Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Chapter 10

At Weatherspoons, the dazzling lights illuminated the entire room with a luxurious glow.

Xavier sat across from Sarah at a square table. The waiter uncorked a bottle of Bardilot red wine and poured it into a decanter.

The deep red liquid caught the light, a soft gleam shining as it touched Xavier's sharp, angular profile.

He looked effortlessly at ease, his half-closed eyes drifting toward the piano at the far corner.

"How strange. Why isn't anyone playing tonight?" In a soft yellow dress with her waves of long hair cascading down, Sarah seemed more feminine and delicate than her usual professional demeanor. Xavier raised an eyebrow. "I'm not too sure."

The idea of sitting there playing the piano and being stared at like a monkey by everyone would no doubt make Lily uncomfortable.

He even wondered if she had already gone home by now.

Lily was always considerate-she never disturbed him when he was busy. So, knowing he was caught up this morning, she had left quietly.

"Here's something special for both of you," a bold, familiar voice called out.

Maryanne placed a steaming plate of food on the table, sizing up Sarah as she did so.

"Is this a spicy beef salad?" Sarah was surprised to see such a dish on the menu at a fine dining restaurant.

"A spicy beef salad is meant for normal people to eat," Maryanne said with a bright smile, her gaze turning cold. "This dish has a name! It's called the 'Two-Faced Traitor Salad."" The temperature around the table dropped as her words sank in.

Maryanne considered herself bold and fearless, but something about challenging Xavier always gave her the chills.

Perhaps it was because she didn't have the concrete evidence to truly hold him accountable. Maybe that was why she felt uneasy.

After a few tense seconds, she felt a sudden pressure at the back of her neck, like an invisible hand squeezing it. Without a second thought, she turned and walked away quickly. Sarah, feigning innocence, looked at Xavier. "Do you know her?"

"Not really," Xavier replied, his gaze still on the plate as if lost in thought.

Moments later, his phone rang on the corner of the table.

He hadn't saved Lily's number, but for the past two years, she'd always texted him around lunchtime, reminding him to eat. Every evening, she'd call to ask if he was coming home.

quick glance at the screen revealed it was Lily

mocking smile, and without hesitation, he declined the

wine into his glass. She noticed a strange number on the display and smiled, "It's just dinner,

took the glass from her, leaning in to pour some

think a single drink is enough to send me

his pocket, pulled out a black card, placed it on the table, and slid it toward her. "Consider this a

the sculpted lines

out to take the card, her finger brushed against

touch was light but enough to make her pinky

soft, alluring

tightened, but he gave no outward sign of discomfort. He pulled

her purse and glanced back at the

Lily hadn't come tonight.

going

waiter brought their food,

opportunity while Xavier wasn't paying attention, Sarah took out her phone and snapped a picture of the two of them dining through the

camera flash blinked

a piercing

quickly looked embarrassed and handed the phone over under his

has me report my whereabouts and

recent message was the photo she had just sent, but before that, there were several other photos-some of her alone in

little as he continued cutting his steak. "I'm here to look after you, so tell her not

shook her head fondly. "I already told her before

she could finish, the sharp buzz

a call from

through. "Mr. Fulton, your wife just called. She said the Fulton Manor is on fire, and Mrs. Fulton Senior has been injured. She asked you to

I'm going back now." He hung up and told Sarah he needed to leave as he

through traffic as he sped toward the Fulton

...

mountain, with neon lights beginning to glow along

the mansion was brightly lit, and there was no sign of the fire she had

as she stepped out of the car, the air carried the acrid stench of smoke,

straight to the living