Chapter <b>25 </b>


    Joshua asked if she’d been working on any design sketchestely.


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    Xylia’s mind shed to the painting Sonny had tossed into the firece and burned to ashes.


    Truth was, she didn’t really miss that painting. Even though she’d put all that time in, she still couldn’t get what was in her head down on paper right. The design felt soulless, and the brushstrokes were super awkward.


    Xylia looked down at her right hand, really wondering if she could even keep painting.


    Xylia replied: [No inspiration. Haven’t been drawing.]


    Xylia figured that would be the end of the conversation with Joshua. But the next second, her phone was ringing.


    She answered, and Joshua’s voice came through the line, deep and rich, surprisingly nice to listen to.


    “Xylia,” he said, “is it really no inspiration or are you just scared to pick up the brush?”


    Xylia’s fingers trembled slightly on the phone. It felt like Joshua could read her mind. Even over the phone, it was as if he was right there in front of her, seeing right through her excuses.


    “Both.” Xylia admitted honestly.


    The injury to her hand wasn’t the real problem. The real problem was, every time Xylia tried to draw, she’d get dragged back to her time in prison.


    Joshua was quiet for a beat. “Wounds can heal over time.” he offered gently, “But if you give up inside, that’s when you lose all hope.”


    Then he made a suggestion, his voice soft, almost tentative, “Look, tomorrow’s supposed to be sunny. The sunset from Mount Evermore here in Jupiton is pretty famous. Why don’t we go check it out? Might spark some ideas for you. You in?”


    Xylia nodded, even though he couldn’t see it. “Just send me the address.” she said. She didn’t want Joshua picking her up at Ford Mansion. It could lead to unexpectedplications.


    There was a pause on the line, a couple of seconds of silence before Joshua finally replied, “Okay.”


    Joshua hung up the phone, his face dark as he sank back into the sofa. The private room was silent enough to hear a pin drop.


    :


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    Everyone had watched Joshua take the call, his expression shifting with every passing moment. The second the call ended, his features snapped shut again, a palpable menace radiating from him.


    For a moment, nobody dared breathe a word, not dumb enough to poke the bear.


    Suddenly, Joshua turned his head towards Xavi seated beside him. “I’ll hook you up with the contacts for the clothing business out West,” he stated tly, “but you agree to one condition.”


    Xavi’s eyes lit up. He almost jumped off the couch, then seemed to remember where he was. “You guys carry on!” he barked at the others.


    Without another word, he pulled Joshua out into the hallway. “Just tell me the condition,” Xavi pressed the moment the door shut behind them, “so I can start getting ready.”


    Joshua draped his jacket over his arm, the muscles flexing under his shirt. He gave Xavi beside him a cold look. “I’ll introduce you to a designer. Make sure you look after her properly.”


    Xavi was puzzled that Joshua’s request was such a minor thing. But if it meant getting the business deal, he’d happily take on even a hundred designers.


    “No problem.” he answered quickly.


    With Xavi’s agreement, Joshua turned to leave.


    “Not staying?” Xavi called after him.


    “No time.” And just like that, Joshua vanished around the corner.


    Xavi scratched his head,pletely baffled. He wondered what kind of genius designer could be worthy of Joshua trading away a business deal.


    *****


    When Connor arrived home, Sonny immediatelyined about Xylia. “Dad, Mom’s getting worse and worse–she didn’t even cook for me. You should just divorce her. I really want Tessa to be my mom instead.”


    Connor’s expression hardened instantly. “Don’t talk nonsense.” he snapped. The idea of divorcing Xylia had never once crossed his mind.


    When Sonny saw Connor scold him, his lip trembled and he pouted, looking so wronged.


    Connor saw this and realized his voice had been too harsh.


    He sighed, crouched down to Sonny’s level, and softened his tone a bit. “Look, no matter what, Xylia’s still your Mom. She can’t dance or practice medicine anymore. With the divorce, she


    can’t do much. How do you expect her to get by on her own?”


    “But Dad,” Sonny sniffled, “don’t you like Tessa?”


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    “Of course I do.” Connor replied quickly, “But it’s just not the right time for that yet.”


    Xylia stood at the top of the stairs, catching every word of their conversation.


    She had been on her way down to make some soup for Orion to have when he got back.


    She hadn’t expected to walk out and hear that. Their hypocrisy made her sick, right from the bottom of her heart.


    Fighting down the wave of nausea, Xylia headed down the stairs.


    Connor saw Xyliae downstairs and his face instantly turned cold, his brows knitting tightly. “No matter what,” he said sternly, “you are Sonny’s mother. You have a responsibility to raise him. Neglecting his needs just because of your own whims–do you even deserve to be called a mother?<b>” </b>


    Connor truly hadn’t considered divorcing Xylia, but if she mistreated their child, that was a different story.


    He believed that during their marriage, he hadn’t treated her badly. He’d just had her cooking and looking after the kid at home, letting her be Mrs. Ford without a care in the world. But he absolutely would not put up with her neglect.


    Because of her foot injury, Xylia walked with a limp. By the time she stepped off thest stair, a light sweat had beaded on her forehead.


    Ford Mansion did have an elevator, but ever since Xylia moved in, Mnie had installed an ess control system on it. Xylia didn’t have the permissions to use it.


    Looking at Connor and Sonny who treated her with such cold indifference, Xylia had long since lost any desire to speak to them.


    She curled her lips into a sneer and walked straight past them as if they were air, heading directly for the kitchen.


    Connor and Sonny watched her head to the kitchen and both felt somewhat better inside.


    “Looks like she’s going to make you something to eat.” Connor said.


    Sonny gave a little “hmph,” a touch of pride still showing on his face. “If she doesn’t make my favorite butter–braised chicken wings, I still won’t forgive her.”


    Seeing Sonny like this, Connor could only shake his head helplessly.


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    <b>74 </b>


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    Orion came back just as dinnertime rolled around. The table was alreadyid out with the evening meal.


    Mnie had also just returned. Seeing Xylia helping Orion to the dining table, her eyes filled with disgust.


    Mnie cursed inside, ‘That bitch! She’s sucking up to Orion all day long, just trying to use his pity to get him on her side, so she can cling onto Connor. I’ll show her.’


    Mnie handed her bag and coat to a servant, then walked up with a smile. She grabbed Xylia’s arm and shoved her aside, positioning herself next to Orion.


    “Oh, Dad.” she said sweetly, “Why are you sitting here? That Xylia has no manners. Why didn’t she help you to the head of the table? Wouldn’t be surprised if she wanted to pull you down so she could sit in the Ford family’s ce of head herself.”