Chapter 20
Xena froze in shock as Sean lunged at her, grabbing at her dress like a madman, muttering over and over, “This belongs to Layla….
it’s Layla’s…”
“Sean!”
Panicked, Xena tried to hold down his hands, but it was no use.
With a loud ripping sound, the dress tore apart.
Sean wasn’t done. He grabbed the straps, clearly intent on stripping her completely.
Terrified, Xena burst into tears. “Sean, what’s wrong with you? It’s me–Xena!”
She had hoped her voice would snap him out of it, but Sean’s expression darkened instead. He suddenly struck her across the face.
Caught off guard, Xena stumbled and fell to the floor, clutching her cheek in disbelief. “What… what’s gotten into you?”
He had been perfectly fine when he left that morning. Why was he acting like a completely different person now?
“It’s all because of you…”
Sean pointed at Xena, his bloodshot eyes burning with rage. “If it weren’t for you, Layla and I wouldn’t have split up! She
wouldn’t hate me so much that she’d leave me behind…”
Seeing Xena only reminded him of the reckless mistake he had made the night before.
He had gone too far.
Not even he could forgive himself, let alone Layla
“Get out!”
Sean stormed over, grabbing Xena by the arm and dragging her to the front door. He shoved her outside. “This isn’t where you belong! Get out!”
“Sean…”
Xena clung to the doorframe, tears streaming down her face. “I know I shouldn’t have fallen for you, but I couldn’t help myself!
“If you’re upset about last night, I’ll pretend it never happened! Please, don’t treat me like this!”
Sean didn’t waver. His voice was cold and merciless. “Leave. And don’t come back.”
With that, he slammed the door shut, the force sending a gust of air into Xena’s face. It felt like another slap.
Standing outside, Xena begged for a long time, but the villa eventually went dark, the lights all turned off.
1/2
It was clear Sean was determined to get rid of her.
Xena didn’t know exactly what had happened, but she was certain it had everything to do with Layla
Wiping her tears away, her reddened eyes flashed with resentment.
Why? Why couldn’t Sean let go of Layla even now? She had given him everything, even her most precious gift.
She would never allow herself to lose to Layla!
+30 Bonus
The next morning, the housekeeper, Mrs. Lincoln, knocked on the study door. “Mr. Perry, breakfast is ready,”
It was a long time before Sean finally opened the door. He looked utterly exhausted, reeking of alcohol, his disheveled appearance
making him look pitiful.
As he passed Mrs. Lincoln, he suddenly paused. “Go and throw out everything in the bridal room.”
“What?” Mrs. Lincoln froze. “But those were all chosen by Miss Xander…
“Throw it out.”
Sean’s voice was hoarse and impatient. “Replace everything. Completely. Do I need to explain further?”
Mrs. Lincoln quickly lowered her head. “Understood.”
After Sean left, Mrs. Lincoln took some garbage bags upstairs to the bridal room. As she cleaned, she noticed a bloodstain on the
bed.
It all became clear to her in an instant, and her heart ached for Layla.
All these years, Layla had devoted herself completely to Sean, her heart and soul revolving around him. And yet, what did she get in return? Sean had brought another woman into the bridal room and slept with her!
Thinking back to the way Layla had decorated the room, her face full of hope and anticipation, Mrs. Lincoln felt a deep pang of sadness. Layla had placed her trust in the wrong person.
When Mrs. Lincoln finished cleaning and went downstairs, Sean was still sitting at the dining table, his untouched breakfast sitting cold on the plate in front of him.
