Chapter 57
Cecilia’s pov
My blood ran cold as Xavier’s intentions became crystal clear.
I wasn’t some naive teenager—the hunger in his eyes and the possessiveness in his voice made it obvious what he wanted.
I jerked backward, trying to escape his hot breath. “Stop the clutter in your head p>
With one powerful movement, he grabbed my shoulder and yanked me closer.
“How is this wrong? The police can’t interfere with what happens between mates p>
His voice was low, nearly a growl.
I stiffened, heart slamming against my ribs.
I could smell him—smoke, leather, and something darker—too close, too sharp.
“I don’t want this!” I snapped, shoving against his chest.
My hands pressed flat against him, but it was like pushing against a brick wall.
Still, I pushed.
“Don’t touch me again, Xavier.”My voice was firm.
He didn’t listen. His arm slid around my waist, dragging me closer.
I turned my face away, jaw tight with revulsion.
“Xavier, you absolute bastard p>
He didn’t even react to the insult.
“Before, you were always focused on work,” he whispered near my ear, his breath rough and warm against my skin.
“Never wanted kids too early. Always careful p>
His voice wasn’t soft—it was gritty, like gravel scraping bone.
“Tonight, let’s not be careful. Maybe next month, you’ll be carrying my pup p>
The words hit me like ice water poured down my spine.
My stomach twisted. My throat went dry.
“Let go of me! Let go!” I shouted, trying to twist away from him.
The thought of being trapped by a forced pregnancy—it made my blood run cold.
His lips brushed my cheek.
“Let’s compromise,” he said.
“If you don’t conceive tonight, I’ll let you go. If you do… you’ll come back home where you belong p>
“What?” I stared at him, stunned by the sheer audacity.
I spat at him, all composure gone.
“Go to hell! I’m not making any deal with you! Who gave you the right to decide my fate p>
“Once you’re carrying our pup, you won’t feel this way,” Xavier muttered, tossing his cigarette out the window.
He reached for the seat control, trying to recline it.
“No!” I shouted, forcefully pushing him away.
He tried to hold on, but I shoved him with everything I had.
“Don’t you dare p>
Just then, a voice shouted from outside:
“Hey buddy, this isn’t some back alley—have some respect for the rest of us p>
Xavier froze.
He turned slightly, shielding my disheveled clothes from view and snarled,
“Mind your own business p>
The stranger walked away without another word.
Silence fell in the car.
I used the moment to push Xavier off me completely.
My face was flushed, hair a mess, and lips swollen.
I could feel the heat of humiliation and rage burning beneath my skin.
I glared at him as he reached for me again,
his fingers stretching out like he still had some kind of claim.
“Let’s go somewhere else—” he started, his voice low, almost coaxing.
I slapped him. Hard. The sound cracked through the air like a whip.
“You’re disgusting! Shameless!” I spat, my hand still burning from the impact.
“I was blind to ever love you p>
My voice shook—not with weakness, but with fury I refused to hold back.
“If I could go back,” I hissed, “I’d erase every damn second I ever gave to you p>
Xavier’s eyes reddened, his jaw tightening as if trying to hold himself together.
His pride was cracked, and it showed.
“So now you regret being with me?” he snapped.
“Too bad. You’re already mine. As long as I don’t let go, you’re not going anywhere p>
His voice shook with desperation, but his words dripped with control.
He couldn’t stand the fact that I wasn’t afraid of him anymore.
“You cheated. You lied. You left me alone for months!” I shouted,
every word cutting like glass.
“You don’t get to call me yours anymore p>
My chest rose and fell with every breath, my heart pounding with rage.
“You lost that right the day you betrayed me p>
The dam finally broke.
Tears streamed down my face, but I didn’t hide them.
They weren’t tears of weakness. They were tears of anger.
“I tried,” I whispered. “I tried to hold on. But maybe I’m the fool for thinking love was enough p>
My voice was flat, stripped of warmth. Just the raw truth, finally spoken.
Xavier’s voice cracked.
“Don’t cry… please, love, don’t cry. I’m sorry. I messed up. I was stupid. I don’t want to lose you.” His words tumbled out, desperate and broken, like he was trying to patch a dam that had already burst.
I looked at him—really looked at him.
His eyes were wet. His mouth trembled. But none of it moved me.
I wasn’t numb from pain anymore. I was numb from clarity. I had seen him for what he truly was—too late, maybe, but clearly now.
“You want me to cry,” I said slowly, “because it makes you feel like you still matter p>
“Will you only stop when I’m dead p>
The question landed like a slap.That silenced him.
His hand hovered near my cheek, fingers twitching with hesitation.
But this time, he didn’t touch me.
Not because he respected my space—because he no longer knew how to reach me.
He had no answer.
And I had nothing left to give.
We sat in silence, staring at each other.
Neither spoke, both seemingly drained of all energy.
After a long while, I finally broke the silence. “I’m hungry. I want something to eat p>
Xavier responded flatly, “I’ll get you something p>
He moved to exit the car, only then realizing we were practically in the wilderness. Where would he find food?
The car was also out of gas.
I saw his hesitation. “My leg isn’t fully healed, and you’ve made it worse. I can’t run away p>
Xavier didn’t bother explaining anything. “I’ll go look for a convenience store or something. Wait in the car p>
“Mmm.” I acknowledged weakly.
Xavier got out and locked the doors.
I watched Xavier until he disappeared from view.
The moment he vanished, I scrambled to the back seat, reclined it fully, and crawled into the trunk, escaping through the emergency release.
My wound had indeed been aggravated during his assault, but I was fine. In my current condition, I couldn’t run, but walking normally wasn’t a problem.
I headed in the opposite direction.
After walking for about twenty minutes, the pain in my leg intensified. If I continued and the wound reopened, I’d be stranded.
I glanced at the hillside nearby.
Maybe I should hide for a while?
I’d been sending my location to Harper continuously—perhaps she was already nearby.
Decision made, I slowly climbed up the slope, finding a spot with dense vegetation to conceal myself. I called Harper and sent her my updated location.
Harper estimated she could reach me in thirty-five minutes at the soonest. She urged me to stay hidden and not wander off.
I hung up, hugged my knees to my chest, and stared absently at the stars above.
Darkness surrounded me completely.
I sighed softly, feeling both bitter sadness and absurd amusement at my situation.
About ten minutes later, I heard what sounded like footsteps.
My body tensed immediately—Harper couldn’t possibly have arrived this quickly!
Who was it?