Xanthe had been in meetings all morning in the company . When the clock struck around noon she finally had a moment to catch her breath . Just as she stepped out of the conference room , a message from Trevor popped up on he phone . [ I'm waiting for you here at the Italian restaurant downstairs . ] Lately , Trevor had made it a habit to return every day at noon just to have lunch with her . It wasn't the first time staff at the W Industries had seen him show up like this . She'd caugh glimpses of admiration - and jealousy - on the female employees ' faces . How lucky must she be to be cared for by a man like him ? Thoughtful , dependable , showing up like clockwork . Downstairs , Trevor met her at the door and slipped his arm through hers as they walked towar the restaurant , the two of them chuckling as they chatted . " I already ordered lunch , " he said with a wink . " All your favorites ." Xanthe gave him a half - exasperated , half - amused look . " You really don't need to do this ever day . Your company's not exactly around the corner . Running back and forth like this has to b exhausting . " " If I didn't come , would you even remember to eat on time ? " His voice was gentle , but there was no room for debate . " I saw your medical report . You've got chronic gastritis . You need to ea regularly - no exceptions . " That stopped her for a moment . She'd had stomach issues for years , especially during those three years she worked at BMC Global . The company had just been getting off the ground , and she was always too busy to ea on time . Over time , it developed into a chronic problem . But in all those years , Barrington had never once noticed . To be precise , he'd never truly paid attention to her , did he ? " Okay ," she surrendered with a smile . " I'll listen to you ." But just as they stepped into the restaurant , they ran straight into Barrington . Neither of them had expected it - and judging by the look on his face , neither had he . He'd been in Chicago for several days now , searching for any trace of her - but it was like she ' vanished into thin air . And now here she was , standing beside another man . " Xanthe ! " Barrington's eyes were locked on her as he reached out to pull her toward him . " I finally found you ! Come home with me ! " Trevor reacted first , his arm tightening around her waist , shielding her instantly . " Mr. Connolly ," he said , his tone edged with a warning , " can't you tell ? She doesn't want to g with you ." Barrington stiffened . He didn't spend much time in the city , but he knew exactly who Trevor was . 104 1.8 212 120 12:41 pm D " Mr. Michelson , " Barrington said with forced calm , " She is my wife . Don't you think it's a little inappropriate for you to be holding someone else's wife ? " He turned back to her . " Xanthe , honey , there's been a misunderstanding . What happenec between me and Vionnet- " He tried to explain and close the distance between them with words . But she cut him off without hesitation . " What happened between you and Vionnet ? I don't care about that . You're not in Springfield . I suggest you choose your words carefully here ." " And for the record- " She paused deliberately . " I'm no longer your wife . You signed the divorce papers yourself , didn't you ? I left the documents in your safe - unless you've gone blind , I assume you saw them . " "So going forward ," she continued , " don't grab me . Don't touch me . Trevvy is the jealous type ." Hearing that , Trevor stiffened slightly . It had been a long time - since they were children , really- since Xanthe had called him that way . While his ears flushed pinkish red in shyness , Barrington's face drained of color . His body trembled slightly , but he forced himself to stay composed . He fixed his eyes on her , his voice deep and authoritative . " You can't just erase all the years we spent together like they meant nothing , Xanthe . " Then he turned to Trevor . " Mr. Michelson , I know your family has power and influence here ir Chicago , but I also heard you're engaged . Isn't it a little shameless to be flaunting your affair ir public like this ? Aren't you worried that your fiancée might find out ? " Then , as if he still had the right , he turned his accusation back on her . " Xanthe , I can explain everything about Vionnet . I've only ever loved you . Whatever you've done or whoever you've been these past few months - it doesn't matter . As long as you come back tc me now , I'll protect you - even if it means going up against the Michelsons ' heir . " Once upon a time , those words might have moved her . But now , they only made her sick . ' Love that comes too late , she reminded herself , ' is worth less than dirt . ' " Wow . " She almost laughed . " You really do think too highly of yourself , huh ? I must've treatec you too well all these years for you to completely forget your place . " " Let me make one thing clear . I- " She pointed at herself . " I was the one who initiated whatever relationship we had . I said when it started - and now , I'm saying it's been over . You don't get a say ." " You ? " She pointed her finger at him . " You were obsessed with Vionnet , weren't you ? I set you free . You could officially have her again . But look at you coming here with regrets ." " Oh , Mr. Connolly ... " She took a step closer and sneered , " You are so damn pathetic . " 5 12:41 pm D