Chapter 39 Rumors and Run–Ins
“I’ll be sitting here,” Xavier muttered as he slung his jacket over one arm and walked off.
Finished
Becky muttered under her breath, “You’ve got a whole house. What are you doing hanging around here?”
“What was that?” Xavier suddenly turned around, standing at the dark stairwell.
“Nothing! I said, uh… be careful on the stairs. Watch your step.”
She couldn’t wait to get that man out of her apartment.
Xavier smirked but didn’t call her out. A moment later, he disappeared into the darkness.
Not long after, two of the nannies came upstairs. When they saw the collapsed couch, their minds immediately went somewhere inappropriate. They shot Becky glances that were far from subtle.
Becky frowned. “Why do you two keep looking at me like that?”
Abigail gave an awkward smile. “Oh, it’s nothing.”
Becky had had enough. She turned fully to them. “Okay, seriously–what is going on? Just say it. I hate when people tiptoe around things.”
Abigail finally summoned the courage to speak. “Ms. Quinn, um… you just gave birth. It’s not really a good time for… you know… bedroom stuff.”
They figured she was young and didn’t know any better, so they were trying to help.
A flush crept up Becky’s neck and spread across her cheeks.
“Wait–are you saying you think the couch broke because we were…fooling around?”
Estella chimed in gently, “It’s not good for your recovery.”
Becky felt like screaming.
“We didn’t do anything! Xavier sat down, and the couch collapsed. That’s it.”
The nannies didn’t look convinced. They’d been sitting on that couch all week, and it held up fine. How could one man break it–unless there was a lot more movement involved?
Come on. Something had to be going on.
Becky insisted, “Seriously. Xavier sat down, and it snapped.”
They nodded with matching fake smiles. “Of course. Loud and clear.”
She gave up. Whatever. Let them think what they wanted.
Too frustrated to keep arguing, she stormed off to her bedroom and went to sleep.
The next morning, a brand–new couch arrived. It was about the same size as the old one but far more refined–clearly high–end and built to last.
21:25 Mon, 4 Aug
Chapter 39 Rumors and Run–Ins
Definitely not the type to collapse under pressure.
Once it was in place, the whole living room felt cozier, and more put together.
The delivery crew took the old one with them on the way out.
No one asked Becky for money, and that alone was a huge relief.
36%?
Finished
Becky had been cooped up in the house for a month, and she was losing her mind. So the moment her doctor cleared her to go out, she threw on a cute dress, buckled the baby into the stroller, and headed for the door.
Abigail noticed and gently said, “Ms. Quinn, if you’re planning to nurse, a dress might make it tricky.”
Becky deflated and trudged back inside, trading the dress for a T–shirt and jeans.
As soon as she stepped out of the complex, someone jumped in front of her.
“Becky! You’re finally out!” Jose beamed.
She frowned. “You haven’t been waiting out here this whole time… have you?”
Jose grinned. “Not really. I swung by a few times but didn’t see you. Then someone mentioned you’d probably be resting for a few weeks after giving birth, so I gave it some time. Figured you’d be out and about by now.”
Becky rolled her eyes. “Well, at least you’re not totally clueless.”
Jose laughed. “Hey, I’m not dumb. So, where are you headed?”
It was blazing hot outside. Becky was already sweating, forehead damp.
Only one option made sense in this weather–head to the mall and cool off.
“I’ll drive you,” Jose offered quickly. “It’s way too hot to walk.”
He gestured toward a luxury car parked nearby–a sleek Maybach.
Becky thought it over and nodded.
The nanny carefully lifted the baby out of the stroller and carried him to the car.
Jose reached for the stroller. “I’ve got it.”
But after fiddling with it for several minutes, he was clearly getting nowhere.
Becky waited for a while, watching him struggle. When it was clear he was completely lost, she sighed, climbed out of the car, and took the stroller from his hands. In three quick, effortless moves, she had it folded and tucked into the trunk.
Smooth. Precise. Like she’d done it a hundred times.
“Let’s go.
21:25 Mon, 4 Aug
36%
Chapter 39 Rumors and Run–Ins
Finished
Jose stared at her, impressed. “How do you know how to do everything?”
Becky smirked. “You’ll figure it out when you become a mom.”
Even if you don’t, you’ll learn quickly.
Jose scratched his head again and chuckled sheepishly. “I can’t be a mom. I’m only qualified to be a dad.”
He dropped them off at a massive upscale mall.
Becky stepped out and gave him a polite wave. “Thanks. You can go. We’re good from here.”
But Jose wasn’t going anywhere. He followed her without shame. “I’m good. Totally free today.” What could she even say to that?
She pushed the stroller herself. Jose reached out to help, and they ended up pushing it together.
Behind them, the two nannies whispered to each other.
“Do you think Mr. Jose has a thing for Ms. Quinn?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“But I thought Ms. Quinn and Mr. Bolton were a couple.”
“I heard they got divorced.”
“For real?”
“Must be. Otherwise she wouldn’t be living on her own.”
“Look at Mr. Jose pushing the stroller with her. They totally look like a family.”
“They do! And both of them are good–looking–no wonder people keep staring.”
“Wonder what Mr. Bolton would think if he saw this.”
“Wait. Look over there. Isn’t that Mr. Bolton?”
“It is! And who’s that woman with him?”
Just as the two nannies started hurrying forward to warn Becky, it was already too late.
Xavier had seen them–and he was walking straight toward them, long strides, eyes locked on the scene in front of him.
He looked sharp in his suit, tall and commanding, moving like he owned the place.
Yulia had been admiring a necklace at a nearby display when she turned—and realized Xavier was suddenly gone. Her eyes scanned the crowd until she finally found him again.
30
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