<b>Chapter </b>6
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Xylia’s hand tightened on the cane before she even noticed. She looked the man over for a while, then finally pulled out a smile. “Joshua?”
The face in front of her ovepped with the memory of that bloody, hostile kid who once held a knife on her.
Compared to back then, Joshua Garcia seemed calmer now, softer even. But he carried himself with that air of someone used to being in charge.
“Didn’t think you’d still remember me.” Joshua paused, a soft little smile flickering in his eyes, the corners of his eyes curving with it.
And in his head, he added with a touch of warmth, ‘Been a long time, Xylia.’
Xylia hadn’t expected this at all. Before she got married, she had spent some time abroad studying medicine. That was when she ran into Joshua, who had been shot. Because they were both from Daton, she’d saved him.
Xylia hadn’t expected that the first thing he did when he woke up was press a knife to her throat.
Joshua had that ridiculously handsome face, but he was cold, angry, and dangerous. She couldn’t help but feel a little pity for him, like he was some messed–up younger brother.
But once Tessa came back and things changed, that pity got tossed aside. Soon after, Xylia rushed home, and not long after that she got married.
She still remembered Joshua sending her an email, wishing her well on the wedding. Xylia never thought the next time they met, he’d be standing there calm and refined, like apletely different man.
“Get in?” Joshua’s voice came low and smooth. Even though he phrased it like a question, there was something in it that didn’t sound like Xylia could say no.
Only then did Xylia notice the car. A Rolls–Royce. She froze for a second, then lowered her head and got in.
When she’d met Joshua overseas, he had been just a broke student, wandering the streets with eyes like a stray dog. She had taken him in out of sympathy. Now it felt like the roles had flipped.
Xylia settled into the back seat, let out a quickugh, and teased, “Looks like you’ve been doing pretty well. What, struck it rich?”
:
Joshua’s eyes flickered. Then he chuckled and said, “Rented.”
That caught Xylia off guard.
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“I’m here in Jupiton for some clients,” Joshua exined lightly. “Of course I had to rent the car and the watch. Got to look the part.” He said it so naturally that there wasn’t a hint of embarrassment in his tone.
Xylia almostughed. Sitting back there, she studied Joshua. The suit, the watch, all fit perfectly. Sure, the things were rented, but the way he carried himself screamed money and ss. He pulled it off well.
She was still sizing him up when their eyes locked in the rearview mirror. Xylia’s chest tightened, and she quickly dropped her gaze to avoid his.
Joshua’s voice drifted over, casual but gentle. “And you, Xylia… those injuries.” His eyes brushed past the marks on Xylia’s body,nding on her pale face. “Do they hurt?”
“Just slipped,” Xylia murmured with a faint, bitter smile. She probably looked awful right now. But she and Joshua weren’t close. There was no need to open up.
The car was warm, the heater humming. After a while, with nothing more to say, Xylia drifted off to sleep. Joshua nced at her. Even asleep, her brows were drawn tight, though it didn’t take away from that striking face.
He thought of the things he had dug up about her, and the anger simmered in his chest. His eyes narrowed, shadows crossing his face.
After a long pause, Joshua’s expression softened again. A quiet smile tugged at his lips, and his voice dropped to a whisper, like he was afraid to wake Xylia. “Xylia, if he can’t take care of you… then don’t me me for stepping in.”
The car rolled to a stop in front of an apartment building. When Xylia woke up, she blinked a couple of times and frowned. “Where is this?”
Joshua’s voice was smooth, almost too casual, like he was tempting her into it. “Not sure where you wanted to go. But I figured you probably need a ce to stay.
“My buddy’s been trying to rent this one out forever. So, want to check it out?”
The ce had everything–furniture, good lighting, even looked freshly cleaned. Xylia hesitated, standing in the doorway without moving. A ce like this was way out of her reach.
It felt almost pathetic. She had worked herself sick for the Fords. She had run around putting out fires for theirpany, even handled clients face to face.
And every dime ended up in Connor’s pocket. Even her credit card wasn’t hers–it was the
extra one off his ount. If he felt like it, he could just freeze it.
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And Connor had no problem wiring money to Tessa whenever she asked, all under the excuse of “helping family.”
A bitter smile tugged at Xylia’s lips. She shook her head. “Thanks, but I—”
Joshua cut her off before she could finish. He spoke slowly, like he already knew what she was worried about. “If it’s the rent, don’t stress. Stay a few days first. We can figure out the restter.”
His tone was gentle, but something in it carried weight, as if he wasn’t asking.
Xylia was still caught in her own hesitation when Joshua handed her the keys. “It’s cheap,” he added, tossing out a number.
Xylia stared at him, surprised. That price was basically a giveaway. Gratitude warmed her chest, and she managed a small smile. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” Joshua’s expression softened, and then he said, almost offhand, “By the way, I’ve got a friend in Jupiton. He’s a pretty well–known divorcewyer. Thought you might need that, so… want my number?” His voice came out unexpectedly gentle.
The words hit harder than Xylia expected. Joshua had seen her bruises. He knew. Her throat tightened, her voice shook as she whispered, “Thanks.”
Truth was, if she could make the divorce happen cleanly, she’d take it in a heartbeat. So she didn’t turn him down.
After getting married, Xylia had changed her phone and number, and they’d lost contact. Now, she typed her new number into Joshua’s phone.
“Sure thing.” Joshua nced at her, then added in a tone that lingered just a little too long, “Xylia, I hope you get your freedom back soon.” After that, he stepped out and closed the door behind him.
Xylia watched his back as he left, and a strange feeling stirred in her chest. Something about him seemed too eager. But it didn’t make sense. He didn’t know Connor. He was just some guy. There was no connection there,
Xylia let it go. Turning to face the apartment, her eyes sharpened with a new kind of resolve. No matter what, this marriage was over,
Outside, the door clicked shut, and the smile vanished from Joshua’s face. What reced it was darker, heavier.
His silver hair slipped across his forehead, sharpening the curve of his jaw. He toyed with the
…
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ring on his finger, voice curling with something low and dangerous. “Xylia, this time, I’m not letting you walk away.”
And in Joshua’s head, the thought was sharper, colder. ‘If it hadn’t been for that ident<i>, </i>you would’ve been mine already. As for Connor… he’ll pay for what he’s done.