The front door slammed shut with a force that rattled the pictures on the wall. Xavier stormed into the living room, his coat flying onto the sofa as if it carried all the weight of his frustrations. His movements were sharp and abrupt, each step punctuated by a heavy sigh. His jaw was set, his fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes burned with a mixture of rage and disbelief.Calla, sitting on the sofa with a book in her hands, looked up sharply at the sound. She hadn’t expected him back so soon, but the moment she saw his face, her heart sank. His tension was palpable, radiating off him in waves that filled the room like a suffocating fog.“Xavier?” she called softly, her tone cautious but concerned.He didn’t reply. Instead, he collapsed onto the armchair opposite her, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands. His silence was louder than any outburst, and Calla’s worry deepened.“Talk to me,” she urged gently, setting the book aside. She leaned forward
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Thomas shot back, his voice dripping with disdain.“I’m better than you. At least I stuck around for my kids. I raised you and your sister, didn’t I? But you? You’ve abandoned your own kids, left them to fend for themselves like orphans.”Xavier’s hands curled into fists, his jaw tight. Calla, sensing the tension rising, quickly stepped between them.“Dad,” she said, voice firm, as she laid a hand on Thomas’s arm. “Let’s just take a step back. Not the time—”Thomas jerked his arm away, not breaking his stare at Xavier. “Yeah, it’s easy to point fingers, but it’s hard to face the truth about yourself, isn’t it?”“Dad, please…” Calla said, trying to move him.Thomas paused, staring at Xavier, and then, suddenly, his expression shifted, his posture going rigid. He took a sharp breath, as if realizing something. The shift was subtle, but chilling.“Okay, fine. I’m not here to trash talk your brother,” Thomas said, his tone now cold, calculating. He pointed at
Xavier paced the length of his study, his mind in turmoil. No matter how hard he tried to push it away, the fact was undeniable: Zane and Alana were his kids. The DNA test had made it crystal clear.Yet, the very idea of them being in his life filled him with unease. He’d built a world for himself that didn’t include the mess of parenthood, especially not kids who had been dropped into his life like a puzzle he couldn’t figure out.Who was their mother?When did I meet her?How the hell did I let this happen?And why the hell didn’t she come to me when she found out she was pregnant? His mind ran in circles, each question leading to more frustration.But he knew the answers lay in finding Leila. Once he tracked her down, he’d offer her a generous monthly allowance—enough to make sure Zane and Alana were taken care of. But they had to go back to her. He couldn’t keep them. The weight of parenthood, the reminders of choices he didn’t even remember making, was more than he could bear.Wi
Xavier sat in his office, leaning back in his leather chair. Sunlight filtered through the blinds and cast long shadows across the desk. His mind was miles away, tangled in thoughts of Zane, Alana, and the chaos unraveling his life. He was drowning in uncertainty when his phone buzzed on the desk.He glanced at the caller ID: Logan.With a sigh, he picked up the phone.“Logan?”“Yeah, it’s me,” Logan’s voice came through, steady but tense.“Man, I did some digging. You were right… Drake’s out of jail.”Xavier felt his stomach drop. He’d been preparing for this, but hearing it confirmed made it all too real.“How?” His voice darkened, carrying a mix of anger and dread.“Good behavior, supposedly,” Logan said.“But you know it’s more than that. His father, Harold Maverick, definitely pulled some strings. That guy’s got influence everywhere. A few greased palms, the right calls made, and now Drake’s walking free, way before he should’ve been.”Xavier swore under his breath, his fists tig
Xavier sat alone at the outdoor café, his fingers idly tracing the rim of his coffee cup. The late afternoon sun bathed the bustling street in a warm, golden light, while a light breeze tugged at the hem of his coat. Despite the postcard-perfect scene, his mind was anything but calm.He took a sip of his coffee, the bitterness doing little to drown out the storm of thoughts swirling in his head.Why did I ever think bringing them with me was a good idea? he thought, his jaw tightening.Zane and Alana… God knows what they’re up to back home.For what felt like the hundredth time since they’d moved in, he asked himself, Why did I think they'd be easy to handle? His life had been nothing but chaos ever since.Images of the two wreaking havoc at his estate flashed through his mind—shattering antiques, scaring the staff half to death. He ran a hand down his face and sighed."Calla was right," he muttered under his breath. "I should get them admitted to school. I’ll take them for admission
The dining hall of the hotel radiated elegance, its soft golden lights reflecting off the polished surfaces. Xavier swirled the last sip of red wine in his glass before draining it, the rich aroma of their meal still lingering in the air. He pushed his chair back deliberately and stood.“We should head out,” he said, his tone neutral but firm.“Yeah… we should,” Ember replied, standing gracefully. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she followed him toward the exit. The evening had been smooth, almost perfect, but Xavier’s thoughts churned beneath the surface, a storm of tension and unspoken worries.Outside, the crisp night air greeted them. Ember stepped closer, her perfume—a subtle, intoxicating blend of jasmine and vanilla—wafting between them. Her voice dipped into a softer, more seductive register.“Don’t you think we owe ourselves a little more time together?” she murmured, her fingers lightly brushing his arm. “I could see it in your eyes tonight—you were enjo
“Sir, you need to come home immediately!” The voice on the other end of the line was frantic and trembling, bursting into the room like a gale-force wind. It was his housekeeper, but Xavier barely recognized her in her panic.“What’s going on?” he asked sharply, his brows knitting as he sat up straight, every muscle in his body instantly tense.“It’s the kids!” she exclaimed, her voice wobbling as though she were on the verge of tears. “They’ve locked us in a room, and they’re not letting us out!”Xavier’s confusion hardened into a frown. “What do you mean they’ve locked you in a room? How is that even possible?”“They tricked us into the study!” she explained in a rush, her words tumbling over each other. “They said they needed help with something. Then they slammed the door behind us and locked it! And now—” Her voice hitched, the next words coming out in a breathless gasp. “They’re pumping some kind of gas into the room. We can’t breathe! Please, sir, hurry!”For a moment, Xavier w
Xavier stormed into the house, his mind racing from the urgency of the call. The moment he crossed the threshold, the sound of laughter hit him like a tidal wave, echoing through the hallways.He followed the noise with quick strides, his chest tightening as he braced for whatever new disaster awaited him.Turning a corner, he found Zane and Alana standing outside the guest room, their young faces hidden behind masks, holding small spray bottles. As he got closer, a sharp, pungent smell hit his nostrils, stinging his eyes and burning his sinuses.“What are you two doing?” he demanded, his voice deep and authoritative, reverberating through the corridor.Zane and Alana froze for a moment, then exchanged mischievous glances. Xavier didn’t waste any time.He reached out, snatched the bottles from their hands, and tossed them aside. The smell was overpowering, and a sudden itch spread across his face.“What is this? What did you spray in here?” he barked, his tone firm and commanding.“No
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