Downstairs, Winnie called out to Jacinta, and to Xavierâs chagrin, she went into the building with Christopher.Xavierâs face darkened instantly.He left his house and went into the elevator with his wheelchair.Ever since he discovered that Winnie had faked her condition, Xavier had always felt conflicted. He wanted to know all her secretsâevery single one of themâyet he knew that Winnie had an ego, and was opinionated, so he had been waiting for her to open up to him on her own, but what he learned that day was the last straw.Yes, I lied to her, but that lie is nothing compared to hers! Itâs not like I have a choice, and thatâs not the case for her! How could she hide the fact that sheâs staying downstairs from me? Does she even care about me? Does she take our relationship for a game?Over in another elevator, Christopher seemed uncomfortable about going to Winnieâs place. âI think I should go back. This is my first time seeing your granny, but I didnât bring a gift with me.ââItâs fine,â Winnie assured. âGranny doesnât care about all this. Sheâs very hospitable. She would shout at me until everyone in this building heard her if she found out I didnât bring you with me. I hope you donât mind her character.ââI donât mind, of course. Itâs nice having a lively and energetic person at home.ââI guess. It does get lonely if the house is too quiet. Anyway, weâre here.âDing! The elevator stopped as soon as Winnie spoke.Winnie wanted to lead the way after the door opened, but she suddenly stopped.Behind her, Christopher, who was way taller than her, glanced over Winnieâs shoulder and saw Xavier outside the elevator.From the looks of it, he must have sat in his wheelchair waiting for them for some time.
The two froze in shock until the elevator door closed again when no one went out of the elevator after a long while.Christopher raised his hand to stop the door despite being caught in a dilemma. He was undecided if he should step out or go back down.As for Winnie, she was not expecting Xavier to be back at Aqua Moana. Thus, it never once crossed her mind that Xavier would appear on the thirty-first floor.I guess thereâs no use hiding. Granny shouted so loud from our house earlier, so he mustâve heard.Spotting Xavierâs hostile glare at Christopher, Winnie turned to Christopher and said, âIâm sorry.
This is not a good day to have guests over at the house. Weâll take a rain check.âChristopher nodded.
âSure. Call me if you need anything.ââI will,â Winnie replied with an apologetic smile. She felt sorry that things had taken an unexpected turn.Their interaction exasperated Xavier and watching them felt as if a thousand knives had pierced his heart.To him, it did not matter if Winne lashed out at him or expressed her surprise as long as he was the first person she talked to the moment she saw him, yet that was not what Winnie did.She reacted calmly and coldly toward Xavier and apologized to and smiled at another man. She even invited Christopher to her house in front of Xavier.Humiliated, Xavier felt a gush of fury rose in his heart. I gave her my heart and soul, yet she threw it at her feet and trampled all over it.âStand right there. No oneâs going anywhere,â Xavier ordered in a forbidding tone.
There was no sign of his endearing self when he was around Winnie in his voice. Christopher frowned when he sensed the antagonism in Xavierâs voice.âYou mustâve misunderstood our relationship, Mr.
Fairchild. I came to discuss important matters with Winnie today, and I came up because her granny invited me in.ââShut up! Is that your guilt speaking? I didnât even ask a question, or are you afraid I donât know all the details of you guysâ meetup?ââXavier Fairchild! Stop being snarky! Youâre the one who should shut up!â Winnie shouted. Xavierâs tone vexed her beyond measure, especially when she had been tolerating his lies that whole day.âChristopherâs Grannyâs guest, so who do you think you are to talk to him like this? You and I not even related, to begin with,â she continued.âWhat did you say? Are we not related? Do you want me to show you our marriage certificate to jog your memory about our relationship? You know how Iâve treated you all this while!â Xavier scoffed.âStop using our marriage certificate as an excuse. Itâs just a paper. We should just get our marriage license revoked tomorrow if you keep bringing it up! Letâs just get a divorce!ââSo, you want a divorce now, huh? Donât tell me youâre already planning on marrying this man. Youâre bringing him home when youâve only known him for days! Why didnât you tell me youâve been staying here? Grandpa unilaterally decided on the marriage without our consent, so I totally understand if you want to call it off, but I clearly told you how I feel about you. How could you just disregard everything I did for you?â Xavier bellowed in dissatisfaction.âEverything you did for me?â Winnie mocked. âDonât get me started. Why did you lie to me when youâre not even in Aqua Moana? I gave you many chances to tell me the truth, but you didnât.
Why? Because you were with Yulissa yesterday night!â Winnie snapped before a pause. âWhy are you quiet? Is it because I just called you out? I didnât tell you I bought a house here, but you didnât ask either. I wouldâve told you if you asked, but what about you? You lied to me repeatedly, even when I asked you. Also, you should be frank and ask me to stay out of the drug case if thatâs what you want.
Why do you have to conspire with Louis to trick me? I was told there was still no progress with the logistics company investigation, but the truth is that the search result was already sent out! Is that even necessary? Before I forget, how did Yulissa find out about my secret? Only a few people know Iâm faking my illness, and of all these people, youâre the only one in contact with her.ââI get it now. You are second-guessing me.â A smirk curved on Xavierâs lips. âIt seems like Captain Bennett told you everything. Heâs the one who drove a wedge between us.ââAre you crazy? How narrow-minded can you get? Christopher was still siding with you earlier!ââYes. Iâm crazy!â Xavier cried out and shot up from his wheelchair.With his eyes pumped red, he seized Winnie on her shoulder and seethed, âI must be crazy to feel insecure about you leaving me for someone else! I must be crazy to think about you day and night! I must be crazy to lie to you! I was so scared you might misunderstand me. I donât want you to spend more time with this man because of the case. Things are not as simple as you think they are. Canât you see that he likes you? This man wants you! I love you and did everything for you, but what about you? You donât even feel the same way for me!â