Chapter 36 Silent Distance
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“You don’t get it,” Becky told Sharon, kicking back on the couch. “It’s a no–fuss name. Strong, dependable- just like I hope he turns out.”
Sharon made a face. “Maybe give it a little more thought?”
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“Nope. That’s the name. I’m exhausted–I’m going to lie down.”
She yawned, didn’t say another word, and walked straight into the bedroom. No need for formalities between them.
Left alone, Sharon looked down at the baby in her arms and tried calling him. “James? James? …James?”
Huh. It actually didn’t sound so bad.
Becky woke from her nap to a quiet apartment. Sharon was gone.
One of the baby nurses had finished preparing lunch and called her to the table.
She was about to take her first bite when James started wailing.
Abigail stepped in, holding the baby. “Ms. Quinn, he’s hungry.”
Becky set her utensils down and took her son in her arms. She sat back to nurse him.
Her maternal instincts had kicked in full force. She couldn’t stand to hear him cry–even for a second.
After feeding him and laying him back down, she finally got to eat.
The food the nurse had made was excellent–well–balanced and nourishing.
After the meal, Becky pulled out her phone to send the nurses some grocery money.
But one of them waved her off. “No need–Mr. Bolton already paid for everything. He told us to take good care of you and the baby. You don’t need to worry.”
Becky nodded slowly.
She didn’t have to ask–Xavier was definitely covering their salaries too.
It was saving her a lot more than she’d expected.
Maybe she should send him a quick thanks. He had left in a pretty sour mood, after all.
She’d just picked up her phone when it rang. Jose.
He was the one who’d driven her to the hospital yesterday. She owed him at least that much.
She answered. “Hey, Jose.”
“Becky? You’re out already? Where are you now? Did Xavier force you to leave the hospital?” “No, I’m fine. I recovered quickly and got discharged. I’m home.”
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There was a short pause on the other end. Then, “You’re at Luminous Heights, right?”
Becky frowned. “Yeah… Wait–how do you know that?”
She was pretty sure she hadn’t told him her address.
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Jose bit his lip, realizing he’d slipped.
Becky’s eyes narrowed. Her voice turned cold. “Were you following me?”
Jose hesitated, then admitted quietly, “You wouldn’t tell me where you were staying. I just wanted to know.”
It clicked. Yesterday, he’d shown up near the entrance of her building. She’d brushed it off as coincidence.
Clearly, it wasn’t.
He’d already known where she was living.
Her stomach turned. She hung up without another word.
That feeling–being followed–it hit her hard.
She’d been through it before–stalked by a stranger. The guy had followed her for days. When he finally got the chance, he tried dragging her into the woods.
She remembered screaming until her voice went raw, but no one came.
Pinned down on the ground, terrified out of her mind, she had grabbed the first thing she could find–a broken branch–and stabbed it into his eye.
He’d let go, howling in pain.
She’d run until her legs gave out, finally calling the police. They caught him.
She’d later heard he lost the eye.
She moved not long after, afraid he might come back for her.
But even now, walking alone at night still gave her chills. She kept looking over her shoulder, haunted by the feeling that someone was always just a few steps behind.
So no–being followed wasn’t something she could shrug off.
Jose kept calling. She didn’t answer.
He sent a few texts, apologizing, and explaining.
She ignored them.
Days passed. Xavier didn’t show up.
Becky didn’t dwell on it.
Becky didn’t dwell on it. She ate, rested, played with James, and kept things light. Life had fallen into a
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comfortable rhythm.
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The only thing that nagged at her was the thought of Xavier’s family–what would happen when they found out she’d had his child?
But a full week went by and nothing happened.
Weird. Unless… Xavier hadn’t told Lilian.
Meanwhile, Randall pulled the car up in front of Luminous Heights.
“Mr. Bolton,” he said, glancing in the rearview mirror, “do you want to go up and check on Ms. Quinn and the baby?”
Xavier loosened his tie and leaned back in the seat. He said nothing.
Randall sighed.
This wasn’t the first time. Every day that week, Xavier had asked him to drive here. And every day, he just sat in the car and stared at the building–never stepping out.
Randall was starting to feel anxious on his behalf.
An hour later, Xavier gave the usual order. “Let’s head back to Westview.”
Back at Glory Corp, Brendon arrived and spotted Kevin at the entrance.
He pulled him aside. “Is Mr. Bolton in?”
Kevin nodded. “Yeah, he’s here.”
Brendon frowned. “So he hasn’t gone to see Becky?”
Kevin shook his head. “Nope. He’s been here every day–working late most nights too. I even asked Randall -he said Mr. Bolton goes straight home to Westview. Hasn’t seen Ms, Quinn at all.” Kevin lowered his voice. “He also told me not to talk about the baby. Said to keep it quiet.”
Brendon grinned and let him go. He made his way toward Xavier’s office, feeling smug.
If Xavier’s keeping it quiet, that means he doesn’t want the baby. He doesn’t want Becky either.
He knew it. Becky’s little plan wasn’t going to work. Xavier wasn’t the type to change just because she had his kid.
Brendon opened the office door–and was immediately hit by the smell of cigarette smoke.
Xavier stood by the window, a cigarette between his fingers, expression cold.
Brendon frowned.
It wasn’t unusual for a guy to smoke–but Xavier? That was out of character. He practically never did.
Even when other men lit up around him, Xavier always passed. And now? Something was off.
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