His Son, My Enemy I She was so thin she barely looked human

65 vouchers Connor had left in such a rush that his wallet slipped to the floor . Almost without thinking , Xylia bent down and picked it up . When they first got married , Xylia noticed the one Connor carried back then was all worn out . She scraped and saved for months and finally bought him a new one with her own money . Connor still kept that cool , detached look on his face , but he did say , " This is the first gift you've given me since we got married . I'll keep it with me forever . " But the one she was holding now wasn't the one she gave him . He had always carried that old wallet .

Xylia opened it , and there it was - a photo of Tessa and Connor . They looked younger , like it was taken years ago . Tessa was wrapped around him , wearing a wedding dress , grinning right at the camera like she didn't have a care in the world . And Connor , he actually had a soft smile on his face . Right across the middle , Xylia could see where the picture had been cut and pieced together . Connor had trimmed Tessa out of her own wedding photo and stuck her right next to himself . A wave of heaviness sat on Xylia's chest . The smile on Connor's face in that photo felt like a knife .

All these years , not a single decent wedding portrait with her . Connor used to tell Xylia love didn't need to be shown off . Now she finally saw it for what it was . He just never thought she deserved to be standing beside him in a wedding dress . To him , only Tessa belonged there . In the bottom corner , Connor had written " My One True Love ," followed by a date . It wasn't random . That was the very day he and Xylia got married , the same day Tessa left the country . All the scattered pieces lined up in her head . Lying in bed , Xylia let out a soundless laugh .

To the outside world , she was the lucky one , the woman who landed the perfect husband . But the truth was , all this time , Connor's heart had belonged somewhere else . By dusk , Connor and Sonny still hadn't come back . The weight in Xylia's chest grew heavier . The sad little marriage she had been holding together for years was already over . Watching the last of the sun sink down , she made a call . " I've made up my mind . I'll come home . " A year ago , she had picked up a call that changed everything .

That was the moment she found 11:42 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 3 out she wasn't an orphan after all . Xylia paused a moment , then added , " But not until three months from now . " 75 65 vouchers Three months later would be the anniversary of her grandmother Laurel Schultz's passing . Out of everyone in the Schultz family , Laurel had been the only one who treated her with kindness . Before she left this city , Xylia wanted to stand by Laurel's grave one last time . Three months would be long enough to get her strength back , end her marriage with Connor , and walk away .

Meanwhile , at Mandé Manor overseas - the sprawling estate of the Sadler family , the richest family in the world - one man hung up the phone . Impeccably dressed , polished down to the last detail , he stared in shock for a second before turning to his three equally striking brothers . His voice carried a rare kind of excitement . " Our little sister finally said yes . She's coming home ." ***** Once Xylia's health picked up , she was discharged . Connor's eyes turned red again as he watched her lean on a crutch .

He helped her into the Ford house , sat her down on the couch , and pulled her into his arms . " It's all behind us now , Xylia . From here on out , we're a happy family ." In Xylia's head , she scoffed . ' Happy ? After lying to me this far , you really expect me to buy that ? ' Sonny came running over , practically bouncing . " Mom , happy discharge day . " He landed right on Xylia's injured hand , making her wince . Sonny scrambled back up , his face not showing much guilt . " Sorry , Mom , you okay ? " Xylia shook her head without a word .

She didn't want to pick a fight , but she was done pretending , too . While Connor and Sonny stayed in the living room watching TV , Xylia slipped back to her room . She wanted to pack up everything that was hers - or burn it if she had to . Except , once she looked around , there really wasn't much that was hers to begin with . Xylia gave a half - smile . No surprise there . In this house , she barely left a trace , same as the place she held in Connor and Sonny's hearts . Disposable . 11:42 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 3 75 65 vouchers But then , she noticed something missing .

The pendant she had handed to Connor before going to prison was gone . Laurel's pendant . The only thing her grandmother had left her before she passed , and the only piece in this house worth taking with her . " Mom , Tessa's here to see you . " Sonny's voice rang from the hall , snapping her out of it . In the living room , Tessa was already sitting there , gift box in hand , grinning wide . She looked too at case , sprawled out on the couch , chatting like she owned the place . The whole room felt lighter with her around . But the moment Xylia walked in , Tessa's voice cut off .

The air got thick fast . When Xylia stayed quiet , Tessa made a show of scooting a little away from Connor . " Xylia , don't get the wrong idea , okay ? Connor and I are just friends . Don't be jealous ." Connor's face flickered with impatience . " Tessa came because she heard you were out of the hospital . That's all . " Xylia lowered her head , ignored them both , and sat on a stool across the room . She wasn't about to argue . Acting blind felt easier . " Xylia , this is for you ." Tessa stepped closer , holding the box . " I remember you used to love this style . " She opened it .

Inside was a dance outfit - exactly the kind Xylia used to adore . [ Xylia's breath caught . Her legs would never dance again . ] " Ms. Schultz , I can't use it anymore . " Her tone stayed flat . Tessa clapped a hand over her mouth , glancing at Xylia's legs . " Sorry , I forgot . My bad , Xylia . I'm kind of rough , not as thoughtful as you girls . Don't be mad , okay ? " Xylia gave a thin smile and finally lifted her gaze . Staring straight into the malice in Tessa's eyes , she only felt how bitterly ironic it was . Her voice stayed calm . " Doesn't matter . I quit dancing a long time ago .

Keep it for yourself ." The gift meant nothing . Same as the son and the husband she no longer wanted . Tessa laughed and finally set the box down . That was when Xylia noticed the pendant hanging from her neck , swinging as she moved . Xylia's stomach dropped . Her fist clenched tight . It was Laurel's pendant . 11:42 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 4