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 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 air in the room felt thick with the weight of unsaid words as Logan stepped into the dimly lit space, his eyes immediately falling on Thomas. The older man sat slouched in a chair, his frail form barely recognizable under the covers. His eyes dull, clouded with the harsh reality of his illness. His skin had taken on a grayish hue, and the usually sharp lines of his face had softened with age and suffering. Logan felt his heart tighten at the sight. He had known Thomas for years, seen him as a figure of strength and power, but now, he looked like a shadow of the man he once was."Thomas," Logan began softly, walking towards him and placing a hand on the older man’s shoulder."How are you holding up today?"Thomas chuckled bitterly, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet room. "Holding up?" he rasped, his voice weak. "You can’t hold up when death is knocking at your door."Logan’s heart sank as he watched Thomas struggle to sit up a little straighter. The toll of the chemotherapy
The evening was calm at the mansion, with the distant hum of the city and the quiet rustling of leaves outside the window. Xavier sat in his study, reviewing the latest documents for an ongoing project, his mind still tangled in the complexities of his personal life. He had been doing his best to balance everything—his responsibilities to Zane and Alana, his strained relationship with Ember, and his feelings for Bella. It felt like a constant juggling act, and just as he thought he might find some peace, his phone buzzed on the desk, interrupting his thoughts.Xavier glanced at the screen and saw Leila’s name.“Hello?” Xavier’s voice was plain.“Xavier,” Leila’s voice came through, calm but tinged with an emotion he couldn’t quite place.“I’m in California. I wanted to see Zane and Alana. Can you bring them to me?”Xavier’s breath caught for a moment, and his mind raced. He hadn’t told Zane and Alana yet. He had been so caught up in other things that he had let that detail slip. But n
The grand mansion stood quietly, with the faint hum of the heating system and the soft creak of wooden floors underfoot. The house was at peace, at least on the surface. The staff was diligently going about their duties, and Xavier was still at work, locked away in his study, as usual. But in the grand living room, the usual peace was disturbed by the mischievous energy of Zane and Alana, who were deep into a game of tag, laughing and running circles around the furniture.Meanwhile, a shadow appeared at the front door. It was Jacob and his eyes scanning the space. He caught sight of the house help and waved her off, muttering a dismissive“I’ll take care of things from here.” He watched the staff member nod and leave, her footsteps echoing down the hallway as she made her way out of sight.As the house fell silent again, Jacob’s eyes quickly shifted toward Zane and Alana. He could feel the anger simmering beneath his skin, the bitterness that had been building since his last failed at
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow across the garden outside the mansion. The air was still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the trees. Inside the house, the living room felt unusually quiet. The sounds of the children’s laughter and playful energy had vanished when Logan had taken Zane and Alana out for the promised outing. Bella, for the first time in what felt like a long while, was alone.Jacob had gone back and Bella couldn’t shake the unease in her heart. The conversation she had had with Jacob lingered in her mind, the cruel words he had spoken still echoing in the back of her mind. His presence was like a dark shadow, and even though he was gone, Bella knew it wouldn’t be the last time he tried to make his way back into their lives.Calla came out of Thomas room and sat down on a sofa. She looked over at Bella, her young face still carrying a mix of confusion and concern.“Bella,” Calla began softly, her voice hesitant.“How did you gather so m
The atmosphere in the car was electric with excitement. Zane and Alana sat in the backseat, both of them chattering non-stop as Xavier drove, with Bella sitting beside him, her eyes occasionally flicking to the rearview mirror to catch glimpses of their children’s eager faces. They didn’t know what the surprise was, but Xavier and Bella had promised it would be something special, and the kids’ curiosity was piqued.“I bet it’s a new game!” Zane said, his voice filled with anticipation.“Or maybe a trip to the amusement park!” Alana chimed in, her eyes wide with excitement.“I hope it’s a giant ice cream sundae!”Xavier chuckled softly, glancing at Bella, who offered a gentle smile in return. “You’ll see soon enough,” he said, his voice carrying an air of mystery that only added to their excitement.“We’ll see when we get there,” Bella added, her hand resting on the dashboard, her gaze distant for a moment as she thought about the surprise that awaited.The restaurant they arrived at w
The warm evening air wrapped around Xavier and Bella as they sat together at the outdoor seating area of the restaurant, the sounds of laughter and conversation floating from the dining hall where Zane and Alana were with Leila. Their joy was palpable, and Xavier couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his children enjoying themselves with their aunt. But as his gaze shifted, he couldn’t ignore the tension he felt in the air between himself and Bella.He looked at her, the soft glow of the setting sun catching her features, making her look more beautiful than ever. Her eyes, though, seemed distant, lost in thought. He could see the way she clenched her hands on the table, as though bracing herself for something."You know," Xavier began, his voice hesitant,"you’ve got your U.S. residency visa now. No one can deport you."Bella's face softened, and a small, genuine smile appeared on her lips.“Thank you, Xavier,” she said quietly, her voice full of gratitude. It was a simple acknowled
The evening sky was painted in breathtaking hues of orange, pink, and soft gold as the sun dipped lower toward the horizon, casting a warm glow across the tranquil beach. The vast canvas above them looked like something out of a dream—streaks of color melting into each other as if the heavens themselves were sighing in contentment. The ocean responded with grace, its waves dancing rhythmically to the quiet lullaby of the wind, their foam-tipped crests glowing beneath the fading light.A gentle, salty breeze rolled off the water, brushing against Bella’s skin like a whispered caress, tousling her hair and kissing her cheeks. She stood barefoot, toes curled slightly into the cool, soft sand, her heart full and yet still not quite ready to believe the peace that now wrapped itself around her like a blanket. It felt surreal—like standing inside a moment suspended in time, one she never wanted to end.She glanced to her side and found Xavier there, his tall frame motionless yet somehow anc
The journey back home from the hospital felt surreal for Bella. Everything she’d been through—the pain, the fear, the moments when hope felt like a fragile thread—lingered in her chest like shadows. But now, as she stepped through the familiar doorway of her home, the scent of lavender and vanilla greeted her like a long-lost friend. A wave of warmth and safety wrapped around her like a soft blanket, and for the first time in weeks, her shoulders relaxed.She was finally home.Before she could take another step, two small bodies rushed toward her, wrapping her in tight, desperate embraces."Mommy!" Zane cried, his voice trembling with joy as he buried his face against her stomach. His little arms clung to her as though he was afraid she might disappear again."We missed you so much!" Alana added, her voice catching with emotion as she clung to Bella’s arm, her cheek pressed tightly against her mother's sleeve.Tears spilled freely from Bella’s eyes. She knelt slowly, her body still te
A soft beeping echoed in the hospital room. The first thing Bella felt was warmth—her body felt light, her mind hazy as if she had been floating in darkness for a long time. She blinked slowly, her eyelashes fluttering as the world came back into focus. The sterile white walls, the dim glow of the bedside lamp, the faint scent of antiseptic… she was still in the hospital.Her throat was dry, and her body ached, but when she shifted slightly, she realized—she was awake.A soft gasp escaped her lips as she registered the sound of footsteps rushing toward her. The next second, she felt a warm, strong hand grasping hers.“Bella…?”She turned her head toward the familiar voice, and her gaze met Xavier’s. He was standing beside her bed, his dark eyes filled with a storm of emotions—relief, joy, pain, and something deeper, something raw and unguarded.Tears welled in Bella’s eyes as she whispered, “Xavier…?”He exhaled a shaky breath, his hand squeezing hers tightly as if afraid she would di
The hospital room was shrouded in a heavy silence, broken only by the steady, rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor that echoed like a soft heartbeat in the otherwise lifeless space. The sterile scent of antiseptic clung to the air, mixing with the sterile chill that only hospitals seemed to possess. Outside the window, the city lights flickered like distant stars, indifferent to the quiet war of emotions unfolding inside.Xavier sat slumped in the chair beside the bed, his broad frame hunched forward as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. His fingers trembled slightly as they traced slow, tender circles on the back of Bella’s hand, which felt cold and fragile in his grasp. Her skin, once warm and full of life, now looked ghostly against the clinical white sheets. Her chest rose and fell in small, barely noticeable breaths—each one a silent thread tethering her to life.He stared at her face for a long time, memorizing every detail—the gentle curve of her cheek, the wa
Calla lay in the hospital bed, her body still sore from the wounds Drake had inflicted upon her. The sterile scent of antiseptics filled the air, and the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor echoed softly in the quiet room. Though her body ached, her heart felt lighter. She was safe now.Harold admitted her here. She knew he saved her—not out of love or guilt, but to prevent yet another crime from being added to Drake’s list. Although he wanted to take her to Xavier, Calla's rough condition and rotting wounds forced him to take her to a hospital for first aid.After getting admitted in hospital, Harold asked her where she wanted to go and to whom he should call. As he had to leave. Then Calla called Xavier and the staff at the mansion told her that he was already in the hospital.The staff also told her that Bella underwent a cesarean and she was in a coma.She knew it wasn't the right time to Calla Xavier. So, she called Logan instead and asked Harold to leave and let Logan take car
The cold hospital walls closed in on Xavier as he stood outside the operation theater, his heart pounding violently in his chest. The long, agonizing wait made every second stretch endlessly, filling the air with suffocating dread. His fists clenched as he paced the hallway, his mind racing with prayers and fears.Finally, the door swung open, and Bella’s gynecologist stepped out, her expression heavy with exhaustion and concern. She removed her surgical mask and exhaled before speaking.“Mr. Xavier, the surgery was complicated.” Her voice was calm yet filled with an underlying gravity that made Xavier’s stomach drop.He swallowed hard. “Is Bella…?” His voice cracked, unable to finish the question.The doctor gave him a reassuring yet solemn look. “She has given birth to a baby boy.”For a moment, the world stood still. A son. His son. The weight of those words pressed down on his chest like an invisible force.But before relief could settle, the doctor continued.“However, there were
The heavy sound of boots stomping across the marble floor sent a chill down Jessica’s spine. She turned around sharply, her breath catching in her throat as she saw him—Drake.He stood in the doorway, his clothes disheveled, his hair a mess, and his face twisted with rage. His eyes were bloodshot, and his grip on the gun in his hand was firm.Jessica felt the blood drain from her face. "Drake, what are you doing here? The police are looking for you!"Drake ignored her. His furious gaze was locked on Harold. His father stood in the center of the living room, his expression tense but composed."You let her go!" Drake snarled, stepping closer, his hands trembling around the gun. "You betrayed me, Dad! You helped that traitor escape!"Harold exhaled slowly, his heart pounding. "I did what I had to do, Drake."Drake let out a bitter laugh. "You HAD to do it? You HAD to betray your own son?" His voice cracked with hysteria. "Do you even realize what you've done? That woman ruined everything
The apartment reeked of stale alcohol and the acrid sting of cigarette smoke, a suffocating blend that clung to the peeling wallpaper and worn carpet. Dim, flickering light from the streetlamp outside seeped in through the dusty blinds, casting long, distorted shadows across the cramped room like silent ghosts. The air was thick—heavy with despair.Harold stepped in cautiously, the floorboards creaking beneath his weight. His chest tightened, every breath catching like a stone lodged in his throat. A gnawing dread coiled in his stomach.There, sprawled out on the tattered, sweat-stained sofa, lay Drake—motionless but alive. His chest rose and fell in shallow, erratic breaths. One arm dangled limply over the edge, fingers barely touching the half-empty bottle of whiskey resting against the floor. His eyes were open but glazed over, pupils dilated like black holes, and his pale face was slick with sweat. The stench of vomit and intoxication clung to him like a second skin.Harold’s eyes
Xavier burst into the hospital, shouting for a doctor, his voice hoarse with desperation and fear. His heart pounded like a war drum in his chest, his breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps as he clutched Bella tightly in his arms.A team of nurses immediately rushed to them, urgency etched into every movement. They swiftly guided him toward a gurney, gently easing Bella from his arms. The moment his hands let go of her, a hollow ache opened in his chest. He hated the distance, even if it was just a few feet.“Please—please help her,” he whispered, but the nurses were already at work, checking her vitals, lifting her limp body with clinical precision. Her face was pale as snow, lips tinged with blue, blood staining her nightgown like a warning.He stood frozen as they wheeled her away, the sound of squeaking wheels echoing in the sterile corridor like gunshots. The air around him felt too bright, too white, too loud. Everything blurred at the edges.The gynecologist, Dr. Hayes, arrived