Morgana's POV:FIVE YEARS LATERโฆโฆโฆโNoah!โ I called out, tying my hair back with a band.Where could he be? Suddenly, I bumped into someone. Looking up, I saw it was the cook in her white apron and cap. Sighing deeply, I asked, โWhere is he? Please tell me you found him.โโI couldnโt find him, Ma'am,โ She replied, her head hung low. โThis house is huge; he could be anywhere. I had the maids search everywhere for him. Weโll find him soon, I promise.โโI hope so, Lola. Xavier is on his way back, and he hates it when his rest is disturbed.โโDonโt worry, ma'am. Weโll definitely find him before Sir returns, trust meโฆโโI found him!โ Someone called out, and we hurried toward the voice.We entered the library and saw a maid standing by the door.โWhere is he?โ I asked.โBehind the third shelf,โ She replied curtly. โYou both can leave now,โ I instructed. โAnd please shut the door behind you.โI moved behind the third shelf to find my sweet pie crouched down, his head hanging low.โWhat's
Chapter 6Morganaโs POV:I ran a hand over my black gown, smoothing out invisible wrinkles as I examined my reflection. The V-neck hugged my curves, while the long slit along my right leg gave just enough allure without being too revealing.โEverything is perfect.โ I said, to my reflection.Tonight, I would no longer be the woman hiding in the shadows, secretly aiding Xavier from behind the scenes. Tonight, I would step forward and take my place beside him, no matter how much he tried to keep me sheltered.As if summoned by my thoughts, a familiar deep voice rang out. โYouโre really going through with this?โ Xavier leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. His blue eyes swept over me, a mixture of admiration and concern filled his eyes. I turned toward him, raising a brow. โWould you rather I stay hidden forever?โโYou know thatโs not what I mean,โ He sighed, stepping forward. โMorgana, thereโs no need for you to put yourself through this. Simon and MarilynโโโAre e
Chapter 7Morganaโs POV:The ride home was quiet. Too quiet.Xavierโs hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, while I leaned back against the leather seat, watching the city lights through the tinted window. His silence didnโt sit well with me, so I turned to him. โAre you going to keep brooding the whole way home?โ I finally said, breaking the unbearable quiet.His fingers flexed, and without taking his eyes off the road, he exhaled. โIโm not brooding.โI raised a brow. โYouโre gripping the wheel like you want to break it. Seems like brooding to me.โHe said nothing.I chuckled. โLet me guess. Youโre upset because of Simon?โHis jaw ticked. Bingo.Xavierโs voice was tight when he finally spoke. โI told you to stay away from him.โI tilted my head. โTechnically, I did. He came to me.โXavier shot me a glare before looking back at the road. โYou know what I mean.โI sighed dramatically. โRelax, Xavier. I donโt care about Simon. He means nothing to me.โHis fingers tightened around
Chapter 8Morganaโs POV:He wasnโt moving.I stayed crouched by Simonโs side, fingers hovering just above his neck, unsure if I wanted to know what I mightโor might notโfind.โXavierโฆโ My voice came out lower than I meant it to, nearly drowned by the thud of my heartbeat in my ears. โWhat if youโโโI didnโt hit him that hard,โ Xavier said, but his voice lacked conviction. It wasn't convincing neither was he sure that he didn't hit him dead.We both stared at the man lying motionless on the cold balcony floor, the evening breeze rustling his shirt slightly.I reached out and touched Simonโs neckโthen sighed with relief. โHeโs breathing.โXavier exhaled. โGood. Then I wonโt have to spend the night in a jail cell.โI looked up at him. โBut you might still have to deal with a lawsuit. You punched a powerful man in public, in front of witnesses.โHe ran a hand through his hair, pacing a few steps back. โHe had it coming.โโAnd what if he wakes up and spins this into something bigger?โ I st
Chapter 9Morgana's POV:After Noah got better, I made the decision to finally start working officially at the company. It was overdueโlong overdue.I was supposed to leave with Xavier this morning, but he had already gone before I woke up. Again.That made it three days in a row.Three days of waking up to cold sheets, three nights of falling asleep alone, and not even the sound of the room door closing behind him. He came and left like a shadow, just like I had asked forโฆ unintentionally.โYou donโt have to be worried because heโs not your son.โ Those words had spilled out of me in a moment of anger, and now they sat in my chest like a stone. He didn't say anything, neither has be brought it up. But his absence screamed louder than any argument could.The truth was, Xavier and I never had a real relationship. Our marriage was a contractโtwo broken people agreeing to coexist, nothing more.At least, thatโs how it started.But after a yearโฆ something changed. It became purely sexual
Chapter 10Morganaโs POV:I could feel everyoneโs eyes burning into my skin, waiting, wondering how Iโd react. But I wasnโt going to give her the satisfactionโnot yet.Before I could clap back, her voice rang out again. โBut isnโt it strange?โ She asked. โThat you sold off your ex-husbandโs empire?โSomeone cleared their throat, and chairs shifted slightly.Strange?What was strange was how deeply invested she seemed to be in something that had nothing to do with her.I glanced at herโwell-dressed, with heavy pearls sitting proudly at her throat. She looked like the type of woman who lived for charity luncheons, gossip cloaked as โconcern,โ and scandal disguised as curiosity.I bit down on my inner cheek, trying to steady my breathing.BInstead, I turned to Xavier.His gaze was already on me, and I didnโt have to say a word. He knew. I needed him to handle thisโfor both our sakes.Xavier cleared his throat, then turned to her. โThatโs enough, Mrs Howard.โ He said, his voice calm but e
Chapter 11Morgana's POV:For five years, Xavier and I had maintained a marriage that was more of an alliance than a romantic union. Our interactions were cordial, and our conversations centered around business and Noah. Intimacy was a concept we both seemed to sidestep, perhaps out of self-preservation.However, as we began collaborating more closely on company projects, an unexpected shift occurred. Late nights in the office led to shared dinners, where discussions of quarterly reports seamlessly transitioned into stories from our pasts. I found myself laughing more, the sound foreign yet comforting.One evening, as we wrapped up a particularly grueling meeting, Xavier leaned back in his chair, studying me with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. "Morgana.โ He began. "There's an art exhibition this Friday. Would you accompany me?"Surprised, I met his gaze. "Are you asking me on a date, Xavier?"A wide smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Perhaps I am."The evening of th
Chapter 12Simon's POV:I paced near the window, with a glass of whiskey clenched tightly in my hand, its contents barely touched. The ice had long since melted, much like the patience etched on Marilyn's face as she stood with arms crossed."Simon." Marilyn began. "This has to stop. Ever since Morgana resurfaced and we discovered she's married to Xavier, you've been... different.โI scoffed, downing the lukewarm liquid in one gulp. "And whose fault is that, Marilyn? Every time I turn around, you're there, reminding me of what Morgana did to you, how she 'almost killed' you. It's like you enjoy playing the victim."Marilyn's eyes narrowed. "Playing the victim? Simon, she pushed me down a flight of stairs! I was hospitalized for months! Or have you conveniently forgotten that?"I slammed the empty glass onto the windowsill. "Of course, I haven't forgotten! But dredging up the past every time we have an argument isn't helping.""It's not the past if it's still affecting our present," S
Xavier's POV As soon as I stepped into the house, I could feel the tension. There was something that's going on right now. Or something went down here. The manor was always silent most of the days. When my parents were still alive, the place would always bustle. There was always life inside. If there was no party today, there'd be a dinner tomorrow in which they invited all of their friends. They were always doing one thing or another. I ohkd not wrap my head around the fact that then. But, it was fun. Especially since I was a child then. Since Morgana came in, the house has become calm. Not like the feeling of graveyard it almost always had. It was just calm and homey. The reason I didn't always stay in my apartment in the city was because of my grandpa. He had frankly refused to leave the house. I know he had memories here. But staying with all that bitterness and regret would hurt him. I don't know how he's still alive until now. Given that he blamed himself for the death of m
Morgana's POV I stormed into the house funing and angrily mad. This has to come to an end today. Even if it's not the end, I must see to it that the person behind disclosing the identity of my son is exposed. That was one of the things I had dreaded. I don't know what will happen now that Simon already knows about it. But, I've been a little calm since he left my office. The realization that I was not alone after all resonated within me and I've been conscious of that fact and I like that. It made me feel at peace. But then, whoever the mole in my house is, must leave today. Dropping my bag on the couch, I rang for the bell that was supposed to call for them. Soon enough, they started coming in. And there were about five of them. โGood evening, Miss. Is there a reason why you have called us all here at this time?โ The housekeeper, who was a little older, asked. The woman looked strict. She never took rubbish or sucked up to anyone in this house since I joined. Her facial feature
Morgana's POV I'll take a break after all of this. I'm tired from inside and I'd crash soon enough. A small smile made it to my face after remembering what happened yesterday night. We did not go all the way but went far enough to give pleasure. For the first time in my whole life, I had a pleasure from a man and from my own hand. I love every moment that came along with it. How he held me and how we cuddled to sleep. I could get used to that. There was a knock on my door. โYes?โ The door opened and Sasha peered in. โCan I come in?โ She asked sheepishly, hiding behind the door, I nodded. My jaw dropped as soon as she stepped in when I saw what was in her hand. I was shocked to say the least. โWhat the hell?โ I whispered. โWhy do you have something like that with you?โ โA delivery clae in for you.โ She smiled and dropped the ridiculously large bouquet on my table. The scent whispered through my lips and I smiled almost immediately. Knowing Xavier, he goes overboard over litera
Morgana's POV We got home later that night. Immediately I stepped into the house, I was a little guilty. I had totally forgotten about Noah who was home alone with the maids. Ones I did not trust and I was planning to fish out later. And I'm sure he would have worn Grandpa Will out. I was surprised he did not call me today though. On a normal day, he would have disturbed my phone with calls if I didn't come home early. Given how silent the house was right now, he has slept. โI'll check on Noah.โ I said to Xavier, trying to avoid his all looming presence. He did not say anything and I slipped away, climbing the stairs rapidly. When I got to the front of his room, I hesitated a little bit before opening the door gently. And just as I guessed, he was lying on his side sleeping peacefully. The lamp in the corner of the room is dimly lit. He's the only child I know that does not want to sleep with all the lights on. He prefers to stay in the dim light. I sat gently beside him and st
Morgana's POV To say I was shocked at the phone call I received earlier would be an understatement. I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that Xavier wanted to take me out. We were never at this point before in our relationship. I used to consider him to be an aloof and emotionally unavailable person. Except for the kiss we shared some weeks back, we've not exactly lived as husband and wife. We stay in the same room, yes. But that was to appease his grandfather and not to allow the maids to be suspicious of us. We were more like two strangers living together. Like roommates. I've always found him attractive. But since he never crossed the line by touching me in any suggestive way, I decided not to beg him with myself. I don't want to be in that era again in my life. The issue I had with Simon then is enough. โAre you okay?โ Xavier asked me and I jolted back to the present at the sound of his voice. โM..ermm, yeah. I'm fine.โ I've been doing that a lot lately. Stammering an
Xavier's POV People behave annoyingly most times. That is why I keep my distance from people in order to avoid forming unnecessary bonds. The relationship I had with Caithlyn in the past was as a result of family friendship. Miss Howard, her aunt, used to be friends with my grandfather. We were mostly a couple in the eyes of the public. In private, I made sure that the boundary was clear. We had nothing going then and not now. She was too fake for me then, and I mostly could not deal with her. But right now, I'll definitely deal with her. โMr Xavier, it's good to have you around again. Who would you like to see? Or do you want me to call Miss Caitlyn?โ A man in the art gallery, whom I feel is a curator, asked me. โMiss Caitlyn please.โ I said to him curtly. Looking around the place. There were a few people here and there. And I could not miss the way they were stealing glances at me. I'm sure that there were paparazzi amongst them. The stony expression I had on will not allow an
Morgana's POV I pressed my hand to my forehead in the hope to alleviate the headache that I was having at the moment. This was why I hated drinking. My hangover is always bad. โHere is the coffee you asked for.โ Sasha, my assistant said, placing my favorite mug cup in front of me. โThank you Sasha.โ I muttered as I gulped down the first one. โCareful. It's hโฆhot.โ But I was already almost done with it. โOh.โ โYeah, oh. I had a bad night the other day.โ โIt's obvious. You don't need to say much. Hope you didn't do this in public? You're a public figure right now whether you like it or not.โ She pointed out.โYou don't need to say. I know. Even if it's something I don't want.โ I said bitterly. โWe cannot always choose what we want. You of all people should know that.โ She said in her strict no nonsense tone. As if telling me to get myself together. โYeah.โ I muttered to myself. I closed the folder in front of me and handed it over to her. โTake that to the HR. They know what to
Xavier's POV โFuck.โ I muttered, slipping my hand through my already disheveled hair. I need to blow off some steam. If I don't, I'd do something I'm not meant to do. Like blowing off the head of that bastard. How did this even happen? I've been in love with that woman for years now and did not do anything about it. So, why now that her good for nothing ex showed up? Why am I feeling as though if I don't end him by myself, I won't feel at peace? โHey man.โ I raised my head up to see Derek's annoying face in front of me. โWhat's up?โ I asked. โI've been here for a couple of minutes now, but you seem to be in your own world. Care to tell me what's got your panties in a twist?โ I stared at him like he had two heads. โIs that even an expression that you're meant to use for a fellow man?โ I asked him in a bored tone, leaning back into my chair. โAs long as you understand what I mean. I'm good. So, please, tell me what's up. As much as I don't like you, I don't want a besti
Morganaโs POV I didn't mean what I told him earlier, but there was no point in him knowing the truth. Since this is us trying to hurt each other, I might as well up my game at doing it. I've made a lot of bad decisions in my life before and this will not be the last one. Sitting back in my chair, I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes angrily. These days, I wish we went back to the days where we didn't have any issues and lived cordially with one another. I mean, we lived together for the past five years without any hitch. And I won't agree that all this is happening because of the fact that I wanted to show myself in public. There was a knock on the door that jolted me out of my thoughts. โCome in.โ My assistant walked in without any worry in the world. I rolled my eyes internally at the act. โMa'am, I looked through the new partnership, and checked through all the portfolios of the investors, there is nothing out of the ordinary there.โ She said in her firm voice. I raised