‘Xylia sensed danger creeping in instantly.’
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She looked down at herself, wrapped in Joshua’s oversized T–shirt. It did cover all the right ces, but somehow, she still felt like she was showing off a bit much.
That was exactly the problem–it made her look more provocative, boldly flirting without really trying.
‘Can I just im I waszy, so I threw on whatever was nearby?‘ Xylia thought to herself, not even caring to head over to the closet.
‘I couldn’t even be bothered to walk to the wardrobe, honestly,‘ sheined inwardly.
That T–shirt was one of two Joshua had picked out earlier that morning, letting Xylia choose which one she wanted. The one she didn’t pick got carelessly tossed by the bed.
When Xylia woke up, way toozy to get up, she just grabbed it and threw it on.
Joshua was tall and broad–shouldered, so his shirt on Xylia looked just like a mini dress, the hem falling perfectly at her thighs.
Seeing how Xylia was all on guard, Joshua couldn’t help butugh a little.
He reached out and grabbed her wrist, giving her a gentle pull and easily lifting her up.
Before she even knew what he was up to, Joshua had dropped into his desk chair and whisked her right onto hisp.
His sturdy arm slid around Xylia’s waist, gentle yet firm, keeping her snug in his embrace.
“I don’t mind you wearing my clothes, baby,” Joshua said, his voice low and teasing, obviously loving the sight.
“Seriously, you should do it more often.” He winked, enthusiasm clear in his tone.
“I could watch you like this all day,” he added,pletely smitten.
Xylia felt her ears heat up with embarrassment. She reached up and gave Joshua a little nudge, motioning for him to turn his attention to theputer.
“Come on, help me out here,” she urged, her voice trying for casual but clearly flustered.
Joshua knew that whenever Xylia got started on something, she would always go all out.
He figured if he teased her any more, she’d probably blow up.
So he just kept her on hisp and started looking through the files on theputer.
Seeing Joshua finally focus on theputer, Xylia felt the blush in her ears slowly ebb away.
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“This n is great, baby–just needs a little touch–up on the details…” Joshua said gently, his voice almost melting in her ear.
Joshua’s voice was so smooth and warm it practically curled around Xylia’s ear like silk, and before she realized it, she was already turning to steal a look at him.
Whenever Joshua got down to business, those eyes of his–usually so soft and full of affection–turned absolutelyser–focused.
‘My heart’s totally doing flips, Xylia thought,pletely zoning out on whatever he was saying, just drinking in the sight of him instead.
“Like what you see?” Joshua asked, his voice low and teasing.
Just as Xylia was getting lost in her thoughts, Joshua’s face suddenly loomed closer.
She looked into his eyes–those deep, almond–shaped eyes that were usually so intense when he was focused, but now they were filled with warmth and a hint of yfulness.
It was like she could almost see a tail wagging behind him, he was so pleased with himself.
With a deadpan look, Xylia turned her head away, keeping her expression neutral.
“So, where were we?” she asked, her tone all business.
Joshua had totally expected Xylia to get all shy and adorable–he’d been hoping for that bashful wife moment.
He was practically itching to tease her even more, ready to y the mischievous guy.
But to his surprise, Xylia didn’t even flinch. With zero embarrassment, she just looked him dead in the eye and said, all business, “So, where were we?” Joshua couldn’t help feeling a bit deted.
Reading the room, Joshua decided to drop the teasing now that they were getting down to business.
He continued with his exnation.
Xylia stayed perched on Joshua’sp, grabbed theptop, and typed out every tweak and adjustment he suggested.
In no time, the updated proposal was good to go.
She gave it a quick run–through, then shot it over to Josie Dunn.
Only then did Joshua wrap his arms around her again, nuzzling his chin onto her shoulder.
“Hey, prettydy, can you pay attention to me now?” he murmured, his voice teasing and deliberately sweet.
Xylia was still aching all over, and Joshua was being so adorably clingy she could hardly resist him.
She caught his hand, her voice soft but serious. “Behave yourself today, okay?”
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Joshua knew it wasn’t good to get carried away, so he hadn’t nned on making any moves tonight.
“Alright, he replied softly.
Seeing Joshua so cooperative, Xylia finally felt relieved.
Xylia nestledfortably in Joshua’s arms and asked, “What did you step out for just now?”
“Nothing much–just dealt with a minor hassle,” Joshua said, brushing it off like it was no big deal.
She could tell he wasn’t up for sharing more, so Xylia didn’t press.
Outside, the sky had turnedpletely dark.
Out of nowhere, Xylia’s stomach let out two loud, almostical growls.
She nced up at Joshua, catching his eyes filled with mischief and that teasing smirk.
A little flustered, she shoved his head away.
“Quit staring and get in the kitchen,” she huffed.
“Your wish is mymand,” Joshua replied, a cheeky smile on his face.
He gently tilted Xylia’s chin up, gave her a teasing peck right at the edge of her lips.
Then, with an exaggerated bounce in his step, he trotted off to the kitchen.
After chatting with Josie about the proposal, Xylia headed to the living room and turned on the TV.
She flipped to a fashion channel, watching and learning as she went.
Sounds from the open kitchen kepting in, off and on, as Joshua busied himself with the meal.
Xylia’s thoughts kept drifting further and further away.
Noelle’s hateful stare from earlier kept reying in Xylia’s mind, making her shudder every time she remembered it.
Sometimes, Xylia really thought Noelle was just way too dramatic–like, goingpletely overboard with her thoughts and actions.
Especially when it came to Noelle’s obsession with Joshua.
As another woman, Xylia did feel a bit sorry for Noelle, knowing exactly how crushing it was to want someone you could never have.
But she seriously couldn’t understand–why hurt some innocent girl all because of a guy? That’s just messed <ol><li>up. </li></ol>
Tessa used to be exactly like that.
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Now Noelle’s acting the same way.
They’re both way too intense, and honestly, neither of them cares who gets hurt as long as they get what they
want.
Earlier that day, Joshua gave Noelle two choices.
“First: I turn all your dirtyundry over to the cops and you spend your days behind bars. Second: you pack up, leave Alvend for good, go live abroad, and until your wedding day, Garcia Group picks up the tab for every single thing you need,” Joshua said, his voice t and cold as ice.
Noelle didn’t dare mess with that icy look Joshua was giving her–she went with option two without a second thought.
But Xylia had a feeling Noelle wasn’t about to give up that easily.
She shot a look at Joshua, bustling in the kitchen, wanting to speak up but ended up swallowing the words back down.
Joshua was caught up in the cooking and totally missed the turmoil ying out on her face.
It wasn’t until dinner that Xylia finally brought it up.
“Are you really going to send Noelle abroad?” she asked, her voice soft butced with concern.
Joshua picked up a rib and set it on Xylia’s te. “I can’t give her what she wants. Because of her brother, I can’t just cut her offpletely, but there’s no way I can let her stay here in Norhill.”
If I did, she’d pull some crazy stunt any day–hurting you without a second thought.
She’s honestly like <i>a </i>ticking time bomb. You never know when she’ll go off.
Xylia kept quiet, not saying a word.
Joshua looked at her, concern flickering in his eyes. “You don’t want me to send her abroad?”
Xylia shook her head.
“It’s just kind of sad,” Xylia said quietly, her tone full of bittersweet feeling.
She looked thoughtful, a hint of wistfulness in her eyes.
“Honestly, aside from Noelle being a bit intense, she’s actually incredibly talented. Her methods in the design. contest were questionable, but I’ve seen her work–she’s a real genius. To see someone so gifted tie herself up in love and end up doing things she shouldn’t… it’s honestly a pity.”
Joshua gazed at Xylia, his admirationpletely undisguised.
Back in herst marriage, Xylia had been the real victim, and her ex was constantly surrounded by scheming women just like Noelle.
13:05 Mon<b>, </b>Sep <b>22 </b>
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Too bad the guy never had the guts to stand up for her, and Xylia, stubborn as she was, wasn’t about to bend for anyone.
She’d never try to force anything that just wasn’t meant to be.
Good thing, Joshua was nothing like Connor–he actually had a backbone.
Joshua never yed both sides; loving Xylia was in his nature, and he’d never care about anyone else the way he cared about her.
“Let people talk–let’s just focus on our own lives and keep leveling up,” Joshua said, his voice steady and soothing.
Xylia took the bowl of creamy fish chowder from Joshua, his gentle words and that reassuring smile making her feel instantly calmer.
She felt much more at peace now.
She smiled <i>at </i>Joshua and nodded.
They shared their dinner together, the world outside sinking deeper into the night, just the two of them wrapped up in their own cozy little bubble.
But while they were enjoying their meal, someone else was spending the silent night wide awake, unable to find even a moment’s rest.
Noelle sat alone in the thick darkness of the living room, unmoving and sleepless, wrapped in her own loneliness–only leaving her seat when the faint, gray light of dawn finally broke through the gloom.