The words hung in the air like a bombshell, the shock of them rattling Xavier to his core. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his frustration building with each passing second. He wanted to scream, to grab Zane and Alana by the shoulders and shake some sense into them.What the hell had they been thinking, blurting out the truth—no, their version of the truth—in front of Mrs. Jennifer Mason? He could feel the weight of their careless words pressing down on him, the panic rising in his chest.But no matter how much he wanted to lash out, Xavier knew it was too late. The damage was done. His lips curled into a tight, forced smile, the kind of smile that didn’t reach his eyes, and that he hoped would mask the storm brewing inside him.“Right,” Mrs. Jennifer Mason said, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.“Your dad? How wonderful! But I’m curious... how did you suddenly become the father of two older kids?” Her voice was sweet, but there was a sharp edge to it, as though she was
“I don’t know how I’ll manage ten days without my laptop and the internet,” Xavier muttered to himself, stepping onto the cruise ship. His custom-made Italian leather shoes, polished to a high gloss, clicked against the gleaming deck.'But you’ve got to do this, Xavier. For your health. No more sleeping pills.' He kept up a steady stream of self-talk as he walked, eyes scanning the horizon. 'You can handle this. Just ten days. No screens, no stress. Focus on the here and now.'Xavier had argued with his psychiatrist and childhood friend, Dr. Logan Pierce, suggesting he’d be better off on a private yacht where he could stay isolated. But Dr. Pierce had insisted that Xavier needed the social environment of a cruise. Xavier couldn’t understand why. To him, isolation was a luxury all its own, and he could afford the best—Ferraris, personal jets, everything money could buy.The ship’s deck stretched out before him in a stunning sweep of blue. The sky was a wide, clear canvas, with only a f
Another girl giggled, “Guess we’ve got ourselves a new pool toy.”Xavier’s eyes narrowed as he shot a glare at the girl who’d spoken. He then looked down at his drenched, perfectly tailored suit, frustration etched clearly on his face. The fabric clung uncomfortably to him, and he felt the chill of the water seeping through.One of the bikini-clad girls swam closer, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and amusement."Are you... okay?" she asked, biting her lip to keep from laughing. Her concern was undercut by the playful sparkle in her eyes.Another girl added from behind, "You know, you wear wet really well." Her tone was teasing, adding to Xavier’s growing irritation.Xavier gritted his teeth, ignoring the playful comments as he focused on getting out of the pool. "Fantastic," he muttered under his breath, clearly unimpressed by the spectacle he’d become.Xavier’s jaw tightened. His first instinct was to snap back, but as he glanced around, he saw the boy standing at the edge of t
Xavier stepped out onto the deck, the morning air crisp against his skin as the horizon stretched before him, bathed in shades of gold and pink. The soft light danced on the waves, creating a serene, picture-perfect morning.Yet, despite the beauty of the scene, Xavier remained unmoved.‘I shouldn’t have listened to Logan,’ Xavier thought bitterly as he gripped the railing, inhaling the fresh sea breeze. He wasn’t expecting much from this trip—it was a forced break, thrust upon him by his well-meaning friend. But already, it felt like a prison, surrounded by everything he loathed—families, kids, noise."What am I even doing here?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head.But as much as he hated to admit it, last night had been the first real sleep he’d had in weeks. Without the sleeping pills he’d grown dependent on, he’d slept through the night. ‘Maybe it was the spa,’ he thought, his mind wandering.“Hey… how’s it going?” A warm, inviting voice broke through his thoughts.He turned
With that, Xavier turned and headed toward the dining hall, eager to avoid any more distractions.Just as he entered the dining hall, he heard a whisper.“He’s the one I pushed into the pool,” came the whisper, followed by giggles.Xavier spun around, his irritation flaring as he spotted the same boy who had caused him so much trouble the previous day. His brow furrowed in annoyance. But he was taken aback to see two figures—an identical twin boy and girl—standing side by side, whispering and giggling.“Twins. Of course,” Xavier muttered to himself with a touch of sarcasm.He took a seat at a nearby table and let out a deep sigh, trying to calm himself.“Sir, what would you like to order?” a waiter asked, approaching Xavier with a polite smile.“I’ll have a black coffee and some croissants,” Xavier replied flatly, his mood still sour.The waiter nodded and left. A few minutes later, he returned with a tray holding a cup of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants.“Sir, do you need a
“I need that money you promised. I can’t get by without it, and now you’re unreachable.”Xavier's jaw clenched. He’d been expecting this, but it didn’t make it any easier.“Dad, you know this is my business. I’ve built it from the ground up. You’ve got nothing to do with it,” Xavier said, his voice tight. “You’re just after my money—again. I’ve worked my ass off, and all you do is spend it on booze and keep asking for more.”“You’re being selfish,” his father retorted. “I’ve got my problems, and I raised you. You owe me.”“I don’t owe you a damn thing,” Xavier shot back. “I’ve been bailing you out for years. If you want more money, you’re going to have to wait until I’m back. I’m done letting you run my life.”He could almost hear his father’s anger bubbling over the line. It gave Xavier a twisted sense of satisfaction.“I’m taking a break, and frankly, you could use one too—from drinking and being a leech. Stop draining your son for once,” Xavier said, his voice cold and unwavering.
“Xavier, you’re quite the dancer when you’re drunk,” Tina said with a hint of surprise in her voice, her breath warm against his ear.Xavier chuckled, the alcohol buzzing through his veins. “I didn’t know I could dance either… Honestly, I don’t even remember the last time I did.”The music thumped around them as Xavier moved closer to Tina, syncing his movements with hers. He’d lost track of how many vodka shots he’d had by now. Everything was a blur of lights, laughter, and bodies swaying to the beat. Tina’s friends were dancing nearby, but his focus was entirely on her.“You’re so handsome,” Tina said, her hand sliding over his muscular chest.Xavier heard the compliment and locked eyes with her. In the next instant, she grabbed his shirt and yanked him toward her. Before he could react, her lips were on his—fierce and intoxicating. For a moment, he froze, and then the alcohol took over.He kissed her back, harder, his hands slipping around her waist as the world around them faded a
Xavier woke up feeling refreshed as if he was finally finding himself again after ages. Surprisingly, it was the fourth day without internet, and he was enjoying the forced detox, courtesy of Logan. He was happy, wearing shorts, sunglasses, and a splash of perfume. He even found himself singing along to his favorite song—a rarity for him.Entering the dining hall for breakfast, he was momentarily startled by the noise of a kid. He turned, bracing himself for a possible encounter with the twins. To his relief, it wasn’t them.However, as he looked around, Xavier spotted the wild twin siblings already causing chaos near the buffet tables, bickering over something that involved a lot of arm-waving and loud voices. His mood soured instantly. He considered making a hasty retreat, thinking that perhaps it would be wiser to skip breakfast and avoid the dining hall altogether.Just as he was about to turn on his heel, a woman approached him with a warm, inviting smile.“Hey,” she greeted him.
The words hung in the air like a bombshell, the shock of them rattling Xavier to his core. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his frustration building with each passing second. He wanted to scream, to grab Zane and Alana by the shoulders and shake some sense into them.What the hell had they been thinking, blurting out the truth—no, their version of the truth—in front of Mrs. Jennifer Mason? He could feel the weight of their careless words pressing down on him, the panic rising in his chest.But no matter how much he wanted to lash out, Xavier knew it was too late. The damage was done. His lips curled into a tight, forced smile, the kind of smile that didn’t reach his eyes, and that he hoped would mask the storm brewing inside him.“Right,” Mrs. Jennifer Mason said, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.“Your dad? How wonderful! But I’m curious... how did you suddenly become the father of two older kids?” Her voice was sweet, but there was a sharp edge to it, as though she was
The sun hung high in the sky as Xavier pulled into the expansive parking lot of Kingsway Academy, an elite school known for its rigorous academic standards and its reputation for shaping the brightest minds. He glanced at the two children sitting quietly in the back seat, Zane and Alana.“Let’s keep them busy, so I can focus on Calla and convince her to leave for a while,” Xavier thought as he parked the car.He got out of the car and called out, “Come on, get out.”Zane nodded eagerly, while Alana remained quiet, her fingers absently tracing the hem of her dress.“Let’s go,” Xavier said, heading toward the entrance. The twins followed behind, their hands entwined as they navigated through the crowd of parents and students milling around.Inside, the school exuded sophistication, with gleaming marble floors and elegant decor that screamed wealth. Xavier approached the reception desk, where a woman in a sharp blazer greeted him with a warm smile.“Good morning! How can I help you?”“Hi
Xavier stormed into the house, his mind racing from the urgency of the call. The moment he crossed the threshold, the sound of laughter hit him like a tidal wave, echoing through the hallways.He followed the noise with quick strides, his chest tightening as he braced for whatever new disaster awaited him.Turning a corner, he found Zane and Alana standing outside the guest room, their young faces hidden behind masks, holding small spray bottles. As he got closer, a sharp, pungent smell hit his nostrils, stinging his eyes and burning his sinuses.“What are you two doing?” he demanded, his voice deep and authoritative, reverberating through the corridor.Zane and Alana froze for a moment, then exchanged mischievous glances. Xavier didn’t waste any time.He reached out, snatched the bottles from their hands, and tossed them aside. The smell was overpowering, and a sudden itch spread across his face.“What is this? What did you spray in here?” he barked, his tone firm and commanding.“No
“Sir, you need to come home immediately!” The voice on the other end of the line was frantic and trembling, bursting into the room like a gale-force wind. It was his housekeeper, but Xavier barely recognized her in her panic.“What’s going on?” he asked sharply, his brows knitting as he sat up straight, every muscle in his body instantly tense.“It’s the kids!” she exclaimed, her voice wobbling as though she were on the verge of tears. “They’ve locked us in a room, and they’re not letting us out!”Xavier’s confusion hardened into a frown. “What do you mean they’ve locked you in a room? How is that even possible?”“They tricked us into the study!” she explained in a rush, her words tumbling over each other. “They said they needed help with something. Then they slammed the door behind us and locked it! And now—” Her voice hitched, the next words coming out in a breathless gasp. “They’re pumping some kind of gas into the room. We can’t breathe! Please, sir, hurry!”For a moment, Xavier w
The dining hall of the hotel radiated elegance, its soft golden lights reflecting off the polished surfaces. Xavier swirled the last sip of red wine in his glass before draining it, the rich aroma of their meal still lingering in the air. He pushed his chair back deliberately and stood.“We should head out,” he said, his tone neutral but firm.“Yeah… we should,” Ember replied, standing gracefully. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she followed him toward the exit. The evening had been smooth, almost perfect, but Xavier’s thoughts churned beneath the surface, a storm of tension and unspoken worries.Outside, the crisp night air greeted them. Ember stepped closer, her perfume—a subtle, intoxicating blend of jasmine and vanilla—wafting between them. Her voice dipped into a softer, more seductive register.“Don’t you think we owe ourselves a little more time together?” she murmured, her fingers lightly brushing his arm. “I could see it in your eyes tonight—you were enjo
Xavier sat alone at the outdoor café, his fingers idly tracing the rim of his coffee cup. The late afternoon sun bathed the bustling street in a warm, golden light, while a light breeze tugged at the hem of his coat. Despite the postcard-perfect scene, his mind was anything but calm.He took a sip of his coffee, the bitterness doing little to drown out the storm of thoughts swirling in his head.Why did I ever think bringing them with me was a good idea? he thought, his jaw tightening.Zane and Alana… God knows what they’re up to back home.For what felt like the hundredth time since they’d moved in, he asked himself, Why did I think they'd be easy to handle? His life had been nothing but chaos ever since.Images of the two wreaking havoc at his estate flashed through his mind—shattering antiques, scaring the staff half to death. He ran a hand down his face and sighed."Calla was right," he muttered under his breath. "I should get them admitted to school. I’ll take them for admission
Xavier sat in his office, leaning back in his leather chair. Sunlight filtered through the blinds and cast long shadows across the desk. His mind was miles away, tangled in thoughts of Zane, Alana, and the chaos unraveling his life. He was drowning in uncertainty when his phone buzzed on the desk.He glanced at the caller ID: Logan.With a sigh, he picked up the phone.“Logan?”“Yeah, it’s me,” Logan’s voice came through, steady but tense.“Man, I did some digging. You were right… Drake’s out of jail.”Xavier felt his stomach drop. He’d been preparing for this, but hearing it confirmed made it all too real.“How?” His voice darkened, carrying a mix of anger and dread.“Good behavior, supposedly,” Logan said.“But you know it’s more than that. His father, Harold Maverick, definitely pulled some strings. That guy’s got influence everywhere. A few greased palms, the right calls made, and now Drake’s walking free, way before he should’ve been.”Xavier swore under his breath, his fists tig
Xavier paced the length of his study, his mind in turmoil. No matter how hard he tried to push it away, the fact was undeniable: Zane and Alana were his kids. The DNA test had made it crystal clear.Yet, the very idea of them being in his life filled him with unease. He’d built a world for himself that didn’t include the mess of parenthood, especially not kids who had been dropped into his life like a puzzle he couldn’t figure out.Who was their mother?When did I meet her?How the hell did I let this happen?And why the hell didn’t she come to me when she found out she was pregnant? His mind ran in circles, each question leading to more frustration.But he knew the answers lay in finding Leila. Once he tracked her down, he’d offer her a generous monthly allowance—enough to make sure Zane and Alana were taken care of. But they had to go back to her. He couldn’t keep them. The weight of parenthood, the reminders of choices he didn’t even remember making, was more than he could bear.Wi
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Thomas shot back, his voice dripping with disdain.“I’m better than you. At least I stuck around for my kids. I raised you and your sister, didn’t I? But you? You’ve abandoned your own kids, left them to fend for themselves like orphans.”Xavier’s hands curled into fists, his jaw tight. Calla, sensing the tension rising, quickly stepped between them.“Dad,” she said, voice firm, as she laid a hand on Thomas’s arm. “Let’s just take a step back. Not the time—”Thomas jerked his arm away, not breaking his stare at Xavier. “Yeah, it’s easy to point fingers, but it’s hard to face the truth about yourself, isn’t it?”“Dad, please…” Calla said, trying to move him.Thomas paused, staring at Xavier, and then, suddenly, his expression shifted, his posture going rigid. He took a sharp breath, as if realizing something. The shift was subtle, but chilling.“Okay, fine. I’m not here to trash talk your brother,” Thomas said, his tone now cold, calculating. He pointed at