Novels by Hugo Akins

Xavier's DeterminationXavier Carter was not the type to easily let things go. He wasn’t the kind of guy to turn his back on people, especially not on Isabella Patterson. For years, the weight of her sudden disappearance had sat heavily on his shoulders. Day after day, he replayed their moments together in his mind. He searched for answers, any clues about why she left without a trace. And now that she was back, standing just out of reach, he was determined not to let things fall apart again.As he stepped out of the restaurant, Xavier's mind was racing. He had hoped for answers that night. Instead, Isabella gave him nothing but more questions. He felt lost. One thing was clear. He wasn’t going to let her slip away again. ---The Following MorningXavier sat at his desk, staring blankly at his computer screen. The numbers and reports in front of him blurred into a jumble of meaningless text. His thoughts kept drifting back to Isabella. She had always been good at hiding her feel

A Past That Can’t Stay HiddenThe city had its usual buzz. Cars honked, people chatted, and the streetlights flickered on as dusk settled in — just like always. But for Isabella Patterson, everything felt different this time.She sat in a cozy little café, warmed by an old cup of espresso that had gone cold. Across from her, her friend Sophia was watching her, clearly waiting for her to say something.“You saw him again, didn’t you?” Finally, Sophia broke the silence.Isabella sighed, feeling heavy inside. “Yeah.”Sophia wasn’t surprised. “And?”“It’s… complicated.”Sophia leaned in, curious. “Complicated because you still have feelings for him? Or because you’re scared of what he might say?”Isabella tightened her grip around the cup. She wanted to say it was just a nuisance. That the past didn’t bother her anymore. But lying to herself had never worked out.“I don’t want to hurt him,” she finally admitted softly. “But being near him again? It just makes everything harder.”Sophia st

Unfinished BusinessAs night fell over Manhattan, the city felt alive, buzzing with anxious energy. Xavier Carter stood by the big windows of Carter Ventures. He had his hands in his pockets, staring out at the view.To anyone who glanced his way, Xavier looked like a man who had it all together. He seemed calm and composed. But inside, he was anything but that.The moment Isabella Patterson stepped back into his life, something inside him shifted. He thought he was over all of it. He tried to convince himself that whatever unresolved feelings he had were gone. But one look at her, and he knew the truth. Isabella was the one thing he could never just push away. Now, here she was again. And she thought she could just avoid him. That made him smile. She really should have known better.His eyes flicked to the sleek black envelope sitting on his desk. The name Isabella Patterson was written neatly on the front. Four years had gone by without him reaching out. He thought he was past

Meet AgainThe morning air was crisp as Isabella parked her car in front of the large glass building that housed her fashion company, Ella’s Fashion House. The sight of the company logo on the door made her feel a sense of accomplishment. This place was hers now, and no one could take it away.She adjusted her blazer, grabbed her purse, and stepped out of the car. The sound of her heels echoed on the pavement as she made her way to the entrance. Her mind was focused on the day ahead—the new designs that needed approval, the upcoming meetings with suppliers, and the growing list of tasks.But just as she reached the front door, a figure suddenly crossed her path.Isabella stopped in her tracks. She blinked and stared, not sure if her eyes were deceiving her. But no. It was him.Xavier Carter.Her ex-fiancé’s cousin. The man she had shared one night with. The man who was also the father of her son, Liam.He looked different. He was still tall and imposing, but now there was

PregnancyIsabella woke up with a wave of nausea so strong that she barely made it to the bathroom. She sat on the cold tile floor, hugging her knees, breathing heavily. The dizziness, exhaustion, and the unsettling feeling in her stomach were getting worse by the day. At first, she chalked it up to stress—after all, her entire life had just collapsed. But deep down, something didn’t feel right. A few weeks have passed since Isabella walked out of her family home with nothing but a small bag and the little cash she managed to withdraw before her father froze her accounts. She had been staying in a modest hotel, stretching every dollar while trying to figure out her next move. But things weren’t getting any easier. She had been job hunting tirelessly, but every door seemed to close before she even knocked. “This can’t just be stress,” she muttered to herself, staring at her pale reflection in the bathroom mirror.With a shaky breath, Isabella decided to go to the

Sent PackingThe cab came to a screeching halt in front of the grand mansion, but Isabella barely noticed. Her mind was a whirlwind of rage, shame, and confusion. As she paid the driver with trembling hands, the weight of the previous night pressed down on her chest like a stone.She stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement, and stared at the house she had called home for so many years. It didn’t feel like home anymore. Not after what she had seen. Not after what she had done.Taking a deep breath, Isabella squared her shoulders and pushed through the front door.The moment she stepped inside, all hell broke loose.“Isabella!” her mother’s voice rang out, sharp and frantic. “Where have you been?!”Before Isabella could react, her father stormed toward her, his face dark with anger. “Do you have any idea what time it is?! We’ve been calling you all night!”Her eyes darted to the living room—Tyler was there, pacing like a restless wolf. The second their gazes met,