Second Love [Completed]

18. Bridegroom for Princess Daughter

Hey to all I'm back with new Chapter hope you all will love it.

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Xavier's P.O.V.

The moment Susan left the room, the air felt heavier. Her heels clicked against the marble floor, fading into the distance, and for a second, I just stood there, watching the doorway she disappeared through. The way her shoulders tensed, the way she barely held back her tears—it did something to me. A part of me wanted to reach out, to stop her, but that was ridiculous. She was just another woman, another complication I didn't need.

And yet, when I turned back, everyone in the room was staring at me like I had just committed a crime. My father, Susan's father, and every damn person present had the same expectant look. Like they had already decided my fate for me.

Marry her because I kissed her? No way. I'm Xavier Williams. I do what I like, and no one orders me around. Ever.

But there it was—my father's smug expression, as if he could already see my resistance crumbling. He knew me too well, knew exactly which buttons to push. And Susan's father? He looked calm on the outside, but I knew better. He was waiting, watching, assessing.

"She'll be fine. I have no doubt. She's my daughter, after all," Richard said confidently.

Fine? Seriously? She had been on the verge of breaking down, and he was treating it like a passing inconvenience? That didn't sit right with me. Not at all.

"Of course, I hope so," my father added, his gaze shifting to me. "Xavier, I think you and Susan should spend more time together. It's clear that there's something real between you two."

This is what they call karma coming full circle. How did he know I wasn't being truthful? The look in his eyes told me he had seen right through the lie—just like he always did.

Because he's always one step ahead, a voice in my head mocked.

For the first time in my life, I actually regretted kissing someone. But damn, kissing Susan had been worth it. Even now, the memory of her lips—soft, warm, and utterly intoxicating—refused to leave my mind. But I had to get a grip. No more distractions.

"Dad, you're reading too much into this. Susan and I are just spending time together, and that kiss... we got caught up in the moment, that's all."

Liar, liar, pants on fire. The words tasted like ash on my tongue, and I could already envision the firestorm Susan would unleash when she found out what I had fed our parents. A slow, painful death would be too merciful for the way she'd skin me alive.

"Nonsense," Richard scoffed, his confidence unshaken. "I know my daughter better than anyone. She doesn't give herself away lightly. If she showed affection in public, it meant something. At least, to her."

My jaw locked. Was she really that kind of woman? Maybe. She certainly had the unwavering loyalty of a queen, the kind that demanded the same in return. Stubborn as hell, armed with a razor-sharp tongue that could cut a man down without lifting a finger—yet fiercely loyal to those she deemed worthy.

"Then let's not drag this out any longer. Give us some time to adjust to this whole arranged marriage thing," I said, looking between my father and Richard. They exchanged glances, clearly communicating something I wasn't privy to.

My father cleared his throat. "Fine. You have three days. On the fourth day, we want a yes from both of you."

Three days? That wasn't enough time for anything. I needed at least a month to figure out how to get out of this mess. But arguing was pointless, so I walked out, not wanting to be in that suffocating room for another second.