Chapter 240: You seem... Happy

April’s brows knitted together in an annoyed grimace as she stared at the floating notification.

Why is this system being so secretive these days? she thought, a small click of her tongue escaping her lips.

It was utterly unpractical to hand her a mystery box, especially when every resource and edge mattered for her survival preparations.

But complaining to a silent interface would accomplish nothing. She let out a soft sigh and dismissed the screen with a flick of her mind, letting the thought go for now.

"Tomorrow is Sunday," April said, turning her attention back to Emily with a clear, focused expression. "I’ll need to go inspect the competition venue and verify how the hidden judge stage is being set up for me. Samuel will be accompanying me."

Emily nodded quickly, her heartwarming at how organized and untouchable her twin was. "Okay. Then today, I’m staying right here with you, ordering everything in my cart, and picking the first movie!"

April let out a low, musical chuckle, settling back into the couch. "Sure."

The rest of the day unfolded in a warm, languid blur—a luxury both sisters enjoyed to the fullest.

Emily curled up beside April on the oversized sofa, her phone balanced on her knees as her fingers flew across the screen, adding plush oversized sweaters, elegant pastel vase sets, imported scented candles, and delicate hair accessories into her checkout queue.

Every time she hesitated over a price tag, April merely swiped the screen and authorized the transaction without batting an eye.

Between spontaneous online splurges, the marathons of classic comedy films, laughing over junk food, and spending hours playing competitive console games and winecraft, of course.

By the time midnight rolled around, Emily was fast asleep on the couch, her face peaceful and unburdened, wrapped in a fleece blanket April had pulled over her shoulders.

April sat in the dim living room, staring out at the estate grounds illuminated by quiet garden lights. The silence felt heavy, but it wasn’t dangerous.

Then, a soft, measured step echoed against the hardwood floor.

Xavier walked quietly into the dimly lit living room, carrying a plush cashmere blanket in his arms.

He approached the sofa with slow, deliberate steps, clearly intending to drape the blanket over April, assuming she had fallen asleep beside her twin.

Before he could reach out, April turned her head, her eyes reflecting the dim light.

Xavier paused mid-motion, his hand hovering in the air. "I... I thought you had fallen asleep on the couch, so I came to..." His voice trailed off as he pulled back slightly, turning his head away for a fraction of a second.

A subtle, light flush dusted the tips of his ears, though his expression remained steadfastly composed as he cleared his throat.

"It’s fine," April said softly, a low, musical chuckle escaping her lips. "We had so much fun today, time just flew by in an instant."

Xavier took a step back, visibly caught off guard by the genuine, effortless warmth in her voice. He stared down at her, his dark, sharp eyes softening with a strange, intense reverence.

"April," he whispered quietly.

April tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze. "Hm?"

"You seem..." A faint, gentle curve touched his lips. "Happy."

April paused for a brief second, her dark pupils wavering as she dropped her gaze down to her folded hands.

It seemed to be true. She hadn’t been scheming, clinical, or diabolical all day. She had spent the entire afternoon smiling, laughing, and messing around like a completely normal woman—a rare, priceless peace found in the safety of her sister’s presence.

I mean, I enjoy my own company just fine. I could spend all day playing games and online shopping, but... I don’t think it’s ever been this... fulfilling.

"I guess you’re right," April whispered back, looking up to meet his eyes with a subtle, playful arch of her brow. "I guess you must like me better when I smile, right?"

He was always on about the curve of her lips, wasn’t he?

Xavier’s brows furrowed together instantly. He clearly didn’t like how she so easily reduced his intentions to a superficial preference.

Without a word of hesitation, the powerful, untouchable head of Reed Industries sank down onto his knees directly in front of her. He reached out and gently gathered her hand into his broad, warm palm.

April blinked in genuine astonishment, her heart skipping a faint beat as she looked down at him. "Xavier... what are you doing?"

Xavier held her hand firmly, working up the courage to look directly into her eyes. The raw, unfiltered intensity in his gaze stripped away every piece of his usual cold authority.

"I like you..." The words slipped out smoothly, carrying a weight that made the quiet room feel entirely motionless. "Not just when you smile and laugh. When you’re serious, when you’re clinical, when you’re hurting... and when you’re happy. I love all sides of you. I wish to be by your side through all of it—to share in your pain and sadness, to take the blame for your transgressions, and to cover up whatever you want to hide. To bask in your warmth and shiver in your chill."

His throat bobbed as he held her gaze, his voice dropping into a deep, desperate plea.

"Let me... be that sort of person to you. Let me be your saint."

The confession came completely out of nowhere. Yet unlike what April had always subtly braced herself for, he wasn’t asking to be her lover.

He wasn’t demanding her heart or begging to be loved in return. He was simply asking for permission to stand by her side, to shield her, and to carry her burdens as something called a saint.

It wasn’t too much to ask, but coming from a man like Xavier—a man whose trust value hovered at a staggering ninety-nine percent—it made her chest feel strangely heavy with an unfamiliar weight.

"Do you really like me that much?" April asked softly, her voice barely a whisper. "To the point where you would get down on your knees and confess like this?"

Xavier lifted her hand, bringing her knuckles up to press a firm, tender kiss against her skin. "April... if I cannot even do this, then I am merely admitting to what Nat called me—a coward who cannot own up to his feelings in front of the woman he likes. I am not asking for anything in return. Only that you let me be there... and here."

April’s heart began to race violently against her ribs.

An overwhelming, hot sensation swelled within her chest—a feeling so complex she lacked the words to define it. It was the exact same unexplainable warmth Nat gave her despite his chaotic jokes, a feeling she couldn’t bring herself to hate because it grounded her... Made her human.

She didn’t want to make binding promises. She didn’t want to pledge herself or belong to anyone in a world heading straight for doom.

But maybe... maybe this was fine.