Chapter 46
Author’s pov
At 1:53 PM, the plane touched down at Denver International Airport.
As the group stepped off the plane, Cecilia spotted a sleek black Bentley parked a short distance away. It was unmistakably Sebastian’s car.
She smiled and said to Alpha Sebastian, “You can head out, Alpha Sebastian. Don’t worry about me p>
Alpha Sebastian looked at her, his eyes unreadable. He didn’t say a word.
Then, without hesitation, he walked toward the car.
Inside the Bentley, Liam glanced into the rearview mirror, watching the scene outside. His brows drew together as he saw Cecilia sitting alone in her wheelchair.
“Why is Miss Cecilia in a wheelchair?” he asked, concern in his voice. “Did her ex-husband hurt her? Are we really okay leaving her there with him p>
Beta Sawyer chuckled as he straightened his tie. “You’re overthinking it, Liam. Her injury has nothing to do with Alpha Xavier.” He paused, then added with a small smile, “And technically, they’re still married. No papers filed yet. From the way they looked together, I’d say they might be patching things up p>
“Getting back together?” Liam’s eyes widened. “Again p>
“She wants to go home with Alpha Xavier. Looks like they’re about to kiss and make up.” Beta Sawyer said confidently, like this wasn’t the first time he’d seen something like this.
“But her Instagram post made it sound serious,” Liam said, frowning as he reached for his phone. “Like she was in real danger p>
“What post?” As the two men bent over the phone screen, a glacial voice cut through the air from the back seat.
“Drive p>
The temperature in the car seemed to plummet. Both men straightened immediately, conversation forgotten.
As the car pulled away from the curb, Alpha Sebastian’s voice came again, cold as ice. “Put up the partition p>
Liam pressed the button, and the privacy screen rose silently, sealing Alpha Sebastian in his own isolated space.
Beta Sawyer and Liam exchanged knowing glances. Their Alpha Sebastian was in a foul mood.
Xavier’s pov
I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face as I wheeled Cecilia through the VIP exit. Everything was going perfectly. She was being responsive, even pleasant. Each time I leaned down to speak to her or brushed a strand of hair from her face, she didn’t pull away.
Kael was practically strutting. [She’s softening. ]
[Damn right. She’s my mate—chosen by fate. No one can change that.] For the first time in weeks, I felt hope blooming in my chest.
The part of me that had been going crazy since she’d asked for a divorce was finally quieting.
Then I saw her.
Cici, standing at the edge of the busy pickup area, looking like she hadn’t slept in days. Her face was pale, her eyes bloodshot, and most shocking—there was a bloodstained bandage wrapped around her wrist.
My joy crashed.
Beta Henry stood beside my car, phone in hand, clearly trying to get my attention. Too late.
“Xavier Cici rushed forward, her voice breaking on my name.
I stepped in front of Cecilia’s wheelchair, blocking Cici’s path with my arm. My voice turned arctic. “I sent a message through your brother. If you didn’t understand it then, let me make it clearer now: We’re done. Stop chasing me p>
Tears welled in Cici’s eyes, but she didn’t break down as I’d expected. Instead, she drew a shaky breath.
“I’m not here to make a scene,” she whispered, her gaze flickering between me and Cecilia. “I won’t mess with your marriage anymore. I’ll do whatever you want—I’ll go back to just being like a sister to you. Would that be okay p>
The sincerity in her voice made my expression soften slightly. Perhaps she’d finally grown up.
“I’m glad you understand. Now please move. We need to leave p>
I didn’t care what her real game was—I just wanted her gone.
But Cici had other plans. She slipped past me and dropped to her knees in front of Cecilia’s wheelchair. Gasps rippled through the crowd of onlookers.
My hands curled into fists. “Cici! What the hell are you doing p>
To my surprise, Cecilia gestured dismissively. “Let her speak p>
Cici clasped her hands together, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. “Please don’t blame Xavier anymore. It was all my fault—my crazy obsession. I’ll break it off with him, I promise. I won’t hang onto him anymore. Please don’t divorce him. I’m begging you p>
Cici really looked like she was sorry.
And honestly, I was starting to resent Cecilia for being so vindictive.
Cecilia’s pov
I nearly laughed at the spectacle before me. Cici kneeling there, playing the guilty mistress? This had to be the most obvious manipulation I’d ever seen.
[Strategic retreat p>
[Someone’s been coaching her. This isn’t her usual MO p>
“If you’re going to beg,” I said, my voice sweet as poison, “do it properly. Here’s what I propose: Slap yourself one hundred times. Slap yourself until your face is black and blue, and I might consider your request p>
Xavier’s head snapped toward me, shock written across his features.
I watched Cici’s emotions battle across her face—fury quickly replaced by calculation. She thought she’d found her opening to make me look like the villain.
She bit her lip and closed her eyes dramatically before starting to slap herself. The sound echoed sharply in the crowded pickup area.
“That’s pathetic?” I taunted, lifting my chin. “Put some muscle into it p>
Around us, people were staring, whispering, some even filming with their phones. Perfect.
“Weak. You can’t even slap properly,” I sneered, grabbing her face. “Let me show you how it’s done p>
I delivered four rapid, vicious slaps across her face, the sound cracking through the air like gunshots.
As I raised my hand for the fifth blow, Xavier caught my wrist. “Enough p>
I turned to him, eyes blazing. “Enough? She stole you, destroyed our marriage, tried to destroy me, and you’re defending her after just four slaps? Oh, I get it—you should be kneeling too. Get down and let me slap you as well p>
“Are you out of your mind?” Xavier’s voice was tight with anger and disbelief.
“Won’t kneel? Then she’ll take your punishment too.” I turned back to Cici with a brilliant smile. “Got a problem with that p>
Cici shook her head, crawling forward to take my other hand. “Hit me. It’s not Xavier’s fault. I’ll take what’s coming to him p>
I patted her head with mock tenderness. “Atta girl p>
In one fluid motion, I grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her head down, delivering another stinging slap. Xavier didn’t even have time to intervene.
Cici’s body crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. She didn’t move.
“Cici!” Xavier let go of my wrist and rushed to gather her limp form in his arms.
“Stop faking,” I called out, my voice hardening with each word. “If you have the nerve to seduce another woman’s husband, you deserve to be beaten—or stripped naked and paraded through the streets p>
“Cecilia, cut it out!” Xavier roared, fury darkening his features as he lifted Cici’s unconscious form.
He carried her toward his car quickly. “We need to get to the hospital p>
Beta Henry opened the door, but hesitated, looking back at me still sitting alone in my wheelchair. “But what about your wi p>
The car door slammed shut before he could finish, cutting off his words.
Beta Henry gave me an apologetic nod before getting in the driver’s seat and driving off, leaving me behind.
The crowd around me murmured with a mixture of sympathy and judgment.
But as I watched their car disappear into traffic, I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile.
Everything’s going according to plan.