Chapter 36

I was walking down the street, lost in thought, when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and smiled when I saw Xavier's name on the screen.

"Hey," I answered, my voice a little breathless from walking.

"Hey, beautiful," Xavier replied, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. "I'm home. Where are you?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. I had been trying to clear my head, process everything that had happened with Marco and my mother-in-law

"I'm out for a walk," I said finally. "I needed some fresh air."

"Okay," Xavier said. "Well, be careful. I was worried when I couldn't reach you. Can you come home now? Please babe."

I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest. Xavier was always looking out for me, always making sure I was safe.

"I'm fine," I reassured him. "I'll be home soon."

"Okay," Xavier said again. "I'll see you then."

We hung up, and I continued walking, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. I knew Xavier would be waiting for me when I got home, and that thought alone made me feel better.

As I turned the corner onto our street, I saw Xavier standing outside the gate, his eyes scanning the horizon for me. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met.

As I approached the gate, Xavier's eyes locked onto mine, his expression softening. He looked relieved to see me, but also a little uncertain.

"Hey," he said, as walked to him.

"Hey," I replied, my voice neutral.

Xavier hesitated, then asked, "Are you still angry with me?"

I felt a surge of emotions, and my initial instinct was to deny it, to pretend everything was fine. But something about Xavier's gentle tone made me pause.

"Yes," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

Xavier nodded, his eyes dropping to the floor. "I knew it," he said. "We've talked about it already babe. I'm sorry but I can't grant your request."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at him, his words stirring up a mix of emotions inside me. I was still hurt, still angry, but a part of me wanted to forgive him, to move past this and rebuild our relationship.

But I wasn't ready yet. I needed time, needed space to process everything. Everything I'm doing is all for him.

"I need some time, Xavier," I said finally, my voice firm.

Xavier nodded again, his eyes never leaving mine. "I understand," he said. "I'll give you all the time you need and I'm sorry babe."

I took a deep breath and approached Xavier, my heart racing with a mix of emotions. I knew I was taking a risk, but I had to try.

"Xavier, please," I said, my voice shaking. "Please release Marco. He's not the thief, I promise." I lied.

Xavier's expression was unyielding, his jaw clenched in determination. "No, babe," he said firmly. "I won't let him go. He's a danger to me, to our family and the company."

I felt a surge of desperation and grabbed Xavier's arm, my fingers digging into his skin. "Please, Xavier," I begged. "Have mercy. He's not worth it."

Xavier's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "You don't understand, babe," he said. "Marco has crossed a line. He's chosen his path, and now he has to face the consequences."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I realized Xavier wouldn't budge. I knew I had to try a different approach.

"Xavier, think about what this will do to us," I said, my voice cracking. "Think about the damage it will cause. Is it really worth it? You're all over the news now since your face has been revealed, it wouldn't make sense if you send your brother to jail."

Xavier's expression softened slightly, but his resolve remained firm. "I'm sorry, babe," he said. "My decision is final. Marco will face justice."

Just as Xavier finished speaking, I heard a clearing of throat behind me. I turned to see my father-in-law, standing in the doorway, his expression stern.

"Lilith, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation," he said, his voice firm. "And I must say, I'm disappointed."

I felt a surge of defensiveness, but he continued before I could speak.

"Marco deserves to be punished for his betrayal," he said. "He put our entire family at risk, and he needs to face the consequences. He is my son and I'm saying he must face the consequences of his actions."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at him, his words echoing Xavier's sentiments.

"But, Father, please understand-" I began.

"No, Lilith," he interrupted, his voice firm. "I won't be swayed. Marco made his choices, and now he must face the repercussions. You need to focus on supporting Xavier, not defending Marco's actions."

I felt a sting from his words, but I knew better than to argue with him. I nodded, feeling a sense of defeat wash over me.

"Yes, Father," I said quietly.

He nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Good. There's no need to defend him."

I nodded again, feeling a sense of resignation. I knew I had to accept their decision, even if I didn't agree with it.

He turned to Xavier, his expression stern. "Xavier, has Marco refunded the company's money?" he asked.

Xavier hesitated, his eyes dropping to the floor. "No, Father," he said finally. "He hasn't returned a dime."

His expression darkened. "Unacceptable," he muttered. "He's not only betrayed our trust but also stolen from us. He needs to be held accountable."

I felt a pang of worry, knowing that Marco's actions had caused even more damage than I had initially thought.

"What are we going to do, Father?" Xavier asked, his voice firm.

His eyes narrowed. "We'll take legal action, of course. We'll make sure Marco pays for his deceit. And as for his punishment...that's already being taken care of."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the severity of Marco's situation. I knew I had to find a way to save him, but it seemed like the odds were stacked against me.

Xavier's words made my heart sink. "Marco hasn't been confessing, Father. He's still denying any wrongdoing."

I felt a surge of anger and frustration. Why was Marco being so stubborn? I didn't even know what to do or say to convince them to release Marco.

His expression turned red with rage. "He's still denying it? After all the evidence we have? He's either a fool or a liar."

I couldn't take it anymore. I turned and walked away, my feet heavy with anger and disappointment. I stomped up the stairs, not caring if they heard me.

As I reached my room, I slammed the door shut behind me, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Why was Marco doing this? Why was he making it so hard for me?

I paced back and forth across the room, trying to calm down, but my mind was racing. I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. I had to find a way to save Marco, no matter what.

But how? That was the question. How could I save him when he was refusing to help himself?

I heard the door open behind me, and I knew it was Xavier without turning around. He came closer, his footsteps quiet on the carpet.

"Babe, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice soft and concerned.

I spun around, my eyes blazing with frustration. "You're not listening to me again, Xavier," I said, my voice shaking. "I'm trying to tell you that to release Marco but you're not hearing me."

Xavier's expression was calm, but I could see the defensiveness in his eyes. "I am listening, babe," he said. "But you're not seeing the bigger picture here. Marco's actions have consequences."

I threw up my hands in exasperation. "Consequences? You're talking about consequences? Marco's going to lose everything, Xavier. His freedom, his reputation, everything. And you're just standing there, doing nothing. He's your brother Xavier."

Xavier took a step closer, his voice firm. "I am doing something, babe. I'm protecting our family, our business. Marco made his choices, now he has to face them. Why are you defending him? What's wrong with you? When did you become cool with Marco."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at Xavier, feeling a deep sadness. He wasn't hearing me, wasn't understanding me. And I didn't know how to make him see.

I took a step closer to Xavier, my eyes pleading with him. "Please, Xavier," I begged, my voice barely above a whisper. "Release Marco for me. Please."

Xavier's expression softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "Babe, I love you so much," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "But anyone who dares to mess with you, who dares to hurt you, will face the consequences. I won't let anyone harm you, not even Marco."

I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I looked up at him, my heart breaking. "But Marco's not hurting me, Xavier," I said. "He's just a foolish man who made a mistake. Please, have mercy on him. I'll tell you later but just release him."

Xavier's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with determination. "I am having mercy, babe," he said. "If I do what's in my head, Marco would be facing much worse than what he is now. But I'm trying to protect him, for your sake."

I felt a surge of desperation and wrapped my arms around Xavier's waist, holding him tight. "Please, Xavier," I whispered again. "For me, please release him."

Xavier's arms encircled me, holding me close as he whispered back, "I'll think about it, babe. That's all I can promise."

Xavier gently extricated himself from my grasp and walked into the bathroom, leaving me alone in the bedroom. I felt a sob rise up in my throat as I heard the door close behind him.

I collapsed onto the bed, burying my face in the pillows as tears streamed down my face. I cried for Marco, for the trouble he was causing me, for the pain he had caused me. But most of all, I cried for myself, for the fear that had been growing inside me.

I thought about all the times Marco had been cruel to me, all the times he had made me feel small and insignificant. And I realized that I was scared of him, really scared but I have to do this for Xavier.

I cried harder, my body shaking with sobs as I thought about the possibility of Marco getting out of control, of him doing something irreparable.

Xavier's words came back to me, "Anyone who dares to mess with you, who dares to hurt you, will face the consequences." But what if Marco didn't care about consequences? What if he was beyond reason?

My tears slowly subsided, leaving me feeling drained and exhausted. I lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling, wondering what the future held, and whether I would ever be able to escape the shadows of Marco's wrath.

I lay there for a while, feeling empty and defeated, until I heard my phone buzz on the nightstand. I hesitated for a moment before reaching for it, wondering who could be texting me at this hour.

My heart skipped a beat as I saw Marco's name on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before opening the message.

"Lilith, make him release me," Marco's message read. "Make him let me go. I'm warning you, Lilith. Don't think for a second that I won't hurt you and your Xavier if I have to."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I read the message. How did Marco even have access to a phone again after I blocked him? And what did he mean by "hurt" me? I thought about all the ways he could harm me, and my mind went blank with fear.

I knew I had to show this to Xavier, but a part of me was scared of what he would do. Would he finally release Marco, or would he take even harsher measures to keep him contained?

I took a deep breath and got out of bed, determined to face whatever came next. I had to protect myself, no matter what.