Chapter 38 Name Change and a Broken Couch
Well… that didn’t go the way she’d hoped.
Finished
Mr. Bolton clearly didn’t like the baby. If he actually cared, there’s no way he would’ve gone an entire week without checking in.
Becky had seen the whole scene just now.
And pretending it didn’t hurt? That’d be a straight–up lic.
Sure, the baby was hers and hers alone, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want her son to feel loved- especially by his father.
But Xavier didn’t like her, and it seemed like he wanted nothing to do with James, either.
The nanny picked up on the tension in the room. She gently placed James in the crib, then quietly excused herself with a line about taking out the trash.
Becky pulled over a chair and sat down a few feet away.
Xavier looked up.
She’d just gotten out of the shower. Her skin looked fresh and glowing, and her wide eyes wandered around, innocent and curious, framed by lashes that gave her an almost doll–like look.
His gaze landed on her damp hair, and his brows pinched together.
“Where’s the hair dryer?”
Becky had no idea what he wanted it for, but she pointed toward the bathroom. “Second drawer under the sink.
Xavier headed inside, then returned with the dryer a moment later. He plugged it in and walked over to stand behind her.
That’s when she realized–he was going to dry her hair.
She blinked in surprise and reached up to stop him. “You’ll wake the baby.”
“He’s not that fragile,” Xavier replied flatly.
With that, he flipped the switch.
Becky tried to turn around, but he firmly held her in place. “Don’t move.”
“I can do it myself.”
I’m not repeating myself.”
Becky made a face but stayed still, silently cursing him for being so damn bossy.
Five minutes later, Xavier shut off the dryer.
She was about to get up when his hand slid into her hair, gently brushing it into place.
21:24 Mon, 4 Aug
Chapter 38 Name Change and a Broken Couch
She froze, heartbeat skipping.
That kind of gesture… it felt way too intimate.
“Done.”
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Finished
With that low voice of his, he pulled his hand away and headed back into the bathroom with the dryer.
Becky watched as he returned and awkwardly squeezed himself onto the tiny sofa.
Xavier was tall and broad–shouldered, and he looked way too big for that tiny couch.
Becky spoke first. “Did you come here for something?”
Xavier didn’t answer. He just stared at her.
The longer he stared, the more her nerves twisted. “Look, I know you’re pissed. But I’ll say it again–James isn’t your problem. I’m not using him to force you into anything. You don’t need to worry about that.”
Everyone thought she’d had the baby just to cling to Xavier.
But that wasn’t it. That was never it.
“James? You picked that name?”
Becky nodded. “It’s cute, right?”
Xavier pressed his fingers to his temple and didn’t comment.
Two minutes passed before he finally spoke again. “His name is Matthew Bolton.”
“…What?” Becky blinked, thrown completely off.
“I said,” Xavier repeated calmly, “his name is Matthew Bolton.”
She wasn’t going to admit her mind was still a little foggy. Giving birth tended to do that.
So Xavier didn’t like the name she’d picked and just renamed her kid?
ToMatthew Bolton? Wait a second…
“He’s my son. Why would he have your last name? If anything, it should be Matthew Quinn.”
“He’s my son too,” Xavier shot back without flinching.
Becky shot to her feet, alarmed. “Xavier, what are you saying? Are you trying to take him from me? I carried him. I gave birth to him. He’s mine!”
Seeing how panicked she looked, Xavier said calmly, “I’m not trying to take him from you. But you made a decision—kept him, gave birth–without telling me. I think I’m allowed to make at least one request.”
Becky hesitated, then slowly sat back down. As long as he wasn’t trying to take her baby, she could work with
that.
“What kind of request?”
21:25 Mon, 4 Aug O
Chapter 38 Name Change and a Broken Couch
“Name him Matthew Bolton.”
Xavier glanced toward the crib.
Becky wrestled with it for a moment, then reluctantly gave in.
“Fine. He can be called Matthew Bolton. But he’s still my son. Mine alone.”
Xavier leaned back, a faint smile tugging at his mouth.
Crack
The sofa gave out beneath him with a loud thud.
Becky froze.
“Becky!” Xavier growled, gritting his teeth, face dark with fury.
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Finished
Becky shrank into herself, mumbling under her breath, “Maybe you’re just too heavy. Broke the couch.”
Xavier stood up awkwardly, glaring down at her.
Becky added. “I’ve sat on it plenty of times, and it’s never broken.”
She was quick to act like it had nothing to do with her.
But instead of snapping again, Xavier suddenly felt grateful–grateful the couch hadn’t broken before, when she was pregnant and alone. What if it had happened while she was there to help?
trying to rest, or worse, with no one
With that thought, his anger melted away.
Becky couldn’t figure out why his mood suddenly shifted.
Still, she offered a half–hearted, “Are you okay?”
Xavier shook his head. “Forget the couch. I’ll have a new one delivered tomorrow and get this old set hauled
OUL
Becky nodded. “Should I pay you for it?”
Xavier raised an eyebrow. “Are you planning to?”
Becky went quiet.
Of course not.
“Maybe forget it. I don’t even use it that much anyway.”
New couches weren’t cheap. And if Xavier sent her one cash–on–delivery, would she take it? Or refuse it? Either way felt awkward,
Xavier actually laughed out loud.
He remembered sending Becky a good chunk of money–she shouldn’t be hurting for cash.
21:25 Mon, 4 Aug.
Chapter 38 Name Change and a Broken Couch
And she’s still this stingy? Unbelievable.
30
((li)
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Finished
ww
