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 villa was quiet as Calla and Xavier stepped inside, the grand entryway echoing their footsteps. The silence felt heavy, and oppressive, as if even the walls sensed the tension between them. Xavier stopped abruptly in the hallway, turning to face her, his face a mask of barely contained frustration.“Calla,” he began, his voice controlled but laced with anger, “you’re not thinking clearly. This attachment to Drake… it’s reckless. Dangerous. You know how that kind of dependency can ruin lives. You of all people know.”Calla’s eyes dropped to the polished marble floor, her fingers trembling as she held them together. She’d heard this before. Xavier had been there for her through so much—her struggles with a broken family, the nights she’d cried about her father’s drinking, her mother’s distance. But this… he didn’t know about this.She forced herself to look up, keeping her voice steady. “I know you’re worried about me, Xavier. But this isn’t just about my past. I have my reasons.”X
The soft glow of city lights crept through the curtains, casting a faint, restless shimmer across Calla’s bedroom. She lay there, staring up at the ceiling, her heart heavy and her mind thick with thoughts that wouldn’t let her rest.She’d made the call to Drake—she’d told him she was ready to marry him, even if it meant doing it quietly, in a courthouse, away from the judgment of others. But now, alone in the dark, every choice she’d made felt sharper, more uncertain.Marriage. The word felt monumental, almost crushing.“This is forever,” she whispered to herself, barely audible in the silent room, her hand instinctively coming to rest on her stomach. A new life was growing there—a part of her and Drake, tied to them both forever.The thought should have reassured her, given her strength. But all she could think about was Xavier’s voice, his warnings echoing like distant thunder.Xavier had said Drake was dangerous. Reckless. He’d thrown around words like “untrustworthy” and “unstabl
The fluorescent lights hummed, cold and indifferent, casting a sterile glow over the courthouse. Calla shifted on her feet, eyes darting around the impersonal space. The distant murmurs and rhythmic tap of keyboards felt jarring against the racing thoughts in her head. This was not how she’d imagined her wedding day.She had dreamed of soft music, flowers, and a celebration, but here there was only the stark finality of bureaucracy. No vows. No promises. Just a clipboard and a legal contract. Yet, despite the lack of ceremony, a pulse of excitement surged within her. This was freedom.Her fingers curled tight around the strap of her purse as she glanced at Drake. His broad frame, imposing in a dark suit, was still and distant, lost in thought. Her heart fluttered. He wasn’t her salvation, not in the way she had once imagined. But today, he was here, and that was enough.She looked down at her simple white dress—no veil, no lace, just clean lines that grazed her knees. She’d chosen it
The car slowly came to a stop outside the gates of Villa Azzura, its tires crunching over the gravel driveway.Calla peered out the window, her heart pounding as she took in the villa that was to be her new home. It was a charming, modest house tucked into the hills, far removed from the grandeur she had left behind at her brother’s estate.The villa wasn’t the kind of luxury she had expected—there were no marble floors or expansive halls, no gold accents or crystal chandeliers. It was simple, with a warm, rustic feel that made it look well-loved but not extravagant. The kind of home that felt like it had stories to tell in its creaky floors and soft, weathered furniture.As they approached the front door, Drake’s hand, firm and steady on her arm, helped her out of the car. His presence felt distant like a shadow lingering just beyond her reach.She had imagined this moment for so long—the moment she would finally be with Drake, in the place where they would start their life together.
The night was still, the city lights casting a soft glow through the windows of Xavier’s apartment. The air in the room felt thick with unspoken words, and yet Ember felt completely at ease as she sat on the couch, her legs crossed, sipping her wine with a casual grace. Her eyes remained on Xavier, who had just finished explaining the entire ordeal with Zane and Alana’s disappearance.Xavier had gone through every detail, recounting the moment he received the news of their vanishing, the fear and terror that had gripped him, and the eventual relief when they were found. But as he spoke, Ember’s gaze drifted away from him, her thoughts clearly somewhere else.Xavier paused mid-sentence, his voice faltering when he realized she hadn’t been listening.“Ember,” he said softly, his brow furrowing.“Are you even listening to me?”Ember’s eyes flickered toward him for a brief moment, her lips curling into a seductive smile. She set her wineglass down, her fingers tracing the rim as if the co
The sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore was soothing, almost hypnotic, but it did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside Ember. She sat on a plush towel, basking under the afternoon sun, surrounded by her group of friends. The warmth of the sun kissed her skin, yet a coldness gnawed at her heart as she watched the carefree laughter of her friends. Each of them was dressed in designer bikinis, their expensive swimwear glistening in the sun, the epitome of wealth and status. Yet, despite the luxury and beauty surrounding her, Ember couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Or rather, someone.One of her friends, a tall blonde woman named Chloe, lounged beside her, a glass of champagne in hand."Ember, where's Xavier? He’s usually here by now," she asked, her tone casual, but her eyes were sharp with curiosity.Ember’s fingers traced the rim of her glass as she stared out at the horizon."He’s probably busy with his wild children or dying father," she mutte
The air was thick with tension, the weight of the unknown pressing down on Xavier’s chest. Every minute that passed without any sign of Zane and Alana made his worry grow exponentially. The school had been searched from top to bottom, every hallway, every classroom, every corner. The guards, both of the school and Xavier’s, had been dispatched to search the surrounding areas. Still, there was no sign of his children.Xavier’s mind raced, unable to focus on anything other than the image of his kids, missing and alone. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks—he loved them. He loved them in a way that he had never fully recognized before. He thought of the times they had come to him, seeking comfort after a nightmare or needing his help with their schoolwork. He thought of their laughter, their energy, their constant chatter. Now he couldn’t imagine a life without them, but he had never fully allowed himself to admit how deeply they had become a part of his world.He clenched his fi
The drive home felt longer than usual. Xavier’s mind was racing as he tried to process everything that had happened. Thomas was quietly resting in the passenger seat, the therapy session having drained him. His father had barely spoken a word since they left the clinic, and Xavier had allowed the silence to stretch on. It was a rare moment of peace, a chance for Xavier to reflect on the complicated web of emotions that had unfolded between them in recent weeks.When they finally arrived home, Xavier stepped out of the car, his mind still heavy. He was about to head inside when Bella appeared in the doorway, her face pale and strained.“Xavier,” she called, her voice tight with worry.“Zane and Alana haven’t come home yet. It’s already late.”Xavier’s heart skipped a beat. The familiar sense of unease began to settle in his stomach.“What do you mean, they haven’t come home?”Bella stepped forward, glancing nervously down the driveway.“I called their school, but they told me all the s
Xavier’s hand tightened on the steering wheel as he drove through the streets, the familiar hum of the car’s engine a backdrop to the silence in the vehicle. Thomas sat beside him, his frail figure slumped in the passenger seat, his eyes hollow with exhaustion. It was his third round of chemotherapy, and the weight of it was clearly starting to take a toll on him. The physical changes were evident—his once broad frame had thinned considerably, his skin was pale, and his eyes seemed permanently tired. The chemo was slowly breaking him down, but it wasn’t just the disease; it was the emotional strain, the battle that had taken a toll on his spirit.Xavier could feel the tension in the air, the weight of what lay ahead hanging over them both. It had been a long, difficult road, but today felt especially heavy. He was exhausted, not just from the demands of work and family, but from the emotional toll that his strained relationship with Thomas had put on him.When they arrived at the hosp
The soft click of the door opening was barely audible as Bella stepped into Xavier’s study. She had been avoiding him for the past few days, needing space to clear her mind, to understand what was happening in her heart. But today, something in her had snapped. She couldn’t pretend anymore.Xavier was sitting at his desk, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of a lamp. The papers in front of him seemed like an endless blur, each one a reminder of the responsibilities that weighed heavily on his shoulders. He didn’t hear Bella’s footsteps at first, too consumed by the work in front of him.“Xavier,” Bella said quietly, her voice trembling ever so slightly.He looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers, a quiet understanding passing between them as if he had known she was standing there all along.“Bella,” he said, his voice softer than usual.“What’s wrong?”She stepped closer, the words almost stuck in her throat, but she forced them out, her voice breaking with emotion.“I want to leave. I
Xavier sat in the expansive living room of his mansion, the silence enveloping him as he stared out at the manicured gardens outside. The soft hum of the house was a comforting contrast to the chaos he had just returned from in Washington. His mind was still processing the conversation he’d had with Leila, the revelations that had shaken him to his core.As the door to the living room opened, Xavier looked up and found Jacob coming towards him.“Xavier,” Jacob greeted, his tone forced casual as he approached the couch. He sat down across from Xavier, his posture tense, as though he had something important on his mind.Xavier raised an eyebrow, not in the mood for pleasantries.“What’s going on, Jacob? What do you want?”Jacob’s eyes flickered briefly to the side before meeting Xavier’s gaze.“I need your help,” he said, his voice lower now, tinged with an urgency that immediately piqued Xavier’s interest, though not in a good way.“I’m in a tight spot, and I need a loan. A big one.”X
The small café in Washington had a cozy atmosphere, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the soft hum of background chatter. Xavier and Leila sat across from each other, two mugs of coffee placed on the wooden table between them, the steam rising from their cups as an unspoken tension lingered in the air.Xavier took a deep breath, his fingers curling around the mug, seeking warmth as much as solace.Xavier and Leila had left Dr. Priya’s clinic for a while and came to Cafe to have some coffee and discuss few more things while they had a chance."How are you now, Leila?" Xavier asked quietly, his voice uncharacteristically gentle."What does your doctor say?"Leila looked at him for a moment, as if weighing the truth of her response. She glanced down at her hands, fingers resting on the edge of the mug, before lifting her eyes to meet his."Alzheimer’s never cures," she said, her voice tinged with a sense of finality."But the medicine can help control its symptoms. So
Xavier's mind raced as he stepped off the plane in Washington, the weight of the upcoming conversation with Leila heavy on his shoulders. It had been weeks since he last heard her name, and now, after all his searching, he was finally going to face her.His manager, ever efficient, was waiting for him at the airport, greeting him with a slight nod."Mr. Xavier," his manager said, gesturing toward the car."I’ve arranged everything. Dr. Verma’s clinic is just a short drive away."Xavier nodded silently, his thoughts still spinning. There was a knot in his stomach, a mixture of frustration, confusion, and, oddly, anticipation. He had so many questions for Leila. The woman who had vanished from his life, leaving him with Zane and Alana, only to disrupt his world with her sudden disappearance, was finally within reach.The drive felt long, despite the distance being short. Xavier's mind kept circling back to the same question: Why had she disappeared? What had driven her to leave her niec