Chapter 5
I never wanted to see Xavier again.
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But after Lucas was discharged from the hospital, the first thing we did was return to what was once our home.
What I didn’t expect was to walk through that door and come face–to–face with Xavier and Wendy.
The moment the door opened, Wendy was sitting in Xavier’s lap, draped in a sheer nightgown. She looked alluring and full of
charm.
Our eyes met.
Wendy’s gaze was filled with smug satisfaction, while Xavier, on the other hand, immediately pushed her aside.
Instinctively, he rushed to explain, “Summer, don’t misunderstand. Wendy was scared staying alone.
“There’s an extra room next door, so I let her move in for now. Just now, she got spooked, and that’s the only reason I was holding her.
“It’s not what you think.”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I stepped aside, dodging his outstretched arms, and motioned for the people behind me to enter.
When Xavier saw the movers carrying in boxes, his expression darkened. His voice was tense.
“Summer Carter, what are you doing?”
I glanced past him at Wendy, my expression calm.
“Are you nearsighted?” I asked dryly. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m moving out.”
Xavier’s face turned ghostly pale, but he quickly recovered, his expression twisting with frustration.
“Summer, I’ve explained this to you a hundred times. Wendy and I are just-”
I cut him off before he could finish.
“Just childhood friends. Your relationship is pure. It’s all just in my head.”
Without a care, I continued packing, tossing Lucas’s birth certificate into a storage bag.
Xavier’s brows furrowed in surprise, but he remained serious.
“If you already know that, then why are you being so unreasonable?”
I looked up at him, suddenly amused. My voice was laced with mockery.
“Xavier, do you seriously think that breaking up with you, leaving with my son, and moving out is just me throwing a tantrum?”
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Chapter 5
His response was immediate, his tone firm. “Isn’t it?”
Without hesitation, he even reached out, attempting to pull me into his arms like before, as if nothing had changed.
But this time, I didn’t react the way I used to.
I didn’t melt into his embrace. I didn’t let my guard down.
Instead, I stepped away, my expression cold with disgust.
“Xavier, you give yourself way too much credit.
“I’ve known you for years, but I’ve never once used breaking up as a joke.”
His hand froze mid–air.
For the first time, he realized something was different.
For the first time, he saw the ice in my gaze.
His heart clenched.
He took a step forward, reaching for my hand, but before he could touch me, Wendy grabbed his arm first.
Clinging to him, she spoke in a soft, pitiful voice. “Summer, don’t get the wrong idea. Xavier and I really aren’t like that.
“We grew up together, so of course, he treats me differently. But if you don’t want me here, I’ll leave.”
Her words had barely left her lips before Xavier’s expression turned cold.
His gaze snapped back to me, sharp and frustrated.
