Xavier~"Xavier, are you excited for today?" When I heard Victor's voice, I rubbed my eyes to get out of bed."On your fucking engagement day, how could you have slept like a beast?" James joined Victor in making fun of me.I sat upright on my bed, and my thoughts drifted back to the early years when my dad had announced my engagement to Isabella."Xavier, I arranged your marriage to Isabella Morgan, and today marks the beginning of your engagement." I remember how Dad informed me about my marriage to Isabella over breakfast."Wow, that's great; I am so happy for you." My elder brother and his wife seemed satisfied with Dad's decision."Isabella is not bad; in fact, she is a nice woman," Victor added, expressing his approval of Dad's decision while eating breakfast."I can't marry her, Dad." I dared to speak against Dad's decision.I wanted to let him know that I loved Alicia and not her stepsister, but doing so would mean defying my father. His approval, my career, and the future of
Isabella~"Xavier, you look tense. Is everything all right?" I noticed him silently having his breakfast. He didn't even respond to James and Victor's teasing. Is he unhappy with our engagement? I cast a suspicious glance at his face.However, his expression betrayed no joy or sadness, leaving me confused about his feelings. My mind wandered to the past—how he had once forcibly held my hand, sliding the engagement ring on with a forced smile. His anger-filled gaze had pierced through me back then. I was naive, oblivious to his love for Alicia, and blind to their betrayal.Even though I had encouraged him to put the past behind us and focus on our future, those upsetting memories still lingered, casting a shadow on my joy."Bella, where have you lost? Tell me, where are you planning to go on your honeymoon?" James's voice snapped me out of my reverie.Before responding to James, I glanced at Xavier. He remained engrossed in his thoughts, barely noticing anything around him."I haven't
Xavier~"B... Be... Bella. What are you doing here?" As soon as I noticed her standing behind me, I felt a surge of anxiety. "Tell me, Xavier, what you're keeping from me." She looked at me with a doubt-filled gaze. "No, nothing. Everything is fine." I put my phone in my pocket to hide the reason for my anxiety. I don't want to upset her by informing her about the latest bomb Jordan Lucas dropped on us. I was preoccupied with wondering what surprise Jordan had in store for us after his early-morning phone call. My phone rang a familiar number as soon as we got engaged, and after hearing the news on the other end, I realized that this was Jordan Lucas's plan this time. "Xavier, are you going to tell me or not? I know you're hiding something from me." She blocked my path by standing in front of me and questioning me in an authoritative tone. "We'll discuss that later, Bella. Our guests are waiting for us." I instructed her to attend to our guests. When she saw James and Victor comi
Isabella~"Bella, please listen to me: don't let your emotions overpower you." Xavier trailed behind me, trying to convince me to reconsider my decision."Do you think I am overemotional?" I spun around to face him, my voice shaking. I didn't expect him to accuse me of being overly emotional just because I wanted to reopen Laila's case and bring justice for her."Bella, you are upset now. Please calm down first, and then we will discuss it," he pleaded, his tone soft yet firm. But I could sense the underlying frustration in his words."I didn't want to hear anything from him right now." My frustration boiled over as I shut the door to my room, keeping him out. Tears stung my eyes as I leaned against the door, but I refused to cry. How could he do this to me? I never expected him to hide such a big truth from me. His silence felt like a betrayal.He hadn't told me anything about Dixie and Lincon's divorce, even though I had asked him repeatedly about his strange behavior. And now, Jord
Xavier~"Bella, please listen to me." I trailed her out of the house to prevent her from proceeding to the Supreme Court."Xavier, there's nothing left to say. Just when I need you the most, you're choosing your family over me." She sat in the driver's seat and ignited the car engine."You're misinterpreting me, Bella; I also wish to bring justice to Laila, but not at the expense of Lincon and Dixie's divorce." I pleaded with her to understand me."Thank you once again for clarifying your intentions." She slid the door mirror to close and subsequently departed from the house. In her anger, she refused to allow the driver to operate the car. I don't understand how she is going to drive the car with her fractured leg.I let out a defeated sigh as her car left the house, and I made my way inside."Didn't she even listen to you?" Dad's frustrated voice echoed in the hall as he entered the house."No, Dad." I sat on the couch and shook my head."Xavier, you must stop her at all costs. You
Isabella~"Bella, why are you putting your love relationship at stake in this case?" Uncle Jorawar questioned me when I was about to fill out the case reopening application."Don't worry about it, Uncle. I am aware of my actions. I can not let injustice happen to Laila just because Xavier is not here to support me."I was heartbroken that neither Xavier nor my father was supporting me, but I remained steadfast in my choice."But who will fight this case in the absence of Xavier?" Uncle Jorawar expressed his worry."Uncle, since you are a well-known attorney, why don't you take this case to court?" I pondered for some time and then suggested he fight this case."No, I can't; I don't want to mix my emotions into this case. I can't reopen that old wound, which I am still trying to heal." His eyes were filled with pain as he shared with me his reason for not fighting Laila's case.How much pain must he still carry after all these years? I thought to myself, realizing the burden he bore."
Xavier~"Dad, where is Mama going? Please ask her to stop." Alan shed tears upon witnessing Bella's car leave the house."Alan, don't cry; she will return home." I kneeled to match his height and wiped off his tears. I don't know how this happens suddenly. I never intend to raise my hand against her. I brought him back inside the house and asked Victor to take care of him. I closed the door behind me, collapsing onto the bed. The image of her tear-filled eyes haunted me. What had I become? The very hands meant to protect her had caused her pain. My chest tightened with the weight of my failure. If she left me now, I wouldn't blame her. How could I ask for forgiveness when I wasn't sure I deserved it? My mind kept replaying the moment when I furiously slapped her. I was so overwhelmed by the pressure from everyone that I lost my temper and smacked the woman I had never wanted to hurt in my life."Open the door, Xavier." Dad knocked on my room's door."Dad, I deeply regret my actions
Isabella~"Bella, please think again before making any decision since it's not only about you, but your entire family will be affected by your decision." James asked me to reconsider my decision to leave this house as soon as I got into his car."I have made up my mind; I will not take my steps back." I looked at the closed door of the house and gestured to him to drive the car. The pain from Xavier's forceful slap on my face is still searing my cheek. His slap not only hurt me physically but wounded my soul, too."Where do you want to go now?" he asked me since he had no idea where I wanted to go at this point. After careful consideration, I asked him to drop me off at the hotel."Bella, you can stay with me if you want. I am a friend to both you and Xavier." He looked at me with sympathetic eyes."James, I know you are a good friend of mine, but I am sorry I can't live with you since I don't want to create any misunderstanding between you and Xavier because of me," I explained to hi
Xavier~"Please don't give me to the police. I'll tell you everything." That boy held my hand and pleaded with me, desperation dripping from every word."Tell me the truth, or I will report you to the police." I threatened him again. Although I was thankful for him saving my life, my mind was filled with doubts after seeing him living in this deserted place. Because of the unexpected flood, the government had strictly forbidden people from residing close to the river. Those who disobeyed faced severe penalties and fines for violating the regulation."Tell me, what’s your connection with Jordan Lucas?" Seeing his quietness, I threatened him once again."Jordan Lucas?" He gave me a perplexed expression, genuinely confused."Don't lie. I know he sent you here to keep your eye on us." I narrowed my eyes and gave him a doubtful glance, every nerve on edge."Sir, I don't have any idea who you’re talking about. I’m a student doing my research on submarine life." He quickly handed me his iden
Isabella~The cold water felt like an ointment to my burned skin, but soon I found myself flowing with the river's current. My hands felt numb in the chilly water as I attempted to swim against the stream. I had trouble breathing as water began to fill my nose. I looked around in search of Xavier, but I was unable to find him in the violent current.My body was still in shock from witnessing the car blast. I had never been this close to death before—never felt it breathe against my neck the way it did now. I made every attempt to locate the riverbank so that I could escape the current, but I was unable to do so since my hands and feet were not functioning properly.I heard the roar of the rushing water grow louder, and my swimming became more desperate. I was about to plunge into the waterfall ahead if I didn't exit the river's grip. This river would plummet vertically off the edge. If I didn't get out now, I would tumble down the cliff and that would be the end.I fought the river wi
Xavier~“Bella, what did you do? I am now sure he will not show any mercy to us.” Jordan Lucas' threats rattled my body. His eyes blazed with anger and retaliation. The moment he saw us in the court, he was fuming with anger. I am well aware of Jordan Lucas' nature. Once he decides something, he will not back out of it, no matter how far he has to go to achieve the desired outcome.“Bella, why did you discuss another case in this court when we already have difficulty handling Victor's murder case?” I looked at her with a complaint-filled gaze. I am well aware that she is not doing anything wrong, but I don't think messing with Jordan Lucas in every situation is a good idea.“Xavier, I didn't have any choice at that time. Can't you see how Andrew argued with us in today’s court session? He is one step ahead of us. He came here well prepared, and we would have lost this case in today's hearing if I hadn't diverted the court's attention to the recent crimes of Jordan Lucas.” She sits on
Isabella~“My lord, Jordan Lucas not only killed Victor Thompson but he also killed two of my staff by burning them alive. He not only took the lives of those two innocent people but he also burned my costly property.” I turned to look at Jordan Lucas with hate-filled eyes. Now he has to pay a high price for his sins. I waited for the perfect opportunity to enter the court so that I could see this fear-filled expression on his face. When I saw Jordan Lucas, I felt retaliation and rage in every cell of my body. How could he burn those two innocent individuals so viciously? I saw no trace of regret in his eyes. His brutality went beyond all bounds.“Objection, my lord, Mrs. Thompson is trying to mislead the case. She is attempting to squander the court's valuable time by involving my client in her latest baseless charges, even though we are here to discuss Victor's case.” Andrew rose from his seat and gave me a furious glare.“Andrew is correct, Mrs. Thompson; your statements seemed un
Xavier~"Bella, what are we going to find in this dusty area?" I looked at her with confusion. The house was covered with black dust. A shiver ran down my spine as I saw the state of the house. We would have been buried under the ground by now if we hadn't left this house on time. I am afraid of losing Bella while trying to send Jordan Lucas to jail."Take off your shoes and don't touch anything in the home, Xavier." She handed me the gloves after removing them from her suitcase."What are you saying, Bella? How am I supposed to remove my shoes on this dusty floor?" I gave her a perplexed look."Xavier, do what I am saying."I removed my shoes and shook my head in disappointment when I saw her demanding gaze. "Bella, please stop using the magnifying glass; we are not detectives." She took the magnifying glass out of her bag and then began to look at the burned items available in the house.I don't understand what new hobby she developed as a detective. She carries everything with he
Isabella~"What are you going to do now, Bella?" Xavier's eyes brimmed with curiosity. "I don't know, Xavier; I only have to win Victor's case by hook or crook." I sighed deeply and fixed my gaze on the laptop screen. My attention was drawn to my phone's buzzing sound. "Are you okay, Bella?" I heard James' anxious voice on the call. "Yeah, we are all right, but why did you sound so worried?" I asked him. "I watched the news on TV." After listening to him, I became aware of the impact this news had on my family. They had no idea what was going on here. "Don't worry about us, James; everything is OK." His worry is evident in the weight of his voice. "I feared we lost you both, Bella." I heard him sobbing. "It was part of my plan, James. I am well aware of Jordan Lucas' cruelty. That's why I have already moved out of that house. I don't want any of you to get into problems, so please don't contact me again." I cautioned him once more. "Bella, everyone is concerned about you and
Xavier~"What are you doing here, Bella?" I got up from my bed when I didn't find her in our bedroom. I looked for her in the kitchen but she's not there. Where has she gone on such a late night? I looked in the study room, the hall, the terrace, and the balcony, but she wasn't there. My worry increased about her even more when she did not receive her phone. She is so upset because of Jordan Lucas' case. He destroyed all the evidence of his crime, and the next court hearing is in one week. I am afraid that she didn't take any dangerous steps due to depression. "Xavier, why do you look so tense? Is everything okay?" She put her file inside and looked at me casually as if nothing had happened. Upon seeing her in the old file storage room, I felt a sense of relief. "What are you doing in this room?" I turned my face to look at that dirt-filled room with confusion. "Xavier, we were worried about the evidence, but we forgot that we had the hidden treasure in this house." She got up f
Isabella~"Bella, why are you so silent? You know I'm scared of your silence."Xavier stopped the car in front of our house and looked at me, concern evident in his eyes."I can't live in this house, Xavier. We have to find some other place to live," I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to face him.His brows furrowed in confusion. "What's wrong with this house, Bella?""He will attack us at any time to remove us from his path. I don't want to take any risks." My heartbeat was still erratic from the near-fatal accident earlier. The image of the truck speeding toward us replayed in my mind like a nightmare.Xavier let out a frustrated sigh. "Sometimes I don't understand you, Bella. On one hand, you're so brave—boldly challenging Jordan Lucas, standing firm in court—and on the other, you're terrified of him?" He held my hand, searching my eyes for an answer.I tightened my grip on his fingers. "No, Xavier. I am not afraid of him. I am afraid of losing you." My voice cracked with emotion.
Xavier~"Bella, let's go." I held her hand and gestured for her to leave the courtroom."I will kill this man," she seethed, clenching her fist as she locked eyes with Andrew."Calm down. Avoid wasting your time on him." I held her wrist tightly, stopping her from following him."Xavier, you surprised me today. Why didn't you tell me about this proof before?" As we sat in the car, she arched a brow at me, suspicion flickering in her eyes."Bella, I didn't hide anything from you. I was also unaware of this evidence; it was a last-minute idea, and I'm pleased it succeeded." I shrugged my shoulders, watching her reaction."Xavier, what are you saying? How is this possible? I saw your confidence in the courtroom—no one could tell this was last-minute." Her eyes widened in disbelief."Mrs. Thompson, Andrew was the one who inspired me to provide this evidence." A small smirk played on my lips."Andrew? How?" She crossed her arms over her chest, demanding an explanation."My blood was boilin