The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 92

"Looks like you're doing better," I said, watching Lorraine struggle to sit up. She glanced past me and caught sight of Xavier, who was lingering at the doorway with his arms crossed.

"Xavier came too?" she asked, her tone light. However, I could sense the hesitation behind it. She didn't ask him why he led her to the backyard that night. Maybe she already had a good idea but chose not to press it.

I could tell there was a slight distance in her demeanor this time—a quiet reserve that hadn't been there before.

Still, she forced a friendly smile, probably for my sake.

"Stop pretending to be nice," Xavier muttered, planting his hands on his hips. He was clearly upset. He knew what he'd done, and now, he was sure Lorraine didn't like him. But what bothered him most was me—why was I always siding with her? He was beginning to suspect I really was planning to marry her.

I waited for him to speak, but I knocked him lightly on the head when he didn't. "Did you forget why you're here?"

Xavier clenched his fists at his sides, staring at the floor. He had his pride, and I knew it wouldn't be easy for him to swallow it. But this wasn't optional.

"Lorraine," he muttered, dragging out her name like it was physically painful. "I'm sorry." The last two words were barely audible, and he never once looked at her.

"Oh? Why are you apologizing?" Lorraine asked, her voice tinged with confusion. "If anything, it's my fault for not keeping an eye on you."

It was only then that she realized why he had come. She turned to me, her tone lighthearted. "You don't have to do this. Let him go—it's fine."

I glanced at Xavier, whose expression was defiant despite his apology. "Murphy," I called out to my assistant. "Take Xavier back."

I had other things to discuss with Lorraine, and I didn't need an audience. As the door closed behind Xavier, the room felt quieter, more intimate. Lorraine tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at me curiously.

"So, what is it you wanted to say?"

I took a deep breath, pulled a file from my briefcase, and handed it to her. "Here."