She didn’t trust it. “You’re telling me your dad isn’t behind this?” she asked, her skepticism unwavering. “And you’re apologizing for bothering me?”“Yes, I’m serious,” he said, his voice growing more desperate. “I’ve realized a lot of things. And I’m sorry for everything I did to you. For the way I treated you.”Her mind flooded with memories—moments that had once brought her joy, now tainted by lies and betrayal. She remembered the nights she stayed awake, replaying his words, searching for the truth she never found. Her stomach churned as the weight of it all settled over her.“But that doesn’t change what you did,” she said quietly, almost to herself. “You ruined everything, Drake. You betrayed me.”His voice dropped, heavy with regret. “I know,” he admitted. “And I can’t undo the past, but I want to make it right. Calla, please… come back to me. I can’t live without you. I need you.”Her heart clenched at his words, the raw emotion in his voice stirring something deep within her
Xavier stepped out of the cold, grey building of the police station, the harsh air biting at his skin, his breaths coming heavily, his chest tight with frustration. Every step felt heavier than the last as if the weight of his anger was pulling him down to the ground. His shoulders were stiff, his fists clenched at his sides, the muscles in his jaw working with each pulse of emotion that surged through him.The moment he stepped outside and saw his father, Thomas Donovan, sitting slouched on a bench nearby, the familiar wave of anger surged through him, sharper and more visceral than ever.This morning had been a nightmare. Kenji and Mei had suddenly withdrawn the case, presenting an official statement that it wasn’t Thomas’s mistake, that they had somehow stumbled in front of his car by accident. Xavier couldn’t believe it.He had barely held it together in the station, managing to keep his rage from spilling over. But now, the injustice of it all felt like a punch to the gut. It was
Calla looked toward Xavier, her brow furrowed in concern. She softly asked, “Why didn’t you bring Dad with you?”Xavier’s jaw tightened, and the anger in his tone was unmistakable as he responded, “I didn’t even want to see him… That man has ruined my name.” His words were heavy with frustration and bitterness, each syllable dripping with years of pent-up resentment.Calla hesitated before speaking again, her voice gentle but firm,“Don’t speak like that… Don’t forget, he is our dad.” She could feel the tension in the room rise with every word Xavier spoke. She knew he was hurting, but she couldn’t let him forget that, despite everything, Thomas was still their father.Xavier took a deep breath, trying to contain the fury bubbling inside him.“I know he’s my dad, and that’s why I got him out of jail… Otherwise, I really wanted to make him rot there,” he grunted, his words bitter as he recalled the countless times he’d been forced to pull his father out of trouble. His anger wasn’t goi
Xavier sat at his desk, his fingers absentmindedly tapping against the surface. His mind was elsewhere, caught in the web of obligations and responsibilities that had tangled his life in recent days. The door to his office opened with a soft click, and in walked Ember. Xavier’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She was breathtaking as always—her fiery red dress hugging her curves perfectly, the soft waves of her hair cascading around her shoulders. But despite her outward beauty, there was something in her posture, something about the way she carried herself, that immediately told Xavier she wasn’t in a good mood."Ember," Xavier murmured, standing up from his desk as he watched her, his voice soft with concern."Hey, what’s wrong?"She didn’t respond at first, her gaze averted as she stepped further into the room. Her hands fluttered to her sides as if unsure where to settle, finally clasping tightly in front of her. Xavier took a step toward her, his arms outstretched as if
Xavier had been so wrapped up in his own chaotic world lately that he’d barely spared a thought for Zane and Alana. The days since Calla’s injury had been a whirlwind of stress and responsibilities, leaving him stretched thin and irritable. He knew he’d handled things poorly the night of Calla’s accident.His anger had boiled over, and the harsh words he’d thrown at the kids in frustration still weighed heavily on him. He regretted it deeply but had no clue how to make things right.Today, after everything that had happened, Xavier decided it was time to face the music. The kids didn’t deserve the way he’d treated them. They were just children, after all. Since that night, they’d been avoiding him like the plague, and their sudden distance stung more than he cared to admit. Now, he had to figure out how to fix things.Standing outside their room, he hesitated, taking a deep breath. He wasn’t sure what kind of reception he’d get, but he had to try. Bracing himself, he opened the door a
Drake sat alone in his room, the soft hum of the camera filling the silence. The air was heavy, almost suffocating, as if the weight of his guilt and shame had seeped into the walls around him. He stared straight at the lens, his reflection faintly visible in the dark, glossy surface, and felt the crushing burden of everything pressing down on him—everything he’d done, lost, and never taken back.Shadows flickered across the dimly lit walls, deepening the oppressive atmosphere and adding to the overwhelming sense of dread. His hands trembled as they hovered over the record button, the hesitation clear in how his fingers quivered, but he forced himself to steady them. This wasn’t about him anymore. This was about Calla. About finally making things right—if that was even possible.With a deep, shuddering breath, Drake pressed the button. The camera began to record, the little red light blinking steadily, marking the beginning of a confession he had avoided for far too long. He leaned ba
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
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 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