The late-morning sunlight streamed softly through the expansive windows of the living room, bathing the space in a warm, golden glow. The rays highlighted the intricate patterns of the rug beneath Bella’s feet and the delicate porcelain vases arranged carefully on the mantle.Seated on the plush, oversized sofa, Bella was lost in the pages of a book. It was her way of unwinding after a week that had been nothing short of overwhelming. The responsibilities she carried, the tasks that demanded her attention—all of it felt like a weight pressing down on her. But for now, in the quiet solitude of the mansion, she had managed to carve out a moment of peace.The stillness in the room was soothing, almost like a sanctuary. She could hear the faint rustle of leaves outside, the soft hum of the distant fountain in the garden. It was a rare kind of quiet that she’d come to treasure. But just as she felt herself beginning to relax, a sudden knock at the door shattered the calm. The sound was fol
Xavier sat in his office, the faint hum of the fluorescent lights overhead the only sound breaking the silence. He had been working for hours, staring at his computer screen, yet his mind wandered endlessly. The spreadsheets, the emails, the tasks piling up—none of it mattered.His thoughts were consumed by one person: Leila. The woman who had twisted his world upside down, dragging him into a life he never wanted, leaving him with more questions than answers. The memories of her haunted him, and despite his best efforts to focus, he felt trapped in the labyrinth of her influence.The sudden buzz of his phone jolted him from his trance. He grabbed it quickly, his pulse quickening as he saw the name of his manager flash on the screen. This was the man who had been working tirelessly behind the scenes, tracking Leila’s every move, digging through every lead. Xavier picked up without hesitation.“Xavier,” the manager’s voice crackled through the line, tinged with the urgency of someone w
Drake slipped quietly into the room, the soft sound of the door closing behind him almost drowned out by the weight of his thoughts. His eyes immediately found Calla, sitting in the corner, her figure bathed in the amber light of the setting sun.She looked delicate, as though she might vanish into the fading light if he blinked too hard. But it was the distance in her eyes that caught him off guard—the kind of detachment that told him she was no longer here, not really. She was lost in some thought, some hurt that he hadn’t fixed.He stood there for a moment, his heart heavy with the guilt that seemed to seep from every corner of the room. He hadn’t meant to hurt her—he never had—but every time he saw her like this, the distance between them seemed to grow. He hated that feeling, and he knew that whatever had happened between them, he needed to fix it, now, before it was too late.Without a word, he moved toward her, lowering himself onto the couch beside her. He reached for her hand
Xavier gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles went white, barely feeling the pressure. His thumb hovered over the button, the Bluetooth phone ringing loud in his ears. He didn’t even glance at the screen before answering.“Xavier Donovan?” The voice on the other end was calm, almost too calm.“Yes, speaking,” Xavier replied, trying to keep his voice steady. But the tension was there, creeping in, no matter how hard he fought it.“This is Officer Hayes with the local police department. We need you to come to the hospital immediately. Your father, Thomas Donovan, has been in an accident.”The words hit Xavier like a freight train, slamming into him hard enough to take the air from his lungs. His heart dropped like a stone into his stomach. Panic flickered, then exploded, his pulse picking up speed. “What happened? Is he okay?” The words came out like a plea, a desperate grab for some kind of assurance.“I don’t have all the details yet, but he’s being treated right now. You nee
Xavier stepped out of his father’s room, his mind still reeling from the volatile exchange. The fluorescent lights in the hospital hallway flickered above, casting an almost eerie glow on the sterile, white walls. The noise of distant footsteps and soft conversations did nothing to fill the empty feeling that had settled deep in his chest. He needed air. He needed space. The tension was choking him, and all he wanted was to clear his head, even if just for a few minutes.As he approached the nearest exit, his eyes caught sight of her—Ember. She was walking toward him, a look of quiet concern etched on her face. When she saw him, her expression softened, and without a moment's hesitation, she crossed the distance between them. Then, before he could say a word, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace.Xavier exhaled, a long, heavy breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Her warmth—her quiet, steady presence—was the only thing that seemed to ground him at that m
Bella sat alone at the large dining table, the heavy silence of the house settling around her. The warmth from the morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow across the expansive estate.The house, which normally felt so comforting in its quiet elegance, felt almost too still today. The children—Zane and Alana—were off at school, and Xavier, she knew, was still at the hospital with his father. She had no one to talk to, nothing to distract her from her thoughts. It was the kind of peaceful morning she usually appreciated, but today, a lingering sense of unease gnawed at her from within.She had just finished her breakfast—a simple but hearty meal—when the sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught her attention. The tires on the gravel crunched softly, a sound she knew well.She stood up, wiping her hands on a napkin, and glanced toward the window. Her heart skipped a beat as the doorbell rang shortly after. Bella's instincts kicked in. Who could that be?Wit
Xavier strode into the grand, echoing foyer of his sprawling mansion, his father, Thomas, hobbling behind him. The older man’s limp was pronounced, his fractured leg encased in a bulky brace that forced his every step to be a careful, deliberate maneuver. His face, lined with years of scorn and bitterness, was now drawn tight with discomfort.Though Xavier had never harbored warm feelings for his father—and the sentiment was undeniably mutual—Thomas was still his father. That immutable truth hung over him like a weight he couldn’t shrug off. So, despite his resentment, Xavier had done what he knew he had to: he had brought Thomas home after his hospital discharge. There simply wasn’t another option. The old man couldn’t fend for himself, and the responsibility, unwanted as it was, fell squarely on Xavier’s shoulders.“Careful, Dad,” Xavier said in a voice stripped of affection, the words tinged instead with the cold cadence of duty. The male nurse accompanying them nodded curtly, taki
The mansion was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of ceiling fans and the occasional metallic clink as Bella moved through the kitchen, arranging the tray. Morning light filtered through the tall windows, casting a golden glow over the polished floors, but it did little to ease the heaviness in her heart. She had just finished preparing Thomas’s medication, her movements deliberate but slow, her eyes lined with fatigue.Thomas had been a nightmare since returning from the hospital—angry, bitter, and unwilling to cooperate. His behavior had already driven away the male nurse hired to care for him. Bella had reluctantly stepped into the role to give Xavier a much-needed break. It wasn’t just about the medication; it was about managing a volatile, broken man who seemed determined to make everyone around him miserable.Balancing the tray carefully, Bella approached Thomas’s room. The thick wooden door loomed before her, the rich mahogany reflecting the faint morning light. She hesitated
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