Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Chapter 347

Was Lily and Terence hiding something?

"How is that possible?" Lily blurted it out and denied it immediately before asking Terence puzzledly, "Terence, can help you?

Terence seemed caught off guard by her video call with Maryanne His initially tense expression froze momentarily before he broke into a faint smile and took her phone from her.

"Stop overthinking things. I have a meeting later tonight, so I came by now to deliver ber birthday cake."

Birthday? Lily turned around and glanced at the calendar on the wall. Tomorrow was her birthday!

→ Come on, Terence! Itold you to knock on her dont after midnight! Why are you here so early?" Maryanne was fuming. "I wouldn't have let you deliver the cake if Mom and Dad hadn't grounded me. I would've done it mysel "Tean't make it at midnight, and it'd be rude to disturb her rest that late," Terence reasoned calmly

Despite his reasoning, it was still premature. It still wasn't her birthday yet. Maryanne was unwilling to let go as she continued her tirade over the phone

Lily couldn't help but smile as she took her phone back. "The thought counts. An early slice of cake saves me from being woken up at midnight. It's the best of both worlds." "Terence! I'm never asking you for help again!" Maryanne yelled at Terence in frustration. She had been spoiled by her family, especially by Terence Maryanne's protest was met with nothing but a faint smile at the comers of his lips.

He scolded her dotingly, "Don't be dramatic. It's late now. Get some rest."

Maryanne had planned to stay up chatting with Lily until midnight, so she could witness her brother delivered the cake and personally wished Lily a happy birthday. Now, her plans were ruined, and her excitement was deflated

"Lily, happy birthday! May you reach the pinnacle of life with success in both your career and love" she declared in a bold and triumphant voice as she repeated her wishes several times before finally hanging up.

A sense of warmth spread through Lily's chest. She turned off her phone and slipped it into her pocket before glancing back at Terence outside.

Only then did she notice his hands were empty. He leaned casually against the wall in a thin white shirt. Behind him was a darkened stairwell, while he faced the warm light manating from her home.

His delicate and defined features were so pleasant to look at that even a fleeting glance felt comforting.

"Terence, where's the cake?"

Lily snapped out of her admiration. She felt guilty return to his work

ty for troublinge

troubling a busy person like him because of Maryanne's antics. She thought to let him set things down quickly so he could

"The cake's in the car. I forgot to bring it up" Terence smiled awkwardly. "I'll go and get it now.

Lily turned around and grabbed her down jacket from the foyer. She put it on as she stepped outside. Tll come with you to get it"

She wasn't that entitled. He had gone out of his way to bring her the cake, and she didn't want to make him head downstairs alone.

She tollowed Terence into the elevator and hesitated before saying, "Terence, I'm sorry for troubling you to come all this way this late and disrupting your work."

"No worries "Terence stood behind her. His tall and upright figure made the small elevator feel even more confined.

Lily glanced at him through the reflection on the elevator walls. His dark eyes held a hint of unreadable emotion

Terence had always been a model brother. Her envy for Maryanne had never wavered. It was certainly a healthy admiration that was tree of jealousy. Not only did she envy that Maryanne had such a great brother but also great parents. She was lost in thought as she stepped out of the elevator. They exited the building one after another.

The biting wind whipped around them as they stepped outside. He walked behind her, shielding her from the brunt of it. The streetlights cast long and overlapping shadows as they walked.

His car was parked just outside the complex. It was a few minutes walking distance away

The night was eerily quiet, saved for the howling wind. Lily stuffed her hands in her pockets as she walked ahead. The sound of his footsteps came from behind. He was unusually gelettonight. She turned around. The wind blew her long hair into a messy cascade. Her pare was framed by strands of hair dancing in the air.