로그인XanderThere was no fucking way Maeve had anything to do with Thayer's accident. The last time I checked, she'd been busy healing from the miscarriage, then getting used to her new position at the gallery, and just this evening, she'd been in the kitchen. I was sure this was one of Nora's petty schemes. But the fact that Thayer had been in an accident and we were only just finding out was bone-chilling."Let's go to the hospital," I said decisively. I wanted this to end as soon as possible. I noticed how tense Maeve had become, and I didn't want her in that condition. Resolving to go to the hospital would at least give her some time to calm down. And I needed to tighten security around the house; I didn't like the way Nora was barging in whenever she wanted."We are not going anywhere until you've made this bitch pay for trying to murder YOUR son, Xander! Stop being pushed around by a fat pussy!" Nora snapped, with veins visible on her neck."I've never had anything to do with gold al
MaeveVery salty. I thought I'd learned how to cook. I quickly took a large glass of water and rinsed my mouth in the kitchen. I laughed really hard as I stepped out of the kitchen and apologized to Xander for making such salty food. "I wasn't paying attention to the salt," I said, smiling in defeat, leaning forward eagerly, close enough for his breath to fan my face."And what about the mushiness?" he asked smugly, with his hands folded over his chest. "And you made me eat a whole lot of it. Now my whole stomach is swimming in salt," a wide smile played on his face.What I didn't expect was the kiss. All at once, his arms were around me, and I was being swept into his warm and safe embrace. The moment our lips met and I tasted his lips again, I was left breathless. When at last we drew apart and stared at each other, our noses brushing against each other, our hot breaths mingling and fanning our faces, the mushy taste of him was still fresh on my lips.I laughed. "I promise to do bet
XanderI got into the car with Nora's words echoing in my head. I didn't understand how Thayer had gone missing, with his car crashed into a tree. Nora wasn't joking. I tried calling Thayer's phone, but it went straight to voicemail. Was he involved in an accident, or was it someone else who took his car? Maybe a friend. So many thoughts raced through my mind. Did he get into any bad gang?I sighed and turned the ignition. I drove to work and decided to give him some time. Maybe he would be back. This was not the first time Thayer was leaving home. I remembered the night he left and didn't return for the next week. I had filed a missing person complaint after forty-eight hours, but after a week, he returned unharmed and told me he went on a vacation. We argued over it that day, and he left home and got his own apartment after that.Maybe he had gone on one of his unplanned vacations. But his car... I pushed my worries to the back of my mind and continued heading to work.That evening
XANDERI knew she would be so happy when she received the news that she was the new CEO of the gallery, and I felt a warmth in my chest at the way she squealed with excitement.All this while, I had been working to buy the gallery in her name because I couldn’t stand having her humiliated anymore. I was satisfied she was happy with the idea; now I could finally go to work.I downed the last drop of wine in the glass I was holding before stepping out with my briefcase. As I walked into the garage, I saw someone approaching hastily from the corner of my eye. The pace was alarming; I had to turn, only to find it was Nora approaching with so much anger. Her face looked flushed, and her body looked tense.“Nora?” What was she doing here? She had made it clear she wasn’t ever going to come back since I chose Maeve over her. “What are you doing here?”“I never knew you were this heartless, Xander!” she snapped when she was closer to me. Her voice was unusually high, and I knew the last time
MAEVEI refused to answer the call again, even when she called back. I thought she was totally out of her mind or probably drunk, but then I remembered what Xander had said just a few minutes ago. They would call me back? Did he get me my job back?My spirits lifted, and I quickly stood from the floor, rushing to meet him. What has he done this time?I found him in the wine chamber, sipping some wine from a glass. He looked at me for a moment, and seeing his face again made me nearly forget why I was there, just staring back at him.He cleared his throat and walked toward me. “I’m sorry I lied to you.” He slowly took my hand in his, eyes locked on mine, looking hurt. But I slipped my hand out of his, still angry. I was only there to find out what he did that made the director personally call me back to work.“What did you do?” I blurted, arms crossed over my chest, glaring at him.“What?” he asked, looking confused. “I lied to you,” he repeated.“Not that! Why am I suddenly being aske
MAEVEA knock on the door jolted me awake from my sleep. I didn’t know how long I must have slept, given my eyelids felt heavy. I dragged myself out of bed and went to get the door; it was Xander with one of his charming smiles.“Good morning sleepyhead,” he teased.“Good morning,” I greeted him back with a smile.“You're not ready for work yet?” he asked, and I was confused. He already knew I had been dismissed from work.I scoffed. “Are you being sarcastic this morning? It’s been two weeks, and I haven’t gone to work because I was sacked. You know that?” I raised an eyebrow at him, and he chuckled.“That means they haven’t called you then. Let’s give them a little more time,” he said, ruffling my hair. “Once you get the call, meet me in the sitting room,” he smiled. I was confused about what had gotten into him. Why would I suddenly get a call from work? It’s been two weeks!“I don’t understand what you mean, Xander, but I want to sign up for a prenatal class this weekend.” He stare
MAEVEI actually thought Xander had a thing for me, and I was looking forward to the day he would finally say it out loud; confess his feelings to me. Little did I know that I disgusted him too? What was I even thinking—that my father-in-law would turn against his own son and fall in love with me?N
XANDERTwo tablets of aspirin couldn’t dull the splitting headache that had haunted me since the night before. Kissing Maeve… holding her… picturing the curve of her lips… and now I can’t think of anything but to see her again. The more I thought about it, the more my responsibility got in the way.
MAEVEI had been angry and jealous, watching the way Xander’s wife touched him back at the gallery. Insecurity and overwhelm had begun to creep in, overshadowing the heavy ache that seized my lower abdomen.I wanted to run away, to disappear as the curator tarnished my image. I wanted to hide and c
MAEVE “Look, Maeve, I don’t want it to seem like I’m forcing you to do my bidding,” Xander explained as he steered the car down the road. “Are you sure about this?”Sure about what? I turned to him. “Yes, I’m sure. No one is forcing me to do anything. Besides, I’m not doing it for Thayer; I’m doin







