Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier) novel Chapter 434

Lily lay in the hospital bed, surrounded by silence. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Xavier standing outside the operating room with his back to her while the doctor's words echoed in her mind.

She knew some things were beyond her control, yet she couldn't stop herself from overthinking about it. Lost in thought, she drifted in and out of sleep until the sound of the door opening jolted her awake.

After reaching over to turn on the light, she sat up and looked toward the entrance.

Xavier walked in, dressed in a black shirt, his woolen sweater and overcoat draped over his arm. His steps were light, his breathing deliberately quiet.

The sudden brightness of the light made his dark eyes narrow momentarily.

"Why are you back?" Lily asked, puzzled. "Did you forget something?"

His gaze adjusted to the light before meeting her slightly dazed eyes. "Where else would I go if not here?"

"Xyla…" Lily pressed her lips together, the sharp edge she had during the day when criticizing Xyla now completely gone. "How is she?"

"She's in the ICU. No one can see her right now." Xavier placed his coat down before walking over to the window to pull the curtains shut. Then, he began undoing the buttons on his shirt one by one.

Lily lowered her eyes, her gaze inadvertently falling on his abs. "I didn't realize her condition was so serious. I was too direct when I spoke to her."

Standing at the foot of the bed, Xavier frowned at her. "She's just worried about Sarah. Sooner or later, she would've caused a scene. If it hadn't been with you, it would've been with me. It was unavoidable, so don't dwell on it."

"What?" Lily was taken aback. She hadn't expected him to say that. Without thinking, she blurted out, "Then will you let Sarah go for her sake?"

As soon as those words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back. After all, what was the point of asking? Wasn't she just setting herself up for humiliation?