ELLA'S POV The morning light filtered through the curtains, falling softly across the room. I blinked against the glare, feeling the warmth of Ivy nestled up beside me. Her small body was curled between Xavier and me, still soundly asleep, her chest rising and falling with the steady rhythm of breathing. I turned to see Xavier already awake; his eyes, piercing as always, were set on the ceiling above him as if in deep reflection. His features were slack, yet there was something behind those eyes-something distant, a thousand miles away, though he lay no further than beside me.I shifted carefully, not to rouse Ivy, and then sat up. Today was the day of her school function, the one she had been so hyped about. The thought of going through all those people made my stomach twist nervously. People who had looked down at me, who have whispered behind my back. Ivy's classmates' parents that see us as less than them. But today was different. Today I had Xavier beside me.I got out of bed as
CLAUDIA'S POV As I walked away from Ella, my anger bubbled in my stomach, waiting to spill over. How dare that woman even think she could take anything that belonged to me? That was the maddening part. I fisted my hands, digging my nails into my palms as I struggled to keep at bay the surging anger.Ella had been no more than a thorn in my side. Now, apparently, she would stop at nothing to stake her claim on something that was never meant for her. In the world of Xavier, Ella was no better than a pawn, some sort of distraction with whom he'd grown bored. I knew this. I'd seen the whole thing before. Men like Xavier were never satisfied with those things that were easily within their grasp. They always reached for something new, something different.I took a deep breath, willing myself to be calm. I had to think, not let my emotions take over. But the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Seeing them, Xavier and her, so perfect and so satisfied, wanted to make me scream. I'd be
Claudia’s POVI stood there, hidden in the throng of guests, my gaze locked on Ella and Xavier. The sight of them, so close and intimate, was like a splinter in my mind. I had imagined myself in Ella’s place countless times, but seeing them together, so effortlessly at ease, ignited a storm of irritation within me. I was supposed to be the one by his side, not her. The way Xavier looked at her, the way he spoke to her—it was as if she had cast a spell over him.I wanted to understand it. What was it about Ella that had captured Xavier’s attention so thoroughly? What made her special enough to make a powerful CEO lose control? Was it her perfect smile, her seemingly effortless charm? I couldn’t comprehend it, and that frustration gnawed at me like a relentless beast.As I watched them, an idea began to form in my mind. If I couldn’t have Xavier, then I’d make sure everyone knew just how much I was willing to disrupt his perfect little life. I needed to draw attention, to remind everyon
Claudia's P.O.V.I stormed out of the event, my blood boiling beneath my skin like I was about to explode. That was supposed to be me there, standing next to Xavier and not that pathetic excuse for a woman, Ella. What did she have that I didn't? How had she managed to get a man like Xavier all wrapped up in her finger?It was sickening; every time I saw them together, my stomach would turn. She had Ivy-that little mistake of a child-and suddenly she was some saint in Xavier's eyes. I clasped the steering wheel tightly as I drove-my knuckles white, vision blurry from my rage. I could feel my heart pounding, pulsing in my chest as if it was going to burst through my rib cage any second.Why her? Why not me?I deserved to be there. I put in the time. I'd known Xavier for years-hell, I'd been there while he was still building his empire, when he was just a name and not the god everyone bowed to now. But somehow, she'd just waltzed into his life and claimed the throne that should've been m
Claudia's POVI watched him leave, his figure disappearing through the door like a shadow slipping into the night. The room felt colder without his presence, but the chill wasn't from the air conditioning; it was from the way my skin prickled with confusion and something else-something I couldn't quite place. Fear? No. I wasn't afraid of Alex. But the game we were playing? That was a different story.I let myself fall back into the chair behind my desk, my fingers going through my hair. My head reeled with questions, the sound of his voice, how easily he'd picked my emotions apart. How the hell could he know me this well? Know what I wanted? Know how I hated her?Ella.Her name was like venom in my blood. I could feel the rise of heat up my chest, the slow burn that was becoming altogether too familiar. How had I let it get this far? How had I allowed myself to become so consumed, so wrapped up- no, entirely obsessed with a thought of her? This wasn't me. I didn't fall apart like this
Ella's POVI stood in the doorway, watching him move around the kitchen, completely lost in the sight of him. I swear, I wasn't trying to stare, but Xavier was impossible to ignore-especially when he was like this. Shirtless, his muscles flexing every time he reached for something, those dark eyes focused on making breakfast. It was infuriating how effortless he could be this… perfect.He cracked eggs into the pan where they immediately joined the scent of bacon and fresh brewed coffee, and my stomach growled, reminding me I should at least be thinking about food, but how could I, when there he was right in front of me, like some kind of god stepping out of a daydream? He caught my gaze, and that slow grin spread across his lips, that damnable, teasing grin which quickened the pulse without my will.I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms, trying to compose myself. But it was impossible. There was something about him, something about the way he carried himself-so confident, s
Xavier's POVHer lips were soft against mine, pliant, as if she was meant to be here. My hands gripped tighter at her waist, tugging her closer until there wasn't an inch of space between us. I could feel the heat from her body through the thin fabric of her dress, the rhythm of her heartbeat drumming against my chest. I wanted more. No—I needed more. Every touch, every kiss acted to inflame the desire building between us for months now.I deepened the kiss, sliding my hand up the curve of her back to feel her shiver under my touch. I smirked against her lips; I knew exactly what I was doing to her. And damn if it didn't make me want to take her right here and now. The need was almost unbearable.Her hands tangled in my hair, and that soft little moan escaping her lips had me on the edge of losing control. Fuck. I needed her. Now.I was about to lift her onto the counter, ready to rip off the dress that clung to her perfect body, when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I ignored it first,
Claudia's POVI watched Xavier storm in, all business, with that brooding scowl on his face. The kind of scowl that always made me want to smooth it out— to touch it, to claim it as mine. He had fire in him, the kind of power that made men nervous and women weak. And today, today he was more enticing than ever. I rose from his chair, slow, my movements deliberate, watching him, the tension radiating off him like a palpable force."Claudia," he growled, his eyes narrowing. "What the hell are you doing here?"I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I moved my hips slightly as I walked towards him, allowing him to consider how my dress clung to the lines of my body. I knew what he liked, what tempted him. I'd been close before, too close, and this time I wasn't going to miss my shot. It was there in the air between us, this charged atmosphere that precluded any number of crossed lines.As I glanced back his towering frame, I couldn't help but feel a flame of anxiety in me. My lips twisted