Rewriting the Love Story After Traveling Into the Novel
Chapter 37 Trouble Brewing
What’s going on now?
Finished
A man who rarely smoked was suddenly lighting up. That could only mean one thing–he was either under immense pressure or had something weighing on his mind.
For Xavier, it was definitely the second one.
Brendon walked over, pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and joined him.
He glanced at his friend. “Is this about Becky?”
Xavier didn’t say a word.
Brendon scoffed. “It’s just a kid, man. Are you really going to let this tear you up? If it were me, I’d throw her some money and call it a day. And if she still acts like a brat, take the kid. Keep the baby, ditch the mom.” “Shut up. Just because I’m quiet doesn’t mean you have to talk.” Xavier shot him a cold, warning glare.
Brendon raised his hands. “Alright, alright. I know Becky’s different for you. You’ve always treated her like family, like a little sister or something. No matter how badly she screws up, you let it slide. But come on, man. You can’t let her control you like this. Becky’s sharp, and you’re too soft to keep up with that. I don’t get it—you’re always cold, decisive, and brutal when you need to be. But when it comes to Becky, you turn into a damn pushover.”
Xavier’s patience snapped. “Get out.”
Brendon just smirked and made himself comfortable, clearly not planning to leave.
They sat in silence for a while, both smoking.
Then Brendon spoke up again. “I’m serious. Just think about it.”
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
Yulia’s voice followed. “Xavier, it’s me. Can I come in?”
Xavier frowned and shot Brendon a warning look. “Not a word about Becky.”
Brendon gave a smug little nod and headed to the door.
His buddy clearly didn’t want the woman he liked to know he had a kid. He didn’t want any drama.
As a man, Brendon got it. Of course he wouldn’t say a thing.
The door opened.
“Yulia, hey
Yulia gave him a polite smile. “Brendon. Didn’t know you were here.”
“Yeah, just got here. Come on in.”
21:24 Mon, 4
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Chapter 37 Trouble Brewing
Yulia walked inside, her gaze immediately locking onto Xavier.
He’d already stubbed out his cigarette and stood by the window, one hand in his pocket.
Brendon took a slow drag, watching them with a knowing smirk.
Still into Yulia, he thought. The second she walked in, he put out his cigarette.
“I’ll leave you two to talk.” Brendon closed the door behind him.
Finished
Yulia walked up to Xavier and stopped in front of him. “Xavier, why didn’t you come to my recital the other night?”
“What?”
Xavier genuinely had no idea what she was talking about.
Yulia’s face stiffened. He forgot? Seriously?
“My cello recital is Wednesday night. I called you, remember? You said you’d come. But you never showed. Not even at the end.”
Her tone was full of frustration.
Xavier vaguely remembered something like that. “Sorry. I forgot.”
Yulia was clearly annoyed, but she let it go. There was no point picking a fight. Instead, she shifted gears. “Take me to dinner tonight. You’re paying. Make it up to me.”
Xavier paused for a second, then nodded.
Yulia smiled.
She picked the place–some upscale spot with dim lighting, white tablecloths, and soft background music.
After the meal, she made a request. “Xavier, I didn’t drive today. Can you take me home?”
Xavier didn’t say no.
Yulia figured guilt could be useful sometimes.
She’d assumed that once Xavier divorced Becky, he’d propose to her right away.
But months had gone by, and Xavier still kept her at arm’s length. If she didn’t reach out, he never would.
They weren’t even officially a couple–let alone engaged.
She didn’t want to bring it up herself. That would seem desperate.
So she waited for him to say it first. Waited for him to make a move.
Now that Becky was out of the picture, she could take her time and play it right.
The car stopped. Yulia turned, eyes soft with emotion.
21:24 Mon, 4 Aug O
Chapter 37 Trouble Brewing
“Xavier, come up for a bit?”
Xavier declined. “It’s late. You should go.”
Yulia stepped out, disappointed, and watched the Rolls–Royce disappear into the night.
“Back to Westview Pavilion, Mr. Bolton?” Randall asked.
“To Luminous Heights,” Xavier replied.
When they arrived at Luminous Heights, Randall assumed Xavier would stay in the car.
But Xavier opened the door and headed inside.
Becky had gone days without a proper wash and finally couldn’t take it anymore. She showered.
The heat had made her feel gross and sticky.
命36%盒
Finished
She came out of the bathroom wearing a pink towel wrap over her damp hair–and ran right into Xavier. They both froze, stunned.
Becky hadn’t expected him to show up now.
Xavier’s eyes dropped, landed somewhere inappropriate, and quickly shifted away.
Only then did Becky realize–she wasn’t wearing a bra.
Her face burning, she bolted back to her room.
She fumbled around, yanked on a bra, and muttering under her breath the whole time.
This can’t happen again. I don’t care how uncomfortable it is. I need to wear one at all times from now on. This can’t happen again. That arrogant jerk probably thinks I’m trying to seduce him.
Xavier sat down on the sofa. A moment later, Abigail walked over, baby in her arms.
“Mr. Bolton, would you like to hold the baby?”
Xavier’s brow tightened, but he didn’t move.
Abigail stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do next.
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30
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21.44 IVIOIT, 4 Aug
