Claim
Chapter 25
Xavier looked completely heartbroken as he faced Sebastian, as if every bit of the blame belonged to Julia
Julia, barely supported by Sebastian, felt like her head was splitting.
Her vision went black at the edges, and a high–pitched ringing filled her ears–everything else became a distant blur.
Xavier’s sobs felt distorted, like overprocessed static in her ears, each cry slicing through her skull like a blade.
Blood dripped from her forehead, sliding down her check and hitting the floor. It took a long moment before she could even begin to gather herself.
She finally lifted her eyes in Xavier’s direction, only to realize her vision had blurred so badly she could barely make our anything more than a few feet
“Sebastian, just take him away.” Julia’s breathing was shaky. “He’s right, I don’t want him, I really can’t handle being his mother anymore.”
Even though she couldn’t see clearly, her eyes locked in the right direction, straight at Xavier.
flood was still trickling from her head, but her voice was steady, and every word struck heavy. Her gaze, ice cold, was dry and completely devoid of tears.
Xavier, young as he was, felt something shift in his gut. A flicker of fear passed through him then
Before, even when Julia said she didn’t want him and refused to cook for him, she still showed some flicker of emotion, some sign that she still cared.
But now, her eyes held nothing. She looked at him like he was a stranger.
“Mommy!”
Xavier finally broke, running over to hug her leg. Julia moved away without hesitation
Xavier froze, stunned. He cried harder, his voice raw and panicked. “Mommy, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it, please!”
But Julia didn’t flinch. She turned her back to him and said to Sebastian, cold and unwavering, “Get him out of here. Now.”
Her body was trembling, on the verge of collapsing.
Sebastian instinctively reached out to steady her, but she pulled away. It was Haley who caught her in time, helping her stay upright. Sebastian stood frozen for a second, jaw clenched as the words remained stuck in his throat. His gaze flicked to Julia’s bleeding head Saying nothing, he grabbed Xavier by the ann and walled out with a story expression.
Xavier’s raspy cries echoed down the hall and didn’t fade until the elevator doors closed.
Haley’s voice cracked with emotion as she pressed a tissue against Julia’s bleeding head, rushing to get her to the hospital.
On the way there, Julia stayed completely calm. Not a single tear fell
Haley kept glancing over at her, feeling her heart ache. “You and Xavier used to be so close how did it and up like this?”
Even though Julia hadn’t kept in close touch these past few years, Haley had still seen glimpses of her life through Instagram posts.
From the day Xavier was bom, Julia had documented nearly every stage of his childhood
Haley knew Julia had restricted her account so that only a few trusted friends could see those posts.
So even without constant contact, they all knew that Julia had been truly happy. She had a husband she loved and a son she adored.
Xavier had been her entire world.
And now this…
Julia gave a slight shake of her head. Her vision still swarm a little, and there was a sad, self–mocking curve to her lips.
Ever since Xavier was born, she’d poured everything into their family, her whole life revolving around her husband and her child.
“He said I ruined his perfect childhood by being too strict.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “He’s not wrong. I was strict with him.
Haley stayed quiet for a moment before finally saying softly, “He’s still just a kid. He doesn’t get it yet. What mom would let her child run wild with no boundaries?“!
bis.
a just shook her head again. “He likes Penelope, so let him have her. Let them enjoy their little mother–son be
Let him have the perfect childhood‘ ho thinks he’s been missing The Holt fa
-son bond. Let her raise him however she
Holt family will make sure he’s taken care of
What Julia couldn’t forget was when Xavier said all the love and effort she’d given him were just selfish tools she used to brag about herself
She knew those words came from Penelope’s mouth, but knowing that didn’t make them hurt any less.
