Xavier''s expression turned serious. After a moment of thought, he spoke slowly. "We''ve knownn since elementary school. Even though we went our separate ways for college, we still know each other well. If you''re saying their rtionship was just a transaction, then my answer to your question is no, they didn''t."


    "How is that possible?" Henry sat up straight. "I could see that Vanessa was deeply in love withn."


    Xavier''s gaze was frank. "Knowingn, he''s not the type to sleep with someone he has a business arrangement with. Besides, he was still married to Eleanor back then."


    "So you think what Vanessa said is true? That nothing ever happened between them?" Henry pressed.


    Xavier had kept some things to himself, like his first encounter with Vanessa and how she had tried to flirt with him afterward. Though her attempts were subtle, Xavier had seen her true nature that day.


    "Henry, if nothing happened between them, are you going to start pursuing Vanessa immediately?" Xavier asked in return.


    Henry clutched his head, caught in a swirl of conflicting emotions. Finally, he looked at Xavier. "I need to tell you something, but you have to promise to keep it a secret."


    Xavier picked up his teacup, a look of interest in his eyes. "I''m listening."


    Henry confessed everything about the drunken night with Selma Quigley and his recent feelings for her. He ran a hand through his hair, his voice full of confusion. "Xavier, what''s wrong with me? I was obsessed with Vanessa for so long, but now... all I can think about is Selma. I get angry when I see her at a bar, and even angrier when I see her getting into someone else''s car. I feel like... I''m thinking about her all the time."


    After listening, Xavier broke into a knowing smile. "Henry, congrattions. You''ve found true love."


    Henry''s eyes were filled with turmoil. "But I''m so confused. On one hand, I feel like I''ve betrayed Vanessa, but on the other, I can''t stop myself from wanting to be near Selma. And ifn and Vanessa really were innocent, then what am I supposed to do?"


    Xavier''s yful expression faded, reced by a serious one. "Henry, you need to realize that what you felt for Vanessa was an obsession born from wanting what you couldnt have. You need to let her go and pursue Miss Quigley. She''s the right one for you."


    "But Vanessa-" Henry was flooded with guilt, as if he had wronged her. Seeing his expression, Xavier decided it was time to tell him the whole truth.


    "Vanessa isn''t as innocent as you think. She''s a master maniptor with a hidden agenda. The reason _she''s rifying her rtionship withn now is probably because their arrangement is ending. She wants to secure you, to get you to marry her. After all, you''ve always been her other option besidesn."


    Xavier''s words hit Henry like a bucket of cold water. He downed his drink in one gulp. "You''re right. I was always her second choice. I was just a..." The words "a backup n" died in a bitterugh.


    "Vanessa even made a pass at me once, though I never told you," Xavier said, dropping another bombshell.


    Henry''s mind went nk. He looked at Xavier in disbelief. "What? How is that possible?"


    A flicker of disdain crossed Xavier''s


    eyes. "It was at a party.n was


    so were you. I was on the


    there, and


    balcony when she


    identally


    spilled her drink on me as an excuse


    to get close. She asked for my


    number and then dropped a few hintster, but I ignored her."


    Henry''s mind reeled. He felt like a fool who had been yed for years.


    Xavier continued, "Vanessa is like a vine. She clung ton to change her fate.


    Now that their arrangement is ending, she needs a new host. You''ve been on her hook for years, making you the perfect choice."