Chapter 200 When Vanessa was finally escorted out , a tense hush settled over the room , but that didn't mean the crisis was over . " " Xavier , what have you done ? " Elder Matthew snapped , his voice ringing with anger in a way that made the boardroom go still . " Do you have any idea what disaster you've set in motion? " " Elders , " Xavier began , bewildered , " we failed , yes - but how could the family be ruined because of one woman ? " Matthew slammed his fist on the table . " Do you not remember the family covenant ? The story we've guarded for generations ? I told you to protect the family line at all costs . The first child born to the family's heiress and her destined partner was meant to preserve our legacy . If that child is gone , the consequences are far worse than you realize . " " A ripple of gasps moved through the room ; Xavier's mother paled . Xavier himself frowned , trying to follow . " " What are you saying ? " he asked . - Matthew's expression hardened . " Either fate betrayed us by pairing our heiress with the wrong man or you aren't the man she was meant to be with . You are a substitute who stepped into someone else's place and , instead of keeping her safe , you let her fall . If you can't win her back , you will be remembered as the man who stole a woman's future and led this family to ruin . " " No - how dare you , " Xavier shouted , outrage and disbelief flaring . " Mia is mine . I will get her back . " " " You can try ," Matthew said . " You can try to win her love , but understand what's at stake . If you fail , you will be judged not only by us but by every allied house that relied on that union . " The meeting broke up in a low , stunned murmur . Later , Xavier found himself at the city orphanage , the mandate of his family's elders hanging heavy over him . Across from him , a small , solemn boy - Eliot - watched him with guarded eyes . } " Uncle Xavier ? " Eliot said , testing the new title he'd been taught . " Xavier hesitated . " I'll try to visit , " he said quietly . The words felt hollow even to himself . He left without looking back and stumbled toward the nearest bar , drowning his confusion in drink . Even after I changed my number , Xavier found a way into my life . One night , he called anonymously ; his voice was raw with intoxicated regret . " Baby - Mia ... I was an idiot . I thought Vanessa needed me because she had a child and had struggled alone . I didn't see what you were going through . I'll leave the family for you . I'll stand up to my mother . " " Xavier , you're drunk , " I said , voice steady and cold . " Stop calling . We ended this the moment you chose someone else . I went through hell for you . I regret every moment I spent trying to make it work . " " I went to your office today , " he slurred . " They told me everything . I'll do whatever you want . Don't ask for a divorce , please- let's talk , just once . " " No , " I said . " I'm back with my family now . I'm somewhere safe . " \ There was a long silence . " The divorce papers have been sent , " I added eventually . " Sign them . Don't make this uglier than it needs to be . " [ " I'll never sign ," he said , voice breaking . " Please - give me one last chance . " " If you refuse , it won't matter soon ," I replied . " You'll understand in time . " " After that call I turned my phone off and got back to work . He texted all night - pleading , bargaining , promising to change , begging for another child - but I ignored each message . In the morning I blocked him and slept for the first time in months without waking to a new notification . p p .