“I don’t know how I’ll manage ten days without my laptop and the internet,” Xavier muttered to himself, stepping onto the cruise ship. His custom-made Italian leather shoes, polished to a high gloss, clicked against the gleaming deck.'But you’ve got to do this, Xavier. For your health. No more sleeping pills.' He kept up a steady stream of self-talk as he walked, eyes scanning the horizon. 'You can handle this. Just ten days. No screens, no stress. Focus on the here and now.'Xavier had argued with his psychiatrist and childhood friend, Dr. Logan Pierce, suggesting he’d be better off on a private yacht where he could stay isolated. But Dr. Pierce had insisted that Xavier needed the social environment of a cruise. Xavier couldn’t understand why. To him, isolation was a luxury all its own, and he could afford the best—Ferraris, personal jets, everything money could buy.The ship’s deck stretched out before him in a stunning sweep of blue. The sky was a wide, clear canvas, with only a f
Another girl giggled, “Guess we’ve got ourselves a new pool toy.”Xavier’s eyes narrowed as he shot a glare at the girl who’d spoken. He then looked down at his drenched, perfectly tailored suit, frustration etched clearly on his face. The fabric clung uncomfortably to him, and he felt the chill of the water seeping through.One of the bikini-clad girls swam closer, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and amusement."Are you... okay?" she asked, biting her lip to keep from laughing. Her concern was undercut by the playful sparkle in her eyes.Another girl added from behind, "You know, you wear wet really well." Her tone was teasing, adding to Xavier’s growing irritation.Xavier gritted his teeth, ignoring the playful comments as he focused on getting out of the pool. "Fantastic," he muttered under his breath, clearly unimpressed by the spectacle he’d become.Xavier’s jaw tightened. His first instinct was to snap back, but as he glanced around, he saw the boy standing at the edge of t
Xavier stepped out onto the deck, the morning air crisp against his skin as the horizon stretched before him, bathed in shades of gold and pink. The soft light danced on the waves, creating a serene, picture-perfect morning.Yet, despite the beauty of the scene, Xavier remained unmoved.‘I shouldn’t have listened to Logan,’ Xavier thought bitterly as he gripped the railing, inhaling the fresh sea breeze. He wasn’t expecting much from this trip—it was a forced break, thrust upon him by his well-meaning friend. But already, it felt like a prison, surrounded by everything he loathed—families, kids, noise."What am I even doing here?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head.But as much as he hated to admit it, last night had been the first real sleep he’d had in weeks. Without the sleeping pills he’d grown dependent on, he’d slept through the night. ‘Maybe it was the spa,’ he thought, his mind wandering.“Hey… how’s it going?” A warm, inviting voice broke through his thoughts.He turned
With that, Xavier turned and headed toward the dining hall, eager to avoid any more distractions.Just as he entered the dining hall, he heard a whisper.“He’s the one I pushed into the pool,” came the whisper, followed by giggles.Xavier spun around, his irritation flaring as he spotted the same boy who had caused him so much trouble the previous day. His brow furrowed in annoyance. But he was taken aback to see two figures—an identical twin boy and girl—standing side by side, whispering and giggling.“Twins. Of course,” Xavier muttered to himself with a touch of sarcasm.He took a seat at a nearby table and let out a deep sigh, trying to calm himself.“Sir, what would you like to order?” a waiter asked, approaching Xavier with a polite smile.“I’ll have a black coffee and some croissants,” Xavier replied flatly, his mood still sour.The waiter nodded and left. A few minutes later, he returned with a tray holding a cup of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants.“Sir, do you need a
“I need that money you promised. I can’t get by without it, and now you’re unreachable.”Xavier's jaw clenched. He’d been expecting this, but it didn’t make it any easier.“Dad, you know this is my business. I’ve built it from the ground up. You’ve got nothing to do with it,” Xavier said, his voice tight. “You’re just after my money—again. I’ve worked my ass off, and all you do is spend it on booze and keep asking for more.”“You’re being selfish,” his father retorted. “I’ve got my problems, and I raised you. You owe me.”“I don’t owe you a damn thing,” Xavier shot back. “I’ve been bailing you out for years. If you want more money, you’re going to have to wait until I’m back. I’m done letting you run my life.”He could almost hear his father’s anger bubbling over the line. It gave Xavier a twisted sense of satisfaction.“I’m taking a break, and frankly, you could use one too—from drinking and being a leech. Stop draining your son for once,” Xavier said, his voice cold and unwavering.
“Xavier, you’re quite the dancer when you’re drunk,” Tina said with a hint of surprise in her voice, her breath warm against his ear.Xavier chuckled, the alcohol buzzing through his veins. “I didn’t know I could dance either… Honestly, I don’t even remember the last time I did.”The music thumped around them as Xavier moved closer to Tina, syncing his movements with hers. He’d lost track of how many vodka shots he’d had by now. Everything was a blur of lights, laughter, and bodies swaying to the beat. Tina’s friends were dancing nearby, but his focus was entirely on her.“You’re so handsome,” Tina said, her hand sliding over his muscular chest.Xavier heard the compliment and locked eyes with her. In the next instant, she grabbed his shirt and yanked him toward her. Before he could react, her lips were on his—fierce and intoxicating. For a moment, he froze, and then the alcohol took over.He kissed her back, harder, his hands slipping around her waist as the world around them faded a
Xavier woke up feeling refreshed as if he was finally finding himself again after ages. Surprisingly, it was the fourth day without internet, and he was enjoying the forced detox, courtesy of Logan. He was happy, wearing shorts, sunglasses, and a splash of perfume. He even found himself singing along to his favorite song—a rarity for him.Entering the dining hall for breakfast, he was momentarily startled by the noise of a kid. He turned, bracing himself for a possible encounter with the twins. To his relief, it wasn’t them.However, as he looked around, Xavier spotted the wild twin siblings already causing chaos near the buffet tables, bickering over something that involved a lot of arm-waving and loud voices. His mood soured instantly. He considered making a hasty retreat, thinking that perhaps it would be wiser to skip breakfast and avoid the dining hall altogether.Just as he was about to turn on his heel, a woman approached him with a warm, inviting smile.“Hey,” she greeted him.
“Go and catch them!” Tina said, shoving Xavier toward the door.Xavier realized he had to catch the twins quickly. He needed to get the photos deleted before they accidentally or intentionally ended up on social media. The last thing he needed was a scandal that could ruin not just his reputation but the entire Donovan family’s name. He could already imagine the headlines—disgrace, scandal, humiliation.“Wait! Stop right now!” Xavier shouted, his voice a mix of desperation and anger.The twins ignored him and continued racing toward their cabin.After a frantic chase, Xavier finally caught up as they slipped into their cabin. He lunged forward and grabbed the door before it could close.“Xavier? What’s going on?” Leila, standing in the middle of her cabin, looked at the breathless Xavier with surprise.Ignoring Leila’s question, Xavier fixed his glare on the twins and said, “Your niece and nephew just took some very inappropriate photos of me. I need that phone. Now.”Leila’s expressio
The waiting room of the hospital was sterile and quiet, save for the muffled sounds of footsteps echoing from the hallway. Xavier sat in a chair across from his father, Thomas, who was sitting in a wheelchair. His leg was still in recovery, and the cast that encased his leg reminded Xavier of how frail his father had become. The strong, reckless man who had once towered over him now looked old, and diminished. The weight of their complicated history hung heavy in the air, but today, there was something else—an unspoken tension that neither of them could escape.Xavier looked at his father, who stared straight ahead, his hands resting on the armrests of the wheelchair. For a brief moment, Xavier felt a flicker of sympathy. He never thought he’d be in a place where he felt sorry for Thomas, the man who had never once made him feel seen, heard, or valued. But today was different. Today, everything has changed."Dad," Xavier began, his voice surprisingly gentle, "There's something we nee
Xavier stood outside Ember's lavish apartment building, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He had come here intentionally, hoping that the familiar surroundings of Ember’s world would bring him back to himself. Although he had asked her to leave him alone that night, but now he wanted her to make him get out of charm of Bella. He needed to shake off the thoughts of Bella that had been plaguing him ever since that unsettling encounter in his room. The memory of her body so close to his, the warmth of her breath, and the look in her eyes still lingered, refusing to leave him.With a deep breath, Xavier pushed through the door and entered the building. The moment he stepped inside, the familiar scent of Ember’s perfume hit him, mixed with the soft, rich ambiance of her home. He made his way to her penthouse, his steps heavy with the burden of his thoughts.Ember was already waiting for him by the door, her radiant smile lighting up the room as she greeted him. She was dressed
The atmosphere in Xavier’s mansion was tense, as it often was. Zane and Alana, Xavier’s young twins, had come to his room with pleading faces. They had been asking to go to a funland with their classmates, their excitement barely contained as they stood in front of him."Xavier, please! We want to go!" Zane’s voice was full of youthful enthusiasm, while Alana, standing beside him, nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with expectation. The two were inseparable, and when they wanted something, it was hard to resist their pleading faces.Xavier, however, wasn’t feeling so generous. His brow furrowed as he looked down at them. They were young, impulsive, and mischievous, always causing trouble wherever they went.“No,” Xavier said firmly, crossing his arms. “I’m not letting you go alone. You two can’t be trusted to behave, and I’m not going to risk it. Funland or not, it’s not happening.”Zane immediately scowled, his bottom lip jutting out in a way that made Xavier’s irritation flare. “But Xa
The sun was setting as Calla walked through the house, her mind set on one thing: she needed to get away from the suffocating atmosphere that surrounded her every day. The house felt smaller with each passing moment, and the tension was unbearable. She had been living in this nightmare for far too long, and today, she was determined to take a step for herself.She found Drake sitting in the living room, a scowl etched across his face. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was sniffing some white powder—cocaine. It was a sight she had seen far too many times, and it disgusted her to her core. Her body tensed as she approached him, but she kept her voice steady, despite the anger building up inside her.“Drake,” she said, her voice tight with emotion. “I need to go shopping. Take me.”Drake looked at her, a sneer on his face as he casually dropped the bag of powder onto the table. His hands were shaking, but his words were colder than ever.“No,” he spat, his voice rough. “I’m not taking yo
The sun was setting as Calla walked through the house, her mind set on one thing: she needed to get away from the suffocating atmosphere that surrounded her every day. The house felt smaller with each passing moment, and the tension was unbearable. She had been living in this nightmare for far too long, and today, she was determined to take a step for herself.She found Drake sitting in the living room, a scowl etched across his face. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was sniffing some white powder—cocaine. It was a sight she had seen far too many times, and it disgusted her to her core. Her body tensed as she approached him, but she kept her voice steady, despite the anger building up inside her.“Drake,” she said, her voice tight with emotion. “I need to go shopping. Take me.”Drake looked at her, a sneer on his face as he casually dropped the bag of powder onto the table. His hands were shaking, but his words were colder than ever.“No,” he spat, his voice rough. “I’m not taking yo
The sound of heels clicking sharply on the marble floor echoed through the mansion as Ember entered, her eyes immediately scanning the familiar space. She had dressed in a short, tight mini dress that accentuated her curves. Today, she was determined to make her presence known to Xavier, to remind him that he should be focused on her, not someone else.She didn’t bother knocking as she pushed open the grand door to the dining room. Bella was seated at the table, helping Zane and Alana with their dinner. The children were laughing, their innocent voices filling the air. Ember’s eyes narrowed as she saw them. Bella, dressed in her simple attire, was speaking to them with that gentle, maternal tone that always seemed to draw attention.Xavier was standing near the window, his back to Ember. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of possessiveness as she walked toward him. With a purposeful stride, she reached him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a kiss. Her lips presse
The front door slammed behind her, and Calla didn’t hesitate. She had made up her mind, and there was no turning back. The air was crisp as she stepped outside, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm the chaos in her mind. Drake had been giving her trouble lately, and she couldn’t take it anymore. She had to see her father—at least he was a constant in her life, even if their relationship had become strained over time. She needed to talk to him, to feel like someone cared.As she slid into her car, the familiar roar of the engine reverberated through her body. She adjusted her rearview mirror, glancing at the empty driveway one last time. Drake was inside, but Calla didn’t care. He’d never understand why she needed to see her father.She shifted the car into drive, her fingers gripping the wheel tightly as she pulled away from the house.Back at the house, Drake stormed out onto the porch just as Calla’s car was pulling away. He shouted after her, his voice rising with frustration
Xavier walked slowly down the hallway, his footsteps muffled by the soft carpet beneath his feet. He paused for a moment outside Thomas's bedroom, his hand resting on the doorknob. The house was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning. It was late—far too late for him to be awake, but sleep evaded him. His thoughts were consumed by the grim reality he had just been handed.With a heavy sigh, Xavier pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room smelled faintly of antiseptic, mixed with a trace of something deeper—something he couldn’t quite place, but it made his chest tighten. Thomas lay in the bed, his once-vibrant frame now frail and wasted, his chest rising and falling with the shallow breaths of a man who had long overstayed his welcome in the world. His face was gaunt, his skin pale, and the sight of him struck Xavier with a strange, hollow pain.He stood there for a long time, just watching. It was as if time had stopped, leaving Xavier suspended between
The sterile smell of the hospital hit Xavier’s nose as he and Logan walked down the corridor toward the liver specialist's office. The sounds of nurses and patients filled the air, but in that moment, Xavier couldn’t focus on anything but the weight on his shoulders. His mind kept replaying the conversation they had had earlier, but now, he was about to face the truth about his father, Thomas. He wasn’t prepared for whatever he was about to hear.As they entered the doctor's office, Xavier’s eyes immediately fixed on the doctor sitting behind the desk. Dr. Harris, a man in his late 40s with glasses perched on the bridge of his nose and a clipboard in hand, motioned for them to sit. His calm demeanor offered little comfort to Xavier, whose anxiety was beginning to bubble up."Mr. Donovan," Dr. Harris greeted them, his voice calm and professional. "I’ve reviewed the tests and scans. Let me get straight to the point. Your father is suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a for