Chapter <b>189 </b>


    During the meal, Eliza kept looking at Xylia.


    :


    Feeling embarrassed, Xylia said, “Mrs. Garcia, is there something you want to talk about?”


    Eliza nodded slightly.


    Xylia gestured for her to go ahead.


    Eliza asked directly, “Xylia, have you ever thought about getting married?”


    Xylia nearly spat out her coffee, choking violently.


    Eliza patted her back and handed her water. “Did you choke?”


    hing


    After a long while, Xylia finally felt better, her face bright red from coughing.


    Eliza was deeply concerned. “Take your time. What if you choke badly and


    get


    bronchitis?<b>” </b>


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    She asked the waiter for a ss of warm water and handed it to Xylia.


    Xylia was momentarily stunned by her words.


    It seemed this was the first time she’d heard such words from a mother worried about her child.


    But she quicklyposed herself, took the water Eliza‘ handed her, and said, “Thank you.”


    Eliza didn’t think there was anything wrong with her question.


    She cleared her throat and said to Xylia, “Xylia, I’m not trying to rush you into marriage. Joshua has liked you for years, and I can see you feel the same. If possible, I hope you two can get married soon.”


    Xylia’s brows furrowed slightly. “Mrs. Garcia, why the rush?”


    A flicker of unusual emotion crossed Eliza’s eyes. She shook her head and said, “His dad and I are getting older. Our only wish is to see Joshua start a family. Besides, we really like you.”


    Xylia said, “But neither you nor Mr. Garcia are that old.”


    It might sound harsh, but even if they decided to have a second child, Xylia wouldn’t be surprised.


    Xylia asked, “<b>Is </b>it that you hope I marry Joshua, so Noelle willpletely give up on him?”


    She got straight to the point.


    Eliza paused for a moment, and then looked at Xylia with aplex expression.


    She thought, ‘Xylia is sharp. Nothing escapes her notice.‘


    <b>8:29 </b><b>Thu</b>, Sep 18 <b>N </b>


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    Eliza said helplessly, “Xylia, we’ve never tried to hide anything about Noelle from you. Joshua only loves you. We all know that. That’s why we hope Noelle can realize this sooner and stop focusing on Joshua. It’s best for everyone.”


    Xylia nodded slightly. “I understand your point, but…”


    She looked into Eliza’s eyes, her gaze gentle yet firm. “Mrs. Garcia, to be honest, I’m afraid of marriage. If marriage is just a bargaining chip for someone else’s benefit, for both me and Joshua, I’d rather not get married.”


    “Xylia, I’m not pressuring you. I just think it’s best for everyone.”


    “It’s different, Mrs. Garcia.” Xylia shook her head, a bitter smile forming. “You know I’ve been married before. My previous marriage was apromise, not about love. It was driven by a sense of duty and the desire to make everyone happy. That’s why I got married and that’s why I ended up like this now.”


    Eliza realized she might have made a mistake. She frowned at Xylia, her mouth open, yet no words came out.


    Xylia continued, “Mrs. Garcia, my rtionship with Joshua isn’t a secret. If I marry him, it should be for our feelings and to build a family together, but absolutely not because of Noelle.”


    Eliza worried that, because of her, Xylia and Joshua might rift.


    She quickly said, “I got it. It’s my fault. I apologize.”


    The meal wasn’t as cheerful as just now.


    <i>lop </i>a


    que yak


    Xylia was so preupied that she forgot to ask Eliza the to ask.


    she’d intende


    After returning home, Xylia got a call from Joshua. His voice was anxious. “I’m at your door.”


    Confused, Xylia asked, “What are you doing at my doorstep?”


    Xylia was in the design room. Looking down from the upper floor, she could shining outside the main gate.


    See the car h


    As she reached the gate, Joshua immediately embraced her. “Please don’t take my mom’s words to heart. Let’s take it slow.” His voice trembled slightly, tinged with meekness and fear.


    Xylia was visibly taken aback. She hugged Joshua back and asked, “What are you afraid of?”


    She hugged Joshua in return and asked, “What are you afraid of?”


    “I was afraid you’d be scared away.” Joshua was speaking truthfully. He genuinely looked forward to marrying Xylia, but he knew it was already a big step for her to be with him.


    No matter how anxious he was, he wouldn’t force her to marry him. Moreover, if marriage was being considered, he should be the one to propose, not Eliza on his behalf.


    So when Eliza told him about what had happened today, he was initially angry, and then worried that Xylia might back away because of this.


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    The thought of losing the woman he’d worked so hard to win made him tighten his grip on Xylia’s hand. “Xylia, I won’t pressure you into marriage. My mom was just talking nonsense. Don’t back away.”


    Xylia had to bury herself in his arms, feeling his grip around her waist tighten.


    She patted his back and said with difficulty, “You’re about to strangle me to death.”


    Only then did Joshua release Xylia.


    Xylia looked up and noticed the trace of worry on his face. She snorted withughter, “When have I ever run away? Am I really that timid?”


    Joshua dominated the business world, unrivaled and confident, yet when faced with Xylia, he lost all that confidence.


    He had to admit that he won Xylia back by shamelessly pursuing her. It was also through his exhaustive scheming that he managed to get her to his side.


    He loved Xylia deeply, yet hecked confidence in her feelings for him. “You’re just timid.”


    When Joshua noticed a fleeting change in Xylia’s expression, he immediately corrected himself and said, “Actually, I’m just worried that you might find my mom bothersome, and even more afraid that you would consider Noelle a hassle and dump me.”


    At this point, he felt even more aggrieved. He believed that Xylia could truly dump him because of such a hassle.


    He stared at Xylia without blinking, as if any nod or affirmation from her would make him immediately throw himself on the floor and make a scene.


    Hearing his words, Xylia couldn’t help but find it amusing. “You said…”


    Xylia looked at Joshua, noting his slightly furrowed brow, and said slowly, “That is quite reasonable. Why did I never realize that Noelle was a hassle?”


    Joshua’s face turned pale. He wished he could take back his words.


    Just as he was about to pledge loyalty, Xylia spoke again, “However, aren’t youcking confidence in me or, rather, in yourself?”


    Joshua was exasperated, thinking, <If I truly had confidence, why would Ie here in the middle of the night?>


    Xylia looked at Joshua seriously. “I truly meant it when I said I wanted to try with you. When two people are together, they must face many challenges. If I were to run away because of this, I might as well remain alone for the rest of my life.”


    Joshua tried to discern any trace of perfunctoriness in her gaze. But no, there wasn’t.


    He let out a long sigh of relief. Immediately after, he embraced Xylia again. “Then swear to me that<b>, </b>no matter what difficulties we may face in the future, you will never bring up breaking up with me.”