Xavier’s car glided into the driveway of his mansion, a modern masterpiece of glass and steel that shimmered under the warm glow of the setting sun. The stark contrast between this luxurious abode and the crumbling house he had just left felt jarring, like stepping from a faded past into a vibrant present. As he stepped onto the cold polished stone, a sense of emptiness washed over him, despite the manicured garden overflowing with vibrant blooms and the heavy scent of jasmine that usually soothed him but now twisted in his stomach.The imposing double doors of the grand entrance loomed ahead, leading into a foyer drenched in soft light from an opulent chandelier, where the echoes of his footsteps amplified his growing isolation. Inside, the extravagant decor—gleaming marble floors and contemporary art—felt distant and suffocating, a gilded cage that reminded him of the relentless battles he fought daily, leaving him yearning for something he couldn’t quite grasp.“Come outside,” Xavi
Just as he began to relax, something hard hit him squarely in the chest. His eyes shot open, and he looked down to see a small rubber ball bouncing onto the floor and rolling away.“What the hell is this?” Xavier shouted, his gaze snapping up to the staircase, where Zane stood frozen like a deer in headlights.Zane’s wide-eyed expression said it all—he hadn’t meant for the ball to hit Xavier, but now that it had, he knew what was coming. Without a word, the boy turned and bolted into the room Calla had shown them earlier.Xavier stood up abruptly, fury flashing in his eyes. “Zane!” he yelled, his voice echoing through the expansive hall. He started toward the staircase but then stopped, running a hand through his hair in frustration.“Margaret!” he called sharply, and the maid appeared almost instantly, her demeanor calm and composed.“Yes, sir?” she asked.“Keep the children in their room,” Xavier ordered, his tone clipped. “I don’t want them wandering around the house. Make sure the
“Xavier,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “You can’t be serious.”“I wish I wasn’t,” he muttered, leaning back against the sofa. “But I’ve been getting some random messages… and I feel he’s sending them to me.”Calla felt her breath catch in her throat. She clenched her fists to stop them from shaking, but her entire body felt cold. “How do you know it’s him?” Her voice was fragile, as if asking the question might shatter her resolve entirely.Xavier’s gaze sharpened, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach flip. “Calla, I’m not the kind of man who lives under false hopes. I don’t cling to ‘maybes’ or ignore the obvious. I know it’s him.” His voice softened, but the firmness remained. “I’m not taking any chances. Not with your safety.”Calla turned away, unable to hold his gaze. The room felt suffocating, the reality crashing down around her. She had hoped—prayed, even—that this nightmare was behind them. But now… it felt like the walls were clo
The house was dead quiet when Xavier stirred from sleep, but something felt wrong. He couldn’t pinpoint it right away, but there was a strange tension in the air, like something was just… off. Then, faint at first but quickly growing louder, he heard it—a wild cacophony of screams echoing through the mansion.“What on earth?” Startled, Xavier shot up, his heart pounding. The noise wasn’t coming from just one spot; it sounded like the whole place was in chaos. Throwing on a robe, he bolted out of his room, his bare feet hitting the cold marble floor as he raced toward the commotion. When he reached the top of the staircase, the sight that greeted him was beyond bizarre.His entire staff was gathered in the living room, standing in shocked silence, covered from head to toe in a fine white powder. It clung to their skin and clothes, making them look like ghostly figures caught in some strange nightmare. Their eyes were wide with a mix of shock and irritation, and the room was thick with
Logan leaned against the desk, his sharp gaze fixed on Xavier, arms crossed as he tilted his head slightly.“Tell me everything,” Logan said, his voice low but pressing, eyes narrowing with curiosity. “These kids—how did they end up with you?”Xavier let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair as he slumped into the chair behind him.“It all started on that damn cruise,” Xavier muttered, his face hard with exasperation. “You know, like you suggested, I went to clear my head, to get away from it all. But they were there—those kids… Zane and Alana.” His face tightened at the memory. “They were the most annoying, wild, chaotic kids I’ve ever come across. They made every meal a disaster, every event a circus, and completely wrecked my plans.”Logan’s brow furrowed. “And yet, they’re here with you now. What happened?”Xavier leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees as he stared at the floor, replaying the last day of the cruise in his mind.“I was ready to leave, you know
"You didn’t mention your sleep. You’re not still dependent on those sleeping pills, right? My advice was good, at least for that reason.”“Yeah, that worked,” Xavier admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “The cruise was good for that, at least. And hey, it had its perks with some of the cool girls there.”Logan smirked. “Ah, I’m glad to hear you’re getting back to some manly instincts. Attracting the ladies, huh?”Xavier rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smile. “Please don’t get carried away, Logan. I’m just trying to survive here.”“Come on, man! You need to keep spending time with some attractive women. It’s good for you. Those kinds of associations release testosterone and adrenaline, both of which are pretty necessary for a happy, healthy life!” Logan laughed, his eyes twinkling with mischief.“Oh, come on, Logan!” Xavier blushed, a smile creeping onto his face despite the weight of the situation.But then Xavier’s expression shifted as he leaned back against the wall, his t
The villa was silent, its opulence both breathtaking and cold. Calla sat cross-legged on a plush Persian rug, leaning against an armchair upholstered in butter-soft leather, her gaze drifting across the cavernous room. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the distant city lights, while silk drapes pooled on the marble floor, their elegance untouched, as if no one had ever dared disturb this carefully arranged perfection.Across from her, a grand fireplace cast faint shadows over the sculpted marble figurines on the mantle. A crystal decanter and cut-glass tumblers gleamed atop a polished table, and priceless artwork lined the walls, each piece an exquisite reminder of the wealth that surrounded her. Yet in this beautiful, curated space, Calla felt strangely hollow, the luxury around her a stark contrast to the ache she carried within.She hugged her knees tighter, letting out a shuddering breath that cut through the quiet. Her chest felt raw, like an old wound she’d tried to stitch up hers
She bit her lip, her heart pounding. “You’re just saying that.”“No, I mean it,” he insisted, the sincerity in his voice making her breath hitch. “Talking to you, it felt like I’d known you forever. I don’t know how to explain it. You just… matter to me.”The way he spoke made her feel seen in a way she had never experienced before. “I’m just me,” she murmured, unable to hide the smile tugging at her lips.“Exactly. You’re just you,” he echoed. “And that’s what makes you extraordinary. You’re genuine. You don’t try to be someone you’re not. It’s refreshing.”They talked for hours, the conversation flowing effortlessly as if there were no barriers between them. Calla laughed, sharing bits of her life she hadn’t told anyone. Each word he spoke wrapped around her like a soft blanket, and she let herself sink deeper into the warmth of his voice.“Tell me more about you,” he urged, his tone coaxing. “What do you want? What makes you happy?”“I don’t know,” she admitted, feeling shy. “I gue
The hum of the busy café enveloped Xavier and Logan, the cacophony of conversations blending with the clinking of cups and plates. It was the kind of place where people gathered to catch up, to share stories, or simply to escape the demands of their day-to-day lives. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint scent of baked goods.Xavier sat stiffly in his chair, his hands wrapped around a steaming cup of black coffee. His posture was uncharacteristically tense, and his eyes remained fixed on the swirling liquid inside the ceramic mug.Around them, the café bustled with activity—baristas called out drink orders, groups of friends laughed loudly at a corner table, and couples leaned in close, lost in private conversations. But none of it seemed to register with Xavier. His thoughts were elsewhere, consumed by a woman who had unexpectedly—and irrevocably—woven herself into his life.Logan, seated across the table, observed the scene with his usual
Xavier had walked for several blocks, his mind consumed with thoughts of Zane and Alana’s troublesome behavior, the uncertainty of their future, and the overwhelming responsibility that weighed heavily on his shoulders.His visit to the school had been unfruitful, and the confrontation with Bella Abram earlier had only reinforced his belief that she wasn’t going to help him with his children.Still, the idea of her—her calming presence, the connection she had forged with his children, and the promise of her wisdom—lingered in his mind. He needed someone like her. He couldn’t manage it on his own, and if she would just agree to be there for Zane and Alana, perhaps they could finally find some peace.So, he decided to go to her apartment, to give it one last shot.Xavier stood in front of the apartment door, knocking with a firm but respectful rap. The door swung open, and Bella's face immediately softened with surprise, though a hint of irritation flickered in her eyes. Before she coul
Calla stood among her friends, their laughter weaving through the air like a familiar song. They were chatting about their lives, about the little things that didn’t matter much but seemed to fill the gaps in their days.On the surface, everything felt lighthearted and carefree, their voices blending into the hum of the bustling café. But while Calla smiled and nodded along, only half-listening, a part of her mind wandered elsewhere, unable to fully engage with the moment.Her thoughts were tangled up in the storm waiting for her at home. She couldn’t stop thinking about the growing distance between her and Xavier—the unspoken tension that seemed to hang in the air whenever they were together. Then there was the chaos caused by Zane and Alana, who always seemed to bring disorder wherever they went, stirring up trouble like it was second nature. And, of course, there was Drake.The thought of him made her stomach twist into knots. She couldn’t shake the image of him sitting alone in th
Xavier exhaled deeply, the weight of his frustration bearing down on him as he rubbed a hand over his face. His fingers lingered for a moment, as though trying to physically wipe away the tension that had settled there. The events of the night had pushed him to his limits, and he could feel his patience thinning to the point of snapping. When he finally spoke, his voice was measured but laced with weariness."I’m not going to sugarcoat this, Clara," he began, his tone firm yet tinged with a hint of regret. "You have to be strong for them. They need stability and structure—someone who can manage their energy and their... behavior. But if you can’t do it, then I’ll find someone else." His gaze softened slightly as he added, "I won’t have you put yourself at risk like this. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not sustainable."Clara’s face betrayed a flicker of emotion—relief, perhaps, or frustration. She didn’t say anything, simply nodding before stepping away. Xavier turned his attention ba
Xavier sat in his room, his mind still swirling with the events of the day, an unrelenting storm of thoughts and emotions that refused to settle. His frustration had been steadily mounting, each passing hour adding to the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him like a crushing load.He had tried—tried to accept, tried to be patient with Zane and Alana—but the constant chaos they brought into his life was starting to wear him thin. The noise, the mess, the endless string of antics that demanded his attention—it was all unraveling him from the inside out. How much longer could he keep up this façade of calm, this pretense of control, when every fiber of his being felt like it was fraying?Suddenly, a scream shattered the stillness of the house, the sound piercing the quiet like a dagger and sending a cold jolt down his spine. It wasn’t just any scream; it was a chilling, desperate cry that carried with it an unmistakable note of terror. His heart leaped into a frantic rhythm
Xavier’s footsteps echoed through the quiet hallway as he walked into the house, his briefcase still clutched tightly in his hand. It had been a grueling day at the office, filled with back-to-back meetings and relentless attempts to solve yet another financial crisis. But despite the chaos at work, his mind hadn’t been able to stay focused. His thoughts had kept drifting, circling around one person: Calla.He hadn’t seen much of her today, and that fact alone had weighed on him. Work had consumed his time, and his family’s constant demands had drained the rest of his energy. Now, as he entered the living room, the sight before him made his chest tighten.Calla was sitting on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, with Zane and Alana on either side of her. The three of them were leaning in toward her phone, their heads close together as they spoke animatedly, laughing and chatting over something on the screen. For a moment, Xavier stood still, just watching them, his presence unnotic
Xavier’s footsteps echoed loudly down the polished school hallway, the sound bouncing off the cream-colored walls lined with student artwork and motivational posters. His thoughts churned with frustration and uncertainty as he approached the principal’s office.It had been months of trying—trying to discipline, understand, connect—but none of it seemed to make a difference. Zane and Alana were spiraling, their rebellious behavior showing no signs of stopping. Their bond with him, fragile at best, threatened to break entirely.He clenched his fists at his sides, feeling the familiar mix of anger and guilt rise in his chest. He wasn’t enough for them—he could admit that to himself, even if it stung. They needed more than he could give, and he was desperate enough to ask for help. That’s why he was here.Principal Carter had suggested meeting Bella Abram, a teacher who had managed, against all odds, to reach Zane and Alana. Her reputation for patience and understanding had made her the t
Calla sat on the edge of her bed, her legs crossed beneath her, a book lying open in her lap. She’d been staring at the same page for what felt like forever, the words swimming in front of her eyes. Normally, reading was her refuge, the one place she could retreat when everything else felt too chaotic, too overwhelming. But not today. Today, her mind wouldn’t let her focus.It had been days since she last heard from Drake. Their last conversation hadn’t gone well—well, none of their conversations ever really did. He had a way of making her feel small, guilty, like she owed him something, even now. She should’ve felt relieved that he was keeping his distance. And she did. Mostly. But the silence? It felt strange, unsettling, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon.Then there was the mess at home. Tension had wrapped itself around the house like a suffocating blanket. Thomas’s presence didn’t help. Having their father there was like living with a ghost of bad decisions and broken
The sunlight was just beginning to pour through the blinds of Xavier’s bedroom, casting long golden streaks across the floor, when the chaos started. He’d barely stirred from bed when the unmistakable sound of small, hurried footsteps pounding down the hallway reached his ears.It was a sound he had come to dread over the past few weeks. He had hoped—prayed—for a quiet morning to gather his thoughts, but with Zane and Alana in the house, moments of peace were as rare as snowfall in summer.Xavier exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples as he sat down at his desk. He had barely pulled out his chair when the door creaked open with an all-too-familiar hesitance, as if the culprits behind it knew they were trespassing but didn’t care.Sure enough, Zane and Alana sneaked in, their faces plastered with mischievous grins that could only mean one thing: trouble was brewing. The gleam in their eyes was the kind that made Xavier’s heart sink. It was that glint of pure, unfiltered mischief that onl