MARIECLAIE.

Xavier wrapped his arm under my ass and pulled me up against his body. I wrapped my legs around his back as he carried us out of the room and toward the library—all while kissing. It was a battle for dominance, neither of us willing to back down.

I didn’t even realize we had reached the library until he set me down on the couch, finally breaking our kiss. I gasped for air—so did he. His heated gaze pinned me in place, like he wanted to do more but was seriously holding back.

Did I want him to do more? Yes.

Why? I had no idea.

I didn’t know how it had come to this. One minute, I was furious, lashing out, venting my anger on him. The next, we were kissing—my lips were numb, but I still wanted more.

I bit my lip and scooted to the side, making room for him to sit beside me. Our knees brushed, and a wave of desire coursed through me.

"Tell me everything, Marie," he murmured, his voice low and steady.

I bit my lip again, hesitating. Should I? I still wasn’t sure if he was the murderer.

"My brother is missing," I began, turning to look at him—only to find him already watching me. His focus was unwavering. I adjusted my position so my neck wouldn’t ache from looking at him. "He was with them the night of my parents' accident. But when we got there, he was nowhere to be found."

"Who is ‘we’?" Xavier probed quietly.

"Anna—my best friend. I met her six months ago. I was with her when I got the call from Peppe, my father’s right-hand man. We rushed over immediately."

My throat tightened with emotion. The memories clawed their way back, dragging me to that night—a month and a half ago.

FLASHBACK

Anna and I were binge-watching one of our favorite Korean dramas, munching on chips—because we don’t do popcorn. She got a call and excused herself. A minute after she returned, my phone rang.

"Peppe?" I answered.

"Ms. Marieclaie," he sighed, his voice resigned and weary. "You should… Your parents just had an accident. You need to come now."

The phone slipped from my hand. I didn’t even hear the rest of his words.

I didn’t bother changing. I bolted out of the house, Anna right behind me in her nightgown. We ran straight to the address Peppe had sent to me and Anna.

How did he get Anna’s number?

When we arrived, the scene was utter chaos. The car was flipped upside down, smoke curling from every possible angle. Glass shards littered the ground like shattered flowers.

I didn’t cry. Not yet. I forced myself to walk forward.

They had already pulled my parents from the wreckage. And then I saw them.

Shards of glass embedded in their skin. Blood staining them like sweat. Dead.

I swallowed the scream clawing up my throat. Instead, I looked up at the men standing around. My voice was eerily calm when I spoke.

"My brother is still inside the car."

A single tear slipped down my cheek as I said it.

But the men shook their heads. My brother wasn’t inside. They hadn’t seen him at all.

That morning was the last time I ever saw my parents. The last time I ever saw my brother.

PRESENT

I recounted everything to Xavier. He listened quietly, not speaking until I finished.

"Why did you believe it was me?" His voice was low.

I bit my lip, fidgeting with my fingers. "Well… because you were his rival. And obviously, you’d want to kill him. At the time, too, he stole one of your top investors, so…"

Xavier chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. He nodded.

"What is the wall for?" I finally asked, the question had been gnawing at me.

Xavier sighed and leaned back against the couch, tilting his head toward the ceiling. "I was onto your father. Before and after his death. But not to kill him." His gaze flickered to me. "I didn’t do it. I didn’t kill your father."

Something in his voice made me believe him.

"I knew about their deaths," he continued. "And even though it wasn’t my problem, I still felt the need to investigate. The police closed it as an accident, but I knew it wasn’t. I knew they were murdered."

"Me too," I whispered. "But what are Mitchell and Anna doing on the wall?" I pressed. "Anna is as innocent as the back of my hand. And… why am I not there?"

Xavier shrugged. "Had to be careful. And I know you wouldn’t kill your own family, so why would you be there?"

I nodded slowly. That was true.

I looked up at him. "So… you’re really not the one?"

"No." He didn’t hesitate.

And it terrified me how quickly I believed him.

"I… I was the one who caused the scandal with your top investment," I confessed, barely above a whisper.

Xavier chuckled again, his gaze never wavering. "I know, darling."

My eyes widened. "You—You knew? From the start or just recently?"

"From the start." He smirked. "Must say, you’re quite skilled, love."

A flush of embarrassment crept over me. "I’m sorry," I murmured. "Is everything okay over there now?"

Xavier nodded but didn’t speak.

Feeling guilt gnaw at me, I leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. A low growl rumbled from his chest, but I pulled back instantly.

"What was that for, darling?" Xavier asked, grinning lopsidedly.

I hesitated, then softly asked, "Would you… Would you like to visit my parents with me?"

His expression shifted, something unreadable flashing in his eyes.

"Yes."