ELLA'S POVMy curls now draped over my view as I bent my head slowly, dead in tracks. Raising my gaze slowly, I was shocked to find the figure of a lady in a purple mermaid gown. She looked fierce— not in the heroic way but kinda scary. Her face was well adorned with makeup, her cheekbones evenly highlighted. Her hair was the neatest I had ever seen. This woman— whoever she was, was classy. She possessed an air of authority that braced my anxiety. Every detail I could gather about her screamed wealth and power, her face fixed in a frown that indicated clear displeasure. Her skin glowed under the light of the chandelier, her hair braided in a chignon.She was obviously another member of Xavier's family, I could tell, like an aunt or a sister maybe. She was seated on the edge of the long breakfast table, her fingers curled against the fork plucked on vegetables on her plate.But something was different— she didn't possess the same green eye color as the rest of all the McKinney family
ELLA'S POV "We're here ma'am!" The chillingly familiar voice of the driver jerked me out of thoughts. Displayed from the car's side windows, was the tall familiar building of the hospital, my previous work place. After my marriage with Xavier, the contract included me dropping off work as the marriage, according to Xavier, would be one that deserved full attention.Ivy was sitting beside me, her hair packed in two sideway buns. The cars in the parking lot of the McKinney mansion were sleek, mostly expensive limited edition cars of serialized brands. The cushions of the backseat were warm and inviting against my back, the AC in the car setting the atmosphere.The car finally settled at a vacant space in the parking lot and the chauffeur had opened the door for me not quite long after. The instant I stepped out, the hot summer air and the smell of desperation in the hospital's grounds fazed my breath.The familiar walk into the hospital felt chilling, unfamiliar, like it's been years
ELLA'S POV The lines of my lips crackled as I bit anxiously into my lower lip, my fist tightening as I stood up and headed out of the room. As I ascended the stairs, I couldn't help it but feel the weight of her words settled in my bones."Xavier may tolerate you for now, but you’re nothing more than a fleeting distraction. This family... this life? It's too much for someone like you." Her words echoed against the inner walls of my ears. The stairs now seemed to now be longer as I climbed slowly, my head dabbled in thoughts. Was this life really too much for me? She wasn't lying, maybe I was actually the burden here. I was nothing, just an underpaid nurse forced into this big life style as the wife of a billionaire. Was I really a distraction? If yes, then for what?As I progressed through the hallways. My fingers curled around the cup of water in my palms, the cool surface doing nothing to ease my doubts.Her soft voice echoed in my mind, with the double edged sharpness of a swor
XAVIER'S POV Madame Browne was a lot of things. Pretentious, fake, backbiting. But I never expected her to be this calculating. In life, I've learned the best way to get out the webs of pretentious people is to play along in their crazy game.Behind the soft hug and pleasantries she offered was a dark twisted figure. Madame Browne married into the McKinney family even before I was born, and as calculating as her husband, my uncle, Lucas was, she also held grudges against me.The truth behind the reason for their hatred was dark and painful— especially to me. My Grandfather knew of the hatred towards me and that was why he had sent me of to study business in other to keep me out of their web. They both wanted the company so bad and that explained the reason they had been mean to Ella.Seeing Ella like that made me angry. It drove rage through my veins, I had sensed how troubled she was from the instant I stepped into the dining room. It was obvious Madame Browne had said something to
ELLA'S POV I woke up with a shrill yawn, the sunlight from the blinds blocking my view the instant I opened my eyes slowly. I winced slowly as I stretched my fingers to tap on the other side of the bed to check if Xavier was there but he wasn't.I opened my eyes softly, my brows grimacing as I searched the room for Xavier but didn't catch a glimpse of him anywhere. Where had he gone? I pulled the sheets of myself and walked over to the bathroom, to wash my face with water from the sink. The cold water splashed on my face and I opened my eyes to the view of myself in the mirror on the wall.My shoulders were flared red, my lips swollen from the events of last night. My body still ached from all the pleasure he'd given to me as I smile softly. Today was going to be good and I could already tell it. The cool water fell on my skin and washed off grime and tension of the day before. Still, I lingered in the shower longer than usual, my mind racing and replaying everything that had happe
CHAPTER 75ELLA'S POV My heart raced as I stepped closer to the breakfast table and took my sit. The air was heavy with a heated silence the instant I stepped in. Madame Browne's gaze hovered over me, unwavering. Her lips were strewn into a tight line, the remorse in her eyes unhidden."Good morning, Ella." She said slowly, her voice sugar-coated but still dropping with malice. "I trust you slept well darling."I was taken aback by her words. Darling? Wasn't she the one just threatening me just minutes ago? I grimaced slowly, confusion written over my face as I shrugged it off and clenched my chin. This was obviously a trap, another trap.And I wasn't going to fall for it. Not again, at least not this time. I nodded my head softly and flashed her a polite smile, "Yes thank you, I did." I noticed the slight change in her face as she turned her had to face the chef. Signaling to him, he instinctively lowered his body and she whispered something in his ears. Something dark, twisted, d
CHAPTER 76ELLA'S POV A lone sweat trickled down my face as I stared back at my reflection in the mirror. I bit my lower lips and paced down the room anxiously, the sound of my heels clip-claping against the marble floor being the only sound in the room. “Of course, dear. But be careful. All hell has a way of breaking loose when someone like you tries to hold on to something beyond their reach.”Madame Browne’s words echoed repeatedly in my mind. Her words drove concern in my veins, the way she made it sound as if there was something I didn't know— something bigger than all of us.My stomach churned as I settled into a nearby chair, nerves rolled through me, in waves. I couldn't let this sit any longer. I had to know. I had to hear it from him.Xavier was avoiding me, just like he always did when things got too complicated. But not this time. I needed answers. Now.As if on cue, the door chimed open, and behold, Xavier. His face was as unreadable as always, that same calm, distant m
CHAPTER 77XAVIER'S POV "Just ignore her," I whispered softly as I gazed into Ella's eyes. A breath hitched in my throat as I lowered my head to place a kiss on those succulent lips of hers. She received it softly, the soft taste of cherry on her lips urging me as I pulled deeper into the kiss. Ella had been obviously really troubled by Madame Browne and it was nerving seeing her this worried.The fear in her eyes wash off as I traced my finger tips against her sharp jaw. She squirmed slowly, a muffled moan slipping through her lips. Damn. I wanted more— I want to hear her voice screaming my name, begging for mercy and also begging for more. I paused my fingers and repeated the exercise, but this time, I traced my fingers in an anti clockwise motion.Her eyelids flustered open and I caught the warm glints of desire in her eyeballs. I could feel her body's sensation under mine, the way her shoulders squared and the way her cheeks flushed red. From the gown she was putting on, I could