CHAPTER 44

ELLA'S POV

As I stepped into the living room, tension hit me like a physical wall. Xavier stood near the door, his back to me, facing his uncle. I could feel the energy between them-strained, thick, and unnerving. I didn't know what was going on, but it certainly didn't take a genius to figure out that Xavier wasn't exactly pleased to have his uncle appear so suddenly.

Ivy tugged on my hand, her face innocently devoid of the currents running underneath. Her eyes gleamed bright as she looked from me to Xavier, heedless of the chill on his face, and the fact that his body screamed control. Uncle Luke had this casual arrogance about him-threw a leg over the wall and leaned on it like he owned the place. The smile on his face was of those that sent chills down my spine, a warning that whatever conversation was going on, it wasn't a friendly catch-up.

I didn't want to interrupt, but Ivy had other plans. "Mommy, Daddy! Guess what happened in school today!" she piped up, cutting the silence