His Plump Mate (Book 1: The 'His' Series) novel Chapter 170

**Chapter 169: Letting Go**

Cecilia’s POV

+25 Points

Xavier stood there, his demeanor unruffled, an expert at dodging the weight of his own guilt. His eyes found mine, softening with that all-too-familiar vulnerability, the kind that had once shattered my defenses like fragile glass.

“Will you come with me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Just one last time.”

Right, as if I were the queen of forgiveness.

I could see through his intentions clearly. He was after the same elusive thing he had been chasing for years: closure. Or perhaps even a miracle.

I held his gaze, allowing a slow, syrupy smile to curve my lips—sweet, effortless, and entirely false.

“Sure,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Xavier’s face lit up, as if he believed I was handing him a second chance.

What he failed to grasp was that I wasn’t offering him redemption; I was guiding him to the grave where I had buried our story, six feet deep alongside all my regrets.

And the truth was, I hadn’t loved him since the moment I picked up that metaphorical shovel.

As the four of us stepped out of the SUV, Xavier immediately moved closer, his arms reaching out as if he intended to sweep me off my feet.

But just as he approached, Sebastian appeared at my side, a solid presence that I instinctively clung to.

I wrapped my arms around Sebastian’s waist without a second thought, finding comfort in his strength.

Sawyer’s eyes widened in disbelief at my casual embrace.

I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “Our CEO is… stronger.”

Sebastian looked down at me, a playful glint in his eyes. “Indeed. I could lift a full-grown bull.”

With effortless ease, he lifted me into his arms, and I pressed my lips together, choosing silence instead of words.

The night breeze danced across the surface of the lake, creating ripples that mirrored the tension hanging between us.

Xavier stood frozen, an immovable statue in the midst of our emotional storm.

“That way,” I finally said, pointing, my patience wearing thin as I watched him remain still.

I had no desire to linger with him any longer.

Once we reached the edge of the grove, I tapped Sebastian’s shoulder. “Stop here,” I instructed. “Let him go alone.”

“We could go together,” Xavier interjected quickly, desperation creeping into his voice like a slow leak he couldn’t seal.

“Xavier,” I replied, my tone calm yet resolute, “I have already put it down.”

For once, my message seemed to resonate.

His face crumpled, as if something deep within him had cracked. “You—”

I lifted my chin defiantly. “Go. Say goodbye properly. Closure’s healthy. So is moving on.”

He looked as if he might protest, but in the end, he turned and walked toward the trees, each step weighed down by his burdens.

As soon as he was a few yards away, I jabbed Sebastian in the chest. “Let’s go, quickly.”

If we didn’t leave now, we might never find our way out.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Let’s watch a bit longer.”

I playfully punched his chest. “Let’s go!”

Finally, he relented and quietly carried me away.

Back at the car, I urged Sawyer frantically, “Quick, quick! Start driving!”

My urgency nearly caused him to accelerate straight into the lake.

As we pulled away from the campus, I spotted Henry standing at the gate, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Xavier’s Beta. Always lurking nearby when chaos unfolded.

Upon seeing our vehicle, he nodded respectfully and approached.

I rolled down my window.

“Ms. Moore,” he began, then caught himself.

He glanced at Sebastian, offering a polite nod. “Alpha Sebastian.”

The look on his face was unmistakable: Where the hell is my boss?

I smiled sweetly. “He’s by the woods. Near the lake.”

“Then can’t we just go back to how things were?” I interjected, trying to keep the mood light. Casual. Safe.

But he wasn’t buying it.

“Funny,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “I was just about to suggest that after respecting your boundaries, perhaps you could start respecting mine.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, frustration bubbling up. Damn it.

He leaned a little closer, invading my personal space in a way only he could. “Shouldn’t you be my girlfriend by now?”

I blinked in disbelief. “What?”

“My girlfriend,” he repeated, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “You know, actual title, shared responsibilities, the whole inconveniently real deal.”

I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. “Sebastian, how can I be your girlfriend when I’m not even pretending to take responsibility for… whatever this is?”

He didn’t flinch. “Okay. Then let’s start there. Pretend to be my girlfriend.”

I stared at him, speechless.

“I don’t care what you feel,” he stated simply. “You don’t have to be emotionally invested. Just act like you are.”

My lungs felt tight, as if the air had thickened in the cabin.

I remained silent, grappling with the weight of his words.

He didn’t press further, leaning back in his seat and shutting his eyes, as if he hadn’t just dropped a relationship ultimatum disguised as a casual suggestion.

The silence stretched between us, and I stole another glance at him.

Could the little mermaid truly watch the prince walk away without growing legs and chasing after him?

Probably not. But I wasn’t ready to admit that just yet.

As the car rolled into his neighborhood, I blurted, “I’ve got to head to my parents’ place this weekend.” I barely waited for the car to stop. “So, uh… you can hop out here?”

He didn’t budge.

Instead, he rotated his wrist with an exaggerated grimace. “Ugh. My hand hurts. Might be broken.”

I blinked in confusion. “What?”