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Chapter 8
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2025-02-15 05:36:17Xavier's Determination
Xavier 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 Morning
Xavier 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 feelings. She was careful and precise. But the night before, he had caught a glimpse of vulnerability in her eyes.
It was like she was protecting something.
Or someone.
A sudden knock on the door pulled him back to reality.
“Come in,” he called out.
Caleb Torres, his best friend, walked in with a smirk on his face.
“You look like you’ve seen better days,” Caleb said, plopping down in the chair across from him. “Long night?”
Xavier let out a sigh and rubbed his temples. “You could say that.”
Caleb leaned back in his chair. “So, what’s with the look? You look like a guy who just saw a ghost.”
Xavier hesitated. Caleb knew about Isabella’s impact on him. But he hadn’t yet told him she was back.
Not yet.
Finally, he whispered, “She’s here.”
Caleb’s expression changed instantly. “Wait. Are you talking about Isabella?”
Xavier nodded.
Caleb whistled softly. “Wow. Didn’t see that coming. What does she want?”
“That’s the problem,” Xavier replied, leaning in closer. “She won’t tell me. It’s like she acts as if nothing happened. As if she didn’t just vanish for years.” His jaw tightened. “She’s hiding something, Caleb. I need to figure out what it is.”
Caleb looked at him for a long moment. “You sure you want to go down this path? You spent years trying to move on.”
Xavier’s voice was steady. “I never really moved on.”
Caleb sighed. “And what if she still won’t let you in?”
Xavier’s gaze was serious. “Then I’ll move on.”
---
Later that night, Xavier found himself standing outside Isabella’s apartment.
He hadn’t planned on being here. But after hours of thinking, he realized he couldn’t just sit around waiting for answers.
He had to take action.
Before he could second-guess himself, he knocked on the door.
There was a pause. Then, slowly, the door opened.
Isabella stood there, her surprise clear. “Xavier?”
He held her eye. “Can we talk?”
She hesitated but then stepped aside. “Come in.”
As he walked into her apartment, he took in the cozy space. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt personal. A few books lay piled on the coffee table, and there was a half-finished cup of tea on the counter.
She crossed her arms. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I didn’t expect to come,” he admitted. “But I couldn’t stop thinking about last night.”
She sighed. “Xavier—”
“No,” he interrupted gently but firmly. “I let you go once. I won’t let it happen again.”
There was something complicated in her eyes. “You don’t understand—”
“Then help me understand,” he urged, stepping closer. “Tell me why you left. Tell me why you won’t let me in.”
For a brief moment, it seemed she might tell him. Her lips parted slightly, and her fists clenched at her sides. But then she shut down again.
“I can’t,” she whispered.
Xavier exhaled sharply. He wasn’t angry at her; he was frustrated with the situation. Something was blocking her from being honest with him.
He took a deep breath and softened his voice. “Isabella… whatever it is, you don’t have to face it alone.”
She shook her head. “You think you know what you’re asking.”
Xavier searched her face. “Then show me.”
She looked away, pressing her hand to her forehead. Silence stretched between them.
Finally, she said quietly, “I need to go.”
Xavier tensed. He had come here looking for answers, but he wasn’t getting them yet.
But he wasn’t going to give up.
Not on her.
Not on them.
He moved toward the door but stopped. “I won’t push. But I’m not giving up either. You don’t need to tell me today or tomorrow. But eventually? You will.”
She didn’t respond.
She didn’t even look at him.
With one last glance, Xavier walked out.
As he stepped into the night, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
This wasn’t over.
And neither was their story.
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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
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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,
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One Night Stand“Take me to a club,” Isabella said, her voice barely above a whisper but laced with urgency.Xavier glanced at her, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “A club? At this moment?”“Please,” she insisted, still staring blankly out the window.He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Isabella, it’s late. Maybe you should—”“I don’t want to think, Xavier!” she snapped, turning to face him for the first time. “I don’t want to sit in my room and cry all night. I need… I need to forget.”Silence stretched between them. Then, finally, he nodded. “Fine. But I’m not leaving your side. Not even for a second.”She didn’t respond. She just stared back out at the city lights flashing by. Her heart was still racing, still breaking. Tyler and Nuella. Her best friend. How could they? Three years of loyalty, love—thrown away like garbage.Her hands clenched into fists. “Forget it. Just forget it.” She kept mumbling to herself.The club pulsed with music, the air
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The Betrayal The night air was crisp, wrapping around Isabella Paterson like a warning. She stepped through the grand glass doors of the office building, her heart pounding with excitement. A soft hum of fluorescent lights filled the nearly empty lobby, and the faint scent of cleaning supplies lingered in the air.Her fingers tightened around the flask in her hands—his favorite meal, spicy spaghetti with garlic bread, still warm from the Italian restaurant he loved so much. She had planned this surprise meticulously. Tyler had been distant lately, buried under the weight of work, but tonight, she would remind him of their love. The receptionist, Alora, was already gathering her things for the night. Her eyes flickered up in mild surprise before she smiled.“Miss Paterson,” Alora greeted, her voice polite but tired.“Evening, Alora,” Isabella chirped, her lips stretching into a warm smile. “Tyler’s still here, right?”“Yes, ma’am. Working late, as usual.” Alora chuckled s
