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 drive home was silent, at least for me. My mind was tangled in a web that I couldn't untangle. Xavier and Ivy filled the car with chatter, their voices bouncing back and forth in casual conversation, but I barely heard them. I nodded here and there, faking my interest, though my mind was elsewhere— on Claudia.Xavier. Claudia. What had been going on between them?I clutched the seat and looked out of the window, watching the passing city lights, wondering if I had read too much into it. But again, Xavier's face when she approached us had told me all I needed to know: there was history there, and it wasn't one I was included in.It appeared that they met in the past. But where? Restless, I chewed my lower lip, fiddling in the back seat chairs of the car. The momentary glimpse of the skyscrapers made me remember that I was Xavier's wife— or rather, his sham wife. The marriage was to be one of convenience, one where all I had to do was make believe before the throngs and
ELLA'S POV I woke up the next morning with a sigh, the light of the new day filtering through the curtains. The air was cool, and the faint smell of coffee drifted in, rumbling my stomach. I rubbed my eyes and slid out of bed, feeling the slight tension in my muscles as I padded towards the bathroom. The shower water was warm, comforting as it cascaded over my skin. But my mind was definitely not so calm.Xavier was still here from last night. He'd been different. Still cold, still him-but yet more there. More real. And I just couldn't get out of my head that there was something more to this man than met the eye.I felt a weird flutter in my chest as I dried off-unease. I wasn't used to this form of life; everything was just a little bit off-kilter. I wrapped a towel around myself and moved back into the room. I froze as I heard the faint clatter of dishes from downstairs.What was that?I pulled on some clothes and went downstairs, freezing immediately when I saw Xavier at the count
XAVIER'S POVWhen I heard Madame Browne say the word media, my heart skipped a beat. The breaths rolling out of my nostrils hitched in my throat as I clenched my fist. I stared back at her soulless pair of eyes as a chug of fear seared into my bloodstreams.Ella's breath hitched and I caught the flicker of fear in them. Madame Browne's tall figure was bent to Ella's side as she whispered in the words. I knew exactly what Madame Browne was trying to do.She was trying to set us off our footing but that wouldn't work now. The plan was already made so the only choice now was either to win or to win. Losing wasn't an option— at least not in this story.My fingers curled around the figure of the wine filled glass cup in front of me as I raised it closer to my lips. With deft fingers, I took a sip out of it as I flashed my gaze at the lady seated close to me.Rochelle.I arched my back on the chair as I felt Rochelle's gaze trail over my body. The disgust in her breath was what caught my
ELLA'S POV I held back the snarling urge to laugh at Madame Browne's expression when Xavier told her we were no longer together. The life in her make-up riddled face faded the instant the words left Xavier's lips.Her lips pulled apart softly, eyes bridled with pure shock and disbelief as she clutched the fork in her hands harder. A fog of tension rolled through the air and I felt cold chills bubble down my spine as I stayed back, watching the scene as if I wasn't the genius behind all of it.Madame Browne’s eyes widened with shock and so did her little actress, Rochelle. She clutched her chest and panted softly as if she just heard a death statement. A mischievous smile tugged at my lips as my eyes darkened.I was happy.After all, this was what they wanted.A little drama wasn't going to hurt anyone right?I clenched my fists as I felt the room's cold air do some wonders against my skin. The hairs at the back of my neck all stiffened as I watched Madame Browne ask Xavier some quest
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “Ella and I are no longer in a relationship. We've broken up!”When Xavier said those words, I felt a sudden flow of giddiness surge through my chest as I opened my lips to spark but nothing came out.I had a lot of questions.Was he right?Was this true?I arched my brows in disbelief as I shifted my gaze over to their figures. Ella was seated at a side of the table while Xavier was seated on the other face. I inspected their faces and caught the glimmers of rage that bubbled in both their eyes.Ella's expression hinted hurt and sadness when Xavier had a look that distilled sharp nonchalance in a way that things made chills slip down my spine as I stiffened. Was this really the truth? Were they after all the years of their marriage finally divorcing.A scandalous smile tugged at my lips as I clenched my fists feeling a wave of content wash through me. I couldn't believe my plan to break the two of them aparta was working.I stared at Ella with my jaw dropped slig
XAVIER'S POV I pushed forward on shaky legs as we paused before the staircase. I locked my hands with Ella's and tightened it as I stroked her palms with my thumb.I took in a deep breath and waited patiently, searching for Madame Browne with my eyes. My gaze stretched through the entire first floor in the search for the one lady I wanted to destroy so badly.I moved my eyes past the dim lights of the chandelier tilting my gaze sharply to Ella. She was also looking for Madame Browne with her eyes and before I could move, I caught a flutter of fear in her eyes.Her eyes, like ancient torches, lit up and I felt her fingers wrap around mine tightly. Before I could ask her what was that, I felt a gaze tracing delicate patterns against my back.I stiffened.My breaths rolled out in a disheveled series puffs as my heart beat increased pace, each beat heavier than the last. I clenched my jaw before turning to stare at the figure seated elegantly on the dining table.My eyes met hers and I n
ELLA'S POV I felt a wave of reassurance hit me the instant Xavier's lips pulled into a wrinkled smile. I could sense the hesitation in his breath as he stretched his hand, reaching forward to claim my hands in a handshake.As he did that, I smiled, but this time, my smile wasn't the same as his. Mine was different. My smile was edged with mystery and an unrelenting speck of mischief.The pains that tore through me weren't describable when it came to words. It felt like a knife had been driven into my back but at the same time, it left a haunting aftermath that lingered in me. I felt a malicious urge coursing through my veins as I sucked in a breath. There were times when I wanted to tear into Madame Browne and her husband but this?This was definitely the right time to do that.They could trespass with me but trying to ruin my husband's reputation?Nobody does that and goes scot free. I knew it was all another stunt of Madame Browne's when she walked into the kitchen. Her visit for
XAVIER'S POV My breath hitched in my chest at the sight of the incoming figure. Who was that? I arched my brows in fear as I prepared myself for what I was about to see.I shifted my gaze slowly, dragging it with remorse in the direction of the figure standing beside the maid.I wasn't sure who it was yet but for the first time in forever, I was curious.From the shadow of her figure I could already project the figure's sex. She was a female, dressed in a flay gown. My heart raced in my chest as I felt droplets of sweats cling to my oily forehead. Some rolled down my forehead while some clung desperately to my forehead as I finally summoned up the courage to stare at the person's face.I started from the shoes at first.I dragged my gaze over to the shoes and I was met with the sight of a flat pair of patent shoes that could have only been worn by one person in the entire Mckinney mansion.Ella.A wrinkled smile tugged at my lips and my eyes lit up as I opened my lips to speak but n
XAVIER'S POVThe rest of the run from the meeting room to the mansion was long. I recalled running out of the elevator and sprinting into the reception like a loose madman with just one thing in my mind.Ella.I couldn't stand to loose her.In as much as I didn't want to sound helpless, she was all I had and neither Madame Brown's tricks nor Rochelle's acting could take her away from me. My family wasn't going to be split apart by their baseless act.I was going to get back at Madame Browne for what she did to me.That was a promise. I would keep it dear.I sprinted past the office of the receptionist and her voice beamed from behind as I halted to a stop. “Mr Xavier!” Her tone was high pitched with an edge of worry and concern flashing in it. I turned steely with my chest heaving heavily as I stared at her. “What is that?” I prowled through gnashed teeth as I paced towards her. I walked all the way to the counter and banged my fists on the counter. “Speak up!” My voice thundered a
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat down on the chair near the snack table with a gleam of satisfaction washing through my veins as I gripped a nearby glass of wine from the snack desk.This was going to be fun.I could already tell.I watched the shareholders all gather around Rochelle like moths to a flame, feeding desperately on the flickers of lies she distilled. They were fools but it felt good to finally make them all my fools.A dark grin tugged at my lips as I raised the wine glass to my lips. My eyes were fixed on the scene, watching the one drama I'd prepare myself for beforehand.To the shareholders, this was a shocking revelation that urged them to have a rethink but to me? To me, this was like a drama, a scene I'd orchestrated for days. Everything went right, Rochelle did extraordinarily well and I gotta stay under the spotlight and so did Lucas.The shareholders had all fallen into our traps and all I had to do right now was to sit back and relax. Thin strips of malice lit up in
XAVIER'S POV I decided to do one thing before I allowed the shareholders to jump to conclusions. I could beat them at their own games, it wasn't too late yet.I moved to the other side of the room where the shareholders were gathered around the pregnant lady that stood her ground that I was in a relationship with her.She was crying, soft fake sobs tearing through the air as I smirked. The gazes of the shareholders flickered sharply over to me and I felt waves of shock trudged down my spine as I felt my body freeze rapidly. “Before you all jump to conclusions I believe we first have to go over the basics first,” I beamed and caught a glimpse of shock and anger in Madame Browne's eyes. I could've sworn I heard her grunt before she cut me off, “Oh what basics Xavier? Can't you just own up to your mistakes already and stop trying to turn the tables when we all know that you did all she said you did!” The tension in the air rose alongside the voices but I ignored them all, focusing m