The heavy wooden doors of Xavier’s mansion slammed shut behind him as he stormed into the foyer, Zane and Alana trailing nervously in his wake. His jaw was clenched, his fists tight at his sides. The raw anger radiated off him like an electric charge, thick enough to feel.He barely registered Calla and Logan sitting in the living room until he threw his coat and phone onto the sofa with a sharp, furious grunt.Zane, ever the defiant one, shoved his hands deep into his pockets, his eyes filled with discomfort, but his stance never wavered. Alana, on the other hand, looked ready to break, her small shoulders trembling as tears streaked down her cheeks. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, thick with tension and unspoken words.Logan was the first to speak, his gaze flicking between Xavier and the children, his voice calm but laced with concern. "What happened?" he asked.Xavier took a long, shuddering breath, trying to rein in the storm inside him, but it was clear the pressure was to
Bella moved gracefully around her small kitchen, the scent of garlic and herbs filling the air as she stirred the pot of stew simmering on the stove. It was a peaceful evening, but as she moved from counter to counter, her thoughts were anything but calm.She was on leave from school and still her mind was occupied with the twins—Zane and Alana—whom she hadn’t seen for days. She knew they had been suspended for a week from school due to their bad behavior. The news weighed heavily on her.What were they going through now? she wondered.What kind of turmoil must they be feeling inside?Bella knew the twins needed someone who could reach them, someone who could give them the time, love, and care they desperately needed. She thought of how their wildness wasn’t truly their fault; it was a reflection of the pain they carried, the chaos they had inherited.She then reminded herself of the job offer given by their father, but she couldn’t accept it.How could I accept his job offer when my
The evening sun had begun to dip behind the distant hills, casting a warm, golden glow over the sprawling farm where Mayor Thompson's daughter, Merry, was getting married. Calla felt a flutter of excitement in the air as she looked around at the beautifully decorated grounds.Twinkling lights hung from the trees, and the sweet scent of fresh flowers mingled with the soft country breeze. The wedding was everything she had imagined—grand yet intimate—and Calla couldn't help but smile, soaking in the moment. Xavier stood beside her, his steady presence a comfort, but she knew this wouldn’t last."Are you having a good time?" Xavier asked, his hand lightly brushing her back."I’m loving it," she replied, her eyes sparkling as she scanned the guests. "It’s beautiful here."Xavier gave her a soft smile but didn’t linger. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, frowning slightly at the caller ID. His manager."Excuse me," Xavier said, casting her a quick apologetic glance befor
Xavier sat at his sleek, polished walnut desk, the rich, dark wood gleaming under the harsh, artificial glow of the fluorescent lights above. The faint hum of electricity filled the silence of his office, punctuating the stillness. His fingers lightly tapped the edge of the desk as he stared at the stack of papers in front of him. The documents detailed the latest financial reports—pages filled with numbers, projections, and analyses that usually held his undivided attention. But today, his focus wavered.No matter how hard he tried to concentrate, his thoughts kept drifting back to Zane and Alana. The twins had been suspended from school after the latest incident, and Xavier still hadn’t found a caretaker for them.He was trying to stay composed, to approach the situation logically, but a deep sense of frustration simmered beneath the surface. The truth was, he had no idea how to handle them. Their energy, their chaos—it all felt like too much for him to manage alone.The sudden vibr
The morning sun had barely started its ascent, its golden rays timidly filtering through the thick, opulent curtains of the sprawling mansion. The light casts a soft, almost ethereal glow across the grand interior, highlighting the polished floors and pristine decor.In their rooms, Zane and Alana were already stirring. Despite their suspension from school, their internal clocks remained unchanged, waking them early as if they were somewhere they needed to be.The mansion itself was unnervingly quiet in the early hours, save for the faint rustle of the household staff beginning their daily routines. The twins had spent countless days cooped up inside, and the house, with all its size and luxury, had started to feel more like a gilded cage than a sanctuary.“I’m so bored,” Zane groaned, his voice heavy with exasperation as he flopped dramatically onto the plush couch in the lounge.His restless energy seemed to ripple through the room, his frustration palpable as he stared up at the ce
The sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Calla’s bedroom as she stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the soft fabric of her dress. It was simple but elegant—a cream-colored blouse tucked into a sleek black skirt. Calla’s reflection stared back at her, a mix of nervousness and anticipation flickering in her eyes. No one knew about this—especially not Xavier—but she had started seeing Drake again.It had been a few weeks since their unexpected reunion, and despite the tension that had initially hung between them, something had shifted. Drake wasn’t the same impulsive, rough-around-the-edges man she remembered. He had changed. He seemed more composed now—polished, thoughtful, and, surprisingly, gentle.Calla couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward this new version of him. But part of her was still torn. How could she possibly explain this to Xavier? She knew he’d never understand. He’d never accept it. Not yet.With a sigh, she picked up her phone and typed out a quick text to
Xavier stood outside the door to Bella Abram’s apartment, his mind racing, thoughts tumbling over each other in a swirl of confusion and uncertainty. The decision had been slowly simmering in his mind for days, maybe even weeks, but now, standing right here in front of the door, it felt so much heavier.Zane and Alana, his twins, were his responsibility. But, with no one around who could help him handle their constant, wild energy and unrelenting chaos, his life had become nothing short of a battlefield. And that battlefield felt like it was slowly suffocating him. He needed someone. He needed Bella. He needed someone who could step into the role of a caretaker and balance out the madness that had taken over since the twins arrived in his life. Without that help, he would be lost.He took a deep breath, bracing himself, and reached out to knock on the door. But, just as his knuckles were about to make contact with the wood, the door swung open abruptly.Startled, he froze, his thumb h
The silence in the apartment felt suffocating. Bella stood by the window, her eyes glazed over as she stared into the distance, not really seeing anything. The events of the day weighed on her, heavy and relentless—Marshal’s unsettling behavior, Xavier’s unexpected proposal, and Jacob’s constant pressure. She barely had time to process one shock before another was thrown her way.Xavier had left, giving her the space she needed to think, but instead of clarity, Bella felt more lost than before. She had no idea what to do anymore. She wasn’t sure if she could trust anyone, especially now. The thought of marrying Xavier for some kind of stability, for safety—it left a cold, bitter feeling inside her.Was she really going to let her life be controlled by an arrangement like that? But what other choice did she have?Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Jacob walked in, closing it quietly behind him, like he was trying to mask the tension that still hung in the a
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