Urging Him to Get a Divorce (Aveline and Xavier) novel Chapter 716

Gerald frowned, clearly displeased. “But you told me to go after her earlier,” he said, his voice tinged with frustration.

Xavier stood there, momentarily at a loss for words. “I miscalculated,” he admitted quietly.

Without another word, he turned his back on Gerald and walked away, leaving Gerald staring after him, confusion etched across his face.

Once inside the car, Xavier glanced over at Amy and said, “Let’s head back to Garden Estate.”

Meanwhile, after finishing her conversation with Fiona, Aveline got into her car and drove back to Garden Estate a little past three in the afternoon. The air was warm but calm, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows over the manicured lawns.

As she stepped through the front gate, she spotted Xavier’s car parked in the courtyard. She stepped out and noticed Amy sitting quietly on a stone bench beneath a sprawling tree, sipping tea. Amy stood and greeted her politely, “Ma’am.”

Aveline gave a slight nod in return and proceeded inside the house.

Hearing the door, Miranda emerged from the dining room. “Mr. Beltran is here. I prepared some pasta for him and the driver. He’s upstairs now.”

Aveline asked, “Where are Collin and Paulina?”

“They’re playing cards at Matriarch Vance’s request,” Miranda replied.

Aveline nodded silently and headed upstairs. Upon entering the bedroom, she was surprised to find Xavier lying on her bed, eyes closed, appearing to be either asleep or resting.

Her expression hardened instantly. Without hesitation, she struck him sharply with her purse. “Get up. Go home and sleep,” she ordered coldly.

Xavier, who had been on the verge of drifting into a deep sleep, snapped awake at her voice. Slowly, he opened his eyes and glanced at her with a faint smile.

“You know, getting hit with a purse actually hurts,” he teased softly.

“And weren’t you supposed to cover me with a blanket? You always used to,” Aveline retorted, her voice icy.

She set her purse down on the bench at the foot of the bed, her tone steely. “That was then. This is now.”

Xavier remained still, closing his eyes again. “I’m exhausted. Let me rest for a while. Wake me when it’s time for dinner.”

Aveline’s frustration boiled over. She wanted to kick him, but the thought of such an unladylike action stopped her. Instead, she grabbed her purse and lightly tapped him again. Despite the lack of feelings she had for him now, she still felt a flicker of conscience, unwilling to hurt him.

Xavier felt the gentle taps with his eyes closed, fully aware she wouldn’t use much force. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Seeing this, Aveline’s confusion deepened. Did he think she was joking? That she was merely playing?

“Xavier, don’t push your luck,” she warned.

“Baby, I’ve missed you so much. Can you forgive me?” he whispered earnestly.

“If there were a test in this world that could prove my feelings for you are real and that nothing ever happened between Josephine and me, I’d go bankrupt taking it,” he added with conviction.

Aveline’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “You only say that because no such test exists.”

Xavier was left speechless.

Instead, he lowered his head, pressing his face into the crook of Aveline’s neck, remaining still and silent.

She pushed at him angrily, but he was so tall and strong that she couldn’t budge him.

“Xavier, if you don’t get up, I’m really going to bite you,” she threatened, half-joking.

His muffled reply came softly, “Go ahead and bite me. If it makes you feel better, then do it.”

But knowing Aveline’s upbringing, he doubted she would ever actually bite anyone.

The late afternoon sun dipped lower, casting a golden glow through the window as the two remained locked in their complicated embrace.