Rebirth: A Second chance at life
Chapter 111: Breakfast together.

Chapter 111: Breakfast together.

After wrapping up an early morning call with his overseas associates, Sebastian Harper descended from the private study tucked on the third floor.

It wasn’t originally his space—it belonged to Aurora. A vast, sun-drenched room lined with shelves of rare books and filled with antique furniture.

Every piece in that room whispered of her—precise, timeless, quietly powerful.

She had offered it to him, temporarily, when he needed somewhere private for his international calls.

He hadn’t asked, but she handed him the key in passing, like it was a simple gesture. It wasn’t.

Sebastian never commented on how it smelled faintly of lavender and old ink, or how the silence there helped him focus more than any of his own offices ever did.

His shirt was still crisp from the night before, and his voice carried the last tones of foreign negotiations.

As he walked down the quiet hallway towards the kitchen, the soft creak of the front door caught his attention.

Bishop.

The man had just stepped in, his coat still clinging with mist from the outside, boots damp with morning dew.

He hadn’t been home the night before—of that Sebastian was certain.

Their eyes met for a brief second, both men surprised to see the other at this hour, both choosing silence over questions.

They gave each other a curt nod. Cool. Impenetrable.

No words exchanged—just the passing acknowledgment of two wolves in the same forest, both unsure if the other should be trusted.

Sebastian continued to the kitchen.

But what he saw next made his otherwise emotionless eyes pause.

Amidst the light scent of butter and freshly brewed coffee, Aurora stood by the stove, her sleeves casually rolled up, carefully plating the last portion of French toast.

She was speaking softly to Jenny, her tone warm—almost playful. For someone so often composed and unreadable, the transformation was jarring.

She looked... childlike. Softened. Human.

For a fleeting moment, she laughed at something Jenny said, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

The glow of the kitchen light framed her like a painting.

Sebastian’s intense stare lingered, unblinking.

Aurora, sensing the gaze, turned her head calmly toward him.

"Welcome, Mr. Harper," she said with a graceful smile. "The breakfast is ready."

Sebastian gave a nod, still silent, and took a seat at the long dining table. His eyes never left her, but his expression remained unreadable.

Aurora and Jenny soon joined him. Margaret arrived not long after, helping to serve the dishes.

What met Sebastian’s eyes was something out of a five-star Parisian brunch.

Golden French toast sprinkled with powdered sugar and slivered almonds.

Poached eggs sitting delicately over toasted brioche, drizzled with creamy hollandaise, dusted with fresh herbs. Lightly sautéed mushrooms with truffle oil.

Flaky croissants, warm and buttery. Even the fruit was arranged in elegant symmetry.

He picked up his fork with quiet disbelief. It wasn’t just the presentation. The taste...

His first bite of the French toast stunned him. Crisp edges, a soft, almost custard-like interior—balanced with a whisper of cinnamon and lemon zest.

The poached egg? Silky, delicate, with an infusion of rosemary and gruyère.

This... was indulgence wrapped in simplicity.

He had dined in Michelin-star restaurants around the globe. But nothing had ever tasted quite like this.

When the breakfast finally ended, Sebastian wiped the corner of his mouth with the napkin, his gaze finally settling on Aurora.

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the empty plate in front of him.

I’ve had breakfast in some of the most elite places in the world... and yet today, I find myself craving more.

Not just the food.

As an heir to a top-tier family, composure was second nature to him.

But around her—it kept slipping. There was something about the way Aurora moved, so calm and unbothered, it disturbed the balance he was taught to maintain.

He glanced at her again, watching as she quietly spoke to Jenny, warmth lingering in her features. It didn’t suit her usual coldness—and yet, it fit perfectly.

What are you doing to me, Doctor...?

"I’m glad I joined you for breakfast today, Ms. Smith," he said, his voice lower, softer than usual. "I didn’t know you could cook this well."

Aurora tilted her head. "I don’t usually."

"Well," he said, the corner of his lips tugging ever so slightly, "I suppose I’m lucky today."

Aurora didn’t reply, but the faintest twitch touched her lips, almost a smile.

"Well, you’ll have to thank Jenny for that," she said, her tone light. "She insisted on French toast."

He paused a moment, tapping his finger once against the table, then looked at her again—this time with something else in his eyes

Jenny, from across the table, grinned. "He should thank me more often."

Sebastian’s gaze shifted toward Jenny. Though he cared for her deeply, a strange flicker of irritation passed through him.

Her voice—usually sweet—suddenly felt a little too loud, a little too familiar.

Jenny, oblivious, looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

"Sebby... don’t worry," she chirped. "Sister Aurora always makes me delicious food. If you miss it, I can share some with you."

Sebastian’s lips twitched, part amusement, part restraint. In a low, warning tone, he replied, "Thank you.

But keep yourself in check. And don’t disturb Ms. Smith too much... or I’ll pack you off to live with your grandmother once you’re better."

Jenny’s mouth clamped shut immediately, her spoon frozen halfway to her mouth.

She lowered her eyes and focused on eating. The last place she wanted to be was with her grandmother.

Sebastian turned back to Aurora, his voice calm again. "Ms. Smith," he said, "to show my gratitude, I’d like to invite you to dinner tonight."

Before she could refuse—as he expected she would—he added smoothly, "We’ll also discuss... other matters."

Aurora glanced at him, brows slightly raised, but she nodded. "All right."

She had her own reasons. She needed to understand who was behind the subtle threats circling Jenny.

And Sebastian... he might unknowingly lead her closer to the truth.

"I’ll text you the details," he said as he rose from his seat.

Without waiting for a reply, he walked off, his tall figure soon disappearing around the corridor, leaving behind the lingering scent of his cologne—and a quiet, growing tension in the room.