Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Chapter

41

Lily finally understood. Maryanne was feeling uneasy because they kept running into Xavier and Sarah far too often.

Seeing them hurt every time. Yet, she forced a smile and shook her head. "I'm not the one who cheated. Why should I leave?" Maybe facing it frequently would make her heart go numb faster, and in the end, she could forget sooner. "You say that, but I'm worried it'll keep hurting you," Maryanne said. She went to sit beside her.

She wrapped an arm around Lily's shoulder while pressing her head gently against hers.

Warmth spread through Lily's heart. She held Maryanne's hand and said, "No matter how hard it gets, I'll get through it."

"I'll be there with you,

but don't get too grateful and fall for me, okay? I still like men," Maryanne joked, breaking the stifling tension she could hardly stand with her usual humor. Lily chuckled as the cloud over her head lightened a bit.

Still, a vague unease lingered inside her. News about Hayden was all over the internet, and it wasn't dying down.

That night, she stayed at the hospital, and not a single call or message came from Xavier. She was used to it, though her heart still ached in that familiar, dull way.

She couldn't sleep in peace for the whole night.

The next morning, the blaring ring of her phone shattered the quiet of the hospital ward.

It was a call from Sylvester. Her pulse raced as she answered his call.

"Ms. Joyner, your brother's case will be heard in court tomorrow."

Her heart pounded as she asked, "How is it so soon? Do we have enough evidence?"

Sylvester sighed. "The situation online spiraled out of control, so the court had to expedite the trial. We don't have everything we need, but we'll do our best. Even if we lose, we can always appeal. Don't worry too much." "I'm counting on you, Mr. Hammock," she said, though she knew nothing about legal matters. All her hopes rested with him.

When the call ended, she buried her hands in her hair and curled up on the edge of the hospital bed.

Losing the case and filing an appeal would take time, and Hayden could end

up

behind bars.

She couldn't imagine the devastation it would bring to the Joyner family if Hayden ended up in prison.

She also couldn't accept the idea of that bright, cheerful boy being trapped in a place where sunlight couldn't reach.

The worst part was that Hayden was innocent!

That night, she texted Bobby to tell him about the trial.

He didn't say a word in reply.

The following morning, with Maryanne by her side, she made her way to the courthouse.

As they stepped out of the car, she saw Bobby and Hazel surrounding Alan.noveldrama

"Mr. Siester, how confident are you about my son's case?"

"My boy is innocent, you know that, right? Xavier must have told you. He's my only son... I couldn't live without him. Xavier has mentioned this to you, hasn't he? Please, whatever it takes, get him out!" Tears streamed down Hazel's face as she looked at Alan as if he were their savior.

Alan hesitated, then said, "Mr. Joyner, Mrs. Joyner, you've got it wrong. I'm not handling Mr. Hayden's case."

Bobby's expression twisted in confusion. "That's impossible! I told Lily to get you on this case!"

"It really isn't me. The one who handles the case is our firm's top lawyer, Mr. Hammock. He's more experienced with these types of incidents, so..."

Before he could finish, Hazel spotted Lily stepping out of the car.

She rushed over and asked, "Lily, didn't you hire Mr. Siester?"

Bobby's gaze was sharp with accusation.

Alan gave Lily a helpless shrug and left her to explain.

Under the pressure of their stares, she stepped forward and faced Bobby.

"Dad, Mom, Mr. Siester is tied up with another case, so..."

"Lily!" Bobby's voice rose, and his face flushed with anger. "Are you still mad at me for leaving you at the parking lot? Is that why you hired some lousy lawyer to spite me?" The surrounding quiet shattered under the weight of his furious outburst.