ELLA'S POV“Yes or yes?” Xavier’s words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. The weight of his offer, the audacity of it, made my blood run cold. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, each beat reminding me of the enormity of the situation. I wasn’t ready to give in to him. Not now, not ever.But as I opened my mouth to speak, to tell him exactly what I thought of his manipulative proposal, the door creaked open, and Mr. Anderson stepped into the room. My words caught in my throat as I glanced at Xavier, wondering how he would react.“Mr. McKinney,” Mr. Anderson began, his voice almost reverent. “I just wanted to make sure everything is proceeding smoothly with our plans—”Xavier’s gaze didn’t leave mine as he raised a hand, cutting off Mr. Anderson mid-sentence. “You’re dismissed,” he said, his tone commanding and dismissive all at once.I watched, astonished, as Mr. Anderson faltered for a moment, looking almost like a scolded child, before nodding quickly and retreating fr
ELLA'S POV I looked up to find myself staring into the eyes of Xavier McKinney. Of course, it had to be him. My heart leaped into my throat as his hands gripped my arms, holding me upright. The intensity in his gaze was almost too much to bear, and for a moment, I was frozen, trapped between the urge to pull away and the undeniable pull he had on me.“Ella,” he said, his voice low, filled with something I couldn’t quite place. “We need to talk.”I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe as I nodded. “I—okay. Just… let go of me.”He released me slowly, his fingers trailing down my arms before finally letting go. I stared at Xavier, trying to keep my composure as he stood there, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. "Why act like a stranger, Ella? We both know what happened that night wasn’t just a fluke. It was real—undeniable."His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I fought the urge to look away, to avoid the way his eyes seemed to pierce through
ELLA'S POV “Mommy why is Mr Halpern here with our things?” I heard Ivy say as she tugged at my fingertips. I stood frozen in my own tracks as I watched my most dreaded scene play before my eyes. Mr Halpern, my die-hard Landlord, was back again. He was very strict when it had to do with his rent's pay. My rent had gone due just today and he was already getting ready to kick me out.“Here are your bags,” Those were the only words I received from those cold lips of his. Mr Halpern possessed a short stout figure, draped in a disheveled grey suit and a ridiculous tangled moustache. “I don't understand, why are you kicking me out already my rent's just due by a day.” I managed to express a little out of the numerous emotions I had flowing in my bloodstream. Mr Halpern's stout figure pulled closer, “Well, if you had responded to the 35 mail I sent to you to pay your rent before it goes due, we wouldn't be having this conversation.”A smirk escaped my lips as I exhaled deeply trying to main
EllA'S POVTHE NEXT DAY."Grin, grinn!" The loud buzzing of my alarm clock rang into my ears causing me to pull from my once peaceful sleep. With a disoriented yawn, I stretched my fingers in an attempt to turn off the alarm.And just when I thought I did, the ringing ceased. My eyelids opened slowly, my weak eyes adjusting to the piercing sunlight from the windows. My eyes opened to the cute view of Ivy, my daughter."What are you doing, sweetie?" I asked, my voice coming out as an hoarse whisper as I pinched her cheeks softly. "Wake up, mummy. I have school, remember?"My eyelids chimed open slowly, this time, meeting the piercing determination in Ivy's eyes. No trace of sleep lingered in her bright eyes. With a soft sigh, I pushed the covers aside and helped her get dressed. After selecting her outfit, I watched her walk out of her closet dressed in a pink gown and leggings. After that was done, I proceeded to fixing her hair in a neat ponytail. With my comb running through the
XAVIER'S POVRhea's voice was like nails on a chalkboard, “I’m far better than Ella in every way. I could give you everything she can’t.” Her lips moved closer, her intentions clear.As she made an attempt to kiss my lips, I couldn't help but notice the glints of desire glistening in Rhea's eyes. She was obviously jealous of my interest in Ella and had been trying to get my attention ever since. I noticed my response to her actions had a toil over Ella. The only reason I continued was to make Ella jealous and see where this act could lead on to.I caught her wrist before she could close the gap, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ella standing at the door. I hesitated, and then, on impulse, I let go of Rhea's wrist and pulled her in for the kiss she was so desperate for. It was all for show, all to provoke, to remind Ella of something that still lingered between us.Ella didn't make a sound, but I could see the way her eyes wid
CHAPTER SIXTEENELLA'S POVI woke up to the first ray of sunlight, the golden brown sunlight piercing into my eyelids. With a disorient yawn, I stretched my arms lazily as I felt a wave of tiredness hit my insides. For a moment, I just laid there, letting my mind cool off on the series of events today held. Today was the charity event day, and as much as I've been planning it, my mind was still a tangled mess. I yawned again, this time raising my body as I tried to wipe off the remnants of sleep.The clock, if i was currently, read 6:00 AM. Early, but I was used to it now. The event launches at the evening of today, a strategy to have all our schedules guests present. Today, I needed every extra minute to get ready. This event was my chance to prove myself, not just to the hospital but to everyone who had ever doubted me—including myself.I slid out of bed, the cold tile floor bracing my feet in a chilling embrace as I padded my way over to the bathroom. After bathing, I proceeded to
ELLA'S POV I glided briskly as I made my way past the hallways in the direction of Mr. Anderson's office. As I progressed through the hall's walls, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. Mr. Anderson's call was another testimony to confirm the rumors.Rhea had always been like this towards me, cruel, cold and jealous. I still couldn't place the reason she was jealous of me, my life was just as imperfect as any other nurse in the hospital. I felt a twinge of anger—Rhea had always been a thorn in my side, and it seemed like she’d found a new way to undermine me.As I finally arrived at the entrance of the door, my breath hitched in my chest, anxiety growing in my veins. I sighed deeply, reassuring myself that Rhea's accusations were going to be an easy squeeze. But a glance at the double doors of Mr. Anderson's office gave me a reason to rethink it.From the transparent glass, I could see Mr. Anderson mouthing some words in which I couldn't quite read. I ran my fingers
ELLA'S POV I was standing near the balcony, gasping for air and steadying my nerves. I could see the evening was coming and the charity event was in full swing, however, my brain was still spinning from the day's events. I needed a moment, just a few minutes of peace from the distress that had been going on in me since the day… well, since that kiss. But then I heard him before I saw him. Xavier. His presence was like a storm, which could be seen from miles away. The atmosphere around me was becoming a little bit heavier with his arrival. I didn’t turn around, nor did I acknowledge him, but he was not the kind of man you could easily ignore."So, you’re hiding now?" His voice was velvety, tinged with that arrogant charm he wielded with ease. "You know, it is not like you to run away, Ella."I took a slow, deep breath while my eyes were focused on the city lights through the glass. "I’m not hiding," I said, my voice steady. "Just… taking a break." He came nearer, filling the room wi