Chapter 39 SISTERS REUNION

Chapter 39 SISTERS REUNION
XAVIER POV

I had to bite the inside of my cheek the entire time that little fool was in the room just so I wouldn’t laugh at his pathetic, childish display.

I already knew every filthy thing he had done to Veronica. I had run a complete background check on her long before I “coincidentally” ran into her at the bar. Instead, I sent Kade to approach her like I was supposed to.

The first time I saw her was on a trashy news headline. She was standing next to Jason in some supermarket, with paparazzi doing what they did best when they smelled money and drama. The moment my eyes landed on her, something pulled tight in my chest. A dangerous, undeniable pull.

I dug deeper. Found out about her so-called relationship. Then boom — pictures of Jason and Moni tucked away in a private lounge like they owned the damn place. I felt both relief and a sharp twist of pity. Relief because the path to Veronica was wide open. Pity because I knew exactly how much this would shatter her when the truth about their affair finally dropped.

Kade had handled the rest of the research: her father’s hospital records, her family’s finances, her entire personal life. When she ran from LA, I tracked down her sister Diana. The girl told me their father had flown into a rage and shipped Veronica off, claiming it was “out of anger.”

I had been two hours away from driving over there and putting her parents in their place, but Diana begged me not to. She explained that Veronica had always been the breadwinner. With her gone, the pressure had fallen on Diana’s shoulders. That was why I quietly funded the rest of Diana’s education in tech — the exact field she had always dreamed of.

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Xavier,” Diana said over the phone, her voice pulling me out of my thoughts.

“…Yeah, don’t mention it. That’s what brothers-in-law are for,” I replied, a low chuckle slipping through.

“Right…” She paused, then her tone softened with worry. “I just wish my sister was still here to enjoy all of this. It’s been years, Xavier. She hasn’t even tried to reach out to me. We used to share everything. Everything. Sometimes I lie awake wondering if she’s… if she’s dead.”

I let out a quiet laugh. “When did you turn into such an overthinker? Back when I was losing my mind over Veronica, you were the one swearing she’d come back. You barely seemed bothered then.”

“I just… I’m good at hiding how I really feel,” she admitted softly. “Deep down, I’m softer than I let on.”

“I know. But your sister is doing more than fine.”

“You sure? How would you even know—”

Then a sharp knock sounded on the door. Without waiting for my reply, the door suddenly yanked open.

Hell no.

My teeth clenched. I ended the call so fast my thumb nearly cracked the screen. Sweat broke across my forehead as my Adam’s apple bobbed hard.

Veronica.

I prayed she hadn’t caught any part of that conversation. The last thing I wanted was for the sisters’ reunion to happen like this — accidental and ugly.

She stepped inside, her eyes red and slightly swollen. She straightened her spine as she walked, but I could tell something was deeply wrong. I knew her too well.

I rose from my chair, my heart racing. Was she crying? What could have made her look this way?

“Kitten… you’re here,” I said, my voice low and smooth.

Her gaze flicked suspiciously to the phone still in my hand. She inhaled sharply. “Yes. I am.”

“Have a seat.” I placed my hand on the small of her back, guiding her firmly toward the chair, not giving her room to hesitate.

“Please don’t touch me,” she said, pushing my hand away sharply.

She placed a file on the desk with more force than necessary. “I’m here to return this. Can I have the second file?”

Her words hit harder than they should have. I slowly withdrew my hand—but my jaw tightened. I didn’t like being pushed away. Not by her.

“What’s wrong, kitten?”

“Oh, me? Nothing. I’m totally fine.” Her tone was flat, almost cold. “Just give me the file so I can go study it.”

I leaned back against the edge of my desk and crossed my arms. “That’s a pretty lame lie, kitten. Something is clearly wrong. Tell me what it is.”

Veronica stared at me for a long moment, her jaw tight. She let out a short, bitter laugh that didn’t reach her eyes.

“You know what’s funny, Xavier?” she said, her voice deceptively calm. “I thought I was finally catching a break. A real one. Someone who actually saw me. Someone who didn’t treat me like I was just… convenient.”

She took a slow step closer, her fingers gripping the edge of the desk so tightly her knuckles turned white.

“But then today I met someone who reminded me that nothing in my life is ever that simple. A woman who introduced herself as your wife. Or should I say… your soon-to-be official wife?”

My chest tightened. I quickly stepped forward, trying to soften my tone. “Kitten, listen to me. It’s not what you think. Let me explain—”

“Explain?” Veronica cut me off, her voice rising sharply. She jerked back as if my words had burned her. “You want to explain while your wife is out there threatening me? Telling me to stay away from you like I’m some kind of homewrecker?”

Her chest heaved with rapid breaths. Tears glistened in her eyes, but she blinked them back furiously.

I raised both hands in a calming gesture. “Veronica, breathe. I never wanted you to find out this way. The situation with Camila is complicated. Just give me a chance to—”

“Complicated?” She laughed bitterly, the sound harsh and broken. “Complicated is you kissing me, taking me on dates, getting me a house for me and my kids, all while you were married? That’s not complicated, Xavier. That’s cruel.”

I felt the air leave the room. My stomach dropped, but I kept my face neutral, refusing to let the panic show.

Veronica tilted her head slightly, her red eyes locking onto mine with a mixture of hurt and quiet fury. “She was very clear about it. Told me to stay away from you. Said you were far above my level. Called me delusional for even breathing the same air as you.”

She paused, swallowing hard as if the next words tasted bitter. “Funny thing is… she knew exactly what I was wearing that day. The burgundy dress. She knew I met you. She even knew my name. The bakery expansion girl, she called me.”

I opened my mouth, but she raised a hand, cutting me off before I could speak.

“Don’t bother with the smooth lies, Xavier. Not today. I’m not stupid. I heard you on the phone just now too. ‘That’s what brothers-in-law are for.’ So tell me…”

She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “How long have you been married? And how long did you plan to keep playing me like I was just another girl you could hide behind closed doors?”

Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Tears glistened in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Instead, she straightened up again, wiping her palms on her skirt with shaky hands.

“I came here for the second file. That’s all. Give it to me and I’ll leave. Because right now, I don’t even know who you are anymore.”