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    The light in the apartment grew dimmer and dimmer. Xylia turned on themp, savoring the rare moment of quiet.


    Back at the Ford family, noise was a constant. Sonny would fuss and yell every time Xylia asked him to do homework. Connor assumed she had it easy by just staying home with the kid. He had no idea she couldn’t even steal a moment of peace.


    Xylia listened to the ticking of the clock on the wall. A wave of emotions welled up inside her. She just wanted to cry. Suddenly, a shrill ringtone shattered the silence.


    She picked up the phone and saw Connor’s name on the screen. Without hesitation, she ended the call. But Connor kept calling, relentless. The incessant ringing throbbed in her temples until she finally gave in.


    Conner’s voice was icy. “Xylia, why aren’t you home at this hour? Where have you been?” Though his words carried a carefully measured calmness, she could still detect the anger simmering beneath the surface.


    Xylia let out a bitterugh. “Typical,‘ she thought sarcastically. This was their endless cycle. He would freeze her out for days, then reappear as if nothing had happened, all their problems neatly swept under the rug like yesterday’s dust.


    “Connor, we’re getting a divorce. Did you forget?” Her voice was t, a little cold.


    Connor’s face darkened in an instant. His knuckles nched as his grip tightened around the phone. “Xylia, what’s the goddamn point of this childish tantrum?”


    “Childish tantrum?” Xylia scoffed, her voice icy. “How many times do I have to say it? I want a divorce. Make sure you meet me at the courthouse to file the papers.”


    From the other end, Sonny’s sweet voice piped up, “Daddy, why do you keep babying her? Mommy’s just being mean. The nicer you’re, the meaner she gets. Maybe she shouldn’te home at all.” His voice took on a sudden, startling venom. “I don’t want her anyway.”


    These words stabbed like an ice pick to Xylia’s heart. She lowered her eyes, her fingers curling slightly. “I’m noting back. I’ll draw up the divorce papers in the next few days.”


    Ending the call, Xylia didn’t allow herself think too much. She copsed onto the bed like a marite with cut strings, and let the heavy curtain of sleep drag her under.


    Connor’s frown hardened on the other end of the line. Without warning, he mmed the phone against the wall, sending it crashing to the ground in pieces.


    Xylia had always been so obedient to him. Even when she threw those asional little fits, a


    :


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    few words would calm her down. ‘But now she’s staying out all night. She’s really gotten bold, he thought angrily.


    He slumped onto the couch and exhaled heavily. ‘I spoiled her <i>too </i>much, didn’t I? Let’s see how she manages in Jupiton, broke and alone.‘ Yet even as he thought it, he felt an odd hollowness in his chest.


    Sonny watched his father’s outburst. After a while, he spoke up slowly, “Dad, is she really noting back?” Sonny knew Xylia loved him too much to really leave. But that cold voice on the phone left him unsettled.


    Connor ruffled Sonny’s hair. After a moment, a cold smile tugged at his lips. “No, she won’t. She can’t leave us, and she can’t leave Jupiton.” But as the words left his mouth, a knot of unease tightened in his gut.


    The house had no trace of Xylia. During her three months in jail, the space had never felt this hollow. Now, barely a day gone, the emptiness already gnawed at him. ‘I must be fucking insane,‘ he frowned.


    <b>***** </b>


    Early the next morning, a sharp knock jerked Xylia awake. She stumbled to the door, still blinking sleep from her eyes, her hair a tangled mess. When she yanked it open, Joshua stood there, his trademark charming grin already in ce.


    Joshua’s lips curved into a smirk. Without waiting for an invitation, he shouldered past her through the half–opened door. Xylia stood frozen, “What do you want?”


    Joshua heaved the two oversized bags onto the table with a thud, his grin widening at her startled expression. “Just being neighborly,” he said, tapping one of the bags. “Housewarming gifts.”


    Noticing her confused face<i>, </i>he continued to exin, unloading the bags into her refrigerator. “That Jupiton client is a nightmare. Had to rent my buddy’s ce. Just next door.”


    A strange feeling rose in Xylia’s chest. She frowned, holding back her words. As she watched Joshua sort things out so deftly, Xylia felt a pang of bitterness.


    Back at the Ford family, Connor would never lift a finger. She remembered she asked him to help, only for his expression to frost over instantly. ‘He’s perfectly capable. He just thinks this is my work, Xylia thought.


    Joshua went into the kitchen and started bustling about. Xylia stared at his back, spacing out. His broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist, the apron strings emphasizing his lean frame. He moved with model–like grace, yet had that natural elegance of someone born wealthy.


    11:43 <b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>10


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    Connor would never cook, wouldn’t even step into the kitchen. He said, “A gentleman keeps away from the kitchen.” Butter, she saw him cook pasta for Tessa with her own eyes.


    Xylia caught herself thinking of Connor again and let out a bitterugh. ‘All those years of marriage. Her musings were interrupted as Joshua slid a te of pasta before her. She looked up at him, met by those perpetually charming eyes.


    His lips curved in a yful smirk. “What’s on your mind? Come, taste this.” His loose hair framed eyes that sparkled like crushed starlight,pleting the image of a charming rogue who knew his own appeal.


    Xylia’s heart lurched. She ducked her head and shoved a forkful of pasta into her mouth, only to grimace as boiling heat seared her tongue. She forced down the scalding bite. Tears sprang to her eyes instantly, streaking down her face.


    For years, she had pleaded for just one te of pasta made by Connor’s own hands, and for any sign he truly saw her as his wife. But between Connor’s indifference and Sonny’s icy disregard, neither had ever bothered to ask what she might need.


    Xylia lifted her face, tears still glistening on hershes, and forced a wobbly smile. “It’s really good. Thank you.” Her voice made the gratitude sound fragile, like porcin about to crack.


    The smile in Joshua’s eyes faded. His frown carved sharp lines between his brows. “Why are you crying?” Without that ever–present smile, he radiated an intimidating presence.


    They weren’t close enough to share their scars. Xylia dropped her gaze with a slight shake of her head. That little bit of friendship they had abroad years ago had probably worn away with time. Joshua had already done more than enough by helping her this much.


    He respected her silence and didn’t push further. After she finished eating, he washed the dishes and left.


    Just then, a call came in. It was from her father, Yves Schultz. As soon as she answered, an authoritarian voice came through. “Xylia, why did it take you so long to answer? Since when does my daughter keep me waiting?”


    Xylia frowned, a trace of sarcasm spreading in her heart. “I didn’t see it just now. What’s the


    matter?”


    “It’s my birthday the day after tomorrow,” Yves said. “You bring Connor and Sonny over.”


    Xylia’s brows furrowed deeper, irritation rising in her. “It’s not convenient for them, and Sonny has school.”


    “What’s inconvenient about it? It’s my birthday. Can’t my son–inw even make time for that?” He hung up abruptly, not letting her argue.


    11:43 Wed<b>, </b>Sep <b>10 </b>