Bella pushed the door to Thomas’s room open with a quiet sense of duty, the heavy wood groaning on its hinges as it closed softly behind her. She had been here so many times before, so many days in a row now, that the routine was starting to feel more like a burden than a duty. Changing his bandages again.She had grown used to it—despite Thomas’s constant complaints and his unrelenting grumbling. Xavier still hadn’t managed to find a male nurse for his father, and Bella knew that, for the time being, she would have to take care of him. It wasn’t like she had much of a choice, anyway.With a soft sigh, Bella dragged a chair closer to the side of Thomas’s bed. She positioned it just right, making sure it was close enough so she could get to work on his leg without any unnecessary strain. She glanced over at Thomas, who lay there, as grumpy and restless as ever. His thick blanket was pulled up tightly over him, his leg still heavily bandaged from the accident that had put him here in th
Bella stepped into Thomas’s room with a quiet sense of duty, the heavy door creaking shut behind her as she entered. It was time to change his bandages—again. It had become a routine, one she had grown used to despite Thomas’s constant complaints. Xavier still hadn’t found a male nurse for his father, and Bella knew, as usual, she would have to take care of things for the time being.Dragging a chair closer to Thomas’s bed, she adjusted it just right, so she could get to work. She glanced at Thomas, who was lying there looking grumpier than ever, the blanket pulled tight over his body. His leg was still heavily bandaged from the accident, and his temper was just as sharp as ever.Sighing, Bella began to peel back the bandages with practiced hands, but Thomas wasn’t making it easy. He groaned, shifted uncomfortably, and muttered under his breath in frustration.“Can’t you do anything right?” he snapped, wincing as she touched his injured leg.Bella held back the irritation rising insid
The halls of the mansion were eerily quiet, save for the soft echo of Calla’s footsteps as she made her way quickly toward her father’s room. The weight of the news—the accident, the injury—had hit her just moments ago, and with it came an overwhelming rush of worry. She couldn’t push away the nagging thought that she had been too consumed by everything else—her own life, her own mistakes—to check in on him. Now, here he was, lying hurt, and possibly in worse shape than he had let on. The guilt gnawed at her as she walked faster, the knot in her chest growing tighter with each step. She could feel the years of regret pressing on her shoulders, but now was not the time to dwell on that. Her father needed her.As she neared the door to his room, Calla froze in place. There, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, was Xavier. His posture was relaxed, but the unreadable expression on his face made her stomach twist. Her heart sank, but a surge of anger quickly followed. Her b
Xavier stepped into the mansion after a long, draining day at the office, his mind still wrapped around the details of a high-pressure project he had been working on. His thoughts were a tangle of meetings, deadlines, and strategies, but there was a familiar, soothing quiet in the house that seemed to calm his racing thoughts.He could always count on the house to provide some level of peace after a hectic day. Still, he had a task to complete—he needed to find a file he had left on his side table last night. It was crucial for an upcoming meeting, and the idea of wasting time looking for it only made his nerves more frayed.He walked down the hall, heading toward his room with a purposeful stride, but as he got closer, the sounds of arguing reached his ears. Zane and Alana. Again. It wasn’t unusual for the twins to get into squabbles, but the noise was louder than usual. Xavier exhaled sharply and turned toward the kitchen. It seemed like Bella was trying to keep the peace, but Zane
Xavier and Bella sat in the dimly lit, confined space of the walk-in closet, the silence between them thick and weighted with unspoken words. The air was stifling, and the walls seemed to close in on them with each passing moment. It felt like they had been waiting forever, trapped together in this ridiculously small room with no clear way out. The initial rush of emotions—the awe, the thrill, the electric charge lingering from their earlier kiss—had long since faded, leaving behind an awkward tension that neither of them knew how to break.Now, they were simply waiting. Waiting for someone to find them, to set them free from this ridiculous predicament.Xavier leaned back against the cold wall, his arms folded tightly across his broad chest. He exhaled sharply through his nose, his frustration bubbling dangerously close to the surface. He could already feel his patience fraying at the edges, a tight coil of irritation twisting in his gut. He knew exactly who was responsible for this
The house was eerily silent, save for the soft rustling of the night air creeping through the half-open window. The familiar scent of the cool evening breeze drifted into the room, carrying with it the distant hum of the city—muted sirens, the occasional rev of an engine, the quiet rustle of leaves against the siding of the house.Calla lay in bed, her body curled beneath the heavy comforter, her mind drifting in that hazy in-between space where sleep hovered just out of reach. The darkness stretched around her, wrapping her in its quiet embrace, yet something unsettled her. It was a feeling she couldn’t quite place, a sense of unease slithering through her subconscious like a warning.She had always been a light sleeper, trained by years of instinct to wake at the slightest shift in her surroundings. The creak of old floorboards, the wind shifting through the trees—these were sounds she had grown accustomed to, the familiar lull of her home settling in for the night. But tonight, the
The living room was quiet, save for the soft ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner and the occasional rustle of the wind outside, stirring the curtains. Bella sat on the couch, her posture stiff, her gaze distant. Zane and Alana stood in front of her, fidgeting nervously. Their little faces were full of guilt, their wide eyes searching for a way to make things right.“We’re really sorry, Bella,” Zane said, his voice small and uncertain. He shifted from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable with the atmosphere.“We didn’t mean to lock you in there for so long,” Alana added, her voice almost a whisper, as though the weight of her words made them heavier.Bella looked at them, her expression hardening, but not in anger. It was more a mixture of disappointment and concern. They were just children, after all, but their actions had consequences.“Your prank was not just a prank, kids,” Bella said, her tone steady but firm. “You can’t joke about things that can hurt or affect others
The clock in Bella’s room ticked louder than usual in the quiet of the night. Its rhythmic sound seemed to echo in the silence, each second stretching longer than the last. She sat by the window, gazing out into the darkened night. The city lights below sparkled like tiny stars, but all Bella could see was the storm brewing inside her. She wasn’t looking at the world outside; she was lost in her thoughts, her heart heavy with emotions she could no longer ignore.Xavier.The man she was married to by a contract marriage. She knew exactly why they were bound by this contract. It wasn’t out of love, but out of necessity. Xavier needed a caretaker for his twins and she needed Xavier's support to get a residency visa to stay in the country. The urge to get a visa and the bond she had developed with Zane and Alana were the reason she had agreed to this arrangement in the first place. The reason she had stepped into this mansion and into this strange life.The life she thought she would lead
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