Chapter 41: UNION OF SOULS

Gary couldn't concentrate on his meeting, plagued by thoughts of what Xina might be enduring at her family's home. He knew they would present her with impossible choices, putting her in a position that would push her to her limits. The very idea tormented him, and despite the importance of the meeting, he found himself cutting it short. This was the second time that day he had done so, leaving his beta and gamma speechless. In the past, Gary had learned of Xina’s painful decisions only days after the fact. She wasn’t forthcoming about her struggles in the early days of their relationship, preferring to bear the burden alone. By the time she’d told him about signing the document that severed her ties with her family, she had already calmed down. Yet, he could still see the lingering sadness in her eyes, a sadness that cut through him like a knife. Gary had allowed her to see her family, even though he knew what would likely happen. He understood that some things needed to play out as