Chapter 37

I heard the bathroom door open, and Xavier walked out, his hair damp from the shower. He looked tired but calm, a contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me.

As he approached the bed, I got up and slipped behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. "Xavier," I whispered, trying to sound gentle.

He stopped and let out a soft sigh, his body relaxing into my touch. "Goodnight, babe," he said, his voice low and soothing.

I held him tighter, feeling a pang of desperation. I didn't want him to go to sleep, not yet. I needed him to listen to me, to understand me. But his body language told me he was done for the night.

I buried my face in his back, inhaling the scent of his soap and skin. "Xavier, please," I whispered again, but he just patted my hand and pulled away, getting into bed.

I let him go, feeling defeated. I climbed into bed beside him, watching as he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. I laid there, wide awake, my mind racing with thoughts of Marco and the mess I was in.

I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling as Xavier's soft snores filled the room. My mind was racing, trying to think of a way out of this mess. Marco's message kept echoing in my head: "Make him release me. Make him let me go. I'm warning you, Lilith. Don't think for a second that I won't hurt you if I have to."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I thought about Marco's words. He was capable of hurting me, I knew that. But what could I do? Xavier wouldn't listen to me, and even if he did, I wasn't sure he'd be willing to release Marco.

I thought about going to the police, but what could I tell them? That my husband's brother was blackmailing me? That he had secrets that could ruin Xavier and I relationship? I didn't think they'd take me seriously.

I tossed and turned, trying to come up with a plan. Maybe I could reason with Marco, appeal to whatever humanity was left in him. But what if he didn't care? What if he was beyond reason?

As the night wore on, I felt a sense of desperation creeping in. I was trapped, caught between Marco's blackmail and Xavier's refusal to listen. I didn't know what to do, or who to turn to. All I knew was that I had to protect myself, no matter what.

I carefully reached over to Xavier's nightstand and picked up his phone, trying not to disturb him. My heart was racing as I unlocked it, scanning his messages for any sign of Marco.

As I scrolled through, my eyes widened in fear. There were several messages from Marco, each one was business talk.

I felt a chill run down my spine as I read the messages. Marco could message anytime and Xavier would see. Blocking him is of no use as Marco could use another number. Why would they allow him use his phone? What sort of hierarchy or stupid VIP nonsense is going on?

I tried to sleep, but my mind was racing with thoughts of Marco and the message. I kept waking up, reaching over to Xavier's nightstand to check his phone for any new messages.

The first time, there was nothing. I laid back down, trying to calm my racing heart.

But 20 minutes later, I woke up again, my eyes scanning the phone's screen for any sign of Marco. Still nothing.

I tried to focus on my breathing, to calm myself down. But my mind kept wandering back to Marco. He could do anything, whatever he takes to get what he wants.

I woke up again, 30 minutes later. This time, there was a new message from Marco. "Time's running out Lilith," it read. "Tell Xavier to release me, or I'll spill."

I felt a wave of fear wash over me. What did Marco plan to do? I knew I had to protect myself, but I didn't know how. I deleted the message immediately and my heart began to race faster.

I kept checking the phone, every 20 minutes, my heart racing with anticipation. But there were no more messages from Marco.

As the night wore on, I grew more and more exhausted. But I couldn't shake the feeling that Marco was watching me, waiting for me to make a move.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I drifted off to sleep, my eyes heavy with exhaustion. But even in my sleep, I knew I wasn't safe. Marco was still out there, waiting for me.

I woke up early, my heart racing with anticipation. I reached over to Xavier's nightstand and grabbed his phone, my eyes scanning the screen for any new messages from Marco.

And then, I saw it. A text from Marco, sent just a few minutes ago. "Should I spill?" it read. "Or hold on."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I read the message. What was starting? What did Marco have planned?

Just as I was trying to process the message, Xavier stirred beside me. "Babe, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice groggy with sleep.

I hesitated, trying to come up with an excuse. But before I could say anything, Xavier reached over and took the phone from my hand. "What's going on?" he asked, his eyes scanning the screen.

I watched as his expression changed from sleepy to alert. He saw the message from Marco, and his jaw clenched in anger.

"Why did you snatch it from me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. "He's just joking around. Don't mind him."

But Xavier just shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the phone. "How is he texting when he's at the station?" he said. "What's the meaning of this?"

I felt a surge of frustration. What would I do?What can I say to convince Xavier to release Xavier to release Marco?

Xavier's eyes narrowed as he read the message again. "He's messaging me from the station," he said, his voice low and angry. "That's not supposed to be possible."

I felt a surge of fear. "Maybe he wants to beg you to release him." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Xavier's jaw clenched. "It means he's got someone on the inside helping him. But don't worry, I'll take care of it."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Xavier would fix it. He would make sure Marco didn't reveal my secret. Maybe Xavier could fix this without even finding out the truth.

"And Marco hasn't said anything about...you know," Xavier added, his eyes locked on mine. "He still hasn't confessed and he has the guts to be messaging me."

I felt a surge of happiness. Marco hadn't spilled the beans yet. We were still safe and Xavier would definitely make sure they get Marco's phone seized.

I reached out and took Xavier's hand, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. "Thank you," I said, my voice sincere. "Thank you for taking care of this."

Xavier's expression softened, and he squeezed my hand. "I'll always take care of you, babe," he said. "Don't worry."

I smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Maybe everything would be okay after all.

I felt a weight lift off my shoulders as Xavier got out of bed, determination etched on his face. "I'll go to the station now and talk to the officers," he said. "I'll make sure Marco doesn't have any way of contacting the outside world."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Xavier would fix this. He would make sure Marco couldn't hurt us anymore.

As Xavier got dressed and headed out the door, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards him. He was always there to protect me, to take care of me. I didn't know what I would do without him.

I lay back in bed, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. Xavier would take care of Marco. He would make sure our secret was safe.

I closed my eyes, letting out a deep breath. Maybe now I could finally relax. Maybe now I could finally feel safe again.

But just as I was drifting off to sleep, my mind started racing again. What if Marco tells Xavier today? They are going to be seeing each other today anyways.

I pushed the thoughts aside, trying to focus on Xavier's reassuring words. He would take care of it. He would make sure everything was okay.

I just had to trust him.

Xavier came back to the room to take a document from his desk his eyes soft with affection. "I'll take care of everything, okay?" he said, his voice gentle.

I nodded, feeling a sense of trust in him.

He leaned down and kissed my cheek, his lips warm and comforting. "I love you," he whispered.

I smiled, feeling a sense of love and gratitude towards him. "I love you too," I replied.

He kissed my other cheek, then straightened up. "I'll see you tonight," he said. "Try to relax, okay?"

I nodded, watching as he turned and left the room. I heard the front door close behind him, and I knew he was off to take care of Marco.

I lay back in bed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Xavier would fix this. He would make sure our secret was safe.

I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the sound of my own breathing. I just had to trust Xavier. I just had to trust that everything would be okay.

I lay in bed, trying to rest and calm my racing mind. But as I drifted off, a sudden thought jolted me awake. Marco could tell Xavier the truth when they meet at the station. He could reveal my secret, and everything would fall apart.

Panic set in as I threw off the covers and reached for my phone. I had to warn Xavier, had to tell him to be careful. I dialed his number, my heart racing with anxiety.

But as the phone rang, Xavier didn't pick up. It went straight to voicemail.

"Xavier, please answer," I whispered urgently into the phone. "Marco could tell you anything. Don't believe him, okay? Just be careful."

I hung up, feeling a sense of desperation wash over me. Why wasn't he answering? Didn't he know how urgent this was?

I tried calling again, but it went straight to voicemail once more. I was starting to get really worried now. What if Marco had already told him? What if Xavier believed him?

I paced back and forth in my room. I had to do something, had to make sure Xavier knew the truth. But what could I do?

I couldn't just sit around and wait for Xavier to call me back. I had to do something. So, I quickly got dressed and rushed out the door, heading to the company.

As I arrived, I ran into the receptionist, who looked up at me with a curious expression. "Welcome ma, what's wrong?" she asked.

"I need to see Xavier," I said, trying to catch my breath. "Is he here?"

The receptionist shook her head. "I'm afraid he's already left for the station. He had a meeting with the officers."

My heart sank. I was too late. Xavier was already on his way to meet Marco.

"Did he say when he'd be back?" I asked, trying to stay calm.

The receptionist shook her head again. "No, he didn't say. But I can try to reach him for you if you'd like."

I nodded, feeling a sense of desperation wash over me. "Please, try to reach him. It's urgent."

The receptionist nodded and picked up the phone, dialing Xavier's number. But as we waited for him to answer, I knew it was unlikely he'd pick up. He was probably already in the meeting with Marco, and my heart was racing with fear at what might be happening.