The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 271

Help Xavier?

“What are you wearing?” Xavier asked, his brows drawing together slightly.

Alice was clad in a champagne silk midi dress from Dior, the fitted top hugging her waist before flaring into a full, flowing skirt. The halter cut left her shoulders bare, giving her a look that was both elegant and subtly alluring.

She looked feminine yet commanding.

“I’m wearing one of the dresses you gave me,” she said. “I’m thinking I want to impress your father’s family.”

Xavier’s gaze lingered on her a second too long before he exhaled.

“Yeah, but…” he rubbed the back of his neck. “I was hoping you’d wear that to the pre-selection dinner.”

Xavier paused, then added more quietly, “And I don’t like the idea of Walter’s stepson, or my half-brother, seeing you in that.”

“Moreover,” he resumed, “I don’t care about Walter’s family. I’m just having dinner with him out of respect for the fact that he’s my biological father. I still hate him.”

“Well, Xavier, the other dresses are just as good, and just as gorgeous. Don’t make me change again,” Alice said, folding her arms across her chest.

Then, she bit her lip. “Besides, I was just matching the color of my dress with your coat.”

Xavier sighed.

His expression looked complicated. Still, he looked extra adorable for a grown man.

“Fine,” he surrendered.

He raised his hand and paused, hesitating, before finally pulling her closer.

His lips met hers in an unexpected kiss, leaving Alice breathless.

“You look beautiful in this dress,” he said, his voice quieter than before.

Alice smiled back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “You look amazingly handsome too.”

Because he really did.

Xavier wore a custom-made champagne blazer over a pale blue shirt. A Rolex rested on his wrist, golden cufflinks gleamed on his sleeves, and he carried the scent of expensive cologne.

He effortlessly polished and was so hard to ignore.

Xavier’s hands settled at her waist, lingering just a second too long.

Neither of them moved away.

Time seemed to slow, the space between them shrinking until it felt almost impossible to breathe.

For a moment, neither of them wanted to leave the room.

And for a moment, neither of them trusted themselves to… until the hotel room phone rang.

Walter gulped. He massaged his temples and said, “Okay. Okay. I won’t bring up any money or financial support, but how can we help him?”

Cassandra let out an irritated smile. She walked back and forth and said, “Fine. If Xavier needs help, maybe we can recommend him to your company, give him a sales job or something—but he has to know his place.”

“I suppose I should feel sorry for him. After all, I’m the reason you left his mother,” Cassandra added. “He probably had a hard life and is struggling financially. Not everybody is as lucky as we are.”

Walter nodded. “Precisely, Cassandra. Thank you for considering that. Let’s help Xavier. He is still my son—but I promise you, I will leave our family’s assets out of it.”

Just then, he received a text.

It was from Xavier.

“Xavier and his girlfriend have arrived at the community gates,” Walter said.

“Okay, let’s meet him,” Cassandra said.

When they stepped outside their room, they saw Hudson, Cassandra’s eldest son and Haley’s twin. Cassandra suggested, “Oh, Hudson, your stepbrother is coming over for the first time. He probably had a hard life in the countryside. Give him some of your hand-me-down clothes.”

Cassandra turned to Walter. “Haley told me that Xavier only wore average clothes at the airport. He likely hasn’t tried any luxury brands.”

“Yeah, sure, Mom,” Hudson said.

Walter smiled. He gently wrapped his arm around Cassandra’s waist and said, “Thank you for your generosity, Dear. I’m sure Xavier will appreciate it.”

Everyone expected Xavier and his girlfriend to look just as plain as they had at the airport, but when they arrived, the Reeves family was momentarily shocked.