XAVIER'S POV.I noticed the flutter in her eyes as I pulled back. "Oh, but I do, Ella. And soon, you'll see that for yourself." I heaved gruffly turning in the direction of the exit. I led the way as Ella followed, and in no time, we were at the parking lot where the car had been parked. As we proceeded towards the car, I couldn’t help but notice the uncertainty flickering in her blue eyes. The hesitation, the way her lips twitched as if she wanted to say something but held back, only made me want her more. My gaze drifted down to those cherry-red lips, so soft, so perfectly kissable. I knew exactly what they felt like, and the memory made something primal stir inside me. She had no idea how easily she drew me in, how every little movement, every unsure glance, made me want to pin her against the car and kiss her until she was breathless. Her body was irresistible, curves that fit against mine like they were made for me. I imagined those same lips parted in pleasure, gasping my na
ELLA'S POV "IVY IS MISSING!" The babysitter's voice pierced through me like a knife. My jaw fell slightly as I tried my best to have a grip over my emotions but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I felt a spasm of pain reflect over my shoulders as my breath hitched in my throat. "What do you mean, she's missing?" I heard Xavier's voice pierce the thin silence that braced my ears. I jolted back to reality, the panic gripping me. "We left her in your care," I pressed, my voice trembling. The babysitter’s face crumpled, her eyes welling up with tears. She looked helpless, and for a split second, I felt sorry for her—but fear quickly drowned out the sympathy. My chest tightened as I glanced at Xavier. His face had darkened, and his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might crack. "How could you let this happen?" His voice was low but carried a dangerous edge, sharp enough to make anyone shrink back. He stepped toward the babysitter, his presence filling the room with tension.
ELLA'S POV And then, just like that, a memory sparked in my head. "Sweet Swirls," I whispered, barely audibly.Xavier raised an eyebrow. "What?""She loves going there. The ice cream place. Sweet Swirls." The pieces clicked into place in my head, and for a moment, I had a glimmer of hope. "It's where she always goes when she's upset. I should've thought of it sooner.We didn't spend another second, bolting to my rusty old car. Xavier stopped and eyed it disdainfully, but I couldn't care less."You can either get in or you can stay here," I snarled, wrenching open the door.He slid onto the worn seat, didn't say a word. We peeled out toward Sweet Swirls, my old car protesting the strain. Xavier didn't say one word during the ride, but I can tell he looked over a million times at me, thinking of a hundred things, yet not saying anything. My hands were tight on the steering wheel as I zoomed he car past the streets, my mind consumed with thoughts of Ivy.We finally reached the destinati
XAVIER'S POV I heaved a slight sigh as I drove the car into the clear street walk of the estate, my estate. My hands clutched tightly on the steering wheel, my mind a thousand miles away and bogged down with the weight of all that happened today-marriage, Ivy, the omen of a storm about the president's request-assailed my attention with gnawing tenacity.As I approached the McKinney mansion, the familiar iron gates swung open with their usual mechanical precision, ushering me into the world I’d always known—a world built on legacy, power, and control. The McKinney estate stood before me like a fortress, cold and imposing against the night sky, a reminder of the weight I carried. My grandfather’s legacy. My legacy.I parked the car and stepped out, straightening my jacket as the mansion’s towering facade loomed above me. This place, my family’s empire, had always felt like a battlefield—one where only the strongest survived. My jaw tightened as I approached the grand doors, pushing t
CHAPTER 34ELLA'S POV I strode toward the car, the weight of my grandfather's words still lingering in the back of my mind. The old man rarely showed vulnerability, and yet, tonight, he'd let his guard down just enough to remind me that the world wasn't as safe as it seemed. Not for Ella, not for Ivy—and not for me.Just as my hand reached for the handle of the car, a voice cut through the silence of the night from behind. "Xavier."I froze. Instantly recognising the voice all too well. Lucas - my uncle. I turned slowly, my eyes locking onto his. He approached with that same smug look he always wore, like knowing something no one else knew. Irritated me, though I'd never show it."Off already?" he asked, stopping a few steps short of me. "I was hoping to catch you before you disappeared. There's a party coming up. Business, of course. Some powerful people you should meet. Thought you'd want to bring that new wife of yours."I tensed at the mention of Ella. His tone was too smooth, to
The following evening came sooner than I had thought, and while I stood in front of the mirror, my fingers nervously fidgeted with the hem of the simple dress chosen. I stared at my reflection, feeling a bit uneasy. Tonight was different-there was an unfamiliar weight to it, almost as if something was brewing from under its core, and I hadn't had a single hint as to what it was.I glanced over at the time and beckoned towards the clock. Xavier had told me to be ready by seven and of course in true Xavier fashion, he was prompt. When I came out of the bedroom, he was waiting for me at the foot of the stairs, leaning against the railing. My breath caught for a moment.He looked… well, he looked like sin wrapped in a tuxedo. The black suit fit his broad frame to perfection, his sharp jawline set in that cold, masculine way that always made him seem untouchable. Dark strands of hair were neatly combed back, save for that one rogue lock falling across his forehead and lending him that edge
XAVIER'S POV Claudia being here tonight was the last thing I expected to see. Sitting there, having to watch her saunter away after snide remarks to Ella, that old irritability surged right through me. The harder I seem to keep my past at arm's length, there Claudia was, crawling out of the shadows like a ghost I'd wish would finally disappear. I should've known better. I should have known better than to think a person like her wouldn't find a way to just pop up no matter where I went. That woman always did find ways of resurfacing at just about the time when I thought that she was gone for good.Claudia… She was one of those exes I wished I could eradicate from my life, someone whose persistence rivaled a damn cockroach. However many times I reiterated to her that things between us were over-long over-she continued snuffling around, trying to scratch her way back into my world. I didn't do well with loose ends, and Claudia was just that. A loose end that would not quit.But what in
ELLA'S POV The second Xavier returned to my side, I immediately put on my facade. I didn't want him to think that I was still bothered with what I had seen earlier on. I followed him, saw him meeting Claudia, and now I had more questions than answers. But I couldn't let him see the storm brewing inside me. Not now.He slid his arm around my waist like it was the most natural thing in the world, and I could feel the heat of him even through the layers of my dress. Perfect at pretending, his demeanor was so calm, so collected, so strong. Everything about him screamed control, dominance, and that unnerving masculinity that seemed to draw everyone in. No surprise there, because to everyone around us, he was this big, strong man who could not be moved. And then there was me, barely holding it together, pretending to fit into this world. My heart was racing in my chest, but Xavier…he was effortless. I wasn't. I'd found it increasingly difficult to keep up the pretence. Every smile contrive
ELLA'S POV Xavier was finally here.My joy knew no bounds as I rushed over to the parking lot where I had guessed his car was packed. From afar, I could already see a glint of his backview stepping out of his car.The security men following him led the way as he turned. His face, as you'd expect, was strict, the bad-boy look plastered on all corners of his face but once he saw me, a bright smile tugged at his lips.“Xavier.” I said, running as fast as my legs could carry me. Xavier also ran in my direction and when I finally came in contact with him, I jumped into his wife arms. The smell of his cologne flared my nostrils, the joy of being in Xavier’s arms washing back into my veins.In as much as I didn't want to admit it, I missed him. And I could tell he also missed me. His arms wrapped aroundy back, his lips placing a hot kiss on my neck.“I missed my princess.” The sound of Xavier's voice trudged into my ears, fulfillment washing into my bones. I felt happy, safe and contented
ELLA'S POV “This way ma'am,” The news reporter walked over to me, his finger pointing in the direction where his camera team were located.I looked back at the script in my hands, I still didn't understand why Madame Browne had insisted I did the interview when I was told only ten minutes away. Madame Browne was seated by the edge of the hall, a wicked smile playing on her lips. The flickering lights of the camera team washed her features, the malice in her gaze burning my flesh. I parted some loose strands of my hair behind my ears as I walked over to the corner where the interview was going to happen. The walls had a green background and the makeup artist walked over to me with a make-up box in her hands.“Make-up?” She asked nicely, revealing her bright set of dentition.I was just about to respond to her when Madame Browne interrupted, her tone dismissive, “No! She doesn't need that.”“The interview should start in a minute.” The director stepped in beside Madame Browne, his fi
THE NEXT DAYELLA'S POV Grin Grin!I woke up to the first ray of sunlight. The air loomed celebration and joy, the distant sound of the workers at the hall bracing my ears. My alarm clock receding ringing filled my ears as I tapped on the button to turn off before stepping out of the bed. The president's birthday was today and I had set a timer to wake up early enough to be one of the first set of people to wish him a happy birthday.I took my bath and dressed myself in a simple top and some khaki pants to go surpervise the event before the guests arrived. I traced my steps to Ivy's room to find her already awake in her pajamas. “Let's go wish Grandpa a happy birthday!” I smiled, pointing to the cake I'd ordered earlier. “Yay cake.” Ivy squeeled beside me, her sweet voice filled with joy.“Let's go.” I urged, taking the cake pack. Ivy gave out another squeel as she ran over from the bed. “Don't forget the party poppers.”Madeline, ivy's caretaker who was watching us from the side,
ELLA'S POV I walked over to the hall with the president behind me. I was taking him on a short tour of the hall and things were going smoothly. I pointed over to the stage, “That is stage and that is…”As I spoke, something in me felt uncertain. I could feel iny veins that something bad was about to go down. Madame Browne was the only person in the hall and the thought of that was unsettling.“I'll be back.” I took several steps back. I flashed a wink at Glenda telling her I had to use the lady's room before walking out of the corner into the main hall.I took slow yet calculated steps into the hallway, my heels walking slowly without making any noise. I stepped to a side and caught a view of Madame Browne's figure looking as maddened as I had left.I waited for a second, a cold sweat running down my forehead as I searched for any movements from her but received nothing. I was just about to turn and leave when I caught her walking back in the direction of a corner of the hall. She
ELLA'S POV “My mistake…was thinking the size of the event mattered more than the heart behind it. For years, I was impressed by noise. But this year, Ella reminded me that silence…can steal the show.”It would be an understatement to say my heart skipped a beat when those words escaped the president's lips. I felt the world beneath me crumble, the shock causing me to nearly lose my stance.A tear slid down my cheek. My heart was still racing from the shock. I had been so afraid of the president not acknowledging my efforts. For a split second, I'd thought I lost it all to Madame Browne and that she'd won but I was wrong.I had won.Madame Browne's efforts to ruin the event didn't work, I scaled through. The president had walked over to me and for the first time, had offered me a hug.He seemed very happy, probably the happiest he'd ever been. Once the hug ended, he turned in Ms. Glenda's direction. I hesitated for a second before I spoke, “This is Ms. Glenda she helped me design the
MADAME BROWNE'S POVThe elevator door in front of me chimed open sharply, a soft metallic swoosh brushing my ears. I stepped out of the elevator into the long hallway to my room. As expected, my maids were lined up by the walls like figurines dressed in uniforms I'd designed myself. The elevator's soft gloom layered over the purple linen of the uniform, catching my gaze from the side.The silence in the hallway was soft, almost unbearable but somehow, it felt okay. The discomfort in my veins rolled easily, my face fixed into one of those things oldsters call a warrior's mask.The president would be here anytime from now and he was going to come back to her— Ella, and that bitch, Glenda. He would witness their event and would probably give her some accolades— accolades that should've been mine.I bit my lower lips furiously, the impatience in me was cold— chilling cold. I clenched my fists trying to think of something else, something other than her.Ella.Her name was like fucking tat
ELLA'S POV I wasn't expecting to see Madame Browne at the event hall but there she was, claded in one of the most expensive dresses I've ever seen. Her eyes loomed with malice and an even darker emotion, the air shifting sharply.Smug smirks slipped through her lips as she strutted into the hall. Her presence daunted curious gazes, hushed whispers trudging through the air as she made her way into the hall.My bloodstreams tightened, the veins in my legs twitching as I maintained a straight stance. The air, if I remembered clearly, stood still with unspoken tension.I stood by the stage, the clipboard in my hands nearly snapping to the floor from the shock.The silence in the hall was thick with suspense, the whispers fading immediately as Madame Browne strutted into the hall. Her eyes wandered around sharply, inspecting each and every detail as if searching for a flaw to bicker on about.My heart raced in my chest, my gaze following Madame Browne. And just when I thought she wouldn't
Madame Browne's PerspectiveThere was only one sound filling the car: the smooth hum of the engine beneath me, as I sat in the backseat, my fingers idly tracing the rim of my wine glass. Outside, the city was a blur of lights and motion, a sea of faceless people who didn't matter to me. They were all just ants, scurrying around in a world that would never understand the power I held.The driver, a quiet man that had driven for me for years, looked back at me through the rearview mirror. "Ma'am, where to tonight?"I took another sip of my wine, let the rich flavor dance on my tongue. "To the mansion," I said coolly, my voice low, deliberate. "I need to speak with the staff, make sure everything is in order.The mansion had been mine, my domain where I could let my guard down, and relax in the knowledge I was in control. But tonight… tonight was different. The tension was palpable, an unhealthy knot threatening to tighten in my chest. It had not gone according to plan, and to say the le
MADAME BROWNE'S I thought I'd seen it all.Well, not until I saw Glenda Bacci stepping into the one bar I thought I could escape her god-damned presence. She stood by the door to the mini bar, the club's flickering lights highlighting her silhouette.A proud smile tugged at her cherry red lips, disgust burning in my breath. I tried to flash my eyes away, to hide the discomfort I faced.Anger steamed in my blood, hard and pungent. I gripped the shot glass on the table, my fingers wrapping against the hard glass as I gulped it all down. I tried to turn away, to not acknowledge Glenda's presence but the attraction was daring, like that of a moth to a flame.“Oh! Look who it is?” I said, sarcasm dripping in the base of my voice. “Little Miss messiah.” “Yes, Madame Browne it is but this time, I'm no little messiah, I am Glenda Bacci, the one woman you tried to ruin years ago.” Glenda remarked like she didn't give a damn about my presence.She’d really grown wings I must say. But, like al