The Ex-Wife He Can’t Have novel Chapter 21

"How did you hurt your leg?" Killian asked, parking the car.

Sylvia shrugged shyly, looking pitiful. "I was working late. Who knew it would be pouring rain? I slipped right outside the office."

Killian's chest heaved slightly. "You need to be more careful."

Sensing his mood, Sylvia leaned in like an innocent kitten. "You aren't mad, are you, Killian? I'm sorry, okay? Meow."

She held up two fingers like cat ears and gave him a cutesy look.

Killian let out an amused breath. "Just be careful next time."

"I know, I know."

Killian opened the passenger door. "I'll carry you up."

"You don't have to. I can walk."

Sylvia tentatively extended a leg. The moment her foot touched the ground, she gasped and fell backward.

Killian caught her, sweeping an arm under her knees and lifting her effortlessly into his arms.

"Why are you acting so tough right now?"

Sylvia stuck her tongue out playfully and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The Xavier family hurried out to meet them.

"I've got her," Gibson said.

Gibson extended his arms and took Sylvia from Killian's embrace.

The rain had stopped, leaving the pavement slick and dark.

"Thank you so much, Killian. It was incredibly kind of you to drive her home in such terrible weather," Madeline said, her face beaming with approval.

"It was no trouble at all," Killian replied.

"You foolish girl, why didn't you call us? Killian is a busy man, and you made him drive you all the way here," Madeline scolded lightly, giving her daughter a playful tap.

"Come on, Madeline, I'm the one who's injured here," Sylvia whined.

"Alright, she's hurt, let her be."

Silas then offered politely, "Would you like to come in for a drink?"

"No, thank you."

"Silas, Killian is a busy man. Let's not hold him up," Gibson interjected, then turned to Killian. "Thanks again for tonight. Drinks are on me next time."

Killian nodded and slid back into the driver's seat.

The Xavier family watched his car disappear down the road.

Silas lowered his voice. "Sylvia, is that the new boyfriend?"

Sylvia nodded shyly, then glanced at her mother.

...

The next morning broke with brilliant sunshine.

Connor woke up to find Jillian missing.

Wearing his pajamas, his hair sleep-tousled, he stood at the top of the stairs and asked in confusion, "Father, where is she?"

It was the first time he had ever woken up without his mother around.

When he was younger, she had always seemed like a permanent fixture in the house.

No matter when he came home, she was always there, as if she had been born solely to exist within those walls.

Killian sat at the dining table, flipping through a financial magazine.

At the question, he closed the glossy pages.

"Come down and eat."

Connor hesitated for a second. "Okay."

Mrs. Zeller helped him wash up and change into his day clothes.

Sitting across from Killian, Connor quietly ate his sandwich.

"Jillian made some mistakes and refused to apologize to Natalie. I sent her to live elsewhere so she can cool off for a while."