XavierI took a deep breath before explaining. "I met Phoebe that day because I didn't want to meet her.""And what does that mean?" she asked, her brows furrowing."I was at the bar, minding my own business, when she showed up out of nowhere. I tried to brush her off, told her I didn't want her around, but she was stubborn. She kept making excuses, trying to get my attention."Alice's eyes narrowed, her interest piqued."When I decided to leave, she followed me," I continued. "And then... she almost committed suicide by running into the middle of the road. I had to save her, of course."Alice's eyes widened in shock, and then a radiant smile spread across her face. "I just love this man so much," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "He's such a savior."I couldn't help but smile back at her, my heart skipping a beat. I brushed it off as a side effect of my illness, but deep down, I knew it was something more.As Alice leaned in, her heart pounding in her chest, I felt her w
AliceI shook Xavier's shoulders, my voice escalating into a frantic scream. "Xavier, wake up! Xavier, please!"But he lay motionless, his eyes closed, his chest still. I slapped his face, my fingers trembling with desperation. "Xavier, wake up!" Still, there was no response. No flicker of movement. No whisper of breath.Panic set in, my heart racing like a jackhammer. I leapt out of bed, my legs buckling beneath me. I stumbled out of the room, down the hallway, and into the doctor's office, my screams echoing off the walls. "Please help me! My husband isn't waking up! What's happening?"The doctor's face turned ashen, and he sprinted after me, his team of nurses and hospital staff hot on our heels. "We need to move, now!" the doctor yelled, his voice low and urgent.As we burst back into the room, the medical team descended upon Xavier, their faces set with determination. "We have to save him," one of the nurses whispered, her voice laced with desperation. "We can't let him slip away
AliceMy mind was a jumbled mess as I sat beside Xavier's bed. How could I tell him about Phoebe's deal? The doctor who could save his life, but at what cost? I would have to leave him, give him up to Phoebe. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.I pushed the thoughts aside, trying to focus on the present. Xavier's eyes were fixed on me, filled with a mix of concern and hope. I forced a reassuring smile onto my face."Come on, baby, stop staring at me like that. Everything will be fine. I'll find a doctor, I can assure you," he said, trying to sound confident.I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of my worries. Xavier patted the side of the bed, his eyes inviting me to lie down beside him."Come, stay with me," he said, his voice low and soothing.I shook my head, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm not going to lie on the bed with you."Xavier's face fell, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Why not?" he asked.I hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "The last time I lay down with you,
XavierI slowly opened my eyes, my vision blurry from the haze of unconsciousness. I was weak, my body feeling heavy and unresponsive. As I struggled to take in my surroundings, I noticed a weight on my stomach. I groaned, trying to shift into a more comfortable position.My gaze fell upon Alice, her head resting on my stomach, her body slumped in the chair beside my bed. Her eyes were puffy, with dry tears staining her cheeks and chest. My heart ached, realizing she must have been crying for hours.As I looked around the hospital room, I wondered how long I'd been unconscious. The evening sunlight streaming through the window told me it had been a while.I groaned again, this time from the discomfort of Alice's weight on my stomach. She stirred, her head jerking up as she opened her eyes. When she saw my gaze on her, she let out a scream of joy."Oh, thank God!" she exclaimed, tears of happiness streaming down her face. "You're awake!"Alice flung her arms around me, holding me tight
AliceIt's been a day since the small talk with Xavier.We stepped out of the hospital, and I breathed a sigh of relief. It was good to be free from the sterile smell and the constant beeping of machines.Xavier nodded in agreement when I told him, "I'll tell you everything when we're out of here."After a few hours' drive, we finally returned home. As we walked up to the mansion, I spotted Wendy and Lexi pacing back and forth in front of the entrance. They must have been waiting for us.Wendy's eyes widened as she saw us, and she let out a squeal of delight."Where have you guys been?" she exclaimed, rushing over to hug us both tightly."We were so damn worried, and you didn't even reply to our calls!" Lexi chimed in, his brow furrowed with concern.I smiled weakly, feeling a pang of guilt for worrying them. "We're really sorry. We were just busy with something important."Lexi's eyes narrowed. "What's that?" he asked, his tone curious.Xavier intervened, his voice cold and detached.
AliceI was still reeling from the shock of his proposal. "Are you serious right now?" I exclaimed, snatching the phone from Wendy. "Are you saying you're going to marry my sister-in-law?""Yes, yes, I will," he replied, his voice firm."Can I come? I can come right now to the states," he continued. "I just went to London to do a few things, and once I'm done, I'll come back to the state. In fact, I can cancel everything and come back right now."Wendy took the phone back from me, her expression calm. "Don't bother. Just do what you need to do and come back. I'll be waiting, so we can discuss this further.""No problem, Wendy," he said quickly."Wendy?" he suddenly called."Hmm, Yeah?" she replied."I'm sorry for what I put you through. I'm really sorry," he apologized.Wendy shook her head, even though he couldn't see her. "It's fine. It's not your fault. We got drunk together and... did it together. So, it's not your fault. You don't need to apologize."He sighed, seeming to accept
XavierThe dinner table was set with fine china and crystal glasses, the soft glow of the chandelier casting a warm light on the gathering. The aroma of roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the hum of conversation. Outside, the morning sun cast a golden hue through the windows, illuminating the faces of my family as they passed plates and served themselves.To my right, Alice sat with her hands folded in her lap, her eyes fixed on the plate in front of her. My mom, seated at the head of the table, smiled warmly as she passed a serving dish to my dad. Wendy and Lexi chatted quietly, their forks clinking against their plates as they ate.As I watched, the sounds of the dinner table filled the air: the clinking of silverware, the murmur of conversation, the sipping of water, and the soft chewing of food. The tension was palpable.I took a deep breath, preparing to reveal what I had been wanting to share with my family. But before I could speak,
AliceI pushed my chair back, the legs scraping against the floor, and stood up, my eyes locked on Xavier's mom. "May I speak with you, please? In private?"The room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the chandelier above us. Xavier's mom, her expression hesitant, nodded curtly, as if she had no choice. She pushed back her own chair, the movement mirrored, and followed me out of the dining room.The tension in the room was palpable, like a living thing that pulsed with every heartbeat. I could sense the weight of their stares as we left, the unspoken questions hanging in the air like a challenge.Upstairs, in the quiet of the bedroom, Xavier's mom turned to me, her voice cold, like a winter breeze. "What is it, Alice? What do you want to talk about?"I took a deep breath, the air filling my lungs, and began. "Xavier's condition... the person who told me about the doctor who can help him... it's someone you know."Her eyes narrowed, like a cat's, her gaze piercing. "Who?"I st
XavierI narrowed my eyes, and slowly softened the look on my face before letting a smirked crawl over my lips."Did you really think I'd forget you, Alice? Once bitten, twice shy, don't you think?"Alice looked taken aback. "What? You… you remember?""I remember everything, I chuckled, nodding my head. "I was only trying to pull your leg. You know, like those cliché movie scenes."As I spoke, I winced in pain, clutching my chest. Alice had slammed her hand against there, and I could see the anger and grief in her eyes. She was about to hit me again when the doctor intervened, gently prying Alice away. "Ma, please calm down. He's still recovering "She resisted, her eyes flashing with emotion. "No, I won't calm down! Did you see what he just did? He pretended not to know me!"I shook my head, a hint of a smile on my lips. "I'm sorry, Alice. I didn't mean to scare you.""How could you act like you don't know me?" Alice demanded, her voice trembling. "I was worried sick about you. I tho
AliceA WEEK LATERAs I gazed lovingly at my baby, I couldn't help but smile. She was so peaceful, breastfeeding and moving softly in my arms. I saw Xavier's features in her tiny face, and my heart swelled with love.Just then, the door opened, and Xavier's parents walked in, beaming with smiles. "Oh my goodness!" Xavier's mother exclaimed, rushing towards me. "Look at her! She looks just like Xavier!"I smiled warmly, feeling a pang of sadness. "Yes, she does."Xavier's mother cooed over the baby, admiring her tiny features."What about Wendy and her husband?" I asked. "They also promised to see me today.""They'll be here soon," Xavier's father replied. "They just stopped to...visit Xavier first."My eyes clouded with sadness, and I nodded silently. Xavier's father asked gently, "Don't you miss him?"Did he even need to ask? My face showed how much I missed him. It's been a weak already!"I miss him so much…" I replied, my voice trailing off. "But there's nothing we can do now, can
AliceI slowly opened my eyes, wincing in pain. My head throbbed, and my body ached all over. As my gaze cleared, I realized I was in a familiar room - my ex-husband Ethan's bedroom. I sat up with a start, my heart racing.What was I doing here? I looked around, taking in the familiar surroundings. Even the bed was the same one where I'd caught Ethan and my step-sister Kate together. The memory still stung.I tried to piece together how I'd ended up here. Then, it hit me - Ethan had kidnapped me from the shopping mall. I'd been so scared, and now I was trapped.Determined to escape, I stood up, holding my stomach. I was still getting used to my pregnant body. I made my way to the door and tried to open it, but it was locked. I tried again, but it wouldn't budge.Panic set in. I started banging on the door, shouting, "Let me out now! Let me out before you regret bringing me here! Ethan, Let me go!"But soon, I gave up because he wasn't even answering me and as I stood there, frozen in
XavierI sat in the meeting, surrounded by CEOs and billionaires, discussing business deals and strategies. But my mind kept wandering, my heart skipping a beat for no apparent reason. I rubbed my chest, trying to shake off the odd feeling.Lumber, sitting beside me, noticed my discomfort. "Is everything alright, sir?" he asked, concern etched on his face.I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit...off," I replied, unsure of what was wrong."Maybe you should get some rest, sir?" he suggested. "You've been working non-stop for weeks."But I shook my head, determined to push through. "Let's just finish this up, and then I'll take a break."The meeting finally came to a close, and I stood up, shaking hands with the other executives. As I walked out of the conference room, my secretary handed me a bottle of water. "Here, sir, drink this. It'll help calm your nerves."I took a sip, feeling a bit more centered. Then, I remembered my wife, and how I'd promis
MariaAs I sat in my favorite armchair, reflecting on my life, I couldn't help but think about my son, Xavier. Had I truly given him the best possible life? The answer, I realized with a pang of guilt, was no.I had been a distant, uninvolved mother, never taking the time to understand my son's desires or dreams. Instead, I had dictated his path, choosing his career and making decisions on his behalf, right from a young age.A few years ago, Xavier had brought Phoebe to meet me, telling me about his plans to marry her and how much he loved her. But I had refused to accept her. In my mind, I would choose the perfect woman for my son, and Phoebe didn't fit the bill.So, behind the scenes, I had manipulated events to sabotage Xavier's business, watching with a sense of satisfaction as it crumbled. My son was devastated, unable to understand why his company was failing. Little did he know, it was his own mother who was responsible.I recalled the conversation I had with Phoebe, telling he
AliceI walked slowly down the staircase, gripping a large, brown envelope containing the divorce finalization papers. Reaching the bottom step, I paused, looking up to see Xavier descending towards me. His polished shoes clicked against the stairs, echoing through the hallway.As he approached, he extended a hand, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, this is it. I can officially call you my ex-wife, right?"I smiled, inhaling the scent of his cologne as I took his hand. "Not for long, Xavier," I replied, our handshake brief but firm.We broke apart, and together, we walked towards the car waiting for us outside. The driver stood by the door, tipping his hat as we slid into the backseat.As the car glided smoothly into motion, Xavier turned to me, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Divorce has never tasted so sweet," he whispered, his eyes crinkling at the corners.I smiled, my heart skipping a beat. "I can't help but agree," I replied, our lips meeting in a tender, s
AliceBefore I could even process my emotions, Xavier dropped to his knees, his eyes locked on mine. He pulled out a small jewelry box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a stunning diamond ring. His voice trembled as he whispered, "Alice, please... divorce me. Let's divorce from this contractual marriage of ours and marry right. Please marry me."I felt like I couldn't breathe for a second there. We were married, yes, but it was a contractual arrangement, a business deal between us. But now, Xavier was asking me to break free from that contract and marry him for real.I stared at him, my mind reeling. His eyes were glassy with tears, and his voice was laced with emotion. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.And then, like a dam breaking, tears flooded my eyes. My voice shook as I whispered, "Y-yes... I'll marry you."Xavier's face lit up with joy, and he slid the ring onto my finger. He stood up, his eyes never leaving mine, and kissed me like he never had before. I reciprocat
AliceWe sat on the sofa, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes. I felt a sense of relief wash over me. We were finally home, finally together again! I couldn't ask for more."Shouldn't we call your parents, at least?" I asked, thinking of Wendy and how worried she must be. I remembered how much she used to call me, crying and bawling all night to my ears.Now, Xavier telling me not to reach out to anyone yet was something strange."Not now," he whispered, his eyes locked on mine. "Right now, I just want to ease the tension, look at you, talk to you, and feel our baby."I smiled, my hand instinctively going to my swollen belly. Next month, our little one would arrive, and I couldn't wait to see Xavier hold our child in his arms.He kissed my lips gently, his eyes filled with adoration. "I love you so much, wifey.""I love you too," I replied, my heart full.Xavier's expression suddenly turned serious, and he swallowed hard. "Alice?" he called, his voice low and gentle."Yes,
XavierI finally told the police I wanted to return to the US, but there was a problem - Phoebe had seized all my documents. The policemen offered to search her place again, and after a thorough search, they recovered my belongings.Relieved, I checked into a hotel for the night. However, my phone was still missing, and I suspected Phoebe had hidden it. I decided to purchase a new phone that same night and thankfully remembered Alice's phone number.I tried calling her, but she didn't answer. I tried again and again, but still, no response. Growing concerned, I decided to check her social media profiles. But when I reached her Instagram page, I found it had been deactivated.Confused and worried, I began searching for news about Alice. That's when I stumbled upon shocking headlines - my wife had been charged with plagiarism for a book she had written. I knew Alice was the original author of that book, and the accusations made no sense. Why would they do this to her? What the hell happ