Chapter 405 The Unbearable Weight of Love
“Your leg is hurt. You should stay in the hospital, not kidnap Monica.” Veronica could never understand what was going on in Xavier’s head. It was not like he had his leg crippled for eternity; it was only a fracture. However, not only did he refuse to stay in the hospital for recovery, he came to such a sketchy place to kidnap Monica.
“Stay in the hospital?” He burst into laughter as if it was a ridiculous joke. “I do want that.”
Xavier brought his injured leg up and the spasm of pain contorted his face as he gritted his teeth. Still, he forced a smile. “What about that old man? Do you think that he will give me the liberty to stay in the hospital until recovery?”
He shook his head before gazing out of the window with a bitter smile. Veronica’s chest tightened as she did not know what to do with him.
She had to admit that she had once acknowledged him as her best friend, but she could not forgive his betrayal. Needless to say, she was very well-informed of how much pressure he had because of Hendric. It was nearly impossible for Xavier to take a good rest in the hospital.
“It’s just that you’re not willing to.” She sighed helplessly. “Hendric is in Bloomstead and he will find you wherever you go, but how about leaving the city? I don’t think he has the energy and time to track you down if you’re on the other side of the globe.”
“Don’t you get it?” Xavier suddenly turned his head with that sharp gaze of his. “I’m talking about Matthew. He ruined the Crawford Family and I became the public enemy. Everyone in the family is going against me. Do you know how exhausting that is?”
He rose to his feet with difficulty before teetering toward her to grab her arms and prod her chest. “Veronica Murphy, get your facts straight. If it wasn’t for Matthew Kings, I wouldn’t have ended up like this.”
“What about you, then?” Veronica snapped. “Do you think that you’ve been righteous all this time? Most of the time, you totally deserve the punishment. You’ve never appreciated anything you have!”
She then shoved him away. “I took you as my best friend and yet, what have you done to me? Back in that storage house, Matthew would have killed Melissa if I didn’t do that to the both of you. I expect nothing from the two of you, but how could you guys do that to me?!”
People tend to be ironic sometimes; how would anyone know if you never reveal the good deeds you have done? But then again, who does that all the time?
Veronica thought Xavier would understand. Even if he was not grateful for it, she thought they were best friends at the very least. Yet, she had not expected things to end up like this.
“You…” Words failed him as he stared at her with dry lips. Memories of the storage house began to flood his head. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected her merciless acts were done for their sake.
Even though she had previously mentioned it, it pricked his guilty conscience now that she reminded him about it again. However, what was done had been done. It was meaningless to bring up the past.
“We will never be the same as we were in the past. The Crawfords despise you to the bones. Even if I don’t come for you today, Hendric or Melissa will still be after you tomorrow.” Xavier lowered his head with a sigh before taking out a cigarette to smoke in silence.
Gazing at the quiet man, Veronica did not know what to say at the moment either.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Her ringing phone broke the silent yet solemn atmosphere; it was Matthew calling. After taking a glance at Xavier, she went elsewhere to answer the call.
“Roni, where are you?” Matthew’s voice resounded from the other side of the line.
Her gaze swept across Xavier and the glint in her eyes simmered. Colossal thoughts fleeted across her mind and at last, she questioned, “Anything?”
“Roni, I’m at your place. Could you—”
“If you like to stay there, suit yourself then. As I’ve said, I will never forgive you.” Having said that, she terminated the call and blocked his number.
She was worried that Xavier would be irritated because of Matthew’s incessant calls. She wished to let Monica off the hook, but she knew that there were Xavier’s underlings around the area, which rendered it difficult to escape from here.
“Xavier, just tell me if you have any plans.” She kept her phone.
Xavier slightly tipped his cigarette. “Did he piss you off?”
Ironically, they were not on the same channel in the conversation. Still, her heart throbbed in agony at that moment as she could feel how much he liked her, but she could not bear the overwhelming weight of love.
“The injury on your leg is serious. It’ll take a long time to recover. I can give you a sum of money for you to leave the city. Find somewhere else and start a new life. It’s…” She paused momentarily before continuing, “It’s the only way I can help you.”
Since there was still some savings left, she could give him the money to start his life anew in a new place. It could be a chance for him. Be it right or wrong, she owed Xavier a lot and could not bring herself to be cruel to him.
“Giving me money? Why? Are you pitying me?”
“You can take it that way if you want to. I’m not going to explain anything either, but there’s one thing you gotta know—the Crawford Family stands no chance against Matthew and that includes Conrad. He can’t even fend for himself. Who else is going to help you right now?” She approached Monica and Xavier remained silent while watching her come over.
Anxious, Veronica stared at Monica and shook her head, signaling the woman to stay quiet. While she was removing the ropes behind Monica, she continued the conversation with Xavier. “Matthew always preserves until the end once he has made up his mind. No one is able to stop him from doing anything he wants. Your family will never be able to save themselves given the situation. So, leaving Bloomstead is your best option. Instead of pitying you, it’s the last favor I can do for you as your old friend.”
Monica’s face turned pale due to the shock. Veronica noticed that she was shaking when she approached the woman. She then patted Monica’s shoulder lightly to put her mind at ease. When Monica stood up, she moved her limbs before sprinting all the way out.
Even so, just as she arrived at the entrance, Xavier grabbed a rock and struck it toward her back, causing her to fall onto the ground. It hurt so much that she could not get up to her feet.
Veronica looked at him. “What are you doing? Monica is innocent. What’s the point of kidnapping her?”
Furious, she shifted the chair and sat next to him. “I’ll be your hostage.” She even took and proffered the rope to him.
