Bound by the Waves

Chapter 9: Argument

The evening had been an exhausting display of perfect families and forced pleasantries, and now it was just Xaviel and me, standing in the quiet opulence of the sitting room. The weight of everything left unsaid hung between us, and I knew this conversation was inevitable.

"We need to talk," I said, crossing my arms, the frustration I'd been holding back all night finally breaking through.

Xaviel looked at me, his expression a blend of weariness and irritation. "About what? Our parents got exactly what they wanted tonight. Isn't that enough?"

"Enough?" I echoed, letting out a bitter laugh. "This isn't about them, Xaviel. It's about us. About the fact that neither of us wants this marriage, yet here we are, playing along like we don't have a choice."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You think I don't know that? I don't want this any more than you do, but walking away isn't exactly an option."

"So you're just going to settle?" I demanded, my voice rising. "Pretend that this is fine and act like nothing's wrong?"

His face hardened, his tone clipped. "What else am I supposed to do? You know what's at stake. You know what our families expect from us. Or do you think they'd be thrilled to hear that neither of us cares about what they want?"

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "But that doesn't mean we have to go along with it, Xaviel. Why can't we just tell them the truth?"

"Because they won't listen!" he snapped, his voice sharp. "They'd rather push us into this than consider what we want. I'm not about to waste my energy fighting a battle that's already lost."

His words stung, and I felt my disappointment settle into something colder. "So that's it? You're just going to let them dictate your life?"

He let out a frustrated sigh. "This isn't about what I want, Sydney. Do you expect me to play the loving, devoted fiancé? That's not who I am, and we both know it."

"Then maybe we shouldn't be doing this at all," I said, my voice low, a challenge hanging in the air between us. "If you're so willing to give up, maybe this isn't worth it."

He looked at me, the intensity in his gaze sharpening. "You think I don't know that? But we're here, and we're doing this, whether we like it or not."

The silence that followed was thick and uncomfortable, neither of us willing to back down. I could feel the distance between us widening, a rift that neither of us seemed willing-or able-to bridge.

"So, where does that leave us?" I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He shook his head, his expression unreadable. "I don't know, Sydney. Maybe nowhere."

Without another word, he turned and left, his footsteps echoing through the empty halls, leaving me standing alone in the silence, a hollow ache settling in my chest. For the first time, the weight of this arrangement felt heavier than ever, and I realized just how alone we both were in a future neither of us had chosen.

Watching Xaviel walk away, I felt the weight of the evening press down on me. I needed a break, an escape from the lingering tension. So, I slipped out of the mansion, feeling the cool night air as I stepped into the quiet street.

Once I was a safe distance away, I pulled out my phone and dialed Bella.

"Hey, Syd! What's up?" Her voice was a mix of surprise and warmth.

"Are you and the girls up for some late-night wine?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though I could already feel the relief settling in.

"Say no more," she replied with a grin I could practically hear. "We'll grab some bottles and meet at Cali's place."

As I hung up, I felt the first real smile of the night creep onto my face. At least with them, I didn't have to pretend.

I ended the call with Bella, a sense of calm replacing the tension from earlier.

Cali's place was perfect-warm, familiar, and a haven from the expectations waiting for me at home. Within minutes, my friends' familiar faces and the promise of unwinding with wine seemed to breathe life back into me.

As I arrived, Cali threw open the door, grinning. "We've got the good stuff tonight," she laughed, holding up a bottle. I felt my shoulders relax as I stepped inside, knowing I was exactly where I needed to be.

As we settled into Cali's cozy living room, wine glasses in hand, the conversation shifted effortlessly from topic to topic, beginning with the elephant in the room: my fiancé.

"So, how's life with Dr. Perfect?" Bella teased, swirling her glass with a mischievous smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "Perfectly... complicated," I said, which made them all laugh. I could already tell tonight was going to be good therapy.

Bella nudged me. "Well, at least you have one. The whole hospital thinks I'm secretly dating Zane Salazar, and honestly? I have no clue who that even is!"

"Bella and Mr. Popular," Cali mused, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "But hey, I'd trade your rumored guy for my three-year-old's 2 a.m. wake-ups any day."

We all chuckled as Cali shook her head, though the pride in her smile was unmistakable.

Then, Mia leaned in, sighing. "I'm taking notes for next time. Though, after the whole cheater-boyfriend fiasco, I might take a break from dating for, I don't know, ever."

"Or," Leya raised her glass, "you could join the single, workaholic club with me. It's all the rage."

The room erupted in laughter. For a while, the stress from earlier faded, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the comforting chaos of our shared lives.