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It was Connor. His grip bit into Xylia’s wrist, sending a sharp pulse of pain through her half- healed wound. “Let go,” she said, her face nk as still water.
Connor’s face hardened briefly. He frowned, then threw his coat over her shoulders. “I was trying to stop your mother from going on about you pushing Tessa,” he said coldly, his tone dripping with superiority. “They’re your family. Be reasonable.”
Connor stared at Xylia, his brow furrowing. She had always been so stubborn. Yet despite his hesitation, he came after her. Seeing her frail frame, his chest tightened with an unexpected pang of pity. ‘But would indulging her only make things worse?‘ he thought.
“My family?” Xylia gave a hollowugh, feeling it was the cruelest joke she had ever heard. ‘Tessa flirted with my husband and framed me to jail. What kind of family is this? She has gained the most from it all. She can’t possibly be innocent.’
“Xylia, what on earth are you fussing about?” Connor frowned in dissatisfaction, his expression cold. “Tessa didn’t return to her family until she was an adult. She has suffered a lot. Can’t you stop being so petty?”
‘I came myself to talk her down. What else does she want? How much longer will she keep this up?‘ Irritation surged through Connor, sharpening his re.
Seeing the tenderness in his eyes for another woman, Xylia almostughed at the irony. His care for Tessa cut deeper than any insult to her. “Thank god we’re divorcing. Thank god I’m leaving.
“I’m not angry,” Xylia said with a gentle smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You should go back inside.”
“Good” Connor’s brow rxed slightly, his thin lips curving into something almost like a smile. He reached to tuck the loose strands behind her ear. “I’m d you’re not angry. Come home with me, back to the Ford family.”
But his fingers grasped empty air, failing to catch even a single strand. Connor’s face hardened, his earlier warmth freezing over. “Xylia, what’re you doing?”
Xylia took a step back calmly. “No need. I won’t be returning. When I said I wanted a divorce, I meant every word.” The silence that followed was heavier than any shout.
After a while, Connorughed abruptly, his eyes zing. “Enough of this nonsense.” His grip locked around her wrist, fingers digging into her veins, as if he wanted to crush her bones. Xylia gasped in pain. She knew he was truly angry.
“Dad, what are you doing?” A child’s voice interrupted, and Connor immediately released her.
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Sonny rushed over, tugging at Conner’s hand. “Come on, Tessa says we can’t cut the cake without you!”
Sonny stubbornly avoided looking at Xylia, waiting for her to cave. ‘If she begs to join us for cake, maybe I’ll ask the grandparents for her, but only if she asks nicely. They always listen to me, not her<b>.</b><b>‘ </b>
But Xylia remained silent. She lowered her eyes, trying to straighten her back. As she turned around, she heard the childish voice. “Dad, are you really divorcing? Can Tessa be my new mom then? She’s way better than that old hag anyway.”
Xylia’s lips twitched. Then she walked away without a backward nce. Connor watched her straight, slender figure, unbending as bamboo in a storm. An unexpected hollowness gripped him, his fingers flexing against the urge to grab her arm.
At that moment, the phone rang. When Connor recognized his assistant’s number, his thunderous expression eased slightly. “Did you confirm the Sadler Group’s attendance for the banquet in three days?” he demanded.
On the other end, his assistant gave an affirmative answer, “Yes, Mr. Ford. Our sources confirm the Sadler Group’s attendance.”
Soon, a relieved smile spread across Connor’s face. “Good. If we can establish ties with Sadler Group, Ford Group might just survive this.”
*****
Xylia returned home and sank onto the sofa, lost in thought. After calling herwyer to draft the divorce papers, she finally let out a shuddering sigh of relief.
The next morning, when she arrived at the Ford residence with the divorce papers, Connor was nowhere to be seen. Only Tessa and Sonny were there,ughing together like old friends.
The moment Sonny saw Xylia, he jumped off the sofa. “You don’t belong here! You don’t even wanna be my mom. Go away!” He still couldn’t forget how she had ignored himpletely yesterday.
Xylia didn’t bother to argue. Her eyes downcast, she said with deadly calm, “You can hate me all you want, but my blood still runs in your veins.”
Sonny’s <b>face </b>flushed crimson. “I never asked for your blood,” he spat, small hands shaking. “I wish we weren’t even rted!”
“Where’s Connor?” Xylia settled onto the sofa. Though her injuries had mostly healed, a faint
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ache still lingered when she walked. It was nothing serious, but a stubborn reminder.
Hugging Sonny closer, Tessa asked, “Xylia, why do you ask for Connor? Did youe to make
fault.” up? Connor told me everything, saying you’re throwing a tantrum. It’s all
my
“He told you everything?” Xylia’s frown twisted into a joylessugh. ‘Of course he did. She realized Tessa’s fingers had clearly pried into every crevice of her marriage.
Hearing Xylia’s words, Tessa quickly waved her hands, “Don’t get the wrong idea, Xylia. Connor and I are straight–up like brothers. And brothers help each other win back their girls, right?”
She grinned and shrugged, “Besides, I’m basically one of the guys anyway. And honestly? Right now, no guy’s on my radar, except myte husband, of course.”
When Sonny heard these words, he worried Tessa might get upset. He knew that Tessa’s husband passed away just two years into their marriage, and she had been heartbroken for a long time. Grabbing her arm tightly, he said, “Tessa, Don’t be sad. Dad and I both love you!”
“You little rascal,” Tessa pretended to be angry. “What kind of talk is that? You’re ruining the brotherly bond between your dad and me!”
Xylia didn’t have time for their little moment. She tossed the divorce papers onto the table, her voice cutting through the room, “Tell him to sign these when he gets back.” Sonny and Tessa froze, caught off guard by her sudden coldness.
After a brief moment, Sonny rushed over to the table. His little hands grabbed at the papers, eyes wide with worry. ‘Mommy’s really leaving? But she loves Dad and me. Is she upset with me for not being on her team yesterday?‘
‘That’s gotta be it. Mom’s being silly. She’s only trying to scare me with these papers!‘ Thinking this, Sonny scrunched up his face and said, “Just because Dad and I didn’t take your side yesterday, you’re gonna leave us?”
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11:44 <b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>10 </b>