Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier) novel Chapter 2

"What?" Xavier was slightly furious. "I've spent hundreds of thousands on her. Are you expecting me to seek your approval? Did you ever bother to do the math when the Joyner family reaped billions from me?"

Although their marriage was kept secret, Lily knew full well that her family had continuously siphoned resources from him after their marriage.

However, she couldn't comprehend it. "That's different! We're husband and wife. How could she ever compare to me?"

"You're the one who can't compare to her!" The disdain in his eyes was like a barbed blade, stabbing deep into Lily's heart before it was wrenched out. "The money I spent on her yesterday was merely a fraction of her accomplishments. How could you possibly measure up?"

Her heart instantly felt as if it was bleeding and utterly shattered.

The indifference in his eyes was something she had never seen before.

The man who had once lost control in her embrace in bed and whispered sweet nothings in her ears seemed like a stranger to her now.

"Why didn't you marry her instead of me if she's such a wonderful person?" Her voice quivered as tears welled up in her eyes. "Didn't you choose me because you loved me?"

Lily's vision slowly blurred with tears. She could only make out the hazy outline of his face, but the indifferent look on his face was unmistakable. She could see it very clearly.

It was as if he was mocking her innocence and foolishness to believe that he ever loved her.

Xavier's face darkened with impatience. "Are you done talking?"

An irrational woman was beyond reason to him. He walked past her and continued to head upstairs.

His avoidance was the final blow that shattered the last remnants of her composure.

"Let's get a divorce!" She subconsciously closed her eyes as the words escaped her lips. She had mustered every ounce of her strength to say them.

A marriage without love was not something she wanted!

Xavier never dragged Sarah into the conversation and attributed all their issues to her unreasonable behavior. She didn't need to show him the video as it wouldn't change anything.

He wouldn't admit it. She would only end up bringing humiliation upon herself for being abandoned!

"You have 500 thousand dollars a month as your pocket money. All you need to do is tend to the garden and sleep with me. Isn't this kind of treatment good enough?" Xavier stopped before continuing with his brow furrowed so tightly that it could crush a fly, "What are you making a fuss about?"

Her grievances meant nothing but unreasonable to him.

"Treatment?" Warm tears streamed down her cheeks as she met his icy gaze. "Are you looking for a wife or a punching bag?"

Did money and the occasional night together define marriage?

How was this any different from being paid for her company? The only distinction was a piece of paper. Was it a contract that legitimized the transaction of the marriage?

Was that what marriage meant to him?

A realization struck her when she thought of the grand birthday surprise tonight that made everyone envious. This kind of marriage was all she deserved in his eyes!

A mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips. There was a hint of disdain in his dark eyes. "Did I say anything wrong? Do you think you can return home and be the cherished daughter of the Joyner family if we get a divorce? Don't be naive, Lily. Know your place!"

"I have hands and legs. I can survive without going back to them." Lily forced herself to swallow her tears and climbed the stairs ahead of him before she pulled out a white suitcase from the corner and started stuffing it with her clothes.

There was no point in her returning to that family with a detached father and submissive mother. She had long since had enough of it!

Xavier's face tightened. He followed her upstairs but didn't stop her. He looked at her coldly as she packed her things.

It was 4:00 am. The world outside was cloaked in darkness while the room glowed brightly as if it were daylight. Lily's face was pale as she zipped up her suitcase and stepped out of the cloakroom.

Xavier stood there as she walked past him. "Lily, don't expect me to come running after you. I don't have that kind of patience."

"See you at the courthouse at nine tomorrow morning." Lily's heart trembled once again at his words.

She could feel the tone of annoyance and disdain in his voice.