\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 25 Xavier\u2019s Protection\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Xavier stood up, Vincent\u2019s gaze flicked to Scarlett as she walked in-but she didn\u2019t so much as glance his way. Her eyes were fixed solely on the elder, warm and attentive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavier took Scarlett\u2019s hand and led her toward the couch. As they walked, he shot Vincent a sharp look, his voice leaving no room for argument. \u201cYour wife hasn\u2019t eaten yet. Head to the kitchen and bring out the food we saved for her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was an order, plain and simple. Vincent had no interest in picking a fight with Xavier- especially over something as trivial as fetching food. He nodded, set his phone down on the armrest, and stood up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As he passed the table, he reached over and tugged gently on Vanessa\u2019s hat. \u201cCome with me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa spun around, her face scrunched up in annoyance at Vincent\u2014but with Xavier watching, she didn\u2019t dare throw a fit. Reluctantly, she pushed herself out of her chair, mumbled a half-hearted \u201cFine,\u201d and trailed after him toward the kitchen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett watched the two of them-Vincent\u2019s broad shoulders, Vanessa\u2019s tiny, slumping figure- heading to get her food, and it was obvious neither was happy about it. She didn\u2019t want to stir up more awkwardness, so she spoke up, \u201cI can go get it myself, really.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She started to stand, but Xavier tightened his grip on her hand and guided her back down into a chair at the dining table. He lifted his cane slightly, waving it for emphasis as he lectured, \u201cSit right there. We brought you into this family to be taken care of, not to wait on everyone else. Vincent and Vanessa have two hands and two feet, don\u2019t they? What\u2019s the harm in them waiting on you for once? You\u2019ve done more than enough for this family-you gave birth to Vanessa, for heaven\u2019s sake! That makes you a hero around here. Men need to be told what to do, Scarlett. If you don\u2019t stand up to him today, he\u2019ll walk all over you tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s heart warmed at his words, a soft ache spreading through her chest. All these years, Xavier had always been kind to her-genuinely kind, not the fake politeness the rest of the Stewart family offered. When she\u2019d had Vanessa, Xavier\u2019d handed her a jewelry box full of pieces worth a fortune and a bank card with no limit, just saying, \u201cFor my great- granddaughter\u2026 and her mom.\u201d He was the only one in this family who treated her like a person, not a placeholder. If it weren\u2019t for his kindness, she would\u2019ve never agreed to come back tonight-not to deal with Vincent\u2019s coldness or Vanessa\u2019s resentment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes stung, but she managed a smile. \u201cI know, Grandpa. Thank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, Vincent and Vanessa emerged from the kitchen, carrying plates of food. The spread was rich-braised pork, garlic shrimp, sticky ribs-all of Scarlett\u2019s favorite dishes. Vanessa set a bowl of rice down in front of Scarlett, then turned on her heel and darted back to the couch to play with her cards, like being near Scarlett was a chore,\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:31 Sat, Jan 3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 25 Xavier\u2019s Protection\u00a0<\/p>\n
45\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent handed Scarlett a fork, said nothing, and turned to leave-but Xavier\u2019s voice stopped him. \u201cVincent. Where do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent looked up, confused, his brow furrowed. \u201cGrandpa? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavier raised his cane, a mock-threatening gesture-he never actually hit anyone-and snapped, \u201cDon\u2019t you know you\u2019re supposed to sit and eat with your wife?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent glanced at Scarlett, his expression uncertain. But she didn\u2019t meet his eyes, her voice cool and distant. \u201cGrandpa, it\u2019s okay. I can eat alone. He doesn\u2019t need to stay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her coldness caught Vincent off guard. For a split second, he found himself thinking of how she used to be-how, no matter where they were, home or out, she\u2019d stick close to him, asking if he wanted seconds, if he needed a drink, if he felt like stopping for fruit on the way back. Now? She was the complete opposite. It was like he was looking at a stranger. A twinge of unease settled in his chest, but he brushed it off. It was just awkwardness, he told himself-nothing\u00a0<\/p>\n
more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since Scarlett didn\u2019t want him there, he wasn\u2019t going to force it. He stood there for a moment, then shrugged. \u201cAlright. Let me know if you need anything.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavier watched their exchange, a heavy sigh escaping him. Five years. They\u2019d been married five years, and their relationship hadn\u2019t gotten any better-if anything, it was falling apart at the seams. He\u2019d tried playing matchmaker a hundred times, nudging them to talk, forcing them to spend time together, but nothing worked. At this point, he wasn\u2019t sure there was anything more he could do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After dinner, Scarlett tried to clear the dishes and wash them herself, but Xavier wouldn\u2019t let her. He called the maid over and told her to take care of it, then ushered everyone into the living room. The atmosphere there was thick with awkward silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa sat on the floor, playing with her cards, chattering occasionally to Xavier or Vincent\u2014 but she acted like Scarlett wasn\u2019t even in the room. Scarlett, in turn, only spoke to Xavier, her attention never straying to Vincent or Vanessa. Vincent didn\u2019t say much at all; he just sat on the couch, his phone in his hand, typing away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett knew exactly who he was texting-Sabrina. She could picture it-him apologizing for not spending the night with her, making plans for tomorrow, maybe even sending a silly meme to make her laugh. The thought didn\u2019t hurt as much as it used to; it just felt\u2026 empty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavier had wanted to try mediating again, to nudge them into talking, but it was getting late and he was tired. He pushed himself up from his chair, his joints creaking, and said, \u201cI\u2019m off to bed. You all should stay the night-there\u2019s plenty of rooms.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent stood up first, stepping forward. \u201cGrandpa, let me walk you to your room.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavier softened at the gesture-Vincent might be bad at marriage, but he was always respectful\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:31 Sat, Jan 3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 25 Xavier\u2019s Protection\u00a0<\/p>\n
to his elders. He nodded. \u201cAlright. Come on, then.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
45\u00a0<\/p>\n
13\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
M\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just as Vincent was helping Xavier steady himself, Scarlett spoke up, \u201cGrandpa?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavier turned around, his eyes gentle. \u201cWhat is it, dear?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett took a breath, her voice calm. \u201cI have to work at the hospital tomorrow, so I should head home tonight. I\u2019m worried about-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t get to finish. Xavier cut her off, his tone playful but laced with fake disappointment. \u201cOh, fine. Go on, then. I\u2019m just an old man, after all\u2014every day could be my last. All I want is to have my family around me, but now everyone\u2019s got a million excuses to leave. Guess I\u2019m just useless now, huh?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 25 \u00a0 Chapter 25 Xavier\u2019s Protection\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 When Xavier stood up, Vincent\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27389"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27389\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}