After a few hours, the ship docked. Passengers were already starting to disembark, their chatter and hurried footsteps filling the air.Xavier scanned the crowd, searching for her, but Maya was nowhere to be found. She had slipped away just as quietly as she’d appeared.He never saw her again. No phone call, no note, no way to reach her. Maya had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only the memory of that night.At first, Xavier hadn’t thought much of it. It was just another one-night stand—a drunken mistake made during a vacation he barely remembered. He hadn’t even asked for her last name, let alone her number. Maya had been a face in the crowd, a fleeting moment of passion he assumed would fade with time.But now, years later, the truth was staring him in the face, and his mind couldn’t stop racing. That night—the night with Maya—hadn’t just been a careless fling. It had consequences. Consequences he never could have imagined.Zane and Alana.His kids.The realization hit him
Both Zane and Alana turned to the picture with interest. Alana took it first, her fingers brushing against the fragile corners. She stared at it for a long moment before realization settled across her face.“She’s our mom,” Alana said softly like saying it out loud would make it more real.The words hung in the air, heavy and unshakable. Zane looked over her shoulder at the photo, his expression more skeptical than surprised.“Where did you get this?” Zane asked, reaching for the picture. His tone was sharp, more demanding now.Xavier’s face darkened. He exhaled sharply, looking away for a moment as if their question alone had hit him like a punch to the gut. His mind was a blur of frustration, disappointment, and tension he couldn’t untangle.“I asked you where you got it,” Zane repeated, more insistent this time.Xavier ignored the question and reached for the photo again. “Give me that,” he said, his voice rough. His hand trembled as though the picture itself burned him.Alana hesi
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and the low hum of quiet conversations filled the café. Calla sat by the window, absently stirring her cappuccino, watching the rain streak down the glass. This was her sanctuary—a little corner of peace where she could tune out the world and lose herself in the steady rhythm of the raindrops outside. The rich aroma of coffee mixed with the faint scent of pastries from the counter, and the soft chatter of other patrons blended with the gentle patter of rain, creating a cocoon of calm.She took a sip of her coffee, savoring its warmth as it spread through her chest. Moments like this were rare, and she held onto them tightly. But then, a shadow fell across her table, disrupting her brief escape.She glanced up—and froze.“Jessica?” The name tumbled out of her mouth, her voice a mix of shock and disbelief.Standing there was Drake’s mother, her face a little softer than Calla remembered, but still wearing that polished, composed look she always carried
The front door creaked open, followed by the deliberate thud of Harold Maverick’s boots on the hardwood floor. The air in the house seemed to shift, growing heavy with tension. It had been a long day, and Harold’s mood didn’t seem to have improved.He wasn’t a man who wore his emotions on his sleeve, but tonight, everything about him radiated frustration.Jessica was in the living room, rearranging the coffee table when she heard him. She glanced up, her hands pausing over a stack of magazines.“Harold?” she asked cautiously, her voice light but tinged with unease.“You’re home earlier than usual. Is everything okay?”Harold didn’t answer right away. He set his briefcase on the entryway table with a little more force than necessary. His broad shoulders were tense, his jaw tight. Finally, he turned toward her, his voice low and cold.“Jessica, call Drake. Now.”Jessica froze, her fingers tightening slightly on the magazine in her hand. There was something in Harold’s tone—a sharpness t
The sharp click of heels echoed through the quiet elementary school hallway as Principal Carter strode toward the second-grade classroom. In her fifties, with a neat bun and an air of authority, she was the kind of woman whose presence demanded silence and respect.She paused just outside the classroom door, glancing briefly at the group of teachers gathered nearby. Without turning her head, she spoke in a tone that was steady and clipped, each word deliberate.“Listen up, everyone. The last teacher for second grade quit because of the behavior of two students. Unfortunately, they’re still here because their parents are on the school board.” Her voice sharpened slightly.“I trust you all to handle them professionally. Let’s hope things don’t get out of hand again.”The teachers exchanged uncomfortable looks, a few letting out quiet sighs. Standing among them was Bella Abram, her expression calm but focused. She stepped forward, her voice steady and confident.“I’ll take them,” Bella s
The pulsing beat of the music vibrated through the air, lights flashing like liquid gold and crimson, casting shadows on the dark walls of the bar. The place buzzed with life—laughter, shouts, and bodies moving to the bass rhythm.Ember was in her element, dancing like no one was watching, surrounded by her closest friends. Her long blonde hair swayed with every beat, and she moved like she was born to this rhythm as if the music itself had taken hold of her soul.She was electric, her laughter contagious, her smile lighting up the room. She had that magnetic charm that made everything around her feel effortless, every moment unforgettable. And in that instant, Xavier couldn’t tear his eyes away. He had his arms around her as they danced, their bodies close, the chemistry between them undeniable.Xavier had come here to escape—escape the pressure, the constant weight of his problems, especially the drama between Zane and Alana. It felt like their mess was always hanging over him, drag
The cold, sterile air of the hospital hit Xavier as he entered the building, sending a chill that seemed to pierce through his skin and straight to his bones. His breathing was shallow, ragged, and his heart was a heavy weight in his chest. Every step felt like it carried the weight of the world, the adrenaline from earlier now slowly fading, leaving only the tension of the night to gnaw at him.His mind raced, replaying the chain of events over and over again. The familiar white walls of the hospital blurred before his eyes as he stumbled down the hallway, his fingers trembling as they brushed against the cool metal of the handrails. He could barely focus on anything except Calla—her face, her safe.Finally, he reached the room. When he saw her lying there on the bed, unconscious and vulnerable, something cracked inside him. His breath caught in his throat as he stopped short in the doorway, his entire body feeling like it was made of lead.Calla's usually bright face was pale, drain
The housekeeper sighed deeply, her voice breaking as she told him the story. “Zane was hiding at the bottom of the stairs. He played the sound of a dog barking as she came down. She wasn’t aware of him, and when she heard it, she panicked. She lost her balance and fell. I’m so sorry…”Xavier’s eyes closed for a moment, and his breath came out in a sharp hiss. His jaw clenched, his mind racing as the words hit him like a punch to the gut. The helplessness, the fear, it all mixed together in a whirlwind of anger. Zane. Alana. He could feel the rage bubbling up, a dangerous force that he could barely contain. They had crossed a line. No more games. No more pranks.“Stay with Calla,” he said, his voice low and strained, as though every word was being dragged from him.“I’ll come back later.”He turned without another word and walked toward the exit, his feet feeling like they were made of lead. His heart pounded in his chest as he climbed into his car, trying to block out the chaos in his
The air inside the villa was thick with the familiar tension that had lingered for days, a constant reminder of the chaos her life had become. Calla sat on the couch, her knees pulled close to her chest, a warm cup of tea resting forgotten in her hands. The soft buzz of her phone broke the stillness, and she picked it up without a second thought, her heart lightening as she saw the name on the screen.It was Xavier. The sound of his voice always had a calming effect on her, and after the events of the past few days, she desperately needed that calm.“Hey, Xavier,” she said softly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she answered the call.“Hey, Calla,” Xavier’s voice came through, warm and comforting.“How are you doing? I’ve been thinking about you.”“I’m okay, just… tired,” Calla replied, sinking back into the cushions, her voice quieter now.“Why you didn't come home to see dad.. he was asking about you.” Xavier asked.“I was busy with other stuff here with Drake,”
The warm afternoon sun filtered through the tall trees lining the golf course, casting long shadows over the green grass. The sound of distant chatter, the sharp crack of golf balls being hit, and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze filled the air. Xavier sat on a low chair in the golf club’s outdoor seating area, a half-drunk glass of whiskey in front of him. His fingers drummed nervously on the glass, the ice cubes clinking together in a constant rhythm as if reflecting his inner turmoil.Logan sat across from him, arms casually crossed, his gaze fixed on Xavier. He had been quietly observing his friend, knowing that something was weighing heavily on him. Xavier had been distant lately, withdrawn, and Logan could tell that today, something had snapped.Xavier leaned back in the chair, letting out a heavy sigh as he looked up at the cloudless sky.“I just don’t get it, Logan,” he muttered, his voice laced with frustration.“It’s like Ember just... doesn’t get it. She keeps push
The sun shone brightly on the mansion as its grand facade cast long shadows over the perfectly manicured lawn. Inside, there was an unsettling quiet in the air, the kind that often precedes a storm. Xavier was sitting in the large living room, staring out of the window, his thoughts tangled and heavy. The events of the past few days—the dance at Ember’s party, the strange discomfort he felt seeing David so close to Bella—had left him disoriented. He couldn’t make sense of it, and every time he tried to, a knot of unease tightened in his chest.The doorbell rang, and Xavier’s pulse quickened. He didn’t have to look to know who it was. It had to be Ember. The sound of her high heels on the marble floors was unmistakable. A moment later, Ember walked into the living room, her expression fierce, her body radiating a quiet anger. And with her, stood David Miller.David, as usual, wore his cocky grin, the kind that never seemed to reach his eyes. But his eyes, as always, were glued to Bella
The atmosphere in Ember's grand ballroom was vibrant, almost electric with energy. The hall gleamed with golden chandeliers hanging above, reflecting the soft light onto the guests below. The room was filled with high society members, dressed in their finest designer clothes, creating a sea of shimmering fabrics and tailored suits. Music played softly in the background, the hum of conversation mixing with laughter and the clinking of champagne glasses.Bella entered the hall, her simple, modest dress standing in stark contrast to the opulence around her. She felt out of place for a brief moment, but she reminded herself why she was here—Ember had invited her, and although it felt like a trap, there was a part of Bella that hoped this could be a step toward reconciliation. Ember had called her earlier, apologizing profusely for her past behavior and asking her to come as a guest of honor to her birthday party."I just want to make things right, Bella," Ember had said."I want to start
The gentle hum of conversation filled the restaurant, mingling with the clinking of glass and silverware. The warm light of the late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the outdoor seating area, where Xavier and Bella sat together, enjoying a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of their lives. Zane and Alana had finished their ice creams and were happily talking about their plans for the rest of the day. It was a tranquil moment, one Xavier hadn't realized how badly he needed—until Ember walked in.Ember entered with her friends, her laughter ringing through the restaurant, but it quickly fell silent as her gaze landed on the table where Xavier and Bella sat with Zane and Alana. For a split second, her face tightened, and an unsettling feeling crept up her spine. She hadn’t expected to see them together, especially not in this setting, so open and public. Ember’s steps faltered, and her friends noticed the sudden shift in her demeanor.“Oh my God, Ember, look,” one of her friends
The warm evening air wrapped around Xavier and Bella as they sat together at the outdoor seating area of the restaurant, the sounds of laughter and conversation floating from the dining hall where Zane and Alana were with Leila. Their joy was palpable, and Xavier couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his children enjoying themselves with their aunt. But as his gaze shifted, he couldn’t ignore the tension he felt in the air between himself and Bella.He looked at her, the soft glow of the setting sun catching her features, making her look more beautiful than ever. Her eyes, though, seemed distant, lost in thought. He could see the way she clenched her hands on the table, as though bracing herself for something."You know," Xavier began, his voice hesitant,"you’ve got your U.S. residency visa now. No one can deport you."Bella's face softened, and a small, genuine smile appeared on her lips.“Thank you, Xavier,” she said quietly, her voice full of gratitude. It was a simple acknowled
The atmosphere in the car was electric with excitement. Zane and Alana sat in the backseat, both of them chattering non-stop as Xavier drove, with Bella sitting beside him, her eyes occasionally flicking to the rearview mirror to catch glimpses of their children’s eager faces. They didn’t know what the surprise was, but Xavier and Bella had promised it would be something special, and the kids’ curiosity was piqued.“I bet it’s a new game!” Zane said, his voice filled with anticipation.“Or maybe a trip to the amusement park!” Alana chimed in, her eyes wide with excitement.“I hope it’s a giant ice cream sundae!”Xavier chuckled softly, glancing at Bella, who offered a gentle smile in return. “You’ll see soon enough,” he said, his voice carrying an air of mystery that only added to their excitement.“We’ll see when we get there,” Bella added, her hand resting on the dashboard, her gaze distant for a moment as she thought about the surprise that awaited.The restaurant they arrived at w
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow across the garden outside the mansion. The air was still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the trees. Inside the house, the living room felt unusually quiet. The sounds of the children’s laughter and playful energy had vanished when Logan had taken Zane and Alana out for the promised outing. Bella, for the first time in what felt like a long while, was alone.Jacob had gone back and Bella couldn’t shake the unease in her heart. The conversation she had had with Jacob lingered in her mind, the cruel words he had spoken still echoing in the back of her mind. His presence was like a dark shadow, and even though he was gone, Bella knew it wouldn’t be the last time he tried to make his way back into their lives.Calla came out of Thomas room and sat down on a sofa. She looked over at Bella, her young face still carrying a mix of confusion and concern.“Bella,” Calla began softly, her voice hesitant.“How did you gather so m
The grand mansion stood quietly, with the faint hum of the heating system and the soft creak of wooden floors underfoot. The house was at peace, at least on the surface. The staff was diligently going about their duties, and Xavier was still at work, locked away in his study, as usual. But in the grand living room, the usual peace was disturbed by the mischievous energy of Zane and Alana, who were deep into a game of tag, laughing and running circles around the furniture.Meanwhile, a shadow appeared at the front door. It was Jacob and his eyes scanning the space. He caught sight of the house help and waved her off, muttering a dismissive“I’ll take care of things from here.” He watched the staff member nod and leave, her footsteps echoing down the hallway as she made her way out of sight.As the house fell silent again, Jacob’s eyes quickly shifted toward Zane and Alana. He could feel the anger simmering beneath his skin, the bitterness that had been building since his last failed at