Love Rents A Room
Chapter 65: Changes

Chapter 65: Changes

Sebastian burst into Philip Winchester’s office, breathless with excitement.

"Sir! Sir!" he called, gripping the doorframe as if it was the only thing keeping him upright. "Sir, I got a reply from Jeffrey."

Philip, who had been preparing to sign out for the day, froze mid-motion. His hand trembled slightly as he turned toward the laptop, searching his desk for his glasses with fingers that weren’t as steady as they used to be.

"What does he say?" His voice was tight, controlled—yet a glimmer of something unspoken flickered in his eyes.

Sebastian, still catching his breath, hesitated before responding. "I only went through it roughly. You should read it yourself, Sir."

There was something there in the email—something different, something that made his heart swell with cautious hope. He had only skimmed the words, but it was enough to tell him one thing: Jeffrey had grown.

Philip didn’t waste another second. He leaned over, his glasses finally perched on the bridge of his nose, and read.

Once.

And then again.

And again.

His weathered hands clenched into fists on the desk, and his breath grew uneven. His eyes, sharp as ever, now glistened with unshed emotion.

Sebastian, watching him, couldn’t contain his joy. "You were right, Sir," he said, barely able to keep the excitement from his voice. "She was always the best woman to stand by his side. Too bad he didn’t understand your insight back then. Do you think he’s finally figured it out? Is that why he’s asking to stay longer?"

Philip remained silent, his gaze fixed on the words before him.

Sebastian continued, unable to stop himself. "He’s got a job. She gave him a job, and he likes it there. He’s asking for remote work—so he can stay with her, isn’t he? Oh, how much he has grown..! And he wants you to be proud of him. Isn’t that splendid?"

Philip’s grip on the armrest tightened.

Sebastian chuckled to himself, his mind already weaving possibilities. "I hope they get together. If he brings her home, we can arrange for their wedding again—this time with both of their consent. Wouldn’t that be a hoot, Sir?"

Philip finally looked up. His gaze, sharp as steel, sliced through the air.

"Why do you think I stopped the wedding, Sebastian?"

The room turned cold in an instant.

Sebastian’s smile faltered. The breath he had been holding slipped from his lips in a slow, uneasy exhale.

Philip leaned back in his chair, his voice unreadable. "I had eyes everywhere. I found him before daybreak. I could have made the wedding happen."

Sebastian lowered his head. He knew Philip could have done it. He knew why he hadn’t.

And yet—

"Things have changed now, Sir." His voice was softer now, imploring. "Jeffrey is happy. His happiness cannot be denied."

Philip exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Let him return in a month."

Sebastian’s heart sank.

Philip stood, adjusting his cuffs, his face unreadable once more. "And Sebastian—stop daydreaming. Get some rest."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Sebastian behind, staring at his retreating figure with quiet sorrow.

Sebastian wanted those kids to be happy.

And if they were happiest together—why was Philip still standing in their way?

-----

Liam was shocked to see Joanne leap away from him as if he had burned her. Just a second ago, she had been fine—relaxed, even. His brows furrowed as he followed her gaze and turned toward the intruder.

Him.

Jeffrey.

The paying guest.

Why was she worried about him?

Liam watched her with suspicion, but JD—oblivious to the tension—was already captivated by something else. His gaze landed on the sleek, dust-free silhouette of the car that had just been uncovered, and his expression lit up like a child seeing a Christmas tree.

"This... This is what you’ve been hiding under those dusty sheets all this time?" His voice was hushed with awe as he stepped closer, eyes drinking in every polished curve of the machine. "A 1970 Chevelle SS Convertible? Is this an original? I heard only about twenty of these models still exist..." His fingers itched to touch the smooth surface, but he held himself back. His eyes flickered to the deep, lustrous blue of the paint, and he exhaled in wonder. "And this color... Fathom Blue, right? Wow! My grandfather has a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 ’Super Snake’ and—"

Joanne, seeing her chance for an escape, decided to take it.

"Alright, I’ll check on the kids."

She didn’t miss the way JD’s eyes gleamed with pure, unfiltered excitement. She had never seen him look so eager, so animated—except perhaps when he was indulging in sarcasm. So, muscle cars were the exception? She almost smiled.

JD, meanwhile, had only one thing on his mind. He turned to her, practically vibrating with excitement. "Can I drive it? I’ll be careful! I swear on my life!"

Joanne blinked, momentarily taken aback.

He was begging?

She had never seen JD beg for anything.

"The keys are in the ignition," she said simply, and then, before Liam could get another word in, she was gone.

JD grinned like a child on Christmas morning. "Thank you, Jo! You’re my hero!" he shouted after her, already sliding into the driver’s seat.

Within moments, the beast of a machine roared to life, the deep growl of the 450-horsepower engine vibrating through the air as the car rolled into the sunlight for the first time in years. Its polished exterior glowed under the golden light, a true relic of power and beauty.

Liam, however, was frozen in place.

Did she... just let him touch Papaw’s car?

He could hardly believe his own eyes.

Joanne had never let anyone drive it.

Not her cousins. Not even the farmhands who helped restore it.

Hell, he had been the only one allowed to drive it back in the day.

But the paying guest could?

His jaw clenched.

Without another word, he turned on his heel and followed Joanne into the house. He found her in the kitchen, checking on the toddler sleeping peacefully in her crib.

She turned, spotting him, and without him asking, she handed him a cold glass of lemonade.

Liam accepted it with a smile, taking a slow sip. The familiar tangy sweetness filled his senses, nostalgic and comforting. "You really do make the best lemonade," he muttered.

Joanne hummed in response, but Liam wasn’t done.

"So... that guy’s not bad, huh?" His tone was casual, but his eyes watched her closely.