Xavier paced back and forth in his cabin, the weight of anxiety pressing down on him. Stuck on the cruise, with no way to reach Calla directly, an idea suddenly hit him.“I’ll call Dad. He’d know where she is,” Xavier thought, grabbing his phone. Despite their complicated relationship, his father, Thomas Donovan, had always been closer to Calla. Unlike him, Dad actually showed her love—though that affection never seemed to extend to Xavier. Their relationship was nothing but rocky, strained by years of bitterness and neglect.He dialed his father’s number, anxiety making his fingers move faster than his thoughts. The phone rang… and rang… and rang. No answer.“Come on, pick up,” Xavier muttered under his breath, frustration starting to build. He tried again, gripping his phone so hard his knuckles turned white.On the fifth attempt, Thomas finally picked up, his voice rough and annoyed. “What do you want, Xavier?” His words were slightly slurred—no surprise there.Xavier didn’t waste
“Calla, you’ll stay with Dad until I get back,” Xavier said as he stepped into the dining hall of the cruise ship.“But what’s going on?” Calla asked, her curiosity piqued.“I’ll explain when I’m back,” he replied, scanning the room.“Don’t leave me in suspense,” Calla tried, hoping to persuade him to spill the reason he was so insistent that she stay at her dad’s place.“Calla, I’ve told you—you’re not leaving Dad’s. I’m not asking you to stay long. I’ll be back in a day, and we’ll talk then.” Xavier’s tone grew serious. Before she could argue, he ended the call.He set the phone down on the table, the soft murmur of voices and the scent of fresh croissants and coffee filling the air. After talking to Calla, the tension and frustration that had been weighing him down eased. Knowing she was safe made him feel lighter.Now, he just wanted to savor these last few hours before the ship docked tomorrow. It was his final day of peace before diving back into the chaos of work. As he headed
Xavier Donovan stirred awake to the distant sound of the cruise ship’s horn, signaling they were approaching land.'Guess the vacation’s over,' he muttered to himself, staying in bed a moment longer.He glanced toward the small round window, where rays of sunlight streamed through. 'What time is it?' he wondered, reaching for his phone—10:30 a.m. 'Great, I overslept.'Running a hand through his messy hair, Xavier sighed. The cruise would be docking soon, and with it came the end of his brief escape. He sat up, taking in the sight of his half-packed luggage. The realization hit him hard: the lazy mornings, the laughter, and the blissful quiet of being away from constant meetings and phone calls were over. He’d be back to his hectic life as a billionaire businessman in no time.He dragged himself to the bathroom, splashed water on his face, and got ready to leave the ship. “Alright, I guess I’m ready,” he said, eyeing his reflection in the mirror before stepping out.Xavier stared at hi
Zane looked up at Xavier, red-rimmed eyes filled with tears, his lip trembling.“Aunt Leila… she packed our things this morning and told us to be ready,” he started, his voice cracking slightly.“Then she got mad at us. She never gets mad at us.”Alana, clinging tightly to her brother’s arm, nodded in agreement, her tear-streaked face pale.“She never yells, even when we make trouble,” she whispered, barely audible.“But today, she was different—really upset. She started talking to us about all these things we didn’t understand, then asked about the letter she gave Zane yesterday.”Xavier’s heart began to pound, a strange unease settling over him. He didn’t like where this conversation was heading. His mind flashed back to last night when he overheard Leila speaking to the twins and saw her handing Zane a piece of paper.“She gave me this letter yesterday and told me to keep it safe.” Zane reached into his small backpack and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.“This morning, after p
“Sir, the situation’s complicated,” Steffen said tensely, glancing at Zane and Alana, who had become a burden to everyone around.Xavier Donovan heard the cruise manager’s words but stood frozen, tension thick in the air. His eyes darted between the tear-streaked faces of Zane and Alana and Steffen, who was wringing his hands. Disbelief and fury simmered beneath Xavier’s calm exterior, threatening to break free.“I don’t care… These aren’t my kids, so I’m not responsible for them,” Xavier said, his voice low and dangerous, barely containing his anger. “Someone must’ve played a prank on all of us.”The twins, clutching each other’s hands, stared up at him, wide-eyed and trembling. Zane, wiping away a tear, opened his mouth to say something, but no words came. Alana buried her face in her brother’s shoulder, her lower lip quivering. They were too young to understand everything, but they knew one thing: this man, who their aunt had claimed was their father, was rejecting them just like s
Xavier sat in the back seat of a cab, instructing the driver to head to the airport. Zane and Alana were beside him, looking visibly terrified. He glanced at their faces, and every instinct screamed at him to leave them behind, to walk away and pretend this strange, unwelcome responsibility had never landed in his lap.As he wondered how he got dragged into this mess, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He reached for it, curious about the unknown number flashing on the screen.“What now?” he thought as he opened the message.His heart raced, and blood drained from his face as he read it:“You think she’s safe with your drunken dad? You cannot keep her protected anymore.”Xavier’s grip tightened around the phone as he stared at the message, his mind going blank for a moment. He knew Calla was in danger, and he had to reach her as quickly as possible.“Dammit,” he muttered, closing his eyes briefly. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not when he was stuck here with someone else’s kids an
“So, I’m finally back,” Xavier muttered under his breath, standing at the front door of his father’s house in Texas. His jaw was clenched, tension radiating off him.“This place needs some serious work,” he thought as he looked over the weathered, worn-out house.Behind him, Zane and Alana stood quietly, beginning to shake off the shock of being dropped off by their Aunt Leila. Alana, curious as always, was trying to peer inside a large, dusty wooden planter that had once been used for flowers.Out of the corner of his eye, Xavier caught her small act of exploration, and his frustration bubbled over.“Alana!” he snapped, his tone sharp. “Don’t touch anything. Just stand still and be quiet.”Alana jumped back, quickly clutching Zane’s hand and standing close.Just then, the door creaked open, and Calla appeared in the doorway. Her face lit up the moment she saw Xavier. Without a second thought, she rushed forward and hugged him tight.“I missed you,” she said softly, though her voice h
Xavier stood in the middle of the living room, arms crossed, waiting for Calla to grab her things.“You can sit down,” Thomas said, looking over at him.“I don’t need to,” Xavier snapped.“Fine, go to hell with all your pride and arrogance,” Thomas muttered, taking a big gulp of his drink.Xavier jerked his head at the words. The air in the house felt thick, weighed down by years of unresolved tension. The place hadn’t changed much—the old furniture, the faint smell of cigars, the creak of the wooden floorboards—it all felt like a time capsule he’d long since tried to escape. Once built by Thomas’s parents, this house now felt more like a tomb of forgotten memories than a home.Suddenly, Thomas started coughing, catching Xavier’s attention. He looked over, unable to resist saying, “You should quit for your own good.”Thomas took another swig and, recovering from his cough, replied, “Don’t lecture me.”Xavier knew better than to press further. Instead, he glanced at his watch. “Calla,
The sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows in the hallway as Harold paced anxiously back and forth. The news his manager had given him was like a blow to the gut, but it wasn’t just the shock of hearing it that made his heart race—it was the cold, heavy realization that things were spiraling out of control with Drake. Again."He's at it again," his manager had said over the phone."Caught him in bed with a call girl. You might want to come down here."Harold's blood had run cold at those words, but there was no time to hesitate. His son—his only son—was in trouble again, and this time, Harold wasn’t about to stand by and let him destroy what little he had left. He had given Drake so many chances, watched him struggle with addiction, tried to help him find a way out, but each time, it seemed like his son was determined to fall back into the same dangerous patterns.He didn’t bother to knock when he arrived at Drake's penthouse apartment. He’d spent too much time
The air inside the villa was thick with the familiar tension that had lingered for days, a constant reminder of the chaos her life had become. Calla sat on the couch, her knees pulled close to her chest, a warm cup of tea resting forgotten in her hands. The soft buzz of her phone broke the stillness, and she picked it up without a second thought, her heart lightening as she saw the name on the screen.It was Xavier. The sound of his voice always had a calming effect on her, and after the events of the past few days, she desperately needed that calm.“Hey, Xavier,” she said softly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she answered the call.“Hey, Calla,” Xavier’s voice came through, warm and comforting.“How are you doing? I’ve been thinking about you.”“I’m okay, just… tired,” Calla replied, sinking back into the cushions, her voice quieter now.“Why you didn't come home to see dad.. he was asking about you.” Xavier asked.“I was busy with other stuff here with Drake,”
The warm afternoon sun filtered through the tall trees lining the golf course, casting long shadows over the green grass. The sound of distant chatter, the sharp crack of golf balls being hit, and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze filled the air. Xavier sat on a low chair in the golf club’s outdoor seating area, a half-drunk glass of whiskey in front of him. His fingers drummed nervously on the glass, the ice cubes clinking together in a constant rhythm as if reflecting his inner turmoil.Logan sat across from him, arms casually crossed, his gaze fixed on Xavier. He had been quietly observing his friend, knowing that something was weighing heavily on him. Xavier had been distant lately, withdrawn, and Logan could tell that today, something had snapped.Xavier leaned back in the chair, letting out a heavy sigh as he looked up at the cloudless sky.“I just don’t get it, Logan,” he muttered, his voice laced with frustration.“It’s like Ember just... doesn’t get it. She keeps push
The sun shone brightly on the mansion as its grand facade cast long shadows over the perfectly manicured lawn. Inside, there was an unsettling quiet in the air, the kind that often precedes a storm. Xavier was sitting in the large living room, staring out of the window, his thoughts tangled and heavy. The events of the past few days—the dance at Ember’s party, the strange discomfort he felt seeing David so close to Bella—had left him disoriented. He couldn’t make sense of it, and every time he tried to, a knot of unease tightened in his chest.The doorbell rang, and Xavier’s pulse quickened. He didn’t have to look to know who it was. It had to be Ember. The sound of her high heels on the marble floors was unmistakable. A moment later, Ember walked into the living room, her expression fierce, her body radiating a quiet anger. And with her, stood David Miller.David, as usual, wore his cocky grin, the kind that never seemed to reach his eyes. But his eyes, as always, were glued to Bella
The atmosphere in Ember's grand ballroom was vibrant, almost electric with energy. The hall gleamed with golden chandeliers hanging above, reflecting the soft light onto the guests below. The room was filled with high society members, dressed in their finest designer clothes, creating a sea of shimmering fabrics and tailored suits. Music played softly in the background, the hum of conversation mixing with laughter and the clinking of champagne glasses.Bella entered the hall, her simple, modest dress standing in stark contrast to the opulence around her. She felt out of place for a brief moment, but she reminded herself why she was here—Ember had invited her, and although it felt like a trap, there was a part of Bella that hoped this could be a step toward reconciliation. Ember had called her earlier, apologizing profusely for her past behavior and asking her to come as a guest of honor to her birthday party."I just want to make things right, Bella," Ember had said."I want to start
The gentle hum of conversation filled the restaurant, mingling with the clinking of glass and silverware. The warm light of the late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the outdoor seating area, where Xavier and Bella sat together, enjoying a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of their lives. Zane and Alana had finished their ice creams and were happily talking about their plans for the rest of the day. It was a tranquil moment, one Xavier hadn't realized how badly he needed—until Ember walked in.Ember entered with her friends, her laughter ringing through the restaurant, but it quickly fell silent as her gaze landed on the table where Xavier and Bella sat with Zane and Alana. For a split second, her face tightened, and an unsettling feeling crept up her spine. She hadn’t expected to see them together, especially not in this setting, so open and public. Ember’s steps faltered, and her friends noticed the sudden shift in her demeanor.“Oh my God, Ember, look,” one of her friends
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 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 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