5.Xavier's first time jealousy

AT THE SAME TIME

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:

The party was in full swing, and I was doing my best to stay near my grandmother, hoping to avoid any unnecessary conversations. But Ana had other plans.

She had been staying around me all evening, her laughter too loud, her touch too familiar. I should have known better than to think she’d let me be, especially at an event like this.

"Xavier." She said, stepping closer to me, her perfume strong and cloying. "Do you remember the last time we were here together? Under the big oak tree in the garden?"

I stiffened. I knew exactly what she was referring to, and the memory made my stomach churn.

"You kissed me there. "She continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It was so romantic."

I glanced around, hoping no one had overheard her, but my grandmother’s sharp voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Kissed you?"I heard my grandmother's voice.

I turned to see her standing just a few feet away, her expression a mixture of shock and disapproval.

"Grandma, it’s no-" I started, but Ana interrupted.

"It was just a moment." Ana said with a light laugh, clearly trying to downplay the situation. "A sweet memory, that’s all."

My grandmother’s eyes narrowed, and the room seemed to grow colder.

"A sweet memory? Xavier, is this true?"She asked.

"Grandma, it was a mistake. A long time ago. And it meant nothing."I said.

Ana’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, touching my arm.

"You didn’t seem to think it was nothing at the time." She said softly, her eyes searching mine.

I stepped back, shrugging off her touch.

"That’s because I wasn’t thinking." I said, my voice sharp. "And it’s a mistake I’ve regretted ever since."I said while glaring at Ana. "A mistake that I not going to repeat it."

Before Ana could respond, my grandmother spoke again, her voice cold.

"Xavier, I raised you to be better than this. And you." She said, turning her gaze to Ana. "Should know when to let the past stay in the past. I not Xavier's mother but I know that you the one who left him."

Ana’s cheeks flushed, and she muttered something about getting a drink before slipping away into the crowd.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.

"I’m sorry, Grandma. I didn’t mean for any of that to come up tonight."I said.

She shook her head, her expression softening.

"You’ve got a good heart, Xavier. Don’t waste it on people who don’t deserve it."She said.

Before I could respond, the sound of murmurs and shifting attention caught my ear. I turned toward the entrance, and my breath hitched. Isabella had arrived.

She stood in the doorway, her posture poised yet natural. She wore a simple, flowing dress in a soft shade of lavender, the kind of dress that didn’t scream for attention but effortlessly commanded it. Her hair was loosely pinned back, a few strands falling around her face, and her smile was warm but reserved. My grandmother’s face lit up with genuine delight.

"Isabella, my dear!" She called, waving her over.

Isabella’s smile widened slightly as she approached, her movements graceful. When she reached us, she leaned down to kiss my grandmother’s cheek.

"Happy birthday, Mrs. Sinclair," She said warmly.

"Thank you, my dear." My grandmother replied, her tone brimming with affection. "Xavier, don’t you have something to say?"

I opened my mouth, but the words stuck in my throat. All I could do was stare at her, my mind racing with memories and emotions I hadn’t fully processed.

"Xavier." Isabella said, her voice calm but distant.

"You look…" I finally managed, my voice rough. "Beautiful."

She raised an eyebrow, her smile faint but polite.

"Thank you." She said simply.

My grandmother beamed, clearly pleased to have Isabella here.

"Come, my dear." She said, taking Isabella’s arm. "Let’s get you something to eat."

As they walked away, I stayed rooted to the spot, watching her until she disappeared into the crowd.

And then it hit me, under the oak tree. That’s where Isabella had seen me with Ana. That’s when everything started to unravel. Not so long ago right where I got put down the divorce papers. Now I had to do it right before she make us go to the courthouse and make us get a divorce. I stood near the edge of the room, sipping my drink as I watched Isabella move through the crowd. She was radiant, her smile lighting up the faces of everyone she spoke to. She had always been good at this making people feel seen, heard, and important. It was a skill I’d taken for granted. She laughed softly at something one of my cousins said, her hand lightly touching their arm in that effortless way of hers.

Suddenly, a younger man, probably in his late twenties, approached her. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him. He held a small, neatly wrapped box in his hands, his expression a mix of nervousness and admiration.

"Ms. Isabella." He said, his voice loud enough to carry over the hum of the party.

She turned, her smile softening as she recognized him. "Oh, hello, Ethan. I wasn’t expecting to see you here."

Ethan. The name sent a jolt through me.

"I just wanted to thank you again." She said, holding out the box. "You saved my grandfather’s life, and my family can’t thank you enough. This is just a small token of our appreciation."

"You didn’t have to do that." She said, her tone gentle.

"I wanted to." He insisted, his cheeks flushing slightly. "It’s nothing big, but… well, I hope you like it."He said.

She accepted the box with a warm smile, carefully unwrapping it as a small crowd began to gather, curious about the exchange. Inside was a delicate silver bracelet, simple but elegant, with a small charm shaped like a stethoscope.

"Ethan, this is beautiful." Isabella said, her voice tinged with surprise. "Thank you so much."

He grinned, clearly pleased with her reaction.

"You deserve it. My grandfather wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you."He said.

The room seemed to blur around me as I watched the scene unfold. Her gratitude, his admiration, it was all too much. My grip tightened on my glass, the sharp edge of jealousy cutting through me like a knife. I never admired Isabella but now I hated to see it happen from another man.

"Thank you, Ethan." She said again, her smile genuine. "This means a lot to me."

And just like that, he was her hero who got her a beautiful gift. When was the last time I got her something? He now was a man who saw her worth, who appreciated her in a way I had failed to for so long. The realization was bitter, but the jealousy was worse. As the crowd began to disperse, Isabella caught my eye. For a moment, her smile faltered, replaced by something unreadable. And then she turned back to Ethan, her laughter ringing out as he told her some story I couldn't hear. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look away. But the image of her wearing that bracelet, her wrist adorned with someone else's gratitude, was seared into my mind. I wanted her to wear something I gave her as a gift, but now i could stay there and watch her smile to another man.

'That bracelet he gave Isabella was exquisite." One of the women said, her voice dripping with admiration. "It’s not just a gift it’s thoughtful. You don’t see that kind of effort every day."She said

Another guest nodded, chiming in.

"He must really value her. I mean, it’s not just about the money it’s the gesture. That kind of thing speaks volumes."She said.

My jaw tightened as I stood off to the side, nursing a drink I didn’t want. Ethan’s name had been on everyone’s lips all evening, and I was sick of it.

Even my grandmother’s birthday celebration wasn’t immune to the man’s shadow. It wasn’t even undeserved. Ethan had swooped in with his charm and grand gestures, making everyone around himralk like he was some knight in shining armor.

Ana, ever the opportunist, leaned into the conversation with an overly sweet smile. “

"Ethan’s always been thoughtful." She said, her tone light but pointed. “He knows how to make people feel special. Some people could learn from that"

"Ana, I think we’re here to celebrate my grandmother, not Ethan’s taste in jewelry."I said.

She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smirk.

"Just making an observation, Xavier. No need to get defensive."Ana said. "When we were together you gave me not the best gifts, darling."

The group chuckled, but I didn’t join in. My gaze drifted to Isabella, standing on the other side of the room. She was happy near that man, happy without me. I couldn’t take it anymore. Setting my glass down, I crossed the room, my steps purposeful. I needed to remind her and everyone else that she wasn’t some prize for Ethan or anyone else to claim. She was mine, and I wasn’t about to let her slip through my fingers again.