studied Sebastian, doubt entering my eyes.

“And when my head hurt, I think I really did see myself leaving with a suitcase. I think I really told you we were over.”

His grip tightened for an instant, then loosened.

“We haven't just started dating. We've been together two years. I didn't tell you because too much information might upset you and affect your recovery.”

My lashes fluttered.

In my memory, Sebastian was the man I'd finally won over last night.

In reality, we'd been together for two years.

“Were we happy?”

His throat moved.

Under my persistent gaze, he looked away and lowered his hand to adjust the IV flow before answering.

“I work long hours. I didn't spend enough time with you. You did say you wanted to break up when you were angry, but it was something said in an argument.”

He looked up again, perfectly composed.

“Before the accident, we were already planning to make up.”

Medical staff passed outside.

The soft sound of wheels crossing the floor made the room seem even quieter.

I tried to find a trace of dishonesty in his face.

But Sebastian was an exceptional surgeon, accustomed to remaining absolutely calm in any situation.

His handsome features were as cool and reserved as ever. He showed no sign of panic.

Only the hand I held had a thin film of sweat on its palm.

“If we were going to make up, why was I going to Paris?”

His eyes darkened slightly.

“You got a place at the academy. It's the opportunity you've always wanted.”

“So I was going to study, not because we'd broken up?”

“Both.”

He paused, then spoke softly.

“You wanted to make me worry. You wanted leaving Boston to force me to take our relationship seriously.”

I stared at him.

“Would I really use my career to get back at you?”

I was outspoken. I could be needy.

But I had never used the work I loved as a bargaining chip in a relationship.

Seeing my suspicion, Sebastian stood and took an envelope from the bottom of the cabinet.

He opened it and handed it to me.

“Look. These are the arrangements I made for our future. I support your training. I've already rented an apartment in the sixth arrondissement, ten minutes from the academy.”

“The lease is for two years. It has good security, natural light, and soundproofing. I'm also planning a medical placement in Paris so I can be with you.”

“The card will cover your living costs and perfumery materials.”

“If we were really over, why would we have these things?”

I opened the lease.

It was signed in Sebastian's name, and the date really was before the accident.

Looking at the heavy shadows beneath his eyes, I softened a little.

“How long has it been since you slept?”

“I can't remember.”

“Because of me?”

“Yes.”

This time, he didn't deny it.

He bent forward and rested his forehead lightly against my knuckles, a gesture utterly unlike his proud, aloof exterior.

“I wasn't good to you before. I thought remembering your allergies, getting your medicine ready, and solving your problems was enough to show love.”

“But that wasn't what you wanted. You wanted me to be there. I'll change, Sophie.”

My heart softened. I was about to speak when the door opened again.

Xavier had returned.

He didn't approach abruptly this time. He stood six feet from the bed and placed a bouquet of lightly scented white lisianthus on the table.

“Uncle Xavier?”

I pushed Sebastian away and sat straighter, embarrassed.

Sebastian slowly rose, a murderous edge in the look he directed at Xavier.

Xavier looked only at me. His eyes were gentle, but there was something different from the familiar affection of an older relative.

“Don't believe him when he says you changed your mind or that everything between you was fine.”

“But there is one thing he didn't lie about.”

Sebastian's expression turned cold.

Xavier ignored him and met my eyes seriously.

“I am in love with you.”

“Not as an uncle loves a niece. As a man loves a woman.”