Chapter 44

Chapter 44
As we arrived home, Xavier yawned and stretched. "I'm exhausted, Lilith. I think I'm going to head to bed."

I nodded, understanding. "Yeah, it's been a long day. Go ahead and get some rest. I'll join you soon."

But as Xavier headed to the bedroom, I knew I couldn't shake off Marco's persistent calls. I had to know what he wanted. So, I went to his room.

As I arrived, Marco was already there, his eyes gleaming in the dark. "Lilith, oh Lilith. Thought you wouldn't come."

I crossed my arms, wary. "What did you want, Marco? You've been blowing up my phone all night."

Marco's smile was charming, but I wasn't buying it. "I just wanted to check in on you, make sure you're okay after what happened with your father."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're suddenly concerned about my well-being? After all the times you've hurt me?"
"Wait! How do you know I went to my father's place? Are you monitoring me now?"

Marco's expression turned serious. "Lilith! You should already know the type of person I am by now. Yes, I've been monitoring you. Any mistake from you and I'll end it all."

I eyed him.
"So what do you want? Why have you been disturbing me?" I asked.

Marco's smile was sly. "When are you going to do it? When are you going to sign over the properties?"

I shook my head, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. "No, Marco. I can't do this. I'm sorry. Can't you ask for something else?"

Marco's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a sinister light. "You see, Lilith, I have some information that could ruin your reputation, your relationships, and your entire life. But I'm willing to keep it all to myself... if you do what I want."

My heart raced as I glared at Marco, my mind racing with the implications. "What do you want me to do? You know I can't do that to Xavier. He is my husband." I spat, trying to keep my tone even.

Marco chuckled, his voice dripping with condescension. "Oh, Lilith. You're so predictable. I want you to sign over the properties to me, and I want you to convince Xavier to transfer some of the company's share to me. That's all."

I felt a surge of anger and resentment, but Marco's next words made my blood run cold.

"If you don't... well, let's just say I have information about you being Avery. Something that could ruin Xavier."

My eyes narrowed, my heart racing with fear and anger. "You wouldn't dare," I hissed.

Marco's laughter was like a knife to my soul. "Oh, my dear Lilith. I would. And I will, unless you do what I want."

I felt a wave of despair wash over me, but then something inside me snapped. "Fine," I spat, my voice venomous. "I'll do whatever you want. Just leave me and Xavier alone."

Marco's grin was triumphant, his eyes gleaming with victory. "Excellent choice, Lilith. I knew you'd see things my way."

I stormed back into my room, slamming the door behind me. Xavier was fast asleep, oblivious to the turmoil that had just transpired. I felt a pang of guilt for not being able to protect him from Marco's threats.

As I paced back and forth across the room, my phone buzzed with a message from my father. "Don't forget about tomorrow's event, Avery. You need to be there with Xavier. -Goodnight."

I groaned in frustration. How could I have forgotten? Xavier has promised my father to support him and if he doesn't turn up tomorrow, father wouldn't let me rest. He would blow up my ohone with calls and test message.

I stopped pacing and looked at Xavier, still fast asleep. I knew I had to come up with a plan, and fast. I couldn't let Marco ruin our lives. I took a deep breath and sat down next to Xavier, my mind racing with possibilities. I would find a way to outsmart Marco and my father, no matter what it took.

I lay beside Xavier, his peaceful expression a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. Tears streamed down my face as I gazed at him, my heart heavy with sorrow. I felt like I was betraying him, like I was sacrificing our love to protect him.

"Oh, Xavier," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I'm so sorry. I don't want to do this, but I have to. I have to protect you."

I stroked his hair, my fingers tracing the familiar contours of his face. I memorized every feature, every curve, every line. I knew that soon, I would have to hide my true self from him, to pretend that everything was fine when it wasn't and I knew sooner later when he's better he wouldn't see me as his Lilith anymore and my work here would be done.

"I love you so much, Xavier," I whispered, my tears falling onto his skin. "But I have to do this. I have to save you from my father, from Marco. I have to save us."

As I lay there, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I felt like I was losing myself, like I was drowning in a sea of despair. But I knew I had to be strong, for Xavier's sake. I had to protect him, no matter the cost.

"Forgive me, Xavier," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Forgive me for what I'm about to do."

As I lay there, my tears streaming down my face, I knew that I was about to break Xavier's trust. I was about to betray him, to sacrifice our love for his protection. And it was tearing me apart.

I moved closer to Xavier, my body aching with a mix of emotions. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. I buried my face in his neck, inhaling the familiar scent of his skin. I felt his warmth, his comfort, and his love.

As I held him, I poured all my emotions into the embrace. I was scared, I was sad, and I was desperate. But most of all, I was determined. Determined to protect him, no matter what.

Xavier stirred, his arms wrapping around me in response. "Hey, what's wrong?" he mumbled, his voice groggy with sleep.

I shook my head, unable to speak. I couldn't tell him, not yet. I just held him closer, my tears soaking into his skin.

Xavier's hands stroked my hair, his touch gentle and soothing. "Shh, baby. It's okay. I'm here."

I nodded, my face still buried in his neck. I knew he was there, and that was all that mattered. For now, I just needed to hold him, to feel his love and his warmth.

As we lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, I knew that I would do anything to protect him. Anything.

I woke up with a sense of determination, my mind already racing with strategies on how to take some of Xavier's properties. Marco's words echoed in my mind, "Take what's yours, Lilith. Take what's rightfully yours. Take it and give them to me."

I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I had to do it. I had to protect Xavier, even if it meant going against him. I started by making a list of all of Xavier's properties, prioritizing the most valuable ones. I knew I had to be smart about it, take it slow, and make it look like it was just business as usual.

As I sipped my coffee, I thought about how I could start to subtly manipulate the situation. I could start by suggesting that Xavier invest in some fake company.

I knew Xavier trusted me, and that's what made it so hard. I felt like I was betraying him, but I had to remind myself that it was all for his own protection.

As I got ready for the day, I made a mental note to schedule a meeting with Xavier's business manager, to "discuss" some of his investments. I knew it was just the beginning, but I was determined to see it through.

Little by little, I would take what was "mine", as Marco had ordered. And Xavier would never even see it coming.

As Xavier emerged from the bathroom, I couldn't help but put on a show. I batted my eyelashes, gave him my best "who, me?" innocent look, and sauntered over to him with a sly smile.

"Good morning, handsome!" I cooed, wrapping my arms around his waist. "How did you sleep?"

Xavier looked taken aback by my sudden display of affection, but he played along, returning my hug and kissing the top of my head. "I slept great, thanks. But what's got you so chipper this morning?"

I giggled and nuzzled his chest, making sure to press my body against his. "Just feeling extra loving today, I guess!"

Xavier raised an eyebrow, but he couldn't help but smile at my antics. "Well, I'm not complaining!"

I knew I had him right where I wanted him. Now, to just keep up the act and slowly start manipulating him into doing what I needed... Ugh, this was going to be harder than I thought. But for Xavier's sake, I would do whatever it took. Even if it meant sacrificing our relationship.

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed Xavier's cheeks, one after the other, my lips lingering on his skin. "Xavier, my love, I have a special request to make," I said, my voice husky and sweet.

Xavier's eyes narrowed slightly, but he smiled, intrigued. "What is it, babe? You know I'll do anything for you."

I took a deep breath, my heart racing with the lie I was about to tell. "I was thinking... maybe you could give me some of your properties. You have lots of properties but none are in my name." I cooed as I used my index finger to draw a line on his chest.

Xavier's expression changed, his eyes clouding over with skepticism. "Babe, I don't know... You've never been interested in all of this. Don't get why you're asking now. Don't get me wrong okay?"

I knew this was the moment of truth. I had to convince him, had to make him believe me. I took his hands in mine, my grip tight. "Xavier, trust me. I want to own properties now and it would mean so much to me if we could do this... for me please. I want to own a house and some of the small businesses you own." I lied and felt so bad for it.

Xavier searched my face, his eyes probing for the truth. I held my breath, praying he wouldn't see through my deception. Finally, he nodded, a small smile on his lips. "Okay, babe. You know I'll do anything for you, I'll do it."

I took a deep breath and asked Xavier, my voice sweet and innocent, "Xavier, my love, can I ask you for something? "

Xavier looked at me with a hint of curiosity, "Of course, babe. What is it?"

I hesitated for a moment, my heart racing with the audacity of my request. "I was wondering if you could... give me some of your shares too. You know, the ones in your name?"

Xavier's expression changed from curiosity to shock. His eyes widened, and he took a step back, as if I had punched him in the gut. "Babe, what are you talking about? My shares? Why would I give them to you? You know how the company has been, I can't afford to lose my shares now."

I tried to maintain my innocent act, but my voice trembled slightly. "Well, I just thought it would be nice to have some security, you know? And I know you have so many properties... it's just a few, tiny ones, really."

Xavier's shock turned to disbelief, and he laughed, a harsh sound. "Babe, you can't be serious. My shares? You want me to just hand them over to you?"

I felt my face heat up, my deception exposed. I knew I had gone too far, but I couldn't back down now. I had to convince him, no matter what. "Xavier, please... For me. For us."