Chapter 17
Back at the Holt residence, Kavier felt both hurt and furious after Julia hung up on him again.
All he did was say he liked playing with Penelope. Even Sebastian liked Penelope, so why did Julla have to be so petty about it?
“Mommy doesn’t deserve to be called Mommy. She’s a grown–up, and she’s still holding grudges with a little kid! From now on, I’m not calling her Mommy anymore!” he muttered angrily,
He was so upset he almost threw Moira’s phone. Moira quicly took it from his hands.
“Mr. Xavier, don’t say that just because you’re upset. I’m sure Mrs. Holt was busy, and maybe it’s all just a misunderstanding,” she said gently.
Ever since Moira had witnessed how Sebastian treated Julia, she knew Julia was still the real woman of the house
Besides, Julla was the one who’d hired her, so saying a few kind words on her behalf wasn’t much.
Xavier stormed back to his room in a buff. He didn’t believe for a second that Sebastian was off having fun with Penelope. He was probably working late. Julia’s attempt to stir things up between them wouldn’t work
Later that night, when Sebastian finally came home, Xavier was already asleep,
He stood at the doorway and looked in, but didn’t stop inside.
“Julia still hasn’t come back?” he asked.
“No, sir.” Moira said as she walled beside him.
“Earlier this evening, Mr. Xaver tried calling Mrs. Holt. She didn’t answer. Then he called her using my phone, and she picked up. He seemed pretty down after that. I think he misses her.”
Sebastian let out a quiet grunt, his expression darkening as he headed up to the third–floor study.
So, she really didn’t plan on coming home anymore?
The next morning, Xavier, usually so punctual thanks to Julia’s influence, was still in bed long past his usual wake–up
Sebastian glanced at his watch, then went to check on him.
“Xar, time to get up for school.”
He stepped into the room and called his name a few times, but Xavier didn’t respond.
p time.
Sebastian walked to the side of the bed, and finally noticed it. Xavier’s eyes were tightly shut, completely unresponsive to his voice.
Two bright red patches stood our on his cheeks. They didn’t look right
Sebastian reached out and touched his forehead. It was burning hot,
“Julla, Xav has a fever!” Sebastian Instinctively turned and shouted toward the hallway, but the one who came rushing in was Moira.
Sebastian froze for a second, then remembered–Julia hadn’t been home in two days.
“Mr. Xavier has a fever?
Maira hurried in, her expression tense. Then, she smacked her thigh in regret.
“It’s my fault. Mrs. Holt specifically mentioned it in the care notes that Mr. Xavier doesn’t sleep well and always kicks off the blankets. She told me to check on him at night.”
Sebastian placed his hand on Xavier’s forehead again. A complicated swirl of emotions rose in his chest upon hearing Moira’s words.
He had no idea that Xavier always kicked his blankets off at night. If Julla hadn’t pointed it out, he never would’ve noticed those little habits at all.
Over the years, Xavier had rarely gotten sick, and his grades were always on track. Sebastian never had to worry about anything
Julia had handled every little thing with care.
Moira glanced at Sebastian cautiously, guilt written all over her face.
She knew she’d dropped the ball
Tring me the first aid kit,” Sebastian said, remaining composed. Aside from a flicker in his dark eyes, his expression was unreadable.
Then, he remembered something else what Moira had said earlier. Before Julia left, she had handed over a thick stack of printed notes, outlining every detail of his and Xavier’s daily routines.
knew then–Julia had always put him and their son at the c
center of her world.
Maybe all this talk about divorce was just her way of lashing out? Something said in a moment of anger?
Soon, Moira returned a
with w
Wani waler and lever medicine.
Sebastian patiently woke Xavier and stayed with him, making sure he took the medicine before letting him fall back asleep.
At The One Design, a soft vibration buzzed across Julia’s desk
She paused her work and glanced at her phone. A countdown lit up on the screen–she had nine days left.
