Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Tamara also fell silent.

"Mom, why are you taking it out on Tamara?" Shane muttered, caught between worrying about Edith getting too upset and making sure Tamara wouldn't be offended.

Edith shot him a scathing glare and jerked her head aside.

Signaling Tamara to drop the subject, Shane turned toward Lily and said, "That's not what Tamara meant. Don't take it to heart-that's just her personality. You and Xavier's situation doesn't matter right now. Just focus on your recovery first."

"Alright," Lily complied, though she thought whether she said it or not didn't really matter.

After all, none of them had any say over Xavier.noveldrama

Their presence heightened the tension in the ward.

Maryanne sat on the couch and pulled out her phone to text Terence for help.

"The Fultons are here! They want Xavier to take care of Lily tonight and are telling me to leave." She had texted him the moment Edith had urged her to leave, but he hadn't responded.

The door suddenly swung open, and Xavier strode in. Terence trailed after him, his usual gentle appearance clouded by a dark expression.

"Mrs. Fulton Senior, Mr. Fulton, and Mrs. Fulton, nice to meet you," he greeted. Shane returned Terence's greeting with a slight nod and smile.

Though Edith also smiled at him, her eyes glinted as she chided, "Maryanne, it's one thing for you to come take care of Lily, but why drag your brother here too? He's so busy, especially with the year-end approaching."

"Mrs. Fulton Senior, I came of my own accord," Terence said, standing at the foot of the bed.

That was all he said he refused to elaborate further, though his implication was clear.

Xavier stood on the left side of the bed. Lily lowered her head. The scent of tobacco on him mixed with his distinet, clean fragrance filled her senses He remained silent, but she could feel his searing gaze on her.

"Just staring at her won't help," Edith chided, knocking on the bedside table. "Words won't help either. Actions are what matter! What are you waiting for? She's finished her soup. Refill her bowl."

Lily had been holding the bowl, resting it against her lap. She actually didn't need another bowl.

But the cabinet was on her right, and she was holding the bowl with her left hand. Given the way she was

seated, it was difficult for her to turn and put the bowl down. That was why she had been holding it

As soon as Edith finished speaking, Xavier's hand came into her view.

He took the bowl and walked to the other side of her bed, refilling her bowl with soup.

"I don't want any more," Lily said tersely.

"What's wrong?" Edith crooned. "Does it not taste as good as Shane's? He said he'd make more for you tomorrow."

Quickly shaking her head, Lily said, "That's not necessary."

Tamara frowned. "The stew will help with your recovery. We're family, after all. Why are you refusing?"

To her, Lily's courtesy felt forced.

But in fact, Lily wasn't being polite. She really didn't need them to do that for her.

She had no intention of merely coexisting with Xavier in this marriage. She wanted to sever all her ties with him, including his family. They were the ones who affected him the most, after all.

"Work at the company has been

busy lately, so I'll back you guys up. I'll prepare food and drinks and send them over to both the company and the hospital. It's no trouble," Shane suggested, trying to ease her burden.

Kon?

"Forget sending food to the company," Edith interjected. "From today onward, Xavier shouldn't go to work anymore. He shall stay and take care of Lily. Just send everything here."