CHAPTER 48

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