All Chapters of ARRANGED MARRIAGE: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

It’s been about 2 weeks since I and Xavier finally admitted to ourselves that we’re ready for one another, and it’s honestly been good. I’ve been going to school every day; he’s been picking me up, and finally, he’s let his guard down for me. But he can switch it up quick. One moment he’s in the car, telling me how much he loves me, then the next, he’s arguing and cursing with someone for something they said to me, then he’s cold. But that’s only out in public. When he’s alone with me, he’s vulnerable and open, and he keeps his walls down. In front of his parents, he shows them that he loves me; he’s just not as vulnerable. Still has to put on a strong, hard face for his father.Speaking of fathers, mine’s funeral is this week. I’m honestly glad he’s gone, but then again, he’s my father, so there’s a sliver of me that still wants someone to call a father. That’s another time, though.As I and Xavier pull up to the entrance of the university, my hand in his, he lifts my hand to his lips

Xavier’s POV:I stand in the mirror fixing my tie while Dionne fixes her dress and checks her makeup and hair.“You ready? ” I ask, watching as she takes a final look at herself in the mirror.“Yeah,” she says, turning around to walk up to me, wrapping her arms around my neck.“How are you feeling? ” I ask.“Don’t know. This feels weird. Going to my dad’s funeral is something I never thought would happen. I knew he’d leave one day; I mean, he had it coming. but not this soon. I mean, I know it sounds heartless, but in a way I’m glad he’s gone. That fear of running into him is gone, and I’m happy to have that kind of relief.”“That’s not heartless. Him abusing you and your brothers—that’s heartless. He deserved what he got. I’m sorry if that makes me a monster, but other people seem to already think that’s what I am.” She looks down in thought, pausing. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” I say.“No. I have to be there for my mom. She hated him for the fact that he abused her ki

I stare at my brother, anger written all over my face. Why in the hell did he come back?“Why are you here? Why’d you come back? ” I ask, my blood boiling.“I missed my brother, that’s all,” Leo says.“Stop fucking with me,” I spit back.“Still got Dad’s anger, I see. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed. Which begs the question of who that beautiful woman is. God, she’s a real gem.““And she’s my fiancé. Fuck off,” I say, defensively.“Wait. Wait, she’s your fiancé? ” he says, trying to hold back his laughter. “That has to be arranged because the world would have to be—nope. Even the world ending wouldn’t push you to love someone, let alone marry them,” he says, laughing.“Why the fuck are you here, Liam? You haven’t been around since you were seventeen; it’s been five years,” I say, annoyed.“Okay, fine. I got word that Malcom had come back, and I just wanted to check on my brother and mother. And Dad. I guess,” he says.Liam’s never tried to hide his hatred for our father. His hatre

Xavier’s POV: I race downstairs, fuming at what I just heard. I knew Liam would try and make a move on her. God, I should’ve went with my gut and kicked him out sooner. I wanted to trust him. But trust doesn’t go far with him, obviously. “Liam!” I scream, reaching the living room where he is now. He stands up as I approach him and I grab his shirt and I throw him against the wall. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? You’re lucky I don’t break your fucking nose any further.” I say, rage taking me over. “What is the meaning of this?” my mother yells. “Why don’t you tell them, Liam. Hm? Tell them!” I scream at him. “I was only telling her the truth. Xavier’s never gonna settle, even he knows it.” Liam says with a scoff. “That’s my fucking wife you’re talking to, you bastard! And her name is Mrs. fucking Foster when you address her, and you’d better fucking remember that shit because it won’t go any further than that, do you fucking hear me? I dare you to step out of line aga

The doctor comes back in with a small computer with the ultrasound already set up on it. I look over at Xavier sitting next to me as I lie down, waiting to see what happens. “I’m gonna take a urine sample to test you for pregnancy, then I’ll do an ultrasound, okay? So I need you to-“ “Okay.” I say. I take the little cup and I go to use the bathroom and when I’m back, he takes the sample and then he puts in a little stick and leaves it there for a minute or two. He takes it out and shows me a pink stick. “One line means not pregnant. Two means pregnant. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Foster. You’re having a baby!” I start to hyperventilate. Then I cry. Not sad tears. Not angry tears. Happy tears. Even though me and Xavier haven’t been in this long, the thought of having his child makes me happy, not just because it’s a baby and it’s mine, but because it might change the way he looks at things, positively, hopefully. And because I know he’s gonna take care of it. Of course he’s never