Chapter 5 Trevor replied within seconds . [ Okay . I'll come pick you up in three days . ] Seeing him agree , Xanthe finally felt a little more at ease . Her body had always been weak , and after the abortion , she'd stayed in the hospital for another three days to recover . It wasn't until the day she was discharged that Barrington finally showed up . " Hey . I'm sorry . Vionnet's on her period these past few days , and the cramps have been so bad she can't even walk . She gets anxious whenever I'm not around ," he explained . With her back to him , Xanthe continued packing her things and replied flatly , " Mm . " Sensing her indifference , Barrington stepped forward and hugged her from behind . " What happened with the drugging last time - yes , it was too much . You went too far , but I've been reflecting too . I shouldn't have lost control like that... But don't worry , something like that won't ever happen again ," he promised . " I get it . You hate Vionnet because you love me , but I swear , there's really nothing between me and her . We're just friends . And don't forget , you're still my wife . What exactly are you afraid of ? " If Barrington could've seen her face just then , he would've caught the disdain in her eyes . ' Friends ? You slept together . What kind of friends fuck around ? ' she thought bitterly . ' Would it only count as " something " if Vionnet ends up pregnant ? ' But Xanthe no longer cared . In a few days , she'd be gone for good . There was no point arguing over things that didn't matter anymore . " What's in the past is in the past . I don't want to talk about it anymore , " she said . " Aren't to pick me up ? Let's just go ." you here Barrington felt a faint heaviness in his chest - she hadn't even smiled at him once . ' Fine ,' he thought . ' When Vionnet leaves , I'll surprise Xanthe . We'll finally start fresh . Whatever she did before , I'll let it go ."' ' Everything that happened over the past few days had only made one thing clearer - Vionnet's only a friend to me . What I feel for Xanthe ... ' His gaze lingered on his wife . ' It's love . With that thought , he grabbed her bag and walked her out of the hospital . Unfortunately , just as they reached the hallway , her attending doctor came walking toward them . " Ma'am , is this your husband ? I thought you said- " Afraid the doctor would bring up the abortion , Xanthe quickly cut in . " Thanks for taking care of me these past few days , doctor . I'm doing much better now , so I won't keep using public resources ." With that , she pulled Barrington away , hurrying out of the hospital . But as soon as she stepped into the villa , Vionnet's mocking voice rang out . " Oh , Xanthe , it's been three years and you haven't changed a bit ! " Xanthe shot her a glare , clearly warning her to back off . With that , she turned to head upstairs to pack . 12:39 pm But what Vionnet said next made Xanthe stop in her tracks . " Three years ago , I was the one who drugged you . I was also the one who told you to go to that bar and find him . " I knew Barry loved me . But after I left , who knew if he'd fall for someone else ? I knew you liked him too . So , I figured , why not just set a little trap ? " Barry ... He's a responsible man . If he slept with you , he'd definitely marry you . But with the drugging involved , he'd never truly love you . " She walked over to Xanthe with a smug look , casually letting one strap of her dress slip down on purpose . The kiss marks on her chest were hard to miss . " You looked after him for three years . I appreciate that . But now that I'm back - it's your turn to leave , Xanthe . " She smirked . " You've got no family here in Springfield . You can't afford to cross me . Take my advice : leave while you still can . " Xanthe's entire body trembled with rage , as she processed her so - called best friend's revelation . ' So it's all been her plan from the very beginning , huh ? ' Without hesitation , Xanthe raised her hand and slapped her across the face . She looked Vionnet dead in the eye . " As long as I'm still here , you'll always be the other woman . Push me too far , Vionnet , and none of us will come out of this clean . " Vionnet was stunned , her head buzzing from the blow . Her eyes narrowed with malice as she raised her hand to strike back - but just then , Barrington returned . In an instant , her vengeful eyes welled up . " Xanthe , Barry and I are really just friends ! That night was a total misunderstanding ! Please ! I'm begging you ! Don't tell anyone ! " The next second , she dropped to her knees and started begging for forgiveness , almost kissing the carpet. Before Xanthe could even react , Barrington rushed over and shoved her aside . She was still recovering from the abortion , and the sudden push sent her crashing to the floor . But it was Vionnet he helped up . When he turned to Xanthe , his eyes shot her daggers . " You're being completely unreasonable , Xanthe ! I already explained everything . Why can't you let it go ? " " If you spread rumors about what happened that night , how do you expect Vionnet to live with the shame ? " Tears brimmed in Xanthe's eyes . She bit her lip and said , " You didn't even ask me what really happened , Barrington . Are you seriously going to believe anything she says ? " His fists clenched at his sides . Seeing her so fragile did make him feel uneasy - but in the end , he still chose to take Vionnet's side . " I only believe what I see with my own eyes , " he said firmly . " Apologize to Vionnet . And swear you'll never lay a hand on her again . " Chapter 5 12:39 pm R Xanthe let out a cold laugh , her neck stiff with pride . " I did nothing wrong . I'm not apologizing , ' she said , her stance unwavering . " You two are the ones in the wrong . " Whatever guilt Barrington might've felt before evaporated in an instant . He looked down at her from above , his eyes threatening . " No. This time , Xanthe , you will admit you're wrong . " He called for the bodyguards . Within seconds , they stepped in and grabbed hold of her . " If you won't apologize , I'll carry out the family punishment . Ninety - nine lashes - you won't survive them . " He thought he could force her to give in . But Xanthe stood her ground . " I hit her , yeah - because she deserved it . But I never threatened her ! " she shouted . " Barrington , if you dare lay a hand on me , even just once - you're gonna regret it for the rest of your life ."