Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Chapter 41

Chapter

41

Lily finally understood. Maryanne was feeling uneasy because they kept running into Xavier and Sarah far too often.

Seeing them hurt every time. Yet, she forced a smile and shook her head. "I'm not the one who cheated. Why should I leave?" Maybe facing it frequently would make her heart go numb faster, and in the end, she could forget sooner. "You say that, but I'm worried it'll keep hurting you," Maryanne said. She went to sit beside her.

She wrapped an arm around Lily's shoulder while pressing her head gently against hers.

Warmth spread through Lily's heart. She held Maryanne's hand and said, "No matter how hard it gets, I'll get through it."

"I'll be there with you,

but don't get too grateful and fall for me, okay? I still like men," Maryanne joked, breaking the stifling tension she could hardly stand with her usual humor. Lily chuckled as the cloud over her head lightened a bit.

Still, a vague unease lingered inside her. News about Hayden was all over the internet, and it wasn't dying down.

That night, she stayed at the hospital, and not a single call or message came from Xavier. She was used to it, though her heart still ached in that familiar, dull way.

peace for the

blaring ring of her phone shattered the quiet

Sylvester. Her pulse raced as she

will

as she asked, "How is it

"The situation online spiraled out of control, so the court had to expedite the trial. We don't have everything we need, but we'll do our best. Even if we lose, we can always appeal. Don't worry too much." "I'm counting on you, Mr. Hammock," she said, though she knew nothing about legal matters. All her

call ended, she buried her hands in her hair and curled up on

and filing an appeal would take time, and Hayden could

up

behind bars.

to the Joyner family if Hayden ended up

that bright, cheerful boy being trapped

part was that Hayden was

to tell him about

say a word in

morning, with Maryanne by her side, she made her way

the car, she saw

are

Xavier must have told you. He's my only son... I couldn't live without him. Xavier has mentioned this to