Husband With Benefits
Chapter 429: The Past

Chapter 429: The Past

Seb’s heart skipped a beat at the unexpected acknowledgment. He took a tentative step forward, and stood near her. She extended her hand and he quickly took it as he greeted," Mrs B. I’m here."

Mrs. Brown beckoned Seb closer, and he knelt down on the floor beside her bed. She looked at him with hopeful eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you here, young master?"

Before Seb could respond, Olivia interjected, concern etched on her face. "Mom, you need to rest. You can talk later..."

Mrs. B weakly waved away her daughter and turned her attention back to Seb, her eyes pleading for an answer. Seb hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "Olivia and I were together when she received the message about you. We came here together. How could I not have come to see my favourite old woman?"

A faint smile tugged at the older woman’s face as she held his hand tighter, "You’re still as incorrigible as ever, little Seb."

Seb smiled playfully, even as her nails dug into his palms, "And you are as beautiful as ever, Mrs B. Seeing you like this is breaking my heart."

Mrs. Brown chuckled softly, shaking her head at his words. "You’ve always been incorrigible," she teased, her tone fond as she remembered the young Seb. He’d always had a way with words. The naughtiest of all the little Frosts and one who always got out of trouble due to his glib tongue. He’d always been her favourite.

The light in her eyes waned as she thought of the way he had avoided talking to her for the last few years. She sent a glance at her Livi and then looked back at him with a solemn expression, she continued, "I’m glad you two have forgotten about the past and made up. You were always the best man for my Livi. If only..."

Realizing that her mother had mistaken Seb’s words and assumed that they were together now, Olivia stepped forward to correct her but Seb sent her a warning glance, making her fall silent.

Mrs Brown failed to notice the exchange and closed her eyes, her hand now resting easily in Seb’s as she spoke after a pause," Thank you for forgiving my daughter and her foolish mistakes. She’s always loved you but had to...I’m grateful to you, young master Seb. For everything. These last few years, I’ve always worried about her. But now, I can rest assured knowing that she won’t be alone in the world after I’m gone."

"Mom..." Olivia spoke sharply while Seb placed his hand over Mrs B’s, " Mrs B! Don’t talk like this. I am waiting for you to recover and run after me...."

Mrs B chuckled weakly and shook her head," You really are too kind, young master. You’ve given a poor servant like me so much love and respect...and you even loved my daughter... Thank you..."

"Hush, Mrs B. You were never a servant. You’ve always been a part of our family and so has Olivia."

"Will you promise me something?" The older woman asked quietly and even though he knew what she wanted, Seb did not hesitate. " Mrs B. You have my word. Olivia won’t be alone. I’ll always be here for her."

Finally, Olivia had heard enough. "Mom. You need to rest. Seb will wait outside and you can speak to him later. Please rest."

Seb smiled and rolled his eyes," Mrs B, your daughter is going to kick me out of the room. But she is right so I will listen to her once. Rest well. We’ll wait outside."

Mrs B nodded and sent him relieved smile. His promise and his words had already alleviated her worries.

As they stepped outside the room, Olivia could not help but burst out. Taking hold of his elbow, she pulled him away from the door and broke out," You had no right, Seb! No right to give her lies and false promises during her last moments. This isn’t something to take lightly."

Seb clenched his jaw and gently took her hand, the one she was poking at him with and spoke sharply," I didn’t lie, Livi! I simply didn’t clarify the misunderstanding. Your mother needed to hear that there was going to be someone there for you after she left this world, to rest in peace. As for false promises, I made none. I only made one promise to her, Livi. And I intend to keep that, whether you like it or not."

Olivia stepped back from his determined gaze and looked away. She couldn’t wrap her head around these things right now. Not when her mother might not be here tomorrow...

She felt Seb move behind her and heard the sound of plastic. Gently, he held her in his arms, while pressing a small energy bar into her hand," Here, have this. You’re going to need it."

A moment of silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken emotions. Then, as if surrendering to the inevitable, Olivia leaned against Seb, her anger melting away in the warmth of his embrace as she held the energy bar in her hand, letting herself cry against him.

Her tears flowed freely, dampening the fabric of his shirt as she buried her face against his chest.

"I’m sorry, Seb," Olivia whispered between sobs, her voice muffled against him. "I just... I can’t bear the thought of losing her."

Seb tightened his grip around her, his own heart heavy with sorrow for the woman who had raised him like a mother.. He knew there were no words to ease her pain, no gestures to mend her broken heart. All he could do was hold her, offering silent solace in the face of overwhelming grief.

"It’s okay, Livi," Seb murmured softly, "We’ll get through this together. I promise."

Olivia nodded against him and he took her to sit on the bench in the corridor. Gently, he broke the chocolate into little pieces and fed it to her, while he held her close to him. It was only a matter of time...

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