Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Chapter 14

Firstly, Xavier didn't know that his wife of two years could play the piano.

He bet on her, and he lost.

Secondly, at the Fulton Manor, he just wanted to have sex with her nothing more.

As for Sarah, the woman who had shattered her marriage, Lily hadn't yet confronted her directly.

The first time was when Sarah was called "Mrs. Fulton" in front of her.

The second time was when Lily watched as Sarah packed Xavier's personal clothes, taking her black stockings and lace bra from his bed.

In the face of these events, the repeated rejections for her interview seemed insignificant.

The thought of divorce still caused her pain, but she knew she had to take this path.

Two years of marriage couldn't just be erased, but long-term suffering was worse than short-term pain.

She understood all the reasoning, yet she couldn't let go, couldn't walk away as easily as Maryanne had suggested. She could not put on makeup, smile, and walk out of the courthouse with the divorce certificate. Lily hadn't slept the entire night. In the morning, she applied light makeup to cover her exhaustion and took her ID before heading out.

She arrived at the courthouse two hours early. It was still closed, but a young couple was waiting outside, excited and smiling as they chatted, their faces glowing with happiness.

Comparing herself to them, Lily felt lifeless and empty.

The cool autumn morning wrapped around her as two thick trees stood outside the office.

Their leaves, yellowing and falling, drifted to the ground-one landed on her shoulder, the other beside her white flats.

She stared blankly at the young couple, memories flooding back.

She remembered the day she had married Xavier how she had carefully prepared. She wore a beautiful gown, and her long hair was tied in a bun.

The marriage certificate had come so suddenly, and she hadn't been prepared. She wasn't sure if she could wear makeup for the photo, so she went without it.

The photo on her marriage certificate was of a fresh-faced, happy version of herself, leaning slightly toward Xavier.

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Her face radiated happiness, something that could be felt even through the camera lens.

For a long time, she had thought that the marriage certificate photo wasn't flattering. It was not ugly, but it was not her best look either.

Next to Xavier's striking features, she had always felt she didn't match up to him.

Now, though, looking back, she realized it didn't matter-it was just a photo.

A photo that would soon fade into the past.

From now on, she wouldn't love Xavier anymore

She would make sure of that.

Lost in thought, the phone in her bag rang repeatedly, snapping her back to reality.

She wiped her eyes, surprised to find them wet, before answering the phone without looking

at the screen.

"Lily, you have to help Hayden... He... He ran someone over! Your dad wants to find the best lawyer in Jadeford, but he's unavailable. You need to ask Xavier for help. He knows Mr. Siester, and Mr. Siester will give him some leeway..." Hazel's voice cracked with desperation, and then she broke into full sobs.

The sound of her crying mixed with the noise of traffic outside, a grinding noise that felt like it was drilling into Lily's skull.

"What happened to Hayden?"

"Don't ask questions! Go to Xavier, get Mr. Siester to help, and hurry to the police station. The other party's lawyer is already there. You know Hayden's temper-if he says anything wrong, it could ruin him!"

At Hazel's urging, Lily rushed to the side of the road and hailed an Uber, heading straight for Nova Group.

She couldn't afford to think about her divorce right now. Nothing mattered more than Hayden. He was the only family member who had ever shown her warmth.

At Nova Group, things were tense. The company atmosphere was heavy, and the employees were on edge.

This was especially so for the people at the senior level, who dared not breathe too loudly.

Timothy had it the worst, constantly being scolded by Xavier for no reason, given his close proximity to him.

After finishing his daily report to Xavier, Timotly received another sharp rebuke.

"Isn't the Wind project urgent?" Xavier's voice was icy, his eyes sharp.

Timothy responded reflexively, "Of course, it's urgent!"

Before he could blink, the schedule was thrown at his feet.

"If it's so urgent, how come you still had time to go to the courthouse? How did you arrange this schedule?" Xavier's lips parted, his words dripping with anger.

Timothy swallowed hard. "So, should I cancel the appointment?"

For several days now, Xavier hadn't gotten Lily to submit, but instead, Lily was met with his refusal to get a divorce?

He didn't know when Lily had gotten so calm.

He gritted his teeth, his jawline tight.

She wasn't backing down. She was probably preparing to face him at the courthouse and argue. She knew that with his status, he wouldn't get involved in public disputes with her-he'd cave. Xavier was always able to predict situations. But today, he couldn't decide whether to cancel the courthouse appointment or not.

He pressed his hand to his jaw, deep in thought.

Timothy hesitated, then spoke again, "Actually, it's fine if we don't cancel the appointment, but Hayden..."

The door suddenly slammed open, and Lily rushed in, panting. "Xavier, I need to talk to you." "How did you get in here?" Xavier's expression darkened immediately, but his furrowed brows softened slightly at the sight of her.

"I ran into Timothy's assistant downstairs," Lily explained, realizing her intrusion.

She was here to ask for his help, and she feared he wouldn't agree if she upset him.

She noticed the schedule on the floor. The first line clearly read, "9:00 AM, Divorce with Mrs. Fulton."

The realization hit her-she had left early to divorce him.

Would he still help Hayden now?

"Lily, don't you think it's too late to come and apologize now?" Xavier's voice was colder, a mocking smile tugging at his lips as he leaned back in his chair, loosening his tie.

"I... Hayden's in trouble. Can you help find Mr. Siester?"

Lily didn't beat around the bush, laying it out clearly. "He ran someone over, but I found out on the way here that the person was trying to extort him.

"This case is tricky, but with Mr. Siester's help, we can win. Please, can you help?"

She wanted Hazel to handle the grieving family.

No matter how things went, Hayden had caused a death, and as the offender's family, they couldn't just look for the least damage.

The lawyer's job was only to negotiate for a peaceful resolution.

But if it was an extortion case, the situation changed-Hayden couldn't bear the blame for a murder he didn't commit.

According to Hayden, he had seen the woman standing on the side of the road from a distance. She didn't move, and he thought she was waiting for someone.

Who would have known, that as soon as his car passed, the woman would suddenly dart into his path-so fast that he couldn't stop in time.

As she spoke, Xavier's gaze grew even darker, his lips curling in disdain.

"We're about to get a divorce. Why should I help your brother?"

• The tension between them was palpable. One was desperate, the other indifferent.

Lily bit her lip, finally releasing her pent-up emotions. She spoke through tears. "If I divorce you, I won't ask for a penny. I just need you to help me hire Mr. Siester. Will you help?"

Xavier laughed bitterly, his anger igniting again as he stood up and walked toward her.

His towering presence seemed to overwhelm her, and he looked down at her with contempt. "What makes you think you have any right to claim any part of the Fulton family fortune? We've been married for two years. What have you contributed to the family?" he sneered. "No... Mr. Fulton..." Timothy began, but Lily quickly cut him off.

"Two years, I've cared for you. I didn't get paid, but I still did it! And is this no contribution?" she snapped, her voice rising.

Lily's starry eyes turned red as she locked eyes with him.

"Mrs. F..." Timothy wanted to say something to Lily but this time Xavier interrupted, his words sharp.

"Everything you did-cooking and cleaning-any servant could do that. Don't try to take credit for it!"

Those tasks like washing and cooking could be left to the servants. It was something Lily chose to do herself, not something he asked of her.

"What about sex?" Lily couldn't help but raise her voice.

She didn't know if she was fighting out of defiance or simply trying to find a way to force Xavier to agree to help Hayden.

But no matter what, talking about sex was shameful and painful!

"Do I need to remind you that sex is an obligation in a marriage?" Xavier's voice was thick with anger as he clenched his jaw, trying to find any sign of her reluctance to divorce.

But there wasn't any. Lily was only here to save Hayden.

Why should he help Hayden when she was leaving him?

Lily's heart sank. She realized that in front of Xavier, no matter what she did, she had no leverage.

So, what should she do now? Would threatening to expose their secret marriage force Xavier

Hayden? Would he save him if she stayed married to him?

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