Calla stood among her friends, their laughter weaving through the air like a familiar song. They were chatting about their lives, about the little things that didnât matter much but seemed to fill the gaps in their days.On the surface, everything felt lighthearted and carefree, their voices blending into the hum of the bustling cafÃĐ. But while Calla smiled and nodded along, only half-listening, a part of her mind wandered elsewhere, unable to fully engage with the moment.Her thoughts were tangled up in the storm waiting for her at home. She couldnât stop thinking about the growing distance between her and Xavierâthe unspoken tension that seemed to hang in the air whenever they were together. Then there was the chaos caused by Zane and Alana, who always seemed to bring disorder wherever they went, stirring up trouble like it was second nature. And, of course, there was Drake.The thought of him made her stomach twist into knots. She couldnât shake the image of him sitting alone in th
Xavier had walked for several blocks, his mind consumed with thoughts of Zane and Alanaâs troublesome behavior, the uncertainty of their future, and the overwhelming responsibility that weighed heavily on his shoulders.His visit to the school had been unfruitful, and the confrontation with Bella Abram earlier had only reinforced his belief that she wasnât going to help him with his children.Still, the idea of herâher calming presence, the connection she had forged with his children, and the promise of her wisdomâlingered in his mind. He needed someone like her. He couldnât manage it on his own, and if she would just agree to be there for Zane and Alana, perhaps they could finally find some peace.So, he decided to go to her apartment, to give it one last shot.Xavier stood in front of the apartment door, knocking with a firm but respectful rap. The door swung open, and Bella's face immediately softened with surprise, though a hint of irritation flickered in her eyes. Before she coul
The hum of the busy cafÃĐ enveloped Xavier and Logan, the cacophony of conversations blending with the clinking of cups and plates. It was the kind of place where people gathered to catch up, to share stories, or simply to escape the demands of their day-to-day lives. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint scent of baked goods.Xavier sat stiffly in his chair, his hands wrapped around a steaming cup of black coffee. His posture was uncharacteristically tense, and his eyes remained fixed on the swirling liquid inside the ceramic mug.Around them, the cafÃĐ bustled with activityâbaristas called out drink orders, groups of friends laughed loudly at a corner table, and couples leaned in close, lost in private conversations. But none of it seemed to register with Xavier. His thoughts were elsewhere, consumed by a woman who had unexpectedlyâand irrevocablyâwoven herself into his life.Logan, seated across the table, observed the scene with his usual
The night buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the steady beat of music that seemed to vibrate through the floorboards, reverberating in Callaâs chest as she stepped into the glamorous chaos. Tanyaâs penthouse was everything one would expect from a woman who ruled social media and mingled effortlessly with the eliteâa dazzling spectacle of wealth and indulgence.The room glittered with crystal chandeliers, sleek modern furniture, and a sea of impeccably dressed guests, each holding a glass of champagne or a cocktail as they floated from conversation to conversation. Tanya, the ultimate social butterfly and global influencer, had once again outdone herself with one of her legendary parties. The glitz, the glamourâit was magnetic, impossible to resist.As Calla stepped further into the room, she was met with polite nods and a few smiles from familiar faces in the crowd, but none of it really registered. Her attention had already locked onto one person. The noise around her seemed to fade,
"Because I knew he wouldnât understand. He doesnât understand why Iâm here with you, Drake. And I didnât want to explain it. Not right now."Drake nodded slowly, his eyes darkening with an emotion that seemed to ripple through the very air around them. The weight of his feelings was almost palpable, like a storm gathering on the horizon, threatening to engulf them both."Iâve already told you, Calla. Xavier doesnât understand our love. Heâs toxic for you." His words were blunt, each syllable landing with a sharp precision that made Callaâs heart jolt. For her, those words carried a truth she couldnât entirely ignoreâa truth that resonated somewhere deep within her, even though she tried to suppress it.These days, she had been finding herself thinking that way about her brother too, questioning things she never thought sheâd question. But she could never say it aloud. Not in front of Drake. Not in front of anyone.So, Calla shook her head, her defenses rising instinctively, like walls
The night had unfolded like a slow, intoxicating burn, taking them both by surprise. Xavier had always prided himself on his control, keeping his emotions firmly in check, never allowing the world to overtake him. But EmberâEmber had a way of slipping past his defenses, of making him forget everything else in the world. She was a force, drawing him in without even trying, and he was helpless against it.The room, dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp, felt like their own private universe. Shadows danced on the walls, responding to the rhythm of their bodies, swaying as they moved in a fluid, hypnotic harmony.Each touch was electric, each kiss a silent promise of more. Their movements were slow, deliberate, as though they were savoring every second of the connection, the heat between them building with every passing moment.Emberâs fingers traced the sculpted lines of his chest, her touch so light it sent sparks of electricity racing beneath his skin. Her eyesâthose deep, dar
The soft, golden rays of the morning sun slipped through the curtains, casting a warm, amber glow over the room. The gentle light illuminated the space, creating a peaceful contrast to the chaos that often surrounded Xavierâs life.He lay in the warmth of his bed, his body still cocooned in a sense of calm. As the remnants of sleep clung to his mind, he let out a slow, contented sigh and turned his head to the side.There she wasâEmber. Her serene face was partially buried in the pillow, her dark, silky hair fanned out like an intricate tapestry against the white fabric. She looked so peaceful, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm that matched the calm he felt, if only for a fleeting moment.A soft smile tugged at Xavierâs lips, an unfamiliar tenderness swelling in his chest. It wasnât often that he allowed himself to bask in moments like this. Slowly, carefully, he leaned over, his lips brushing against the delicate curve of her neck in a kiss so gentle it was barely a whi
The heavy wooden doors of Xavierâs mansion slammed shut behind him as he stormed into the foyer, Zane and Alana trailing nervously in his wake. His jaw was clenched, his fists tight at his sides. The raw anger radiated off him like an electric charge, thick enough to feel.He barely registered Calla and Logan sitting in the living room until he threw his coat and phone onto the sofa with a sharp, furious grunt.Zane, ever the defiant one, shoved his hands deep into his pockets, his eyes filled with discomfort, but his stance never wavered. Alana, on the other hand, looked ready to break, her small shoulders trembling as tears streaked down her cheeks. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, thick with tension and unspoken words.Logan was the first to speak, his gaze flicking between Xavier and the children, his voice calm but laced with concern. "What happened?" he asked.Xavier took a long, shuddering breath, trying to rein in the storm inside him, but it was clear the pressure was to
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 Xavierâs life through Drakeâs 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 familyâhis childrenâwere 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 crowdâDrake. 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 thoughtsâabout 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 wasnât sure what kind of news he wanted to hear. He only knew that this manâthis strangerâwas 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."Iâve 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 Xavierâs 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 dayâtoo many worries piling on top of each otherâand still, he couldnât shake the feeling of being trapped in a maze he couldnât 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 Bellaâs 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 Bellaâs face. There was no judgment in her gazeâjust 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 Xavierâs every move."Are you going to call him?" Logan asked, his voice low but firm. "You canât 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 childrenâno 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 Xavierâs 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. "Itâs 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 Xavierâs 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 driverâs seat, his usual stoic expression giving nothing away. âWeâre here,â he said, but his voice lacked warmth.Bella didnât 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 memoriesâsome 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.âBella!â Zaneâs voice cracked as he threw himself into her arms.âBella, you came back!â Alana sobbed, clinging to Bellaâs 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 wasâDrake, 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. âCalla,â he slurred, his voice rough. âCome to bed with me.âCalla didnât 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.âNo, Drake,â she said quietly, her voice firm, unwavering. âIâm not going anywhere with you.âDrakeâs 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