Hidden past*Xaveir’s POV Four years agoCarla Dean was the Great Gatsby of our college. She had blue hair, a hot figure, and the most unique pair of eyes, with which she winked at me every time I threw a glance at her. Therefore, it wasn't a surprise when I was the first one to receive an invitation to her spontaneous party. Plus my breakup with Bella opens up so many (sexy) opportunities for me now that I’m available. The moment I saw the text attached to the bottom of her almost nude picture, I was more than excited to go to the party.
*Harley’s POV“….We were rushed to the hospital on time. After a few tests they found out the baby was still alive and they needed to perform a surgery to take out the baby. The hospital insisted I call a sister or the mother’s patient to claim the baby, I panicked and didn’t know what to do so I called my the only other person Bella trusted more than me, my ex-girlfriend to claim the baby and then called my dad to move Bel and I to a different hospital”"LIAR!"Mom is the first one to break the silence after Xaveir finishes his story. I am startled when she pushes me toward Dad before stalking Xaveir, her knuckles white as she digs her nails into her palms."Isabelle..." Xaveir
*Harley’s POVMy stare is fixed blankly on the white hospital floor as I sit with my feet above the seat. The sleeves of my shirt are pulled to my hand, my fingers keeping their hold on them tight. The place is quiet except for the sobs of Doris who has a handkerchief pressed to her nose as she sniffs hard. The waiting room has several anxious faces staring at the double doors. Each time they open and a nurse or doctor steps out, the people flick their gaze at the door, thinking that they bring news of their own.Tears on my cheeks have dried up, leaving behind stains as I wait and wait.I have been sitting here for three hours while Xaveir's body is being cut and stitched back by the surgeons in the operating room. He had a pulmonary embolism and the doctors arranged an emergency operation, telling me that his chances of survival are fifty-fifty. The entire family is here, except for my Mom and little Bel. They are at home, waiting for any news.Doris and Rose are sitting on the benc
*Xaveir’s POVMy senses are somehow heightened with the long moments of unconsciousness. When the feeling of being alive starts to come back, the first thing I hear is the sound of soft breathing near my head and the feel of fingers curling around my palm — fingers that are warm and smooth. Everything else is quiet.I try to force my eyes open but it takes a lot of effort. For a second, I start to think that I will never be able to open them again but that feeling washes off when I am greeted with the sight of a plain ceiling above my head. There is an oxygen mask above my nose and it troubles me when I attempt to look around through it. I check for my arms and find both of them safe at my sides. Then I see her.She is sleeping quietly, her head lying above my hand. Her hair c
*Harley’s POVTwo months later:"I'm happy to volunteer as the Godmother for the prettiest baby in this world.""No way! Harley knows that only I can be that. Don't you, Harley?""That's so rude! You're already a Godmother to your niece. This one's for me.""That's unfair. My niece doesn't even live here."With my palms on my cheek, I look at my best friends as they throw each other relentless comebacks. They have been at it for the last 5 minutes and 20 seconds exactly, going back and forth over who gets to be the Godmother to my unborn baby. We are at Hot Cup Brews, sitting by the round table besid
*Xaveir’s POVThe first thing I notice about Noah Striker when the cops drag him to the other side of the booth is that he has grown a beard. His orange jumpsuit is fitted closely to his body, he has lost weight, and his hair has grown but it is the beard that I notice because the beard makes him look like he had been when he wore the disguise of Jake.I see a little bit of Jake in his green eyes as he takes the seat opposite me and the cops let him go, taking two steps back and standing behind him with hands behind their backs. Noah stares at me with a look of astonishment, like he can't believe that I am here to meet him.It was a difficult task to get a visit with him. I wasn't on his contact list so I had to find my way through somewhat illegally. The officer-in-charge, Jeremy Donovan, has always been a little corrupt. He was much obliged to let me in with a few dollars under the table.Noah's eyes follow my hands as I pick up the headset kept to the side and get ready to talk. He
*Haley’s POV Xaveir's office desk has three framed photos. One is of him and Bel on their graduation day with their arms around each other as they smile at the camera, their graduation caps half-sliding from their heads. I remember that picture because I was the one holding the camera.The second one is of our family — me, him, Doris, and Rose. It was taken a month after he returned from the hospital. We wanted to have a moment to ourselves. In the picture, we are all dressed fashionably and sitting on the sofa in the hall, Doris in between me and Rose while Xaveir stands behind us as we all smile at the camera.The third one, and the one he keeps at the front, is of him and me. It's a selfie we took while getting ready for a party. He is holding me to his side, both of us smiling at the phone in his outstretched hand. We didn't think the picture would come out that good but it did and it's Xaveir’s favorite.I trace a finger over the wooden frame holding the picture, feeling overwhe
*Harley’s POV Xaveir: You're late. I'm coming in. You aren't allowed to see the bride. Xaveir: Fuck those rules...I want to see you. No can do. Vaughn: Xaveir Fine. After the wedding, you're mine. Get that? I do Xaveir: Good. Now get your pretty ass out here. I'm waiting. Will do I smile at the phone screen like a giddy teenager getting a love text from her crush. Xaveir’s texts never fail to raise the butterflies in my stomach. Every word is like a little spin to my heart. I put the phone on the table near me and glance at my reflection in the floor-length mirror of the dressing room. This wedding gown is even more gorgeous than the last one. The material is soft and feels like butter under my fingertips. The neckline has a net pattern stitched like flowers and the gown hugs my figure, accentuating my curves. I chose it myself this time and this is the gown of my real wedding. My hair is in a half-up-do with pearl clips keeping it in place. The make-up artist did my face we