The front door creaked open, followed by the deliberate thud of Harold Maverick’s boots on the hardwood floor. The air in the house seemed to shift, growing heavy with tension. It had been a long day, and Harold’s mood didn’t seem to have improved.He wasn’t a man who wore his emotions on his sleeve, but tonight, everything about him radiated frustration.Jessica was in the living room, rearranging the coffee table when she heard him. She glanced up, her hands pausing over a stack of magazines.“Harold?” she asked cautiously, her voice light but tinged with unease.“You’re home earlier than usual. Is everything okay?”Harold didn’t answer right away. He set his briefcase on the entryway table with a little more force than necessary. His broad shoulders were tense, his jaw tight. Finally, he turned toward her, his voice low and cold.“Jessica, call Drake. Now.”Jessica froze, her fingers tightening slightly on the magazine in her hand. There was something in Harold’s tone—a sharpness t
The sharp click of heels echoed through the quiet elementary school hallway as Principal Carter strode toward the second-grade classroom. In her fifties, with a neat bun and an air of authority, she was the kind of woman whose presence demanded silence and respect.She paused just outside the classroom door, glancing briefly at the group of teachers gathered nearby. Without turning her head, she spoke in a tone that was steady and clipped, each word deliberate.“Listen up, everyone. The last teacher for second grade quit because of the behavior of two students. Unfortunately, they’re still here because their parents are on the school board.” Her voice sharpened slightly.“I trust you all to handle them professionally. Let’s hope things don’t get out of hand again.”The teachers exchanged uncomfortable looks, a few letting out quiet sighs. Standing among them was Bella Abram, her expression calm but focused. She stepped forward, her voice steady and confident.“I’ll take them,” Bella s
The pulsing beat of the music vibrated through the air, lights flashing like liquid gold and crimson, casting shadows on the dark walls of the bar. The place buzzed with life—laughter, shouts, and bodies moving to the bass rhythm.Ember was in her element, dancing like no one was watching, surrounded by her closest friends. Her long blonde hair swayed with every beat, and she moved like she was born to this rhythm as if the music itself had taken hold of her soul.She was electric, her laughter contagious, her smile lighting up the room. She had that magnetic charm that made everything around her feel effortless, every moment unforgettable. And in that instant, Xavier couldn’t tear his eyes away. He had his arms around her as they danced, their bodies close, the chemistry between them undeniable.Xavier had come here to escape—escape the pressure, the constant weight of his problems, especially the drama between Zane and Alana. It felt like their mess was always hanging over him, drag
The cold, sterile air of the hospital hit Xavier as he entered the building, sending a chill that seemed to pierce through his skin and straight to his bones. His breathing was shallow, ragged, and his heart was a heavy weight in his chest. Every step felt like it carried the weight of the world, the adrenaline from earlier now slowly fading, leaving only the tension of the night to gnaw at him.His mind raced, replaying the chain of events over and over again. The familiar white walls of the hospital blurred before his eyes as he stumbled down the hallway, his fingers trembling as they brushed against the cool metal of the handrails. He could barely focus on anything except Calla—her face, her safe.Finally, he reached the room. When he saw her lying there on the bed, unconscious and vulnerable, something cracked inside him. His breath caught in his throat as he stopped short in the doorway, his entire body feeling like it was made of lead.Calla's usually bright face was pale, drain
The housekeeper sighed deeply, her voice breaking as she told him the story. “Zane was hiding at the bottom of the stairs. He played the sound of a dog barking as she came down. She wasn’t aware of him, and when she heard it, she panicked. She lost her balance and fell. I’m so sorry…”Xavier’s eyes closed for a moment, and his breath came out in a sharp hiss. His jaw clenched, his mind racing as the words hit him like a punch to the gut. The helplessness, the fear, it all mixed together in a whirlwind of anger. Zane. Alana. He could feel the rage bubbling up, a dangerous force that he could barely contain. They had crossed a line. No more games. No more pranks.“Stay with Calla,” he said, his voice low and strained, as though every word was being dragged from him.“I’ll come back later.”He turned without another word and walked toward the exit, his feet feeling like they were made of lead. His heart pounded in his chest as he climbed into his car, trying to block out the chaos in his
Xavier sat alone in his car, gripping the steering wheel as his pulse raced. The weight of his father’s actions pressed down on him like a heavy stone, suffocating and relentless. He stared out the windshield at the quiet, darkened street ahead, the silence doing little to calm the storm raging in his mind.He didn’t even know what his father had done to get himself arrested, but whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. The uncertainty clawed at him, making his chest feel tight as he waited for Logan’s call with answers.The buzz of his phone broke through his thoughts, sharp and jarring in the stillness. He grabbed it, answering without hesitation.“Logan,” he said, his voice sharp and strained, already bracing for bad news.“Xavier,” Logan began, cutting straight to the point.“I just got off the phone with the sheriff. Your dad’s been arrested for a hit-and-run. It’s bad, man. Really bad.”Xavier’s knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. His jaw clenched
The afternoon sun spilled golden light across Xavier’s office, pooling on the hardwood floors and casting long shadows on the polished furniture. But to him, it felt more like a harsh spotlight, highlighting his failures instead of offering warmth or solace.He sat slouched in his leather chair, his elbows resting on the armrests, and rubbed his temples in frustration. The weight of the past few days bore down on him like a physical burden, squeezing his chest until it was hard to breathe.His sister, Calla, was still in the hospital, lying in a stark white bed, recovering from her fall down the stairs. The bruises on her fragile frame haunted his mind, but he hadn’t had the chance to visit her yet.Every time he thought about stepping into that hospital room, he felt the crushing reminder that his father, Thomas, had created a whole new level of chaos for him to deal with first.Thomas was sitting in jail, arrested for drunkenly running over a couple with his car, and the media had a
Xavier’s hand trembled as he waited for the familiar ring. Anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to erupt. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone tighter, steadying himself for what was coming.The line connected with a click.“Harold,” Xavier began, his voice sharp and icy. “No one can stoop lower than you.”On the other end, Harold’s voice came through calm, almost mocking. “Well, if it isn’t my dear Xavier. What happened this time? You sound upset. Did something… bother you?”Xavier’s fist slammed against the desk, fury boiling over. “Don’t play dumb with me. I know you paid those tabloid hacks to write lies about me. You’re trying to ruin my life.”A low chuckle came from Harold. “Oh, come on, Xavier. You think I have time to waste on your little scandals? Give me a break. Don’t flatter yourself.”Xavier’s voice rose, sharp and cutting. “Don’t pretend you’re innocent. You’re always scheming, always pulling strings. This has your name written all over it.”Haro
Xavier stepped out of the car, his feet meeting the cold pavement of the court building's exterior. The air was heavy, charged with tension. Calla, Logan, and his team of lawyers followed closely behind, their expressions tense but determined. It was the first hearing of the case filed by James Tyler, the man who had somehow become entangled with Xavier’s life through Drake’s twisted plans.Xavier adjusted his tie, his jaw clenched as he scanned the crowd. He knew this would be a long and painful process, but what bothered him most was the prospect of public humiliation. The fact that his family—his children—were being dragged into this mess made his stomach churn with anger."Stay close," Logan murmured to him, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of James or Drake.Xavier nodded and took a deep breath, attempting to calm his rising frustration. But before they could enter the building, Xavier spotted a familiar figure in the crowd—Drake. He was standing near the entrance, a smug
Xavier sat in his office, his fingers lightly tapping the desk as he stared at the stack of papers before him. His mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts—about Bella, about the twins, about the court case that loomed ever closer. The weight of everything seemed too much to bear in that moment, and he was struggling to focus, to breathe even.Just as the silence in the room became suffocating, there was a knock at the door. Xavier looked up, grateful for the interruption."Come in," he called, his voice hoarse.The door opened, and Logan stepped inside, his expression unreadable. He had been investigating James Tyler, and Xavier had been waiting for some news, though he wasn’t sure what kind of news he wanted to hear. He only knew that this man—this stranger—was somehow linked to Drake, and that meant nothing good.Logan closed the door behind him and approached Xavier's desk, sitting down without waiting for an invitation. His eyes met Xavier's with a quiet seriousness."I’ve found
The evening was quiet as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the mansion. The air in the house felt heavy, as if it too was holding its breath, waiting for something to give. Inside Xavier’s room, the soft rustling of papers and the occasional sound of a distant voice filled the silence. Xavier sat at his desk, his eyes scanning over documents, but his mind was elsewhere. It had been a long day—too many worries piling on top of each other—and still, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped in a maze he couldn’t escape.The soft knock on the door broke him from his thoughts. He turned to see Calla standing in the doorway, her expression serious but caring. She had been quiet for the past few days, perhaps sensing the weight of everything that had been happening."Xavier," Calla began, her voice low yet steady, "I need to talk to you."Xavier sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "What is it, Calla?"She stepped inside and closed
The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains of the guest bedroom, casting a warm glow on the delicate features of Bella’s face. Yet, despite the peaceful scene, she felt anything but peaceful. Her body ached more than it used to, and her once vibrant energy had begun to wane. Her pregnancy had become to feel like a burden. Complications had started to arise, and Bella knew she couldn't ignore them much longer.She sat up in bed, holding her stomach with both hands as if trying to protect the tiny life inside her, yet it felt more like an anchor, weighing her down. She could feel the pressure of uncertainty mounting inside her. The emotional turmoil was nearly as consuming as the physical exhaustion.The door creaked open, and Bella's gaze lifted to see Calla standing in the doorway. "How are you feeling today?" Calla asked gently, her eyes scanning Bella’s face. There was no judgment in her gaze—just concern. Calla knew about her pregnancy since beginning and she also knew th
The phone call hung heavily in the air as Xavier stared at the device in his hand, his jaw clenched tight. The reality of the situation had sunk in, but it only made the questions multiply. Who was this James Tyler? What did he want? Why was he claiming Zane and Alana as his children when Xavier knew, without a shadow of a doubt, they were his?Logan sat across from Xavier in his office, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on Xavier’s every move."Are you going to call him?" Logan asked, his voice low but firm. "You can’t let this linger. The sooner you get to the bottom of it, the better."Xavier sighed deeply, running his fingers through his hair. He had just received the phone number of James Tyler from his lawyer. It felt like a final step before confronting the chaos that was beginning to unravel his life. His thoughts lingered on Zane and Alana. They were his children—no one could take that from him."I'm calling him," Xavier muttered under his breath, determination setting in. He grab
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