Chapter 1496

"Daddy, you're the best!" Noah said, holding Lily's hand and leading her toward the bed. The casual compliment felt like a knife stabbing straight into Xavier's heart. He stood there watching as mother and son climbed into bed. Lily hugged Noah and kissed his little face again and again. Lily had been yearning to sleep with Noah. Unfortunately, Xavier was very strict about it. Even if she wanted to, he wouldn't let her. If Noah hadn't asked for it specifically as a birthday favor, Lily had no idea when she would have had a chance to hold him again while they slept. The little boy who once fit into her arms easily was now too big to curl up in her embrace like he used to. "Noey, next year on your birthday, maybe ask Daddy—" "Mommy." Before Lily could finish, Noah suddenly interrupted her and wriggled out of her embrace. "Daddy hasn't left yet. Maybe he can't bear to leave you? Maybe I should just go back to my room to sleep." His actions contradicted his words—despite what he