Chapter 19 Late Affection
Becky also remembered the time Xavier went to cooking classes.
Come to think of it, aside from not liking the original her, he had actually been good to her. In the Bolton family, he was the only one who’d shown her any warmth.
He’d even gone and learned to cook for her.
Yvonne had been so jealous she’d picked a fight with her over it.
Lilian hadn’t said anything back then, but she’d clearly been unhappy.
The two of them finished off all the dumplings.
Xavier got up and cleared the plates himself, putting them into the dishwasher.
Becky trailed behind him. “We ate, now give me money.”
Xavier suddenly turned around, and Becky bumped straight into his chest.
She winced in pain. “Xavier, are you made of iron? You’re hard as a rock! That hurt!”
Xavier’s gaze deepened. “What are you babbling about?”
Becky held her nose, her eyes turning red as tears welled up. “It really hurts!”
“Let me see.”
Xavier pressed a warm hand to her nose, gently rubbing.
Becky stared at him, a bit dazed by his sudden tenderness.
He had been gentle with the original Becky too – – just not with her. She’d inherited the mess the original left behind, and he hadn’t shown her a shred of kindness.
His hand was warm and dry, giving her a sense of safety.
Becky’s heart fluttered for a moment.
It’s okay to swoon a little in front of a handsome guy.
“Feel better now?”
“Yeah, much better.”
She took a step back to keep some distance.
Staying away from hot guys is good for your health.
Xavier’s hand lingered in the air for a beat before he pulled it back.
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At that moment, a saying popped into Becky’s head. Late affection is worth less than weeds.
But this wasn’t affection – just pity.
“Let me remind you, our divorce wasn’t exactly friendly. You even took back the wedding ring. So what’s with this act now?”
Xavier replied, “I was just really mad at the time.”
“I’m not taking the blame. How exactly did I upset you? You didn’t like me, even hated me. I offered the divorce and set you free I was being good to you. How did I make you mad?”
–
Xavier opened his mouth, but after a long pause, all he managed was, “It’s complicated.”
“If it’s complicated, then let’s not talk about it. The past is past. But you did promise me money. I worked my butt off making those dumplings – don’t go back on your word. I’ll seriously hate you for it.”
Xavier brushed past her and picked up his phone from the coffee table. Right there and then, he transferred her the money.
Becky counted the zeros – another hundred thousand.
Her grin stretched wide. “Xavier, you’re the best!”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “That easy to please? Weren’t you just cursing me in your head?”
Becky, now in a great mood, turned on the charm. “No way. I was complimenting you.”
“Oh really? Then from now on, don’t call me Xavier — call me darling.”
Becky raised an eyebrow. “Trying to turn your ex-wife into a darling now?”
Xavier tapped the top of her head. “What are you thinking? You always called me darling. I like hearing you say it.”
Becky rolled her eyes. “Didn’t get enough of being called darling? Don’t you have a sister? Call Yvonne.”
“You not listening? I said I like it when you call me that.”
Since he’d just sent her a hundred grand, Becky reluctantly said, “I’ll try.”
She opened her mouth… but couldn’t say it.
Calling Xavier “darling” just felt… dirty.
Come on, she wasn’t the original Becky.
Xavier stared at her with quiet anticipation.
Becky laughed awkwardly. “I… I’ll try again.”
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She opened her mouth again, then slumped her shoulders.
“I really can’t do it.”
Xavier didn’t get it. She used to say it all the time
Was it because they were married now?
“Forget it, I won’t force you.”
–
what changed?
“Thank God!” Becky squeezed his hand gratefully. “Well then, I should head back.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“No, no, no… I’ll go by myself.”
Yeah right
–
if he found out where she lived, their divorce might as well not have happened.
What if one day he saw her with a huge belly and dragged her off to get an abortion?
No way.
Xavier glanced outside. “It’s dark. I’ll drive.”
“No need, I’ll call a ride.”
He thought for a second, then handed her the car keys. “Take the car.”
Becky quickly shoved them back. “No thanks. I’m not comfortable driving right now.”
“Why not?”
Xavier paused, suddenly remembering. “It’s because of the accident last time, isn’t it?”
Becky figured that was a great excuse and nodded. “Yeah, whenever I sit in the driver’s seat, I get scared. I keep seeing all that blood from that day.”
Xavier’s jaw tightened slightly as a wave of guilt hit him.
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