The Substitute Bride: Idiot Or Not? novel Chapter 43

However, Xavier didn't let Yulissa hold him for long.

He pulled her arms from the back of his neck a few seconds later.

“There's something I'd like to show you.”

Yulissa traced Xavier's gaze and turned her attention toward the couch.

To her surprise, there was a black velvet box, and inside was obviously a piece of jewelry.

“Is that for me?” asked Yulissa, pleasantly surprised.

Xavier murmured an affirmative reply and said, “Open and take a look. If you don't like it, I can have someone exchange it for something else.”

“No,” replied Yulissa gleefully. “I love it as long as it's from you.”

As she spoke, she opened the box.

The sparkly diamonds inside shone brightly the second the lights hit them.

It was a complete diamond set with a pair of earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace. Even the extra diamonds were all at least two carats. The real deal, the necklace, had a diamond that was almost as big as a dove's egg.

Yulissa's eyes lit up.

She was absolutely delighted with her gift.

Just a few hours ago, she was jealous of how Xavier had gotten a bracelet for another woman.

That bracelet is nothing compared to the set of diamonds in front of me. It would be better if he got me a diamond ring as well, though...

Greed overtook Yulissa at that moment. She felt that the pieces of jewelry weren't good enough.

“Xavier,” said Yulissa as she picked up the necklace happily. “This is so beautiful. Will you help me put it on? I can't do it on my own since I can't look at the back of my head.”

To her surprise, Xavier turned down her request stoically. “There's a mirror in the dressing room.”

Of course I know there's a mirror in the dressing room. Is he really that dense, or he's just pretending?

Annoyed, Yulissa went into the dressing room and tried out some dresses. “Xavier, I can't reach the zip at the back of my dress. Can you come in here and give me a hand?”

Xavier rendered her speechless once again. “Didn't you say you were gonna wear a traditional gown? Traditional gowns don't have zips.”

Xavier knew exactly what game Yulissa was playing, and he didn't want to participate.

The only reason he gave her those pieces of jewelry was because Winnie accidentally broke her bracelet.

Having been turned down yet again, Yulissa removed her dress entirely and walked out of the dressing room with nothing but her undergarments on.

“Xavier.” Yulissa climbed onto the bed and hugged him from the back. “You promised to give this a shot, and we both need to make an effort to make this work. I can't be the only one making a move.”

“I know I hurt you when I left without saying a word all those years ago, and my actions have undoubtedly caused a rift between us. It's only natural that your shield is up, and you can't take me back right away. I understand if it's hard for you to make a move, but please don't turn me down. Let me stay here tonight, won't you? Please, Xavier. Don't make me sleep in that cold, empty guest bedroom all on my own again.”

Her voice was sweet and alluring, and the way she pressed her body against his back made Xavier frown. He reached out and turned off the lights in the room.

“Go to sleep.”

“Hey, come here. I've got some hot gossip to share.”

“Huh? What's going on? Why the mysterious tone?”

Winnie had just left her grandmother's room when she overheard two housekeeps sharing some gossip.

As she liked to gossip as well, she stopped to listen.

“Well, it's about that stranger Mr. Xavier brought home.”

“Stranger? She's not a stranger. She's Mr. Xavier's ex-girlfriend and first love. I started working here before you did, and I actually met her a few years ago”

“Really? That means she has been here before?”

“Yeah, that's exactly right. Oh, stop asking me about the past. Tell me what happened today.”