Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier) novel Chapter 209

Lily stood with her back to Xavier, her expression blank as she listened to Hazel. Fully, Hazel stopped speaking 

“Got it. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang i 

È up now.” 

Lily didn’t know how to respond to Hazel’s words. Should she explain herself? Say she hadn’t come back to please Xavier and would be leaving soon? That would just lead to endless accusations and a phone argument. 

Forget it. Let Hazel think about what she wanted. 

Lily left the conservatory and headed back to the kitchen to contime helping with the cooking. 

Xavier stood at the corner of the conservatory, checking his phone as it vibrated with a new message. It was from Hazel. 

“Xavier, Lily may seem innocent, but she’s a bit proud and stubborn. Please be patient with her. I’ll remind her to behave. I hope you two can get along and live happily together.” 

Though Lily had said nothing, Hazel could tell from her expression that she had returned reluctantly. Hazel couldn’t let her ruin this–it had been hard enough to get her back into Xavier’s life. 

She knew Xavier looked down on the Joyner family, but she had to send him this message even if it meant embarrassing herself. 

Xavier didn’t reply immediately. He stared at the message for a moment, his expression complicated. 

Two hours later, after Edith had finished lunch and was preparing to leave, Lily saw her chance. 

“Grandma, I have something to do outside. I’ll ride with you in your car,” she said, grabbing her phone and preparing to leave. 

But before she could take a step, Xavier’s arm shot out, pulling her back into his embrace. She stumbled, half of her body pressed against his chest. 

Xavier smiled coldly, his voice laced with a faint threat. “How inconsiderate. Are you planning to have Grandma drop you off? I’ll drive you myself later.” 

His lips brushed against her ear, his tone both menacing and intimate. 

Lily instinctively tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened. The more she struggled, the more his ann constricted around her. 

She turned to Edith with a pleading look “Grandma, can’t you just drop me off at the nearest bus stop?” 

But Edith, ever perceptive, noticed her Xavier’s unwillingness to let Lily go. 

“Bus stop? No no, Xavier will drive you there,” she said with a wide smile. “Emma, let’s go. I’m feeling tired…” 

Emma stepped forward to help Edith put on her cost. 

Lily watched them leave, her gaze lingering with longing. Without a second thought, she pinched Xavier’s thigh, knowing that spot was the most sensitive. 

She pinched hard, and his body tensed. A muffled groan escaped his lips, but his expression didn’t change. Instead, he used the pain as fuel, lifting her with one ann effortlessly, 

“click” 

The door shut as Edith and Emma lett.