Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

The jealousy dripping from Maryanne's tone made Lily uncomfortable. Uneasiness churned in her stomach as she held the croissants and oatmeal.

Looking unfazed, Terence explained, "One of your hands is injured. I'll feed you."

Maryanne pouted her lips, resting her hands on her hips as she snapped, "Yeah, you should take care of her then!"

"I'm just kidding," Terence said, pointing at another box of croissants on the coffee table. "Yours is over there."

"I know you're the best, Terence!" Maryanne exclaimed before patting Lily's shoulder. "You should also acknowledge him as your brother-it's like winning the lottery in life!"

A smile spread on Lily's face as she nodded. "Sure. I'll make sure to cozy up to you, Terence."

"You're not allowed to," he promptly refused. "Unless you do it in a different way."

Maryanne had hurried toward the couch to indulge in the croissants. She was starving, so she barely noticed what Terence had just said.

But Lily heard him loud and clear. She didn't dare to respond and merely stuffed her face with food.

The Devereux siblings had kept her company for the entire morning. She had been distracted, her mind constantly drifting to different thoughts.

She pondered Terence's unusual attitude and also wondered how Xavier was going to clear Sarah's name.

Then, she thought about her hand. Was it really incurable?

This accident had been so sudden that she still hadn't fully recollected herself. At least for now, she hadn't yet realized the consequences of being unable to fully recover and return to designing.

The more Lily thought about it, the more anxious she felt.

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With the foreign orthopedic doctor, Marvin Barker, set to arrive that afternoon, she had grown so tense that she failed to notice the overwhelming tension between Xavier and Terence when they arrived together.

She was led away for an examination. Terence took her coat, but Timothy intercepted him before he could leave.

In the next instant, the coat in his

hands slipped into Xavier's arms et

Lightly patting Lily's beige coatche maintained an indifferent expression as he trailed after her.

Terence tried to move, but Timothy was blocking his way.

"Mr. Devereux, it's getting late. You and Ms. Devereux should go back and rest.

Mr. Fulton will take care of Mrs. Fulton here."

Marching over to them, Maryanne

slapped his hand away and

snapped, "That bastard only knows how to take advantage of others since when does he know how to take care of anyone?

Timothy felt silent.

sw novel.

Taking advantage of his lack of response, Maryanne sidestepped him and hurried after Lily.

As Lily followed the doctor, Xavier suddenly said, "I won't interfere with the investigation into Sarah."

"Oh," she replied indifferently, burying her distrust deep in her heart.

A wave of helplessness surged through Xavier. If anything, his voluntary

explanation seemed utterly insignificant to Lily.

At the entrance to the examination room, he draped her coat over her shoulders. "I'll wait for you outside."

She walked in without looking back or responding to him. The coat over her shoulders slipped askew, as if it could fall at any moment.noveldrama

"Could one family member come in to accompany her?" the doctor called out.

"I will!" Both Xavier and Terence replied in unison.