“Xavier Smith, you’re truly something else.”
He was about to lose his temper but hesitated, recalling what he had just done. Instead, he glanced at me and apologized.
“Summer, I know this has been hard for you,” he said, his voice softening. “But trust me, I’ll make it up to you and Lucas.
“You always wanted a proper wedding, didn’t you? Once Wendy is safe, we’ll do it. We’ll have the ceremony, and you’ll officially be Mrs. Smith. No one will ever dare to disrespect you again.”
I laughed.
A cold, hollow laugh.
I met his gaze, my voice steady, my words sharp as a blade.
“Xavier Smith, no one has ever disrespected me. No one except you.
“And I don’t need your so-called compensation. Because from this moment on, we’re done.
“Let’s break up.”
His expression darkened instantly. His grip on my arm tightened, his fingers pressing painfully into my skin.
“Summer Carter!”
His brows furrowed, disbelief flashing in his eyes. But after a moment, he let go of my arm and stepped back.
His voice was low, cold. “I know you’re upset. I’ll let it slide this time.
“But remember—my patience has its limits. Say this again, and we really will be over.”
With that, he grabbed the memory card from the camera and walked toward the living room.
Every second counted. He couldn’t afford to be late. Not when Wendy was in danger.
I watched his retreating figure, my heart hollow. Then I grabbed my phone and called for an ambulance.
…
Xavier and I met in college.
During my freshman year, I barely had enough money for tuition. For days, I survived on nothing but a single slice of bread.
One day, I passed out from low blood sugar. Xavier was the one who caught me.
He told me he had fallen for me at first sight, that he had been secretly watching me for a long time. He said he had known me for a while.
Then he asked me to give him a chance.
I was moved by his sincerity. When I said yes, his eyes lit up like stars in the night sky, shining with pure joy.
But after we got together, I started to see the truth.
He loved me but he loved Wendy more.
One phone call from her, and he would leave without hesitation.
He would always take her side.
Even on our wedding day, the moment Wendy showed up, it was like nothing else mattered to him.
He locked me alone in the dressing room.
Outside, snow fell endlessly.
Inside, I stood in a thin wedding dress, shivering in a room with no heat for hours.
But all he said afterward was, “Wendy has always been frail. What’s a little patience from you?”
He claimed he didn’t know who had turned off the heat.
But he knew one thing—he and Wendy had grown up together.
And that was enough for him. Enough to protect her at all costs.
Just like now.
All it took was a letter from Wendy, and he was willing to sever his own son’s legs.
But had Wendy even been kidnapped?
He didn’t know. He didn’t care to know.
All he knew was that he couldn’t let her get hurt.
No matter the price.
But why?
Why did my son have to be the one to pay that price?
Why did he have to lose his legs—maybe even his life—just so they could be together?
Xavier knew.
He knew I had always wanted a family.
A home. A child of my own.
And still, he did this.
