Chapter 40 A Public Confrontation
Yulia spotted Becky just a short distance ahead.
And without hesitation, Xavier walked straight toward her.
Finished
Yulia frowned when she noticed him approaching Becky, then quickly stepped forward to meet him.
Jose had been in the middle of telling her a ridiculous story from his childhood, and she was laughing hard. “You’re kidding–your dad actually tied you up and gave you a beating?”
Jose nodded solemnly. “Yep. He was pissed. I really did get strung up and smacked around.”
Becky giggled. “If you were my kid, I’d do the same thing.”
Jose frowned, just about to defend himself–when a shadow stepped in front of him.
His presence was impossible to ignore.
Becky looked up–and froze when she saw Xavier’s face, cold and unreadable.
She blinked, surprised, then forced a smile. “Wow, fancy seeing you here. Didn’t know you were into mall strolls. That’s rare.”
Xavier didn’t respond. His dark eyes locked onto hers, expression unreadable.
Just then, Yulia caught up and slipped her arm around his. Xavier didn’t pull away.
That small gesture made her heart flutter.
She turned to Becky with a smile. “Hey, Becky! What a coincidence!”
Becky offered a polite smile, her gaze drifting between them. “Yeah. Real coincidence.”
Yulia wore a crisp white dress–simple but elegant. Every little movement was refined and deliberate. Even the way she smiled was picture–perfect.
Then she glanced down and finally noticed the stroller Becky had her hand on.
Even with the white mesh draped over it, there was no mistaking the baby inside.
“Whose baby is that?” she asked, blinking in surprise.
Becky responded casually, “Mine.”
Yulia’s eyes went wide, her polished demeanor vanishing for a beat.
Becky took full satisfaction in watching her reaction. What would she do if she knew the baby was Xavier’s? Pass out right here?
She glanced at Xavier, her expression unreadable but faintly amused.
His face was hard–stormy and tense, like she’d done something unforgivable.
Yulia snapped back to the moment and noticed Jose standing beside Becky.
21:25 Mon, 4 Aug
Chapter 40 A Public Confrontation
She knew him–Jose had a huge crush on Becky back in college.
ས . 36%
Finished
She’d never returned his interest. If anything, she seemed consistently irritated by him.
Back then, Yulia thought Jose had to be crazy–chasing after someone like Becky, who didn’t appreciate him
at all.
Now, both of their hands rested on the same stroller.
Did that mean the baby was Jose’s?
She couldn’t help herself. “Wait… is the baby yours and Jose’s?”
Jose glanced at Xavier but said nothing.
Becky’s eyes curved slightly with mischief. Her gaze swept across Xavier before she said,
“You tell me.”
Yulia laughed awkwardly. “How would I know?”
Becky shrugged. “Then I guess that’s none of your business. I’m not obligated to explain anything to you.” “That’s enough,” Xavier snapped suddenly.
He shoved Yulia’s arm off and grabbed Jose’s wrist–the one holding the stroller–then pushed him away. Jose stumbled back several steps before regaining his balance.
Becky opened her mouth to protest, but Xavier grabbed her wrist and pulled–stroller and all–dragging her away without a word.
Jose quickly followed.
Xavier turned, his voice low and threatening. “Follow us again, and I won’t hesitate to come down on Madam Ella’s company.”
Jose froze in place.
Ella was his mother. That threat hit hard. He clenched his jaw and stopped.
Xavier pushed open the emergency exit door and pulled Becky and the stroller through it.
The door shut behind them with a metallic thud, sealing the others out.
Yulia stood there staring, her fingers clenched so tight her knuckles turned white.
Inside the quiet corridor, Becky yanked her wrist away and rubbed the spot where he’d grabbed her.
“What the hell, Xavier? Are you out of your mind? Don’t worry–I’m not telling Yulia the baby’s yours.”
That had to be it. He’d panicked. Thought she’d spill the truth and ruin whatever fantasy he had going with Yulia.
“Why were you with Jose?” Xavier’s voice was sharp, demanding.
21:25 Mon, 4 Aug
Chapter 40 A Public Confrontation
She knew him–Jose had a huge crush on Becky back in college.
35%
Finished
She’d never returned his interest. If anything, she seemed consistently irritated by him.
Back then, Yulia thought Jose had to be crazy–chasing after someone like Becky, who didn’t appreciate him
at all.
Now, both of their hands rested on the same stroller.
Did that mean the baby was Jose’s?
She couldn’t help herself. “Wait… is the baby yours and Jose’s?”
Jose glanced at Xavier but said nothing.
Becky’s eyes curved slightly with mischief. Her gaze swept across Xavier before she said,
“You tell me.”
Yulia laughed awkwardly. “How would I know?”
Becky shrugged. “Then I guess that’s none of your business. I’m not obligated to explain anything to you.” “That’s enough,” Xavier snapped suddenly.
He shoved Yulia’s arm off and grabbed Jose’s wrist–the one holding the stroller–then pushed him away. Jose stumbled back several steps before regaining his balance.
Becky opened her mouth to protest, but Xavier grabbed her wrist and pulled–stroller and all–dragging her away without a word.
Jose quickly followed.
Xavier turned, his voice low and threatening. “Follow us again, and I won’t hesitate to come down on Madam Ella’s company.”
Jose froze in place.
Ella was his mother. That threat hit hard. He clenched his jaw and stopped.
Xavier pushed open the emergency exit door and pulled Becky and the stroller through it.
The door shut behind them with a metallic thud, sealing the others out.
Yulia stood there staring, her fingers clenched so tight her knuckles turned white.
Inside the quiet corridor, Becky yanked her wrist away and rubbed the spot where he’d grabbed her.
“What the hell, Xavier? Are you our of your mind? Don’t worry–I’m not telling Yulia the baby’s yours.”
That had to be it. He’d panicked. Thought she’d spill the truth and ruin whatever fantasy he had going with
Yulia.
“Why were you with Jose?” Xavier’s voice was sharp, demanding.
2.35%
21:25 Mon, 4 Aug
Chapter 40 A Public Confrontation
Becky shot him a look. “I ran into him. He gave us a ride here.”
“How convenient,” Xavier said with a bitter laugh.
She didn’t reply.
Finished
It hadn’t been a coincidence–Jose had clearly been waiting near the apartment. But that was none of Xavier’s business, and she wasn’t about to explain herself.
“What? No comeback?” Xavier said, voice rising. “Feeling guilty? Becky, why can’t you sit still for five minutes? You just got out of recovery, and you’re already running around with another guy. Can’t stand being alone that bad?”
Becky shook with fury.
Can’t stand being alone?Unfaithful?
“Are you kidding me right now?” she snapped. “I haven’t done anything to you, so what gives you the right to come at me like this? And even if I was seeing someone–what the h*ll does that have to do with you?”
Xavier opened his mouth, but Becky cut him off.
“Spare me the big brother‘ act. You’re not my brother. You’re my ex–husband.”
Xavier’s jaw clenched. Something sharp and furious catching fire in his chest.
He glared at her, voice low and furious. “You’ve got some nerve.”
Becky narrowed her eyes. “Cut the attitude.”
Silence fell between them, thick and suffocating.
Finally, Becky grabbed the stroller and turned to go.
Xavier grabbed her arm. “Stay away from Jose. He’s no good for you.”
She didn’t even blink. “I know. He’s into me.”
Xavier’s brows pulled tight. “If you know that, then keep your distance.
She hadn’t planned to get involved with Jose. But now? Now she wanted to–just to spite Xavier.
30
21:25 Mon, 4 Aug ▸
