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
The steady beeping of the hospital monitor was the only sound breaking the silence in the dimly lit room. Xavier stood at the door, gripping the handle, his chest tight. Calla lay in the hospital bed, her face pale but peaceful.She looked so fragile, her breathing steady but shallow, her eyes closed. The sight of her like this sent a storm of emotions through him—a mix of relief that she was alive and frustration that he’d let her down by not being here sooner.He lingered for a moment longer, his fingers tightening on the door handle. He’d been consumed by trying to fix his father’s mess, but guilt gnawed at him. He should have come sooner.Finally, he stepped inside, his movements deliberate, and walked to her bedside. He reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek, as though afraid she might break under his touch. His voice was quiet but steady.“How are you, Calla?”Her eyes fluttered open, and when she saw him, a faint smile appeared on her lips.“I’m okay,” she
The air was cool and breezy, carrying the scent of freshly mowed grass across the bustling school courtyard. The chatter of students created a lively symphony as the children played during their short recess. Laughter and squeals of delight echoed from the slides and jungle gym, and the rhythmic creak of swings provided a steady backdrop to the lively scene.Near the far edge of the playground, Zane and Alana stood side by side near the swings. Alana’s dark hair whipped in the wind as she kicked higher and higher, her feet reaching for the clouds. Zane, smaller but determined, leaned back on the swing, trying to catch up to her height.“Bet I’ll touch the sky before you do!” Alana challenged, her voice ringing out over the playground.“Dream on!” Zane shot back, grinning despite himself.Their laughter carried in the breeze, unguarded and full of joy—until it was suddenly interrupted by a voice that dripped with mockery.“Hey, Zane! Hey, Alana! Think you’re special or something? You c
“Ms. Bella, it wasn’t that big of a deal,” Zane muttered, trying to sound tough, though his voice wavered slightly. His attempt at bravado fell flat, betrayed by the uncertainty in his tone.“It is a big deal,” Ms. Bella said firmly, her voice unwavering. Her tone wasn’t angry, but it carried a calm authority that made every word land with a weight that couldn’t be ignored.“Violence has consequences, Zane, even in the smallest ways. You can’t just throw punches because you’re mad or frustrated. That’s not how you solve things. You’ve got to figure out a better way to handle your emotions.”Her words hit Zane like a ton of bricks, each sinking in deeper than the last. The anger bubbling inside him, fueling the fight, suddenly felt small and insignificant. It drained out of him, leaving a heavy mixture of shame and regret. He glanced up at her, his eyes unsure, his voice hesitant.“I… I didn’t mean to—”“Enough,” Ms. Bella interrupted, her voice steady but commanding, cutting through h
Xavier stood in the narrow hallway of the apartment building, his eyes tracing the worn, faded carpet beneath his feet as he glanced over at Logan. The silence between them was thick, laden with the weight of what had brought them here. Xavier had to get Thomas out of jail without a trial, and he had to do this for the sake of his reputation and name.He exhaled sharply, shoving down his emotions and focusing on the task at hand.Turning toward Logan, his voice was low but steady.“What are their names?”Logan’s gaze flickered to the door in front of them, then back to Xavier.“Kenji Lee Wong and Mei Lee Wong. Husband and wife. Been living here for two years.”Xavier nodded slowly, absorbing the information. His father’s actions had created a ripple effect that now reached the very door in front of him, a door that hid the lives of two people irrevocably altered by a drunk man’s mistake. The anger, sorrow, and regret building up inside him were nothing compared to what Kenji and Mei m
“I don’t expect you to forgive me,” Xavier said, his voice trembling slightly with the weight of remorse that had been gnawing at him since the moment he’d walked through their door. His gaze faltered briefly before meeting Mei’s hardened eyes once more.“I can’t change what happened,” he continued, his tone carrying the quiet desperation of a man who knew he could never undo the damage. “But I want to make it right. I know my father’s actions have caused irreparable harm, and I know no apology can ever be enough. But I want to offer you something in return. If you drop the case, I can provide financial compensation. A sum that might help ease the burden—”Before he could finish, Mei’s expression twisted into something sharp, raw, and unrelenting. Slowly, she pushed herself up from the couch, her movements careful and deliberate as her injured arm reminded her of its presence. Xavier’s heart clenched at the sight of her pain, a visible and constant reminder of the harm his father had
The soft, flickering glow of the fireplace cast long, wavering shadows on the walls of Harold Maverick’s study. The firelight reflected off the polished wood surfaces, including the grand mahogany desk that stood in the center of the room like a fortress.Harold sat behind it, his fingers drumming lightly on the arms of his chair in a slow, steady rhythm. His eyes were fixed on the fire, but his mind was far from the warm glow. The hour had come—the hour when he could finally take the first steps toward dismantling Xavier Donovan. This wasn’t just a business move or a simple tactic; it was personal. Xavier had no idea what was coming for him.The door to the study creaked open, breaking the silence that hung in the room like a heavy curtain. In stepped Liam Shawn, Harold’s trusted manager. Liam exuded a quiet, efficient air, his sharp suit and well-groomed appearance a perfect reflection of his no-nonsense attitude. He closed the door softly behind him and walked across the room with
Harold’s eyes gleamed with a predatory satisfaction, his plans already taking shape in his mind. He wasn’t done yet. "Get the media involved," he said, his words deliberate and laced with control."Reach out to the right channels. Make sure the social media houses, the gossip blogs, and the news outlets all start writing against Xavier and his father. We need to twist the narrative and make Xavier look like the villain. Paint Calla as a victim, trapped in their web of lies and corruption. I want her story to be seen by everyone, and I want Xavier to take the full brunt of it."Liam’s nod was quick and firm. “I’ll make sure the right people are involved. It’ll be handled.”"Good," Harold said, the finality of his words cutting through the air."Make them suffer. Every last one of them. And when it’s over, when Xavier is standing in the ruins of his own life, he’ll know it was me who brought him down."As Liam turned to leave, the door creaked open once more, this time revealing Jessica
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