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
Alex's POVI watched the cityscape from the large window in my office, the world spread before me, silently mocking me. All this wealth, this power—it wasn't earned by the man who claimed it. It was simply handed down, like a spoiled child's toy. Xavier McKinney, with all his arrogance, never once understood what it meant to actually fight for something.He didn't deserve any of it. An empire, control, the fear he wielded with such carelessness-it was never his by right. It should have been mine.But no, I had to stand by his side through all these years, watching him rule, taking orders like a puppet while my hate grew deeper and festered. My fists instinctively clutched in my pockets at the thought of his smug face, so full of entitlement with every interaction, every goddamn meeting. He'd thought himself above the law, and for so long, I let that be.Patience was an art I had mastered. I had waited years for this moment. Years of playing the perfect, devoted assistant, behind the s
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