The air was cool and breezy, carrying the scent of freshly mowed grass across the bustling school courtyard. The chatter of students created a lively symphony as the children played during their short recess. Laughter and squeals of delight echoed from the slides and jungle gym, and the rhythmic creak of swings provided a steady backdrop to the lively scene.Near the far edge of the playground, Zane and Alana stood side by side near the swings. Alana’s dark hair whipped in the wind as she kicked higher and higher, her feet reaching for the clouds. Zane, smaller but determined, leaned back on the swing, trying to catch up to her height.“Bet I’ll touch the sky before you do!” Alana challenged, her voice ringing out over the playground.“Dream on!” Zane shot back, grinning despite himself.Their laughter carried in the breeze, unguarded and full of joy—until it was suddenly interrupted by a voice that dripped with mockery.“Hey, Zane! Hey, Alana! Think you’re special or something? You c
“Ms. Bella, it wasn’t that big of a deal,” Zane muttered, trying to sound tough, though his voice wavered slightly. His attempt at bravado fell flat, betrayed by the uncertainty in his tone.“It is a big deal,” Ms. Bella said firmly, her voice unwavering. Her tone wasn’t angry, but it carried a calm authority that made every word land with a weight that couldn’t be ignored.“Violence has consequences, Zane, even in the smallest ways. You can’t just throw punches because you’re mad or frustrated. That’s not how you solve things. You’ve got to figure out a better way to handle your emotions.”Her words hit Zane like a ton of bricks, each sinking in deeper than the last. The anger bubbling inside him, fueling the fight, suddenly felt small and insignificant. It drained out of him, leaving a heavy mixture of shame and regret. He glanced up at her, his eyes unsure, his voice hesitant.“I… I didn’t mean to—”“Enough,” Ms. Bella interrupted, her voice steady but commanding, cutting through h
Xavier stood in the narrow hallway of the apartment building, his eyes tracing the worn, faded carpet beneath his feet as he glanced over at Logan. The silence between them was thick, laden with the weight of what had brought them here. Xavier had to get Thomas out of jail without a trial, and he had to do this for the sake of his reputation and name.He exhaled sharply, shoving down his emotions and focusing on the task at hand.Turning toward Logan, his voice was low but steady.“What are their names?”Logan’s gaze flickered to the door in front of them, then back to Xavier.“Kenji Lee Wong and Mei Lee Wong. Husband and wife. Been living here for two years.”Xavier nodded slowly, absorbing the information. His father’s actions had created a ripple effect that now reached the very door in front of him, a door that hid the lives of two people irrevocably altered by a drunk man’s mistake. The anger, sorrow, and regret building up inside him were nothing compared to what Kenji and Mei m
“I don’t expect you to forgive me,” Xavier said, his voice trembling slightly with the weight of remorse that had been gnawing at him since the moment he’d walked through their door. His gaze faltered briefly before meeting Mei’s hardened eyes once more.“I can’t change what happened,” he continued, his tone carrying the quiet desperation of a man who knew he could never undo the damage. “But I want to make it right. I know my father’s actions have caused irreparable harm, and I know no apology can ever be enough. But I want to offer you something in return. If you drop the case, I can provide financial compensation. A sum that might help ease the burden—”Before he could finish, Mei’s expression twisted into something sharp, raw, and unrelenting. Slowly, she pushed herself up from the couch, her movements careful and deliberate as her injured arm reminded her of its presence. Xavier’s heart clenched at the sight of her pain, a visible and constant reminder of the harm his father had
The soft, flickering glow of the fireplace cast long, wavering shadows on the walls of Harold Maverick’s study. The firelight reflected off the polished wood surfaces, including the grand mahogany desk that stood in the center of the room like a fortress.Harold sat behind it, his fingers drumming lightly on the arms of his chair in a slow, steady rhythm. His eyes were fixed on the fire, but his mind was far from the warm glow. The hour had come—the hour when he could finally take the first steps toward dismantling Xavier Donovan. This wasn’t just a business move or a simple tactic; it was personal. Xavier had no idea what was coming for him.The door to the study creaked open, breaking the silence that hung in the room like a heavy curtain. In stepped Liam Shawn, Harold’s trusted manager. Liam exuded a quiet, efficient air, his sharp suit and well-groomed appearance a perfect reflection of his no-nonsense attitude. He closed the door softly behind him and walked across the room with
Harold’s eyes gleamed with a predatory satisfaction, his plans already taking shape in his mind. He wasn’t done yet. "Get the media involved," he said, his words deliberate and laced with control."Reach out to the right channels. Make sure the social media houses, the gossip blogs, and the news outlets all start writing against Xavier and his father. We need to twist the narrative and make Xavier look like the villain. Paint Calla as a victim, trapped in their web of lies and corruption. I want her story to be seen by everyone, and I want Xavier to take the full brunt of it."Liam’s nod was quick and firm. “I’ll make sure the right people are involved. It’ll be handled.”"Good," Harold said, the finality of his words cutting through the air."Make them suffer. Every last one of them. And when it’s over, when Xavier is standing in the ruins of his own life, he’ll know it was me who brought him down."As Liam turned to leave, the door creaked open once more, this time revealing Jessica
It was another ordinary morning at Kingsway Academy. The hallways buzzed with the sound of sneakers squeaking on polished floors, lockers slamming shut, and students chattering about everything from pop quizzes to weekend plans.Inside Room 302, the energy was no different—kids were settling in, catching up with friends, and doing their best to delay the inevitable start of the school day.But in one corner of the classroom, far from the commotion, sat two figures—Zane and Alana.Zane, his dark hair perpetually tousled as if styled by chaos itself, leaned closer to his partner-in-crime. His trademark mischievous grin stretched across his face, his brown eyes gleaming with excitement.“Today’s the day, Alana,” he whispered, barely able to contain his glee. “We’re gonna make Ms. Bella snap. She won’t know what hit her.”Alana, ever the calm and calculating counterpart to Zane’s reckless energy, smirked as she tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Her glasses glinted in th
Xavier’s car sped down the streets, the city lights blurring past him as he pushed the engine harder. The low hum of the vehicle was a faint backdrop to the storm brewing in his mind. His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, the settlement papers sitting ominously in his briefcase on the passenger seat.Every mile brought him closer to the meeting that could save his father’s reputation—or shatter everything Xavier had worked for.Just as the apartment complex appeared, his phone buzzed on the dashboard, piercing through the tense silence. He jabbed the hands-free button, his voice sharp.“Xavier Donovan.”“Xavier, it’s Sheriff Benjamin,” came the familiar voice on the other end, low and deliberate.Xavier felt his stomach knot. “Ben, I’m kind of in the middle of something. Can this wait?”“I don’t think it can,” the sheriff replied, his tone grave. “I’ve got some news. Harold Maverick’s gotten to Kenji and Mei.”Xavier’s grip on the wheel tightened, his pulse quickening. “What th
The evening sky was painted in breathtaking hues of orange, pink, and soft gold as the sun dipped lower toward the horizon, casting a warm glow across the tranquil beach. The vast canvas above them looked like something out of a dream—streaks of color melting into each other as if the heavens themselves were sighing in contentment. The ocean responded with grace, its waves dancing rhythmically to the quiet lullaby of the wind, their foam-tipped crests glowing beneath the fading light.A gentle, salty breeze rolled off the water, brushing against Bella’s skin like a whispered caress, tousling her hair and kissing her cheeks. She stood barefoot, toes curled slightly into the cool, soft sand, her heart full and yet still not quite ready to believe the peace that now wrapped itself around her like a blanket. It felt surreal—like standing inside a moment suspended in time, one she never wanted to end.She glanced to her side and found Xavier there, his tall frame motionless yet somehow anc
The journey back home from the hospital felt surreal for Bella. Everything she’d been through—the pain, the fear, the moments when hope felt like a fragile thread—lingered in her chest like shadows. But now, as she stepped through the familiar doorway of her home, the scent of lavender and vanilla greeted her like a long-lost friend. A wave of warmth and safety wrapped around her like a soft blanket, and for the first time in weeks, her shoulders relaxed.She was finally home.Before she could take another step, two small bodies rushed toward her, wrapping her in tight, desperate embraces."Mommy!" Zane cried, his voice trembling with joy as he buried his face against her stomach. His little arms clung to her as though he was afraid she might disappear again."We missed you so much!" Alana added, her voice catching with emotion as she clung to Bella’s arm, her cheek pressed tightly against her mother's sleeve.Tears spilled freely from Bella’s eyes. She knelt slowly, her body still te
A soft beeping echoed in the hospital room. The first thing Bella felt was warmth—her body felt light, her mind hazy as if she had been floating in darkness for a long time. She blinked slowly, her eyelashes fluttering as the world came back into focus. The sterile white walls, the dim glow of the bedside lamp, the faint scent of antiseptic… she was still in the hospital.Her throat was dry, and her body ached, but when she shifted slightly, she realized—she was awake.A soft gasp escaped her lips as she registered the sound of footsteps rushing toward her. The next second, she felt a warm, strong hand grasping hers.“Bella…?”She turned her head toward the familiar voice, and her gaze met Xavier’s. He was standing beside her bed, his dark eyes filled with a storm of emotions—relief, joy, pain, and something deeper, something raw and unguarded.Tears welled in Bella’s eyes as she whispered, “Xavier…?”He exhaled a shaky breath, his hand squeezing hers tightly as if afraid she would di
The hospital room was shrouded in a heavy silence, broken only by the steady, rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor that echoed like a soft heartbeat in the otherwise lifeless space. The sterile scent of antiseptic clung to the air, mixing with the sterile chill that only hospitals seemed to possess. Outside the window, the city lights flickered like distant stars, indifferent to the quiet war of emotions unfolding inside.Xavier sat slumped in the chair beside the bed, his broad frame hunched forward as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. His fingers trembled slightly as they traced slow, tender circles on the back of Bella’s hand, which felt cold and fragile in his grasp. Her skin, once warm and full of life, now looked ghostly against the clinical white sheets. Her chest rose and fell in small, barely noticeable breaths—each one a silent thread tethering her to life.He stared at her face for a long time, memorizing every detail—the gentle curve of her cheek, the wa
Calla lay in the hospital bed, her body still sore from the wounds Drake had inflicted upon her. The sterile scent of antiseptics filled the air, and the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor echoed softly in the quiet room. Though her body ached, her heart felt lighter. She was safe now.Harold admitted her here. She knew he saved her—not out of love or guilt, but to prevent yet another crime from being added to Drake’s list. Although he wanted to take her to Xavier, Calla's rough condition and rotting wounds forced him to take her to a hospital for first aid.After getting admitted in hospital, Harold asked her where she wanted to go and to whom he should call. As he had to leave. Then Calla called Xavier and the staff at the mansion told her that he was already in the hospital.The staff also told her that Bella underwent a cesarean and she was in a coma.She knew it wasn't the right time to Calla Xavier. So, she called Logan instead and asked Harold to leave and let Logan take car
The cold hospital walls closed in on Xavier as he stood outside the operation theater, his heart pounding violently in his chest. The long, agonizing wait made every second stretch endlessly, filling the air with suffocating dread. His fists clenched as he paced the hallway, his mind racing with prayers and fears.Finally, the door swung open, and Bella’s gynecologist stepped out, her expression heavy with exhaustion and concern. She removed her surgical mask and exhaled before speaking.“Mr. Xavier, the surgery was complicated.” Her voice was calm yet filled with an underlying gravity that made Xavier’s stomach drop.He swallowed hard. “Is Bella…?” His voice cracked, unable to finish the question.The doctor gave him a reassuring yet solemn look. “She has given birth to a baby boy.”For a moment, the world stood still. A son. His son. The weight of those words pressed down on his chest like an invisible force.But before relief could settle, the doctor continued.“However, there were
The heavy sound of boots stomping across the marble floor sent a chill down Jessica’s spine. She turned around sharply, her breath catching in her throat as she saw him—Drake.He stood in the doorway, his clothes disheveled, his hair a mess, and his face twisted with rage. His eyes were bloodshot, and his grip on the gun in his hand was firm.Jessica felt the blood drain from her face. "Drake, what are you doing here? The police are looking for you!"Drake ignored her. His furious gaze was locked on Harold. His father stood in the center of the living room, his expression tense but composed."You let her go!" Drake snarled, stepping closer, his hands trembling around the gun. "You betrayed me, Dad! You helped that traitor escape!"Harold exhaled slowly, his heart pounding. "I did what I had to do, Drake."Drake let out a bitter laugh. "You HAD to do it? You HAD to betray your own son?" His voice cracked with hysteria. "Do you even realize what you've done? That woman ruined everything
The apartment reeked of stale alcohol and the acrid sting of cigarette smoke, a suffocating blend that clung to the peeling wallpaper and worn carpet. Dim, flickering light from the streetlamp outside seeped in through the dusty blinds, casting long, distorted shadows across the cramped room like silent ghosts. The air was thick—heavy with despair.Harold stepped in cautiously, the floorboards creaking beneath his weight. His chest tightened, every breath catching like a stone lodged in his throat. A gnawing dread coiled in his stomach.There, sprawled out on the tattered, sweat-stained sofa, lay Drake—motionless but alive. His chest rose and fell in shallow, erratic breaths. One arm dangled limply over the edge, fingers barely touching the half-empty bottle of whiskey resting against the floor. His eyes were open but glazed over, pupils dilated like black holes, and his pale face was slick with sweat. The stench of vomit and intoxication clung to him like a second skin.Harold’s eyes
Xavier burst into the hospital, shouting for a doctor, his voice hoarse with desperation and fear. His heart pounded like a war drum in his chest, his breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps as he clutched Bella tightly in his arms.A team of nurses immediately rushed to them, urgency etched into every movement. They swiftly guided him toward a gurney, gently easing Bella from his arms. The moment his hands let go of her, a hollow ache opened in his chest. He hated the distance, even if it was just a few feet.“Please—please help her,” he whispered, but the nurses were already at work, checking her vitals, lifting her limp body with clinical precision. Her face was pale as snow, lips tinged with blue, blood staining her nightgown like a warning.He stood frozen as they wheeled her away, the sound of squeaking wheels echoing in the sterile corridor like gunshots. The air around him felt too bright, too white, too loud. Everything blurred at the edges.The gynecologist, Dr. Hayes, arrived