Chapter 160 Vanessa studied the ring , expression unreadable as she bit her lip . " Xavier , I didn't know you liked sapphires . " His brow knit . " It's a symbol of us - unity , strength . The merger announcement is tonight . " " Is that so ? " Her voice was soft , edged with venom . " Or are you giving me this because sapphires are Mia's favorite ? Now that you've broken up , are you still stuck on her ? " \ " Are you trying to take Mia's place ? " Xavier's chill made her flinch . " Xavier , please - I'm pregnant with your child . " His gaze turned complicated . I had already lost ours ; he couldn't stomach \ repeating his mistake with Vanessa . " This ring has nothing to do with Mia ," he said at last . " I won't wrong you , Vanessa . " " How shameless can he be ? " Felix snapped , pitching the bouquet into the trash . Despite the engagement , Xavier grew more frantic . Every morning he showed up at the hospital with " homemade " breakfast- burnt , half - raw , barely edible - trying to mimic what I used to do . After a few polite refusals , I started tossing it without a second thought . " He didn't stop . He messaged constantly , reporting where he was , what he was doing , who he was with - as if we were back at the beginning . " [ You are my one true love . ] } [ Thinking of you , always . ] [ Please come back . My heart only has you . ] @ Along with the texts came love notes and armfuls of lilies and peonies , as if he'd forgotten he was already engaged to someone else and our marriage was over . I blocked him ; he found new numbers . When I was finally discharged and preparing to leave the city , I went to the office to collect my things while my brothers packed and booked our flight . Rain came down in sheets the moment I stepped outside . } Across the street , Xavier and Vanessa exited a boutique - Vanessa cradling a garment bag that could only be a wedding dress . The harmony of the scene froze me . Once , that had been me , hand in hand with him , combing the city for a gown . He hadn't had many resources then ; I chose a simple design and stayed up nights embellishing it myself , pricking my fingers raw . The pain had felt like nothing beside love . Now Vanessa clung to his arm , bright and breathless . " It's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen ! " Xavier forced a smile . Then he saw me . He stopped dead . " Mia ! " he called . I turned to leave , but he splashed across the street through the downpour , abandoning his pregnant fiancée without a glance . " Mia , wait ! " E " What is it , Xavier ? " His voice dropped , urgent . " Listen . This wedding - it doesn't have to happen If you say the word , she's gone ." } " Xavier ! " Vanessa rushed up , clutching his arm . He ignored her . " " Mia ? I ... didn't expect you here , " she said , suspicion flickering . I rolled my eyes . } " Really ? I'm standing outside my office . I'm the one who should be surprised . " Color crept into her cheeks . Irritated by how he looked at me , she pasted on a gentle smile . " It's pouring . Let us drive you . " " Yes ," Xavier said quickly . " You've been in the hospital for days - let me take you home . For old times ' sake . " N He looked relieved when I nodded . It didn't matter ; I only wanted to make the airport on time.N Vanessa had hoped to provoke me , but as Xavier pleaded , her mask slipped and she glared . "All right , " she muttered.N Xavier hurged to open the front passenger door for me . I ignored it and slid into the backseat . He took the front , eyes flicking to me in the rearview mirror / " Mia , how's your health ? " % " Better , " I said , flat " My Eliot likes Xavier , " Vanessa chimed in . " I wasn't well yesterday , so Xavier went to the parent - teacher meeting for me . He'll be a wonderful father . " % I hummed , unmoved by the bait . Xavier's jaw tightened . !! Watching them together , I felt nothing - no anger , no spike of jealousy . He no longer had the power to rock me . " Mia , " Vanessa continued smoothly , " I used to think you were jealous when Colin and the others said so . But now I see you're not that kind of person . " P P . " I know you're angry , " she added . " But Xavier still cares for you . Our wedding is tomorrow . I hope you can come . " " Xavier stared ahead , brow furrowed . I said nothing . " No thanks , " I heard Vanessa answer herself , smiling as if she'd expected it . When we reached my stop , I opened the door . Xavier jumped out , following me onto the sidewalk . Vanessa trailed behind , ignored . " Please , Mia , " he said . " I was wrong . I know that now . But we could still - please come back . " " You cheated on me , Xavier . You made your choice . Congratulations on your wedding . " I glanced at them both . " And stop sending breakfasts and flowers . I won't be able to receive them . " I turned and walked into the rain . 19