Chapter 33

Marco's grip on my arm tightened as he led me downstairs. I tried to pull away, but he held me fast. I couldn't believe what was happening. Just a few hours ago, I was safe in my room, and now I was being dragged downstairs by this madman.

As we reached the bottom of the stairs, Marco pulled me into the dimly lit living room. I struggled to see what was around me, but Marco's grip was too strong. He pushed me into a chair, and I felt a surge of fear as he glared at me.

"Where do you want?" I demanded, trying to hide the tremble in my voice.

Marco just laughed, his eyes glinting with malice. "You'll find out soon enough," he said, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure.

I didn't know what to do as he looked scary. Running away would be a waste of time because I wasn't athletic. I was trapped. Marco's laughter echoed through the room, sending chills down my spine.

Just as Marco was about to reveal his sinister plan, the door burst open and Xavier rushed in, his eyes blazing with fury. He didn't hesitate for a second, launching himself at Marco with a fierce tackle.

Marco's eyes widened in shock as Xavier pounced on him, unleashing a flurry of punches to his face. Marco tried to defend himself, but Xavier was relentless, his fists flying with precision and power.

I watched in stunned silence as Xavier took down Marco, my heart racing with excitement and relief. Finally, someone had come to save me! But...

Marco tried to fight back, but Xavier was too strong. He pinned Marco to the ground, his hands wrapped tightly around Marco's throat.

"You're not going to hurt her again," Xavier growled, his voice low and menacing.

Marco's face turned red as he struggled to breathe, his eyes bulging in terror. I felt a surge of satisfaction seeing him like that, knowing he was finally getting what he deserved.

But as Xavier's grip tightened, I started to worry. Was he going to take it too far? I didn't want Marco to die, just to face justice for his crimes.

"Xavier, stop!" I cried out, my voice shaking. "You're going to kill him!"

Xavier hesitated, his eyes flicking to me before returning to Marco. He took a deep breath and slowly released his grip, standing up and pulling Marco to his feet.

"It's over," Xavier said, his chest heaving with exhaustion. "You're not going to hurt anyone else."

Marco's face was bruised and swollen, but he still managed to sneer at us. "You'll pay for this," he spat.

But Xavier just smiled grimly. "I'm shaking in my boots."

Xavier's eyes blazed with anger as he yelled at Marco, "Why did you frame my Lilith for stealing company money? She's innocent, and you know it!"

Marco smirked, his swollen lips curling up in a sneer. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his voice dripping with feigned innocence.

Xavier's face turned red with rage. "Don't lie to me, Marco! I have proof. I know you set her up to cover your own tracks."

Marco shrugged, his eyes darting back and forth like a cornered rat. "I don't know what you're talking about," he repeated, his voice growing more desperate.

Xavier took a step closer, his fists clenched. "You're going down for this, Marco. You're going to pay for what you did to Lilith."

Marco's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with malice. "You'll never be able to prove it," he sneered. "Because I'm innocent and I don't know what you're talking about."

Xavier's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in determination. "We'll see about that," he growled, his voice dripping with menace.

The air was electric with tension as the two men faced off, their anger and hatred palpable. I watched in awe, my heart pounding in my chest. Xavier was fighting for me, for justice, and I knew he wouldn't back down until Marco was brought to his knees.

Xavier's anger boiled over, and he lunged at Marco, fists flying. "You're going to pay for what you did!" he yelled, his eyes blazing with fury.

But before he could land a punch, I grabbed his arm, holding him back. "Xavier, no!" I cried, my voice firm but gentle.

Xavier struggled against my grip, his muscles tense with rage. "Let me go, babe!" he growled, his eyes fixed on Marco.

But I held firm, my hands wrapped tightly around his arm. "No, Xavier. This won't solve anything. We need to get the truth out, not resort to violence."

Marco sneered at us, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "You'll never take me down, Xavier. I'm your brother."

Xavier's face twisted in anger, but I could see the faintest glimmer of reason in his eyes. He took a deep breath, and slowly, his muscles relaxed. He nodded, his gaze never leaving Marco. "You're right, babe. We'll do this the right way."

I released his arm, and Xavier turned to me, his eyes softening. "Thanks, babe. I couldn't have done that without you."

I smiled, my heart swelling with pride. "Anytime, Xavier. We're in this together."

Marco's smirk faltered, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of fear in his eyes. He knew he was in trouble.

Marco's smile returned, and he pointed a finger at me. "You're the one who's been embezzling funds from the company, Lilith!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with false outrage. "You're trying to frame me for your own crimes!"

I gasped, my eyes wide with shock. "How dare you, Marco!" I cried, my voice shaking with anger. "I would never do such a thing!"

Xavier's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "That's enough, Marco!" he growled, his fists clenched. "You're not going to pin this on Lilith!"

But Marco just sneered. "You're blinded by love, Xavier. You can't see the truth even when it's right in front of you."

Xavier's face turned red with rage, but Marco continued, his voice unwavering. "Xavier, don't you see? Lilith is trying to distract us from her own guilt. She's the real thief here. All evidence points at her."

Xavier's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking between Marco and me. For a moment, I worried that he might doubt me, but then his face hardened, and he turned to Marco. "I don't believe you," he said, his voice cold. "Lilith would never steal from the company. You're going down for this, Marco."

Just as Marco was about to respond, the door burst open and the whole family poured into the room. My mother-in-law and father-in-law looked on in shock at the scene before them.

Xavier stood tall, his eyes blazing with anger. "Everyone, I have something to tell you. Marco has been embezzling funds from the company. He's the one who's been stealing from us, not Lilith."

The room fell silent, with all eyes on Marco. His face turned white as a ghost, and he took a step back, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape.

My Father-in-law face darkened. "You're a disgrace to this family," he growled.

My mother-in-law looked like she was about to cry. "Marco, why would you do such a thing? Tell me it's a lie. I know my son can't do this."

My Father-in-law's face was stern. "This is unacceptable behavior, Marco. You will face the consequences."

Marco's eyes landed on me, and for a moment, I saw a flash of anger and resentment.

"Are you guys believing what this mad man is saying? Lilith must have manipilated him." Marco yelled.

"Seriously? Are you going to lie against me in my face?" I yelled back.

The room fell silent again, with everyone staring at Marco in disbelief. Xavier's eyes never left Marco's face, his expression unyielding.

"It's over, Marco," Xavier said, his voice firm. "You're going to face justice for what you've done."

My mother-in-law stepped forward, her eyes flashing with disbelief. "This is absurd!" she exclaimed. "Marco would never steal from the company. He's a loyal member of this family! All evidence points to Lilith, stop trying to protect your wife."

Xavier's expression remained firm. "I'm afraid the evidence says otherwise, ma'am," he said, his voice calm but firm.

My mother-in-law eyes narrowed. "What evidence? I don't believe it!"

Xavier pulled out a stack of papers from his pocket and handed them to his stepmother. "This is the proof, ma'am. Financial records, transaction logs, and witness statements all confirm that Marco has been embezzling funds from the company."

My mother-in-law face paled as she scanned the documents, her eyes widening in shock. "This...this can't be," she stammered.

Xavier's eyes locked onto hers. "I'm afraid it's true, ma. Marco's been using his position to cover his tracks, but the evidence is irrefutable. He destroyed everything but I investigated it myself."

My mother-in-law looked like she'd been punched in the gut, her expression stunned and disbelieving. She shook her head, trying to process the information.

"No...no, this can't be happening," she whispered.

Xavier's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "I'm afraid it is, ma'am Marco's actions have consequences, and he needs to face them."

The room fell silent again, with all eyes on my mother-in-law as she struggled to come to terms with the truth.

Xavier's face was set in a stony expression, his eyes cold and hard as he addressed his father. "I'm calling the police," he said, his voice as rigid as his posture. "Marco has been embezzling money from the family business and defaming our name. He needs to be arrested. I'm done accommodating him."

His father nodded slowly, a grim smile twisting his lips. "I agree," he said, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. "Marco's crimes cannot go unpunished."

But my mother-in-law's expression turned pleading. "Xavier, please! Don't do this! Think of the family's reputation!"

Xavier's jaw clenched. "The family's reputation? You're more worried about that than the fact that Marco's been stealing from us?"

My mother-in-law eyes filled with tears. "But he's your brother, Xavier! Have mercy!"

Xavier's voice was firm. "I'm sorry, ma. But Marco's actions have consequences. And he needs to face them."

Marco's face twisted in a snarl. "You'll regret this, Xavier. You'll pay for doing this to me!"

Xavier's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not betraying you, Marco. I'm protecting this family and my business. And I'm making sure you face justice."

With that, Xavier pulled out his phone and dialed the police, his eyes never leaving Marco's face.

My mother-in-law eyes streamed with tears as she begged Xavier to reconsider. "Please, Xavier! Don't do this! Think of the family's reputation! Think of Marco's future!"

But Xavier's expression remained resolute. "I'm sorry, ma'am. But Marco's actions have consequences. And he needs to face them."

I had been watching the scene unfold while looking at Xavier closely. I stepped forward and gently took his arm. "Xavier, why don't you come inside with me? You're shaking."

Xavier's eyes flicked to his hands, and he realized that I was right. His hands were trembling with anger and adrenaline.

My mother-in-law pleading eyes locked onto Xavier's, but he turned away, allowing me to lead him inside.

As we walked, I whispered, "You did the right thing, Xavier. But maybe you should take a minute to calm down before the police get here."

Xavier nodded, his jaw clenched. "I'll try."

But as we reached our room, Xavier's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered, his voice firm. "Yes?"

The voice on the other end was the police dispatcher. "Xavier Presley, we have officers on the way to your location. Please stay where you are."

Xavier nodded, even though the dispatcher couldn't see him. "I will. Thanks."

He hung up the phone and turned to me. "The police are on their way."

I nodded, eyes supportive. "You did the right thing, Xavier."

But Xavier's eyes were already fixed on the door, his mind racing with what was to come.

Maybe this was the right thing. Marco out of our lives means peace.