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 to find one of the girls from the pool standing nearby, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Hello,” Xavier replied, his tone as icy as the morning breeze. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk, so he deliberately kept his demeanor distant.
“How are you?” she asked, her friendly smile unwavering.
“Good,” Xavier said, maintaining his frosty attitude. He noticed the girl’s gaze linger on him with evident interest, a playful glint in her eye.
“I saw you’re here alone. If you’re looking to have some fun and make the most of your time, you’re welcome to join our group,” she offered, tucking her damp hair over one shoulder as she leaned on the railing, her gaze fixed on the ocean’s blue waves.
As she leaned forward, her curves became strikingly prominent, drawing Xavier's gaze. For a moment, his eyes lingered on her, captivated by the allure she exuded. The sunlight caught her hair, making it shimmer like spun gold, and the soft breeze played with the strands that framed her face.
But he quickly masked his interest with a neutral expression, determined not to give her the satisfaction of a response. He was resolute in avoiding any flirtation or distractions.
“Thank you,” he said flatly, turning his attention back to the horizon.
“By the way, I’m Tina,” she said, her radiant smile faltering slightly but returning with renewed warmth.
“I’m Xavier,” he replied, glancing at her briefly before returning his gaze to the sea. He was determined not to let her efforts to charm him succeed.
“Tonight, my friends and I are throwing a party. You should come—I promise you won’t be bored,” Tina said, her smile growing more insistent. She leaned back on the railing, striking a pose she hoped would catch his eye. The breeze lifted her dress slightly, adding a touch of effortless grace to her demeanor.
Xavier noted her attempts and felt a flicker of curiosity and intrigue despite himself. Yet, his inherent arrogance and reluctance to be swayed by charm quickly reasserted themselves. He straightened, his posture exuding a cool confidence that bordered on aloof.
“Well…” Xavier said, his voice carrying a note of detached finality. “I have a Zoom meeting tonight,” he said, with a polite but final smile. “So, I won’t be able to make it.”
As Tina’s smile faded and she walked away, Xavier remained on the deck, watching her retreat with a mix of frustration and self-satisfaction. Despite the attraction and excitement she stirred within him, his pride and stubbornness held firm. He was content to stay in his isolated world, wrapped in the comfortable cocoon of his arrogance.
With a final, decisive nod to himself, he turned back to the horizon, the morning’s beauty now serving only as a backdrop to his self-imposed solitude.
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
Xavier reclined on the sun lounger, soaking in the warmth of the sun. He glanced over at Bella, who was applying sunscreen to her legs in a two-piece bikini. Bella looked up, a curious expression on her face, and asked, “Where’s Tina? I thought you two were inseparable.”Xavier tilted his head and continued, “If you’re her friend, I figured you’d have a better idea of where she is. I just met her a couple of days ago.”Bella looked at Xavier with a playful smirk and asked, “Why do you always focus so much on Tina? There are plenty of people around who might offer you something even better. Why not give them a chance?”Xavier raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He chuckled and replied, “Well, if someone’s name starts with a ‘B’ and they’re wearing a flowery bikini, I’d have to say I’m all in.”Bella’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she tilted her head, the sun catching her sun-kissed skin. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper,
Tina burst into the cabin like a storm, eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.Xavier, his shirt hanging open, belt unbuckled, stood there looking like a deer caught in headlights. Bella, panic written all over her face, was frantically trying to wrap the bed sheet around herself, but the more she pulled, the more it slipped, leaving her looking like she was fighting with a curtain.“Well, isn’t this just perfect,” Tina said, her voice cold and dripping with sarcasm. “Xavier, seriously? Bella?”Bella shot Xavier a desperate look. “I told you to lock the damn door!”Xavier, flustered and half-dressed, waved his hands in surrender. “I didn’t think the twins would just barge in—”Xavier snapped his attention to the twins, who were giggling like it was the best prank they’d ever pulled. “What are you two doing in here? This isn’t a game room!” He pointed at the door, trying to regain some control.The twins just grinned wider and, with one final look at their handiwork, bolted out of the
“Xavier!” Bella hissed, her voice shaking with frustration. “Why didn’t you lock the door?”Xavier looked up, his relaxed expression turning to confusion.“Why do you keep going on about it, Bella?”“You’re such an idiot sometimes!” she snapped, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.“We were—” She cut herself off, blushing harder. “We were having sex, and you left the door unlocked.”Xavier’s jaw clenched. Her sharp tone sliced through the room, and he felt his anger start to rise.“If I forgot to lock it,” he said coldly, “then why didn’t you lock it?”Bella’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious right now? You expect me to be thinking about locking the door when you’re the one who’s supposed to handle stuff like that?”Xavier stood up abruptly, temper flaring. “Oh, so now it’s all on me? You could’ve locked it just as easily. Why are you acting so helpless?”“Because of you, I had to face that humiliating situation!” Bella shot back, her voice growing louder.“You left th
The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the windows of Xavier’s office as he sat behind his desk, reviewing documents. The silence of the room felt oddly suffocating today, as if the weight of something unspoken lingered in the air. Just as he leaned back in his chair to clear his mind, the sound of a knock at his door startled him."Come in," Xavier called out, his voice strained, tired.The door creaked open and his lawyer, Mr. Curtis, stepped in with a stern expression. "Xavier, I have something important for you," he said, holding up a letter, its edges slightly crinkled, as though it had been through a lot.Xavier's brow furrowed as he took the letter. "What is this?" he asked, eyeing the envelope, his fingers already starting to feel a twinge of anxiety.Mr. Curtis handed him the letter, his tone serious. "It’s a court summons," he said, taking a seat in front of Xavier's desk. "It claims that a man named James Tyler is asserting that Zane and Alana are his biological
The car pulled into the long driveway of Xavier’s mansion, its tires crunching against the gravel. Bella sat in the passenger seat, her hands resting over her stomach protectively. Her heart pounded against her ribs, yet her lips remained pressed together in silence. She was home. Or at least, she was back in the place she left to save her dignity.Xavier glanced at her from the driver’s seat, his usual stoic expression giving nothing away. “We’re here,” he said, but his voice lacked warmth.Bella didn’t respond. She simply opened the door and stepped out. The cold evening air brushed against her skin, making her shiver. This house held too many memories—some she wanted to cling to and others she wished she could forget.Before she could take another step, the front doors burst open. Two small figures ran toward her, their cries echoing through the night.“Bella!” Zane’s voice cracked as he threw himself into her arms.“Bella, you came back!” Alana sobbed, clinging to Bella’s dress as
The heavy sound of the front door slamming echoed through the quiet mansion, and Calla barely glanced up from the book she was reading in the living room. She knew exactly who it was—Drake, stumbling in with the unmistakable scent of alcohol on his breath. He had been drinking again, and she could already feel the tension building in the air.Drake wobbled into the room, his eyes bloodshot, his movements unsteady as he leaned against the doorframe for support. He let out a low laugh, clearly intoxicated. “Calla,” he slurred, his voice rough. “Come to bed with me.”Calla didn’t flinch. She had seen this scene too many times before. His drunken advances, his attempt to control her, to drag her into his world of manipulation and pain. But not tonight. Not anymore.“No, Drake,” she said quietly, her voice firm, unwavering. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”Drake’s face twisted into a scowl. He staggered forward, trying to close the distance between them, but Calla stood up and stepped ba
The sterile smell of the hospital room mixed with the dull hum of machines, creating an atmosphere that felt too suffocating for Bella to bear. She lay on the hospital bed, a drip running through the vein in her hand, her body still weak from the sudden collapse earlier. Her eyelids fluttered open, and her vision was blurry for a moment before it cleared. As she took in her surroundings, the reality of her situation hit her like a ton of bricks.She left Xavier's home, because he couldn't defend her. She thought that after the night of intimacy something had changed and she had gained some importance in Xavier's life. But the way Ember insulted her and Xavier remained silent, it made her realize she was wrong. She had no place and value in Xavier's life. So she left his house to safeguard her dignity. But even after leaving that place, she couldn't get peace. As Jacob didn't let her do so. He kept on pinching her ego and self respect so badly that her body and mind couldn't bear it an
When Xavier finally arrived at the apartment complex, he parked his car hastily, barely taking the time to straighten it. His breath was shallow with anticipation as he jogged up to the door of Jacob’s apartment. He knocked sharply, his mind already running through the words he would say.Jacob opened the door, a lazy smile on his face that quickly turned into a frown when he saw Xavier standing there, looking serious and determined."Xavier?" Jacob said, his tone cautious. "What are you doing here?""I’m here to take Bella back," Xavier said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Alana’s sick. She won’t take her medicine unless Bella’s here. I need her to come back."Jacob raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You’re here for Bella, huh?" He stepped aside and let Xavier in. "I thought you were done with her."Xavier didn’t respond. He couldn’t. Not when the sight of Bella standing in the living room—looking weak, pale, and thinner than he remembered—stole his breath away.
The house felt like a hollow shell without her.Xavier’s footsteps echoed through the empty halls as he made his way into the living room. The sharp sound of his shoes clicking against the polished marble floor only served to deepen the silence that had settled over the mansion since Bella left. He had been trying to keep himself busy, trying to focus on anything other than the aching void left by her departure, but it was impossible.Everything around him reminded him of her. The warmth she brought to the house, her laughter, the way she had taken care of Zane and Alana with such tenderness—it all felt so far away now.He sighed heavily, dragging a hand down his face. But it wasn’t just the house that felt empty. It was his heart. He had tried to ignore it, tried to bury it under layers of responsibility and guilt, but the truth was undeniable. He missed Bella—more than he cared to admit.As he entered the kitchen, he found Zane sitting at the table, looking distracted, his eyes vaca
Bella walked out of the small bedroom in Jacob's apartment, feeling the emptiness in her stomach grow with each step. She had barely eaten all day, too consumed by the whirlwind of emotions surrounding her to care about anything else. But now, hunger was gnawing at her, and she hoped to find something simple to prepare for dinner. Her mind was heavy with thoughts of Xavier, Zane and Alana, and the life she had left behind. It was all too much to bear, but she had no other choice than to press on.As she stepped into the living room, she saw Jacob lounging on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV. The sight of him made her stomach twist in a way that had nothing to do with hunger. She knew Jacob wasn’t the kind of person she could trust, but she had no other options. He was family, and she had come to him for help.The moment he laid eyes on her, though, his expression hardened. He immediately turned off the TV and stood up, his voice laced with anger. "Look at you, Bella," he
Xavier sat at the edge of his bed, the room dimly lit by the fading afternoon light. He had been spiraling for days now—caught in a tug-of-war between duty and desire, between family expectations and the life he truly wanted. Ember's presence, her insistent demands, had made everything worse. But it wasn't just Ember that consumed his thoughts. It was Bella.The way she had walked out of his life, her tear-filled eyes haunting him, had left a gaping hole in his heart. And now, Zane and Alana's distress only compounded the ache. He wanted her back, but the guilt of his commitment to Ember gnawed at him relentlessly.There was a knock on his door. He didn’t need to guess who it was."Come in," he muttered, his voice tinged with weariness.The door creaked open, and Calla entered. She closed the door behind her and stood still for a moment, her eyes studying him. "Xavier," she began softly, "I need to know something."He didn’t look up at her, but he already knew where this conversation
The house felt unusually quiet after Bella left. It was as if the air had thickened, the weight of her absence pressing down on everyone. Ember, on the other hand, seemed to breathe a little easier. She had gotten what she wanted—or so she thought. She walked around the house with a confident, almost smug air, knowing that the storm she had caused had left a ripple in Xavier’s life.She thought now was the time. The time to make Xavier see that she was the one who belonged in his life. She approached him in the living room, her eyes filled with something between desire and determination."Xavier," Ember purred, stepping closer. "Now that Bella’s gone, we can finally have things the way they were meant to be."Xavier barely looked up from his thoughts. His mind was still consumed with the image of Bella walking away. He was reeling from the argument, from Ember’s cruel words, and from Bella’s decision to leave. He wasn’t ready for Ember’s advances. He wasn’t even sure what he wanted."