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 POV I was in the middle of reviewing some contracts when the door to my office flew open. My head jerked up, and there she was — Ella, storming in like she owned the place. Her face was flushed with anger, but damn if she didn't look like the sexiest thing I'd seen all day. I sat back in my chair, locking eyes with her. I couldn't help but let my gaze slide down her body, the dress clinging to her curves. Angry, she was; I could tell that by the look on her face, but it was of little consequence as all I could think about was how much I wanted to bend her over my desk and remind her exactly who was in control here."Xavier," she spat my name like a curse. Good, I like her all fired up, like this. I stood up deliberately and took my time about it. "What do you think that you're doing?" she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest; she looked every bit ready for a fight. But I wasn't in the mood for talking."You came all the way here to start yelling at me?" I drawled, ste
ELLA'S POV It was absolutely nothing like I had pictured in my mind. My breath hitched as Xavier's hand guided me inside, his presence strong and overwhelming behind me. The space screamed power, control, and. intimacy-very much not the kind with which I was familiar. More to the point, it was a place where Xavier's dominance and authority reigned.My heart was racing, and not completely out of fear. There was more to it, a thrill in a way, as if stepping into this room was stepping into a part of him no one else had access to."You're going to love this," he said, voice low, commanding, yet sending a wave of uncertainty through me.I stammered, looking at the dark wood surrounding me, at the leather straps, the polished metal. That was something else altogether. That wasn't ordinary attraction; that was something strong, and I wasn't so sure I was ready for this.His hand moved to my chin, turning my face to him. His eyes were blazing with that possessive intensity, which had thrill
ELLA'S POV I lay in bed, feeling the sheets beneath me, observing the first beams of morning sunlight filter through the curtains. I had just pulled on my dress, but I really didn't feel like moving quite yet. My mind was still lost in the haze of last night. His touch remained on my skin, the possessive grip, the ease with which he took control-so naturally.A small smile teased at my lips until it quickly fell away with the emergence of a voice-a female voice-from the hallway. I frowned at the sound that invaded my thoughts. I strained to listen more intently, and what I heard was the sharp, cutting sound of her voice cutting through the air.It sounded too familiar.Then it clicked. Claudia.I sprang upright, the memory of her stinging words at the party flashing through my mind. I slipped off the bed, then moved silently toward the door, just out of sight but close enough to hear their conversation clearly."Xavier, I don't understand. Why are you wasting your time with her?" Cla
XAVIER'S POV.I strolled into the hallway slowly with the weight of Ella's gaze still pressing against my back. Ignoring it, I continued and walked over to the elevator where I tapped the button leading in. As the doors chimed open, I stepped into it and locked my arms.I watched the doors close and yet I could feel her gaze on me. It layered over my skin, tracing delicate patterns that made it nearly impossible to keep a steady heartbeat. A cloud of sweats loomed over my forehead and upon several intervals, I'd wipe them off swiftly.The cold droplets of sweat trickled down the side of my face as I clenched my fists. My mind wasn't at ease. I had a lot of unanswered questions. First was why did the president acknowledge dying soon?What did he mean?I was just about to ponder on the questions when the thought of his mention of Madame Browne and Lucas punched through my mind. My heart palpitated but I stayed still, feeling a surge of dread in me as I thought of them.I shook my head s
ELLA'S POV I couldn't wait to get home.I had to tell him.Xavier deserved to know everything. He deserved to know that Rochelle wasn't really pregnant. He deserved to know that Cassandra worked for Madame Browne and is probably trying to kill the president and most of all, he deserved to know one thing, the one news I hadn't really told anyone else.I'm pregnant.The main reason my eyes watered in tears back there when we were walking out of the building was when I thought of the chances of losing him and the thought of Madame Browne winning over us.We couldn't allow that, at least not when we have a lot at risk. The wind from the side glasses in the helicopter jostled sharply at me as I pulled closer to Xavier and locked my arms tighter with his.As I did that, I caught the soft whiffs of his cologne in the air. I waited patiently until we finally arrived at the tall towering figure of the mansion. From the top view, I caught the sight of the maids going about doing their respecti
XAVIER'S POV.I could feel their gazes on me.It loomed over me as I strutted into the room with rage boiling in my veins. Despite the fact that I hadn't fully recovered, I had to be there. Ella had done enough for me. All through the weeks of my Coma, she stepped up into a role as demanding as the acting CEO just to secure my spot in all the meeting needed in the meeting. I balled my fists as the rippling sound of gasps braced my ears in an unsolicited welcome.I pushed forward, my feet moving gently as I traced my step into the room with my wife or should I now say, my assistant, strutting beside me. Her arms locked against mine, the soft whiffs of her perfume surging into my nostrils.I brushed off some unseen dusts on my suit as I stared back at the figure of my shocked nemesis. His electrifying green eyes stared back at me as my lips curled into a smile. I dusted off my suit again, giving him the hint that it was the exact one I wore before getting involved in the accident they
XAVIER'S POV Dear reader, I'm just as shocked as you. I couldn't believe I made it. I thought I died but when my eyes fluttered open, it was to the sight of a doctor staring back at me with a shocked look on his face. A gasp rippled through his lips as he stared at me.I stretched my hands to yawn and as I did that, I was repelled by the casts placed over my hands. I look up at the ceiling as I wondered where in god's green earth I was.Most importantly, where was he?Where was the man who was hired by Madame Browne to kill me?The doctor in front of me ran out of the room and raced out like he had seen a demon. I yawned and raced my back a little. I searched the entire room with my gaze and I immediately remembered where I was.This was an hospital.It was obvious.The ridiculously big machines surrounding me and the wires fixed to me. I arched my brow as I tugged off the wires and stepped out of the bed. As my feet touched the base of the floor, I was about to crash into it when I
ELLA'S POV The next few weeks blurred by and I had to go to over many meetings. It was stressful but I did it anyways. I didn't have a choice. I had to hold down the position for Xavier.Speaking of Xavier, I'm sure you're curious as to what happened to him. I'll be your host. After the surgery which he survived, he was placed on a cast and was in a comma for a few days.My heart still shook in my chest whenever I thought of him. I shook my head as I tried to take it off my mind. That particular morning, I had to go drop off Ivy at her school when Alex, Jason's assistant called me.“Mrs Ella… we need you at the office immediately. There is another meeting.” His voice beamed and I threw my fists in the air out of frustration. A cloud of sweats formed on my forehead and I wiped them off with some rolling down my face.“Here’s your backpack Ivy.” I said and gave Ivy her backpack. “Madeline, we will be going now. Thanks for breakfast it was delicious as always.” I remarked and even befo
ELLA'S POV “We're here, Ma'am!” The hushed voice of the driver pulled me out of my train of thoughts and as I pulled out of thoughts, I flashed my gaze at the figure beside me. Penny's eyes loomed brightly with concern as she gripped my hands and asked, “Do you want me to come in with you?”A weary smile tugged at my lips as my voice creaked out, “No… I'll do just fine Madame Browne has nothing on me.”I saw her lips pull open as if aiming at saying something else but before she could even muster up enough words, I interrupted, “Driver, you can take Penny back to her apartment.” The driver nodded and I pulled my hands from Penny's loosening grip as I stared back into her sad eyes. “Ella, are you sure?” She slurred her words and they shook several waves of fear down my spine. As her words loomed into the air, I felt a stifling wave of fear log into my chest as I pressed my lips into a tight smile. I nodded slowly, clenching my jaw as I assured her. After our little conversation, I
ELLA'S POV When my eyelids fluttered open, it was to a sight I would forever loathe. He was there. Right there. Lifeless and clinging to the frayed edges of life.He was laid lifelessly on the bed with a wave of wires fixed into his body. I still couldn't believe this was the same mine who made love to me earlier today. Xavier. I remembered the soft, pleasing sound of his voice and the sweet promises he made to me. I remembered how he chuckled at the mention of revealing who Madame Browne and Lucas really were to the media.A stinging sensation prickled my vision as tears filled my eyes. I wiped it off immediately, forcing my eyes to blink quickly to hold back the tears. I had to be strong… at least for him and for my daughter, Ivy.It would break him to see me cry if he was conscious but sadly, he was on the edge of something I hoped wasn’t death.He was still in that hospital gown, his eyes closed, his gaze nowhere to be found. A plunging pain wrecked through me as I heard the un
ELLA'S POV The doctor's words echoed repeatedly against the inner walls of my ears as I clutched them hoping the haunting melody in my ears would stop. Like a shadow, it clung to me, playing repeatedly as tears stung my eyes.I blinked, batting my lashes as I held back the tears gathering in my eyes. When the elevator door chimed open, I leapt forward on jelly legs. The strength in my legs vanished, fading rapidly by seismic waves of shock rolling through my veins.I still couldn't believe it. Xavier was in the hospital fighting for his life.I talked to him this morning. We made love today. No. My eyes watered as I trailed towards the staircase with staggering strides. I dragged my foot into the hallway, my heart pounding heavily in my chest.The dim lighting in the room darkened as I blinked off another wad of tears, leaving the drops to trace a burning line against my cheeks. I felt numb, my body was weak and with each staggering stride I took, I could feel the life in my vein d
ELLA'S POV “We're back, the cameras have been set. I set one behind the rose bouquet we kept there and I know it will capture her quicker than we expect.”I tilted my head in the direction of the door as I caught the two figures of the maids as they strutted back into the room. I could already sense their eagerness from a mile away, it whiffed over me and so did that of the other maids lined up behind me.I could hear each and every one of the ragged gasps as I my fingers inched closer to the keyboard.I wasn't sure whether it was the tension in the room or the unsettling sensation in my veins but I couldn't help be restless. I tried to shake it off but I failed woefully.My fingers tapped over the keys and as the soft cold bracing the keys tinged against my fingertips, I felt a cold chill run down my veins. "Were you able to fix the camera chips in the right places?" I quirked my brows as I asked them. The maids who I gave the chips turned at me and strutted closer to me. I tighten