Xavier, dressed in his usual sharp, tailored attire, was preparing to leave the house. His friends had invited him out for drinks, and after a week filled with tensions and unresolved issues, he was eager for a break. The prospect of a night out with them was exactly what he needed. He grabbed his car keys and made his way toward the door, ready to escape the weight of the week.Just as he was about to step out, Bella's voice stopped him."Xavier," she called, her tone calm but with an unmistakable assertiveness.He turned around, already knowing she had something to say. Bella had been handling things at home remarkably well, but today, her usual calm demeanor was replaced with a quiet determination."Yes?" he replied, his patience already starting to wear thin. He had plans, after all."I’m just about to head out and meet up with some friends," Bella said, her expression unchanging. But there was a firmness in her voice, a quiet strength that made Xavier pause."I need you to take Z
It was the first day after Zane and Alana’s suspension had ended, and Bella finally had a rare moment to herself. The twins had left early for school, and with her usual duties momentarily on hold, she decided to take a much-needed trip to the nearby market.She’d been so focused on taking care of others for the past few weeks that she had neglected her own needs, and now, she wanted some time away from it all. It wasn’t just about the errands—it was about her taking care of herself, something she hadn’t done in far too long.The market was a bustling superstore, filled with the sounds of people hurrying through aisles, pushing carts, and the familiar background hum of announcements. Bella wandered through the store, gathering essentials: shampoo, conditioner, soap, and a few beauty products she hadn’t treated herself to in months.As she walked through the aisles, she felt a little guilty for taking this time for herself, but also strangely liberated. Her gaze wandered across the she
Thomas entered Xavier's mansion with slow, deliberate steps. The grandeur of the place, as always, took him by surprise. Xavier had truly transformed this mansion into a symbol of his immense success. The sprawling estate, adorned with elegant furniture, priceless artwork, and breathtaking decor, was a testament to everything Xavier had built. It wasn’t just a house but a monument to years of relentless hard work, countless sacrifices, and unyielding determination.Thomas paused in the doorway, his eyes scanning the luxurious surroundings. He knew the price Xavier had paid to make this dream a reality. The business Thomas had handed over to his son years ago had been teetering on the brink of collapse.But now, it was thriving, flourishing under Xavier’s leadership and grit. The thought gnawed at Thomas. Xavier had done more than he could ever bring himself to admit. Yet, accepting that his son had achieved what he never could was a bitter pill he refused to swallow.Stepping into the
Calla stepped through the grand front door of the mansion, feeling the weight of the day slowly lift off her shoulders. She had just returned from Sasha’s wedding—an event she had been looking forward to for weeks—and now, all she wanted was a quiet evening with Drake. But as soon as she stepped into the living room, her anticipation gave way to confusion.There he was—Drake—sitting stiffly on the couch. His posture was rigid, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. The moment his eyes met hers, his expression darkened. He didn’t rise to greet her, didn’t say a word, and the air in the room felt heavy with tension.“Drake, hey!” Calla greeted him with a warm smile, her arms instinctively reaching out to him. “I missed you.”But instead of the embrace she expected, Drake gently but firmly pushed her away. Calla froze, her smile faltering as her outstretched arms dropped to her sides. A pang of confusion struck her heart, quickly followed by unease.“What’s wrong?” she asked, her brow
Bella closed the door behind her softly, careful not to make a sound. Zane and Alana had finally drifted off to sleep after what had felt like hours of coaxing, bargaining, and gentle insistence. She had almost given up a few times, especially when their energy seemed to be endless, but in the end, their playful squabbles had subdued enough for her to tuck them into bed, both of them now sound asleep. Bella smiled softly to herself as she walked down the hallway, feeling the relief of finally having a moment to herself.The house was quiet now. The sort of quiet that felt almost too still after a day filled with the endless chatter of the twins and the constant bustle of the mansion. It was a kind of quiet that was at once comforting and eerie, a stark contrast to the usual chaos that had filled every corner of the house.Bella made her way into the kitchen, her stomach growling as she opened the refrigerator door. She hadn’t had a chance to eat dinner yet, and the hunger in her was s
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
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