Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Chapter 9

Lily sat across from Hazel, who usually spoke to her with a reprimanding tone and a sharp look.

She asked, "What if this has something to do with Xavier?"

"Don't be childish." Hazel stood up, speaking authoritatively.

"I've told you countless times, men have it hard out there. You need to be understanding and considerate. Stop throwing temper tantrums every time."

For two years, Lily had silently endured Xavier's indifference and coldness. She'd complained before, but each time, Hazel would shut her down with words like these. What had kept her going for these two years was her first love for Xavier-an emotion that had only deepened with time.

Lily found herself wondering if Xavier hadn't cheated on her, would she have fallen into the same mindset as Hazel, becoming a submissive wife in an unequal marriage? Hazel, nearing 50 but looking like she was in her 30s, was the epitome of elegance. Many high-society women envied her youthful appearance and perfect figure. But that was how things looked from the outside.

Back in the Joyner residence, Lily saw a different side to Hazel-one where she was the most powerless, having to tiptoe around the rules in her own house. Lily never envied Hazel's public glamor, knowing that Hazel struggled to stand tall behind closed doors.

"Go back home and apologize to Xavier. Don't let him stay angry," Hazel said, sitting back down. She looked at Lily with a mixture of frustration and concern. After all, Lily was her daughter. She softened her tone, "A woman's life depends on her man. Haven't you been living well because of Xavier?"

Her words reminded Lily of Xavier's disdainful eyes.

"I'm giving you 500 thousand dollars a month as your pocket money, and all you have to do is water the plants and sleep with me. Are you not happy with that?" Every time she remembered this, it felt like a sharp pang in her heart.

She didn't mind being Xavier's housewife and tolerating his superior attitude, but she would never stay with him if she knew he didn't love her.

Lily bit her lip, clenching the hem of her shirt, her eyes hardening with resolve.

"Mom, do you really think so little of women?"

Hayden's voice rang down from the stairs. He rolled up his sleeves and casually strolled down. "Doesn't everyone talk about equality between men and women now?"

Hazel's tone softened when speaking to him, with a hint of affection. "Hayden, this doesn't concern you."

Lily's brother, Hayden Joyner, was two years younger than her. He was the apple of the family's eye.

say many times that the whole family was disappointed

she didn't even breastfeed her, and only one month after delivering Lily,

gave birth to Hayden,

heart, but she could see no trace of regret in Hazel's words or expressions. Instead, there was pride-pride that

revealed Xavier's infidelity right now, Hazel wouldn't

Lily stood up, tired of

to

You're heading back to the Fulton Manor today, right? Take them with you for your

lecture her again. "You've been married for two years, and there's

father, Bobby Joyner, saw the news that Xavier was throwing a big birthday bash for Sarah. He had grown concerned that Lily's position in the

pregnancy, however, made Lily feel like a part of her soul was

them every time after they had sex, saying he was too busy to have a child right

at least there would be no children tying her to him if

later," Lily said, standing and urging

endless chatter as

your marriage. It would

arrange when I have time,"

to hand her the items if she didn't

made the appointment, let's talk. I'll

ever the opportunist, grabbed his

asked as he climbed into his black

she came back to the Joyner residence, Lily parked her car next to Hayden's. But today, not only was the usual spot where

the door. "I'm not driving. Just drop me

the engine and glanced at her out of

out of the driveway and into the traffic flow, he asked, "Lily, did something

you ask that?" Lily responded, trying to sound

carefree, had a sharp instinct. "Normally, when Mom nags, you'll argue a little but end up agreeing with her. Today, you're avoiding everything. The more you try to dodge it, the more I know something's up." Lily had never

confined space with her brother. A sense of being unable

Hayden didn't press the issue, but his

for you. But then you chose marriage and became a stay-at-home wife. Even though you didn't say it, I could tell you weren't happy." Hayden scratched his head, trying to be