Chapter 15
The atmosphere in the car was stifling. Even the sound of Carter nervously swallowing was painfully audible.
Layla glanced back and forth between them, hesitating for long moment before clearing her throat to break the silence. “Mr. Lucas, this all started because of me
“Twenty years old and still can’t control himself? That’s his problem,” William Interrupted her in a deep, displeased voice.
Earlier that night, William had received a call from a bar Informing him that Carter had been involved in a fight and taken to the police station. He had rushed out without even changing out of his sleepwear. Thankfully, Layla hadn’t been hurt, but if she had been, William might have broken Carter’s legs himself.
“From now on, you’re not allowed to take Miss Xander anywhere. If you want to make a fool of yourself out there, fine, but dragging someone else into your mess is unacceptable,” William said, his tone dropping into something almost menacing.
“But, Uncle William-” Carter muttered, his head hanging low in defeat, unable to defend himself.
Layla felt a pang of guilt. After all, Carter had gotten involved to stand up for her, even taking a hit or two in the process. She couldn’t just sit back and watch him shoulder all the blame.
“Mr. Lucas,” Layla said, straightening her back. “I’m the one who got Carter involved. If you want to scold or punish someone, it should be me.”
“Layla…” Carter looked up at her, his eyes brimming with gratitude. In that moment, he thought, “This sister is the real deal!”
“Tonight, it was Sean causing trouble. Carter stepped in to help me. Without him, Sean might have taken me away by force.” Layla paused, her expression serious as she met William’s gaze. “You promised to help me cut ties with Sean completely, didn’t you? Well, Carter did his part.”
William was silent for a moment.
She was clever to drag him into the situation with just a few words.
With the way she phrased it, he almost felt like he should thank his nephew for stepping in to help.
“Wait, Uncle William, you promised to help Layla?” Carter’s face lit up, his confidence restored. “I knew it! You might act cold, but you’ve got a good heart. With you and me backing her, Layla can definitely ditch that scumbag Sean for good!”
William shot him a look. “You and me? When did I sign up for this partnership?” he thought to himself.
Carter chuckled awkwardly. “It really was an accident tonight. That Sean guy ruined everything! I just wanted to take Layla out and show her a good time.”
“And you took her to that kind of place?” William frowned “What were you thinking?”
Carter felt a pang of guilt. “I was just thinking..”
Given the situation Layla was in, he figured there was no harm in living life to the fullest while they could. That was why he enjoyed taking Layla out to have fun. Living each day to the max was all he could do.
What started as a spur–of–the–moment decision had now become genuine. He really wanted to hang out with Layla–not for any other reason, but because he admired her loyalty.
Layla, of course, had no clue what was going through Carter’s head. She simply spoke the truth.
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Chapter
+25 BONUS
“Honestly, it was pretty fun,” Layla said with a soft sunile it was my first time at a bar, so it was really something new.”
For twenty–six years, she had lived her life step by step, never doing anything out of the ordinary. Her days had been dull and monotonous, nothing compared to the excitement she had experienced recently.
Now that her life was nearing its end, why not let loose and live a little?
Suddenly, Layla regretted not smashing that bottle over Sean’s head earlier in the chaos.
She was still too caught up in following the rules.
“Right?” Carter raised a proud eyebrow. “Sis, whatever you want to do in the future, just tell me, and I’ll take you there.”
William’s sharp gaze cut through the conversation. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Carter immediately shrank back, but Layla remained unfazed. With a bright smile, she chimed in, “I think that sounds like a great idea.”
“But…”
Carter glanced at William, who calmly parted his thin lips. If you’re going to do that, take me along.”
Carter froze in disbelief. If he hadn’t seen William speak with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed those words had come from his mouth!
“You’re unreliable. You need a guardian.
William shot Carter a cool glance. “What? Do you have a problem with that?”
“Nope!” Carter waved his hands in a panic. Like he would ever dare to object!
Meanwhile, Xena had brought Sean back to the villa and fetched the first–aid kit to treat his wounds.
In the soft, dim lighting, the atmosphere gradually grew more intimate.
Seeing the injuries on Sean’s back, Xena’s heart ached. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over, though she bit her lip tightly to stop herself from sobbing.
Sean sensed her distress and turned to see her tear–filled eyes. A strange, fleeting ache gripped his heart.
“Why are you crying? It’s nothing, just a scratch.”
“You got beaten up this afternoon, and now you’re in another fight tonight. How could she be so cruel?”
Before she realized it, Xena’s hand rested gently on Sean’s back. “Sean, you don’t deserve this–it’s just not fair
to you.
“You’re such a good man, but she doesn’t even appreciate you. We’ve all been fooled by her.”
Tears filled Xena’s eyes as her hands hesitantly tested Sean’s limits, sliding from his shoulders down to his chest. “She smeared our names, yet she’s already moved on to someone better.
“She probably planned it all along… using you as a stepping stone to marry into the Lucas family. How could she
be so heartless?”
Leaning against Sean’s shoulder, Xena’s soft voice brushed past his ear. “Sean, my heart aches for you.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 15
Suddenly, the world seemed to spin. Xena found herself striking Into the soft bed as Sean leaned over her.
The anger Sean had been suppressing flared to life with just a few words from her. Fueled by the alcohol clouding his judgment, his thoughts burned hot, his entire body buzzing as though his blood were boiling.
Hatred and desire intertwined, coiling into a potent need for revenge.
“Sean…” Xena began, but her words were silenced by a deep kiss.
At first, Xena was stunned, but the shock quickly gave way to delight. She wrapped her arms around Sean’s neck, meeting him with equal passion.
This was the bridal room that Layla had meticulously decorated with great care.
And yet, the one spending the night with Sean wasn’t Layla–it was her
The thought brought a twisted satisfaction that Xena couldn’t suppress. Like an enchantress, she clung to Sean, demanding more and more as the night went on.
By noon the next day, sunlight streamed through the curtains, lighting up the room..
Sean opened his eyes to meet Xena’s adoring gaze. In an instant, he was fully awake, and a wave of clarity and regret swept over him.
“Xena, last night L…”
“It’s okay. I wanted this,” Xena said softly as she nestled into his chest. “Having just one night with you is enough for me. You don’t need to take responsibility.”
“But…”
Seeing Sean’s hesitation, Xena quickly added, “If it bothers you, I can leave with just this memory and never appear in your life again…”
“No.”
Panic flashed across Sean’s face as he pulled her tightly into his arms. “This was my mistake. How can I let you bear the consequences?”
Just then, the phone on the bedside table began to vibrate furiously.
Sean reached for it and answered, only to hear Mr. Perry Sr.’s enraged voice booming through the line.
“Get back here right now!”
The call ended abruptly.
Mr. Perry Sr. slammed the receiver down, his hands trembling with anger.
On the desk behind him lay a medical report–Layla’s test results!
