Unhappily Married by; Rachel N.

Part 9

CHAPTER NINE

Xavier's mind raced with uncertainty, the threatening calls leaving him with a sense of unease. He couldn't shake off the feeling that his family was involved, his stepmother and Maxwell being the prime suspects. But what if it wasn't them? The thought sent a chill down his spine. It would mean that his enemy was a complete stranger, someone he had no idea was harboring such malice.

Nikita's safety was his top priority, and the only way he knew to protect her was by bringing her back to the house. But she was beginning to disrupt the very fabric of his life, turning his world upside down. He felt trapped, unsure of what to do next.

In desperation, he turned to the one person he thought he could trust - his Uncle. But a nagging doubt lingered, the detective's words echoing in his mind: "The suspect could be anyone from your family." That included his Uncle, too. Yet, Xavier couldn't bring himself to believe that his Uncle would ever betray him. He had always been a pillar of strength, a man of integrity. And then there was the fact that he was crippled, a hero who had saved his father's life in an accident. No, Xavier thought, his Uncle wouldn't be capable of such treachery. He had to confide in him, no matter the risk.

"I still have no idea who's sending me those calls," Xavier said, standing by the window, his eyes gazing out at the gloomy sky. His Uncle Thomas, seated in his wheelchair, looked up at him with concern.

"Who is it you suspect?" Thomas asked, his voice gentle.

Xavier turned, his expression darkening. "Who else if not my stepmother and Maxwell?" he said, his tone laced with anger and suspicion.

Thomas's eyes widened in surprise. "I doubt that, Xavier. You shouldn't use a past situation to judge the present," he said, his voice measured.

Xavier's face twisted in frustration. "I experienced those past situations all by myself, so I have every right to use them in judging that so called family of mine. And besides, I'm not wrong," he said, his voice firm.

Thomas sighed heavily, knowing it would be a challenge to change Xavier's perception of his stepmother. He glanced around the room, noticing Nikita's absence. "Why are you alone today as well? Nikita didn't come?" he asked, his brow furrowed.

Xavier's frown deepened at the mention of her name. "Uncle, stop calling her here. She's busy with school work as it is," he said, his tone dismissive.

Thomas's eyes narrowed. "You're asking me to stop calling the only person who keeps me company here?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Xavier's smile was wry. "Exactly," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief.

Thomas shook his head, his expression stern. "You are one rude punk," he said, wheeling himself away.

Xavier chuckled, following him. "You're the one who taught me to be rude, though," he said, his voice teasing.

Thomas stopped wheeling and glared at him. "I regret that every day," he said, his voice laced with remorse.

Xavier laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement, and helped wheel his Uncle out of the room.
After his heartfelt conversation with his Uncle Thomas, Xavier felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He was relieved to have shared his burdens and grateful for his Uncle's unwavering support.

*
Nikita indeed heeded Xavier's words and headed to meet her friend Temin at a cozy restaurant, her mind whirling with thoughts. As she rode to the restaurant, she couldn't shake off the memory of Xavier's words to her parents. She wondered if he genuinely meant what he said or was it just a ploy to appease her. His words stirred a mix of emotions within her, and she found herself torn between her past feelings for him and her current skepticism.