What was Xavier hinting at?
The realization washed over Chloe like a sudden wave of warmth. Her intuition had been right all along—the "eviction" wasn't a final goodbye; it was a brutal, cold-blooded lesson. He had wanted to break her pride, to make her remember who held the reins, and to ensure she understood the cost of a "glass heart" in his world.
Xavier wasn't the type to offer a verbal confirmation, but the silence between them in the elevator was no longer freezing—it was expectant.
Chloe’s eyes lit up, her spirits soaring. "Xavier, are you hungry? I’ll make you some noodles when we get home."
Xavier’s heart gave an involuntary, microscopic thud at the genuine sweetness in her voice. He looked away, his voice as detached as ever. "Whatever."
Chloe’s smile widened. She was back.
