All Chapters of Xavier my Nemesis! : Chapter 11 - Chapter 19

“Are you nervous?” Xavier asked, looking down at my fidgeting hands on my lap. I didn’t respond. I sat rigid on the passenger seat, my seatbelt awkwardly fastened, staring outside the window and wishing this whole situation away. I was meeting the Crests—I mean the famous Crests.I had a headache thinking about it. I was beyond petrified and nervous. What if they don’t like me? Are they even obligated to like me since I’m only a fake wife? What are his siblings like? What are his parents like? Questions kept piling up, and the more I pondered them, the scarier the situation looked. “Hey,” Xavier says softly. “It’s going to be fine and they are going to like you” He says reassuringly, caressing my hands softly. I couldn’t help but blush at the physical contact. My cheeks reddened at his touch. It was the first time he was physically tender towards me. There have been a lot of firsts these days. The first time I hung out with Xavier was after work. First time I’m in his car, dr

XAVIER’S POV“What the hell?!” The word leaves my mouth before I can stop it.I should have seen it.The familiarity in his tone when he said her name. The way she froze. The way Kendrick’s expression shifted from confusion to recognition then to fury in seconds.My brother.Of all men in this city.I loosen my tie roughly and step out into the hallway, my jaw tightening.“Kendrick,” I call after him sharply but he doesn’t stop walking.“Stop.” He does and slowly turns around, eyes blazing — not shocked anymore, just angry.“What the hell was that?” I demand.He laughs—bitter, humorless. “You really want to ask me that?”“You don’t get to disrespect her in front of our parents.”“She disrespected me first.”My jaw flexes. “You dated her. Past tense.”“It was literally last month dude.” He paused, “I loved her,” he snapped, frowning. The words land heavier than they should but I keep my face neutral.“And she’s with me now,” I say evenly.“Is she?” he shoots back. He is oblivious to

“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Xavier says to me, reaching for my shaky hands. Xavier's parents rushed into the library. His mother immediately turns on Kendrick, scolding him, though she doesn’t hide her disappointment in Xavier for hitting his brother.His father says nothing.He simply stands there, staring ahead, his expression unreadable.I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand.Without a word, Xavier reaches for my hand and pulls me gently to my feet. His grip is firm, controlled.He leads me out.His jaw is tight, his expression hard. He’s trying to hold himself together.A few minutes later, we’re driving home in silence.Not just quiet—heavy, suffocating silence. Even the radio is off, leaving nothing to soften the tension between us.I stare out the window, exhausted, completely drained by everything the day has thrown at me. A dull headache begins to settle behind my eyes.When I can’t take the silence anymore, I lean forward and switch on the radio.The soft music fil

“So when are you flying in, Mom?” I asked over the phone. “Erm… this is such a rush. I had things planned.” She says slowly, as she always does. “So you’re not coming?” I ask, a frown forming on my face as I brace for the worst.“Oh no, honey, I will,” she says finally then pauses. “Sydney….. not that I don’t support this union, but… isn’t this a bit rushed? Are you under duress?”For some reason, that puts a big smile on my face. This is the most reaction I’ve gotten from my mother in a while. She has always seemed like a brick—no emotions or whatsoever—so hearing concern in her voice feels… new.It feels good.“Oh mom, you’re worried!” I say, my voice lifting with surprise and affection.“Of course I am. I care about you. “Of course I am. I care about you,” she says quietly. “I know I don’t always show it well, but I do.”My chest tightens.“Well….. something is going on right now,” I say carefully. “That’s why we have to move things along.”Maybe I was expecting too much when I

The boutique smells like fresh fabric and has a faintly floral note.Soft music hums in the background as racks of white dresses surround me—lace, satin, tulle… all of it overwhelming.“I feel like I’ve walked into a cloud,” Ava mutters, running her fingers over a rack. “A very expensive cloud.”I let out a small laugh.Evelyn smiles warmly. “It does have that effect.”A consultant approaches us, all smiles and polished elegance.“Good afternoon. Are we here for the fitting?”“Yes,” Evelyn answers smoothly. “For Sydney.”The way she says my name makes something in my chest shift.The consultant turns to me. “Lovely. Do you have a style in mind?”I hesitate.“I… not really.”Ava snorts softly. “She’s been too busy being dragged into a marriage to plan aesthetics.”“Ava,” I hissed.“What?” she shrugs. “I’m just saying.”Evelyn chuckles lightly. “We're here to figure it out together,” she smiles reassuringly. I tried on the first dress and it was… a lot.It's a ball gown. Layers of tulle