The Lucky One

The Lucky One

Tinkoi Joseph

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Terrified of loss, Xavier convinced himself that happiness was never meant for him. Instead, he chose misery, pushing everyone away- including Lena, whose warmth and innocence threatened the walls he had built. From the moment he saw her smile, he made it his mission to drive her away, yet she kept slipping through the cracks of his defenses. When Lena uncovers the pain that shaped him, her gentle persistence urges Xavier to confront his past and embrace life once more. Just as hope begins to take root, his darkest fears resurface, threatening to tear them apart. Now, Xavier must decide- will he let his past define him, or will he fight to keep the love he never expected to find?

Chapter 1 1

Xavier's POV

The world had a cruel way of reminding me that happiness was never meant for me. It dangled in front of me like a mirage, only to vanish the moment I reached for it. That's why I stopped chasing it. That's why I built walls high enough to keep everyone out.

The soft murmur of laughter echoed across the event hall, grating against my nerves. People smiled too easily, oblivious to how quickly joy could be ripped away. I stood in the corner, nursing a glass of whiskey, my grip tightening as my gaze settled on the one person who never failed to get under my skin.

Lena Whitmore.

She was across the room, radiating warmth, drawing people in without even trying. Her golden-brown hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, her emerald-green dress hugging her frame in a way that made it impossible to look away, and then there was her smile-too damn bright, too damn real... That smile was a problem.

It wasn't the kind of rehearsed expression people wore in rooms like this. It wasn't fake or laced with ulterior motives. It was pure, unguarded, and dangerously close to shattering the walls I had spent years fortifying.

A sudden burst of laughter from her direction had my jaw clenching. Her hand brushed against some guy's arm-some asshole who didn't deserve her attention. My fingers curled around my glass, the urge to walk over and rip her away from him clawing at my insides... Ridiculous.

Lena had no idea what she was doing- how her kindness was a weapon I wasn't prepared to fight against. Every damn time she tried to get close, I had to remind her that I wasn't the kind of man who could offer her anything good.

I drained the rest of my drink and set the glass down with more force than necessary. It was time to remind her again.

Lena's POV

The air in the ballroom buzzed with lively conversation and clinking glasses, but my attention flickered toward the man standing in the corner. Brooding, distant, and utterly infuriating- Xavier Sinclair... He was watching me... He always did.

The weight of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to let it shake me. Instead, I kept my focus on the conversation in front of me, forcing a smile as Nathan, my colleague, continued rambling about some upcoming business deal.

Xavier had been pushing me away for months, making it painfully clear that whatever connection simmered between us was one-sided. But I wasn't stupid. I saw the way his eyes darkened whenever another man got too close. I noticed the way his jaw tightened, how his fists clenched when I laughed too easily in someone else's presence.

He felt something. He just refused to acknowledge it.

"Lena?" Nathan's voice pulled me back to the present. "You okay?"

I forced a polite nod. "Of course."

A flicker of movement caught my eye. Xavier was making his way toward me, cutting through the crowd with that predatory grace he carried so effortlessly. My pulse stuttered, but I held my ground, refusing to let him see how much power he had over me.

"Excuse us." His deep voice sliced through the conversation as he stepped beside me, his presence overwhelming. Without waiting for permission, he grabbed my wrist-firm, but not rough-and pulled me away.

"Xavier," I hissed, glancing back at Nathan, who looked more confused than offended. "You can't just-"

"I can," he interrupted, leading me down a quieter hallway, away from the crowd. "And I did."

He didn't stop until we reached a secluded alcove near the balcony doors. Releasing my wrist, he turned to face me, his stormy-blue eyes burning with something I couldn't quite name.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I demanded, refusing to let him intimidate me.

His lips pressed into a thin line. "What are you doing?"

A humorless laugh bubbled up in my chest. "Enjoying myself at an event. You should try it sometime."

"That guy-Nathan," he practically spat the name. "You were too close to him."

My brows shot up. "Excuse me?"

His fingers curled into fists at his sides. "You heard me."

Anger simmered beneath my skin, mixing with something dangerously close to hope. "You don't get to dictate who I talk to, Xavier. You don't want me, remember? You've made that painfully clear."

His jaw worked, a storm brewing behind his eyes. "That's not-" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head as if battling himself. "I'm not good for you, Lena."

Something in his voice cracked at the end, and it was enough to make my heart ache.

"That's not your choice to make," I whispered, stepping closer. "You don't get to push me away and then act like this when someone else gives me attention."

His breath hitched, his hands twitching like he wanted to reach for me. For a fleeting moment, I thought he might.

Then, just like that, the shutters slammed down.

"You deserve better," he said, voice tight. "Stay away from me, Lena."

And just like that, he walked away, leaving me standing there with a hollow ache in my chest.

Xavier's POV

The second I turned away, regret sliced through me like a dull blade.

Every part of me wanted to go back, to pull her into my arms and erase the hurt I had caused. But that would be selfish.

Lena wasn't meant for someone like me. She deserved light, laughter-things I had no idea how to offer.

I told myself it was for the best.

Then why did it feel like I had just lost the only thing that ever made my world a little less dark?

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