Calla’s heart raced at the invitation. She nodded eagerly, and together they stepped into the evening air. The transition from the dimly lit restaurant to the garden felt like entering another world. Softly glowing lanterns lined the winding path, illuminating clusters of vibrant flowers that danced gently in the cool breeze. The scent of jasmine and fresh blooms filled the air, mingling with the crispness of the night.The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over everything, making the garden feel like a scene from a fairy tale. Calla marveled at the way the moonlight shimmered on the petals, turning the white roses into delicate orbs of light. The gentle sound of water trickling from a nearby fountain added a serene backdrop, creating an atmosphere charged with magic.As they strolled along the path, Drake leaned closer, his voice a soothing murmur. “Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked, glancing over at her, his dark eyes reflecting the moonlight. “It reminds me of how specia
Calla’s hands trembled as memories surged unbidden, and she felt the rush of emotion from that day with Drake, a thrilling yet dread-filled flood that blinded her to everything else.That first kiss had been electric, sparking a relationship that quickly became all-consuming. After that day, they started meeting constantly, regularly slipping away together whenever they could. He’d made her feel wanted in a way she hadn’t thought possible as if he needed her to breathe.Days bled into nights, and her world grew smaller, each heartbeat echoing his name. When she wasn’t with him, she was thinking about him. Drake’s presence consumed every corner of her life—his intensity was a fire she both craved and feared. She could still recall how restless he would get if she didn’t answer his calls. His voice would sharpen, an edge creeping into his tone whenever he felt ignored or neglected. And if she couldn’t be there when he wanted, she’d find him pacing, his hands clenched into fists, his jaw
Calla paced back and forth in her room, her mind racing. Xavier’s words kept echoing in her head, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled deep in her chest. The image of Xavier’s angry face, his eyes filled with accusation, kept haunting her. “You’re making a mistake with him, Calla. He’s not who you think he is.”Her phone buzzed, breaking the cycle of her thoughts. It was Drake.She stared at his name for a moment, uncertainty gnawing at her. She didn’t want to talk to him, not now, but she couldn’t ignore him either. She slid her finger across the screen and answered the call.Hello?” Calla answered, her voice a little softer than usual.“Hey, darling,” Drake’s voice came through the phone, warm and teasing. “What are you up to?”Calla let out a small sigh. “Nothing much,” she replied, her tone flat.Drake, with a playful excitement in his voice, teased, “I thought you must be thinking about me.”Calla paused for a second, her lips curving slightly but her res
At night, Calla stood in front of her full-length mirror, adjusting her outfit as the time drew near, her heart pounding in her chest. She was torn between excitement and nerves, not entirely sure what to expect. She reached for the dress she had set out earlier—a sleek black number with a deep neckline and soft fabric that clung to her body like a second skin. It wasn’t too revealing, but it was just enough to make her feel like a woman on the edge of something.Her fingers brushed over the fabric as she took one last look at herself. She knew she looked good, but part of her still felt unsure. She was walking into the unknown with Drake, a man whose past was still a question mark in her mind. Yet, she felt this undeniable pull toward him, something she couldn’t explain.She pulled the dress on, feeling the fabric settle around her curves, and then carefully applied a touch of makeup—just enough to highlight her eyes and lips. She checked her phone one more time. The message from Dra
He held it out to her, his eyes soft, almost vulnerable. “Calla,” he began, his voice barely a whisper, “I want you in my life… every day, every moment. I want to marry you, to give you everything I am.”For a second, Calla’s heart stopped, her thoughts colliding. She felt the weight of her brother’s warnings echo in her mind, the cautionary words he’d spoken about Drake’s past, his temper. But here, in this soft, intoxicating moment, she couldn’t reconcile those warnings with the man before her, the man who held her like she was something precious.Drake sensed her hesitation and placed the ring box on the table. He took her hand in both of his, leaning in closer, his gaze searching hers.“Hey,” he said softly, his voice gentle and reassuring. “You’re safe with me, Calla. I’d never let anything hurt you. Everything I do is because of you. You’re my everything.”The vulnerability in his voice, the way he looked at her, made her heart ache. She wanted to believe him, to surrender to th
She gave a slight nod, feeling herself surrendering to the warmth of his touch, to the safety he promised. Slowly, he lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles one by one, each touch soft and deliberate. His other hand brushed her shoulder, slipping the fabric of her dress down her arm in a gentle, lingering motion. She shivered, caught between nerves and desire, her pulse racing as he continued his slow, measured seduction.With every touch, every whisper, he reassured her, his words a soft lullaby in the dimly lit room."You're perfect," he murmured, his fingers tracing the delicate lines of her collarbone as he let the dress slip a little further. "And I'll take care of you, always."As the music played, his movements mirrored its rhythm, slow and deliberate, guiding her deeper into his embrace. His lips found her neck, pressing soft kisses along her skin, each one igniting a warmth that spread through her, melting her resistance. He pulled her close again, their bodies swa
Calla closed the door behind her quietly, as if even the sound of it might shatter whatever fragile control she was holding onto. The villa was silent, but the pounding of her heartbeat filled the space around her, heavy and relentless.She took a step forward, but her legs felt weak, almost shaky, and she wrapped her arms around herself instinctively, as if holding herself together might keep her from coming undone.She could still feel Drake’s touch lingering on her skin, like invisible fingerprints she couldn’t wash away. The ache in her body was a constant reminder, a mixture of discomfort and something else she couldn’t quite put into words.She had crossed a line, and there was no going back now. She sank onto the edge of the couch, her gaze unfocused, replaying pieces of the night over and over in her mind.“God, Calla… what have you done?” she whispered to herself, pressing her hands against her temples as if she could press out the swirling chaos of thoughts.The things he’d
Calla was sitting in her room, looking out of the window. The sunlight streamed through the glass, bright and unforgiving as if it were trying to peel away the walls she’d built around her heart. Her fingers trembled as they brushed away the last traces of tears clinging to her lashes. She could still feel the weight of the memories pressing down on her, sharp and relentless. She closed her eyes as if shutting them would hold the past at bay.But the memory fought its way in, clear as the day it happened.The nausea hit her like a punch to the gut—out of nowhere, sudden and sharp. It crawled up her throat, heavy and sickening, forcing her to clutch the bathroom sink just to stay upright. She stared at her pale reflection in the mirror, her face a little too thin, eyes a little too wide, as the world tilted beneath her feet.She shook her head, trying to push it away. It’s just a stomach bug. Probably something I ate. But it wasn’t going away. The queasiness lingered, and it wasn’t jus
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."