“I keep telling you, it wasn’t me, Xylia protested.


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    But no matter how she tried to exin, Yves and Gia were dead set on ming her<b>, </b>convinced she was the one who stole Sadie’s boyfriend.


    Xylia couldn’t help but think back to those eighteen years when she was mistaken for their daughter.


    Back then, Yves and Gia had actually treated her pretty well.


    But ever since Tessa came back, all that kindness turned into guilt for Tessa, and over the years, they’d just gotten harsher and harsher with Xylia. They even doubted her character<b>. </b>


    Xylia was tired. Even the people she once called family could turn on her like this. There was <b>n </b>here worth holding onto.


    nothing left


    She lowered her eyes, her voice icy and t. “Since you don’t believe me, then let’s be done with each other<b>.. </b>From now on, I’m no longer part of the Schultz family.”


    Gia sneered<b>, </b>“Xylia, you took eighteen years that should’ve belonged to Tessa. Ever since she came back, your stopped being one of us.


    *But you owe us for every penny and every bit of effort we wasted on you during those eighteen years. And you need to atone to Tessa. Otherwise, you’re not leaving the Schultz family.”


    ‘Here we go


    go again, Xylia thought. ‘Yeah, I’ve been living as Tessa for eighteen years, but I was just a baby when the whole mix–up happened. How am I supposed to know I wasn’t really your daughter?”


    Eight years ago, Qadir dumped Xylia to marry Tessa. Then, right now, Connor crippled her hands and feet <b>just </b>to pave the way for Tessa’s dance career.


    And on top of that, Yves and Gia spent thest eight years constantly making her life miserable.


    “Hasn’t that paid them <b>back </b>enough? Xylia wondered.


    Sadie shot Xylia a look full of disdain. “You fraud, you spent years pretending to be Tessa, living it up, and then you even tried to marry my brother.


    “If Tessa hadn’te back, our whole family would’ve kept falling for your act. And now you’re after my boyfriend, too? You really are shameless.”


    The more Sadie talked, the angrier she got, turning to Ruby for help. “Mom, you’ve got to do something


    “<b>Enough</b>,” Yves snapped, stepping over to Xylia and grabbing her arm, pulling her toward the couch. <b>“</b>Apologize to Sadie.”


    Xylia felt like her heart had frozen over. Her voice came out rough, almost numb. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?”


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    “Not wrong? Really? First, you betrayed Connor, then you disrespected your parents, and worst of all, you’re nothing but a shameless flirt–throwing yourself at anyone. Today, I’m purging this family of your disgrace,” Yves shouted.


    Yves‘ face was red with anger, and he was just about to raise his hand when suddenly, there was amotion


    at the door.


    Connor and Tessa came in.


    I


    Tessa’s hand <b>was </b>already bandaged up, and when she walked in and saw Sadie and Ruby, she lit up.


    “Mrs. Zinn, Sadie, what are you guys doing here?” Tessa asked, her voice full of excitement.


    Connor walked in and immediately spotted Xylia standing off to the side.


    When he remembered how Xylia had deliberately burned Tessa’s hand that morning, his face grew even more icy. He shot her a frosty re, not bothering to say a single word.


    Sadie, looking all teary–eyed, threw herself into Tessa’s arms. “Xylia, that phony is bullying me. She’s trying to steal my boyfriend, she whined.


    Tessaforted Sadie, then nced down at Xylia, who was still on the floor, her face clouded with displeasure. “Xylia, you’ve already got some guy, so why are you still trying to hit on Xylia’s boyfriend?


    “Sure, Qadir didn’t marry you because I came back, but did you really have to go after his sister <b>just </b>to get


    revenge


    Hearing Tessa’s words, Gia got even angrier.


    Seeing Connor standing there made her even more furious. Her face twisted with contempt. “Xylia, how can you be so shameless? Connor treats <b>you </b>so well, and you still


    go out throwing yourself at other men? Are you really that pathetic??


    Yves, not wanting to upset Connor, quickly jumped in to show his support. “Connor<b>, </b>Xylia messed up. Deal with her however you see fit. We won’t stop it.”


    Yves had no intention of letting <b>Xylia </b>and Connor get divorced right now.


    Their whole partnership with Ford Group pretty much hinged on Xylia and Connor staying married.


    Even if Connor wanted to tear Xylia apart, divorce <b>was </b>absolutely off the table.


    <b>Connor </b>strode up to Xylia, staring her down with a cold, unblinking gaze. “Say you’re sorry to Sadie.<b>” </b>


    gon


    <b>Xylia </b>felt her heart go numb with cold. She let out a cold, mockingugh. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”


    There was no way she’d apologize.


    Sadie looked down her nose at Xylia<b>, </b>her <b>eyes </b>full of spite and arrogance. “I want her to bow, begging for forgiveness. If she doesn’t, I’m not letting this go.”


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    “Keep dreaming,” Xylia snapped back. She spun on her heel to leave, but Connor seized her arm, yanking her


    to a halt.


    “Connor, let go of me- Xylia protested.


    However, before she could get another word out, Connor grabbed her and shoved her down. His face was stone cold, eyes zing with fury as he pinned her on the ground, refusing to let her move.


    “Apologize.” Connor demanded, his tone harsh and merciless.


    Xylia felt utterly humiliated. Tessa stood nearby, her eyes full of open provocation and gloating, clearly daring Xylia to break.


    Xylia mped her mouth shut, stubbornly refusing to utter a single word. She hadn’t done anything wrong. and she would never apologize.


    Connor’s patience was running out. He ground his heel mercilessly into Xylia’s injured ankle, not caring how much it hurt.


    “Ah, Xylia cried out, a sharp gasp escaping her lips as pain exploded in her ankle.


    Connor leaned in close, whispering in Xylia’s ear, “Xylia, I know you didn’t go after Sadie’s boyfriend. But Tessa’s still with the Zimmer family. You’re her sister, so do it for her. Just say sorry.”


    Xylia’s face turned pale, her heart feeling like it had been ripped open, pain flooding every inch of her.


    “All for Tessa? I have to swallow this injustice and let him humiliate me like this?’ <b>she </b>thought, bitterness burning in her chest. She would never apologize for something she hadn’t done.


    Connor pressed his foot down even harder, his anger ring as Xylia trembled from the pain.


    “Xylia, say it,” Connor barked, his voice edged with frustration. Seeing her face go even paler, he started to panic.


    “Why is she so damn stubborn?’ he thought, his patience wearing dangerously thin.


    “I was wrong.” Just as Connor was about to give up and try smoothing things over with Sadie, Xylia’s faint, emotionless words <b>broke </b>the silence.


    Connor realized she was finally apologizing, and he let out a sigh of relief. He nced up at Sadie. “Satisfied


    now?”


    Sadie wanted to act up, but when she caught the look on Connor’s face, she didn’t dare say another word. After all, Connor was not someone she could afford to mess with.


    “Whatever, Sadie huffed, finally letting it go.


    Only then did Connor bend down <b>and </b>lift Xylia into his arms. After a curt goodbye to Yves and Gia, he walked out with her, not looking back.


    As Connor carried Xylia <b>out</b>, Tessa’s expression soured.


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    Was Connor actually backing Xylia up just now? Tessa wondered, a surge of jealousy and unease twisting in


    her chest.


    Once they were in the car, Connor checked Xylia’s ankle. It was swollen and red, looking downright rming.


    His heart softened as he <b>said</b>, “I’m sorry, honey. I really didn’t have a choice. Tessa’s got no one looking out for her in the Zimmer family.


    “As her sister, if you didn’t apologize to Sadie, they’d just make things even <b>worse </b>for Tessa when they got back. You did live Tessa’s privileged life for eighteen years, so the least you can do is think about her a bit more, right?”


    “What <b>a </b>self–righteous speech. Xylia thought, unimpressed. She turned to Connor, her facepletely expressionless. “Connor, I was wrong.”


    “You didn’t do anything wrong. I know you never tried to steal Sadie’s boyfriend, Connor said, his tone softer than before.


    “My mistake was taking Tessa’s ce for eighteen years. My mistake was marrying you seven years ago. And <b>my </b>biggest mistake was having your child,” Xylia replied. Her face was expressionless, and her heart felt utterly dead inside.


    Connor stared at her for a long <b>moment</b><b>, </b>finally losing his <b>cool</b>. “Are you about to throw another fit?”


    Xylia’s lips curled into a <b>faint</b>, bitter smile. “No, I won’t fight back anymore.”


    Xylia resolved to remain at Ford Mansion, to stay by Connor’s side.


    She would stay until she uncovered evidence <b>that </b>Connor and Tessa had set her up. She would leave with her name cleared, and she would make sure Connor and Tessa paid the price for what they’d done.


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