The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 278

More Than Friends.

Alice woke up late, but she had no regrets about it.

It was one of those sleeps after an exhausting exercise in bed, the kind every girl has ever dreamed of, the kind that involved a man you’ve liked for so long.

“Wake up, sleepyhead. It’s almost eleven.”

Alice finally fluttered her eyes open.

Xavier was smirking while holding a bed tray full of food. He said, “Breakfast in bed.”

“Brunch in bed,” she corrected, chuckling.

Alice sat up, covering her body with a blanket. “I should get dressed first.”

Xavier was wearing a robe. It was only proper that she also covered up. However, the man just laughed. He said, “You’re a little late for modesty. There’s nothing I haven’t already seen.”

She glared at him, but he only remained amused. “Come on, let’s eat. I’m starving.”

There were sandwiches, freshly cooked scrambled eggs, and sausages.

The first thing Xavier did was cut Alice’s sandwich in half, then place the freshly made orange juice near her. He said, “No sugar, as you like.”

Alice smiled before digging in.

They ate like they hadn’t eaten in days. They were quick, careless, and completely unbothered.

Alice did not mind how her sandwich was falling apart. Xavier laughed and helped clean off the corners of her lips. He even picked up the tomato that was about to fall and stuffed it into his mouth.

As Alice ate, she thought the sausage Xavier was eating looked delicious. She grabbed a fork and took one. “Let me try that.”

“It’s good,” Xavier said with his mouth full. He was already done with his sandwich.

“Mmmm.” Alice nodded, glancing down at the sausage. “It is, but I can’t finish it.”

She handed him the sausage she had already bitten into, and Xavier took it without hesitation, finishing it in one bite.

When Xavier glanced at the coffee, Alice quickly understood. She mixed the sugar and cream before handing it to him.

“Thank you,” he said, smiling.

He sipped his coffee and watched her as she finished half of her sandwich.

After Alice ate half, she pushed the plate to him, saying, “As usual.”

Because Alice could never finish a full sandwich, however, she would often eat eggs along with it.

Xavier put down his coffee and grabbed the remaining half of her food. “That’s why I did not order extra.”

“Of course,” she nodded. “No one knows me like you do.”

Another laugh escaped Xavier. “And no one knows me like you do.”

There was a brief pause from Xavier. The smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by something deeper, more serious.

“You know when I’m hurt… when I’m secretly happy or sad,” he said quietly. “Sometimes, you even know what I’m thinking before I say it.”

His gaze stayed on her, steady and unguarded. “You’ve seen every side of me… and you stayed, even when I did you wrong.”

“With you, I don’t have to pretend to be anything else,” he added, gently setting his coffee aside.

Then he reached for her hand.

His touch was warm and familiar, but this time, it lingered.

Xavier exhaled softly, his thumb brushing against her skin.

“I’ve been trying to ignore it…” he admitted. “But I can’t anymore.”

Alice’s heart skipped, then pounded louder in her chest. ‘What did he mean?’

She had a feeling… but she didn’t dare assume. Not when Xavier had always seen her as just a friend.

“I don’t want to be just your friend anymore, Alice,” he finally said. “I can’t keep pretending friendship is enough.”

“You are my best friend,” he said, softer this time, “but I want you… more than that.”

A faint tremor slipped through his words. “I want you in every way I’m allowed to. I want to touch you. I want to kiss you. I want to wake up in bed right next to you.”

But when they arrived at the restaurant, apparently, they did not have to explain themselves. Just as Alice opened her mouth, Serena said, “We know. We know.”

“You guys were tired… making babies,” Serena said.

Claire just laughed, shaking her head. “This isn’t the kind of confrontation I expected from Serena.”

Looking at Alice, Claire said, “I’m happy. Of all people, I’m happy that it’s you, Alice.”

“Wait.” Alice leaned back. “You know?”

“Yeah.” Nathaniel was drinking tea. He put down his cup and said, “Next time, cover your windows if you don’t want to be found out. We saw. It certainly was R-18.”

Alice, "..."

“Not everything, but we certainly saw the intro. Our room was right across yours,” Serena revealed.

“I did not see,” Claire said, raising her hand. “But I would have thrown a party if I had.”

Xavier and Alice looked at each other. They were both ashamed and relieved at the same time.

“Well, since it’s all out, we might as well tell you,” Xavier said, taking Alice’s hand. “Alice is now my girlfriend.”

"We meant to tell you," Alice said, a worried expression appeared on her face. "Actually, we were going to tell you today."

“Aww,” Serena said, putting a hand on her chest. She got up and embraced them both. She cried, expressing her thoughts, “I’m the happiest to see my best friends together."

"Xavier, no one deserves you better," Serena said. She turned to Alice and also added, "And Alice, Xavier is the best man for you."

Alice glanced at Xavier. They both smiled at each other.

"We agree," Xavier said.

At the table, Nathaniel raised his teacup to both of them. He said, “Congratulations. They say some relationships don’t begin, they’re realized.”

Claire also became teary-eyed. She said, "I'm just glad it did not take you forever to acknowledge it."

"Honestly?" Claire declared, standing up to embrace Alice and Xavier. "I don't want any more gifts. This is the best gift you could ever give me."