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
CLAUDIA'S POVXavier was gone, and I was still standing, my fists clenched so tightly into my sides my nails stung my palms. How could he be blind? How could he leave me behind as though it didn't mean anything at all? My heart slammed around inside my chest. Anger rose inside of me. It just wasn't fair. Any of this was. That bitch Ella gets everything I want. With a child, that would mean fame, attention, and most importantly, Xavier. She had thought with a child she would be able to tie down Xavier with a marriage. And goddamn it, it was working. Now she gets to walk around, parading around Xavier with that excuse of a child, Ivy. Their names were a common murmur at the party; everyone was chatting about the new Mrs McKinney. It was working; she was getting far more attention than I had ever imagined. And that alone was enough to see my blood boil.Xavier was mine, he had always been mine, even before she stepped into the picture. And now? Now she was parading around as Mrs. McKinn
ELLA'S POV “The part I hid all these years?” The president's tone was etched with fear, for the first time, I saw fear glistening in his green eyes.Never had I seen his breath hitch, his back arch and his pupils dilating. With every step, Mr Lucas McKinney took, the room erupted slowly in an air of shunned tension.“Which part?” His voice was smooth, like granite but also daring. The president immediately broke into laughter, “Don't mind my jokes Lucas, I was just taking Xavier into the old room.” The president's voice made me shocked. I frowned. Was all of this a joke?I was about jumping into conclusion but once I saw him laughing hysterically, I knew he was pretending for Lucas. Lucas was also laughing alongside, his presence a threat.As the president laughed, I noticed his chest heaving abnormally. His eyes were brimming with tears which I pushed back under the guise of a laugh. “How did you know we were here, uncle Lucas?” I asked him softly, swallowing softly as I tried to
ELLA'S POV “The truth?” I asked, confusion written boldly all over me.What did he mean by the truth? I scrunched my nose gently as I reached out to help adjust his pillow. “What do you mean by the truth, Mr McKinney?” I asked him again, this time, he actually responded to me.“I have to tell Xavier— he deserves to know.” He said and his voice faltered halfway into a dry cough that had him jerking his chest. Just a s he said those words, Xavier ran into the room, confused at to where the confusion in the air was coming from.“What's happenin— grandpa, you're awake!” Xavier's jumped for joy with the glass of drinkable water in his hands. He walked over to the bed and I took the cup from him to give the president.Mr McKinney took the glass from Xavier and after taking a long sip of the water, he placed the cup back on the nearby table. After doing that, his voice croaked out, “X… Xavier.”His pale fingers stretched to reach Xavier's face, his lids flickering weakly. He was shaking but
ELLA'S POV “It’s a long story but if you don't help the president now, we could have a different story to tell.”My heart thumped hard against my ribcage as my eyes met the president's figure. His skin was already pale, his entire form unconscious. Fear gripped me on all four edges of my body as I gasped out.A shiver trudged up my spine. I tried to stay calm in the moment, it was good Ivy wasn't around, she went to do her homework and I wouldn't want her to be disheartened by the sight of her great-grandfather unconscious.“Grab me a long fabric we have to make sure to free his airways to atleast revive him.” I ordered Xavier as I rushed over to a side of our bedroom where I normally kept my hospital kit and opened it. I checked his heartbeat and was shocked to find out it was beating quite well.Just as I pulled off the heart rate monitor, I proceed to take the long linen fabric had brought. “We have to tie it over his chest, first we have to take away all jewelries and heavy fabri
THE PRESIDENT'S POVI wasn't planning to bring out the 21 day challenge to Lucas but since the situation elevated quickly, I had to pull out that one last card. I thought it'd scare him, push him backwards and make him have double thoughs about becoming the next president but instead, it fueled his interest.The desperation in my son's eyes as he accepted the offer was scary, even to me but I decided it was smart not to allow it reflect. I tilted my head to look at Xavier's s I flash him a signal, he pushed me in the direction of the door.The wheelchair was very comfortable I must say. It wasn't that bad. I considered it a free three month rest rom walking and having someone, Xavier, push me around. I had pushed me discharge date just to be at the McKinney mansion.The tension might seem a lot heated but since we're in my pov, I'll tell you this for free, things aren't as they are. Lucas was dangerous, i knew dark secrets of my own son I deserved to preserve from the world.Our rival
LUCAS'S POV.My heart skipped a beat at the president's words. What did he mean by conditions? I held my breath, waiting patiently for the next series of words that would slip out from the president's lips. I pant slowly, my chest heaving as discomfort pooled down my arms. I wasn't quite yet sure what to believe, was it his words or the pungent feeling in my veins that told me this was another one of his games.“Accepted.” I said, dragging the word. The president’s expression didn't change like I was expecting. His breath didn't shuder, his pupils didn't dilate, It was almost like it was all real.“And what is that, if I may ask?” I took a step further, noticing the change in the air. The president was seated comfortably on the wheelchair, his composure unfazed.The thin stripes of light from the fireplace in the room striked a side of his face, giving the contempt in the eyes a brighter glow that had me pulsing. He stared up at me, his head tilted upright. I swallowed softly, a str
MADAME BROWNE’S POV I couldn't believe my eyes.The president was alive.Fury washed through me in waves as I gazed back at his impending figure. The president sat comfortable on a wheelchair, his gaze firm like a king surveying his kingdom. Xavier was the one pushing him around and the sight of the both of them standing there made me furious.I thought Lucas said he should be dead by now. To even think that I was actually about to start celebrating when he told me the news only to realize that it was all a lie. The president had survived the attack and as always, my plans had been ruined.I bit hard into my lower lip as I clenched my fists, the sharp pain that came from the pressing sensation of my fingernails on my palms jolting my head upright. The president had a sneer on his face as he was wheeled back into the room.His presence caused my heart to nearly skip a beat. My breaths came hitching out, ragged puffs coming out of my nostrils. I tried to contain the shock in my veins b
LUCAS'S POV I watched as the fire flickered, crackling furiously in the fireplace. The golden rays it casted brightened the room in its dimmed light. I raised my wine glass feeling the weight of her gaze on my back.Madame Browne was seated at the counter at the other end of the room, her fingers pouring white wine into a glass cup. My mind was still reeling with emotions— malice, washing through my veins. After pouring herself a topped glass of white wine, she strode out of the counter, walking in my direction. I checked the time, it was way past 10. “You can stay behind if you want.” Her voice beamed, thin layers of remorse glistening in her midnight black eyes. She hadn't changed a bit, her hair stopped just before her hips which glided, the light from the fireplace casting an exquisite silhouette of her body against the wall opposite her.I laughed, a low grunt following the few seconds of laughter that rolled out of my lips.My fingers curled against a glass of liquor. I raise
XAVIER'S POV I couldn't believe my eyes. The rage and the anger in my veins all washed away once my eyes met his. The president. He… he was alive?My jaw fell as my fingers brushed my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. The president, the same man the doctor had proclaimed dead, was standing right there, in a hospital gown on a wheelchair.I had a lot of questions bubbling up in my mind, queries surfacing as I watched him being pushed closer. The look on my face did not do enough justice to the series of emotions I had reeling in my veins.My heart skipped a beat, maybe even two. I turned my head to glare at Doctor Jiang, he wasn't shocked. He sat on his chair, tucked nearly back on the high neck swivel chair as if I hadn't pushed him against a wall some minutes ago.Slowly, I tilted my head back to see the president and confirm it all. He was still there. No, that couldn't be. Just hours ago, he was rushed into the surgery room with little chances of making it out alive and no
XAVIER'S POV After the last nurse stepped into the theater room, I watched the door close. The lights against the wall glistened red hues that sent shivers down my spine.I waited behind in the hallways waiting patiently for the feedback from the doctor. I had been sitting there for over an hour and a half now. It seemed the surgery wasn't going to finish any minute from now.My mind was filled with worries, intrusive thoughts and concerns about the president. What if he didn't make it? I shook my head softly, trying to remove the thought from my mind.Thinking negative things could only make them happen, I had to look on the bright side. For starters, the doctor had told me the president had a very strong heart that was able to withstand the last two attacks so I was sure, it would be able to withstand this one also.I ransacked my mind for other good points I could deliberate about but I found nothing— nothing but the intrusive thoughts that lingered freely in my mind. The silence