Chapter 21
A few sharp words were all it took to choke off Fidelia’s complaints, leaving them stuck in her throat.}
She blinked rapidly, a single tear sliding down her cheek as she spoke, her voice trembling with indignation.
“They started it! Winnie, Yara–they both heard everything. You can ask them, if you don’t believe me.“>
He didn’t look convinced. “Of course they’ll take your side–they’re your friends. Maybe Genevieve would say something, but why would Loretta risk offending you? You think she’s mild–mannered, so you pick an easy target, is that it?“}
Fidelia was stunned. The one time he actually reached out to her, it was to hold her accountable for the person who’d gotten her hurt.>>
Bitter resentment welled up inside her, and she lashed out, petulant and unreasonable.
“Fine! I don’t like her, so what? If it weren’t for her, would we be in this mess? And now you’re still taking her side–you never really cared about me, did you?“}
He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “Why would I care about an ex I broke up with ten years ago? Fidelia, I’ve told you a thousand times–it’s over. You’re the only one who can’t accept it.”
Watching him say this so coldly, something inside Fidelia snapped.}
“We broke up three years ago, too! She’s just another ex, just like me–why do you care about her? Didn’t you promise you’d love me forever?“>
Her anguish turned to wrenching sobs, but Xavier had seen it all before, countless times over the past three years. He was immune to it
now.
His phone chimed with a new message. He checked it, his tone turning icy as he read the update from his assistant.}
“All five of the Kingsley–Jimenez partnership projects are halted as of today. Whether we resume working together depends on your attitude. If you keep making trouble for Genevieve or Loretta, you’ll deal with the consequences.“}
Fidelia’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“What did you just say? You’d do this to me–for them? Take a good look–I’m the one who got hurt!“}
Xavier’s patience had run dry. He glanced at her one last time, his eyes flat and utterly indifferent.
“Genevieve is my sister. Loretta is the person I care about most. Don’t you get that?”
With that, he turned and walked out, not sparing her another glance.@
As the door closed behind him, Fidelia’s anguished cries echoed through the room–but Xavier didn’t look back.
–2
Loretta and Genevieve headed home together, both changing out of their soiled clothes the moment they arrived.
The housekeeper had already prepared dinner, and the two women chatted about the day’s events as they ate.
They’d barely finished when Xavier’s call came through.§
‘I’m done here. Where are you two? Let’s have dinner together–I have something I want to ask you.”
Genevieve set down her fork, her tone breezy as she replied,
“We’ve already eaten, Loretta and I. Whatever you want to ask, just say it now–don’t cut into our girls‘ night
“How about grabbing a coffee, then? It’s still early.”
Only a real brother could be this transparent. Genevieve saw right through him and snorted.
“I’m the one who started the fight, and I caused the trouble–Loretta had nothing to do with it. Don’t pretend you want to ask questions; you’re just looking for an excuse to see Loretta. Let me be clear: she has nothing to do with you anymore, so cut it out.”
She hung up before he could respond, not bothering to spare his feelings.
Loretta couldn’t help but laugh softly at Genevieve’s triumphant expression.
“Genevieve, you’ve gotten feistier in these three years. You even dare to stand up to your brother now.”
Genevieve grinned. “Hey, someone’s got to look out for you. It’s not easy, you know!”
