The clock in Bella’s room ticked louder than usual in the quiet of the night. Its rhythmic sound seemed to echo in the silence, each second stretching longer than the last. She sat by the window, gazing out into the darkened night. The city lights below sparkled like tiny stars, but all Bella could see was the storm brewing inside her. She wasn’t looking at the world outside; she was lost in her thoughts, her heart heavy with emotions she could no longer ignore.Xavier.The man she was married to by a contract marriage. She knew exactly why they were bound by this contract. It wasn’t out of love, but out of necessity. Xavier needed a caretaker for his twins and she needed Xavier's support to get a residency visa to stay in the country. The urge to get a visa and the bond she had developed with Zane and Alana were the reason she had agreed to this arrangement in the first place. The reason she had stepped into this mansion and into this strange life.The life she thought she would lead
Xavier sat in his car, his fingers tapping restlessly on the steering wheel. He hadn’t heard from Ember all day, and the silence between them was unsettling. Ever since the argument they’d had over Bea, she hadn’t called or texted, and Xavier knew something was wrong. He had hoped the tension would dissipate, but it lingered like a shadow, stretching between them. He couldn’t stand it any longer. The weight of the unspoken words between them was suffocating, and he needed to do something—anything—to make it right.He had an idea.Pulling his phone from his pocket, he dialed Ember’s number. After a few rings, she answered, her voice cool and distant.“Xavier,” she said, a single word that conveyed everything—distance, disappointment, and a trace of anger.“Hey, Ember,” he said, trying to sound casual but knowing he couldn’t hide the concern in his voice. “I was thinking we could go out today. I’ll pick you up, and we could do something fun. What do you say?”There was a long pause on
The car hummed as Xavier drove through the busy city streets, his mind not entirely focused on the road ahead. He was on his way to the hospital with Logan, who had insisted on joining him to review Thomas’s latest blood reports. The silence between them was palpable, with Logan’s earlier words still echoing in Xavier’s mind.“Logan,” Xavier said, his voice tight with frustration. “Why did you have to say all that stuff in the mall today? What was that about?”Logan glanced at him, the familiar twinkle in his eyes barely concealed beneath the surface of his calm expression. “I was telling you the truth, Xavier,” Logan replied nonchalantly. “I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.”Xavier clenched his jaw, hands tightening on the steering wheel. “About Bella? That’s just ridiculous. You’ve never even met her properly, and now you’re giving me advice about her?”Logan let out a soft sigh, clearly unimpressed. “I’ve seen enough. Look, I’m not blind, Xavier. I’ve seen Bella in your ho
The sterile smell of the hospital hit Xavier’s nose as he and Logan walked down the corridor toward the liver specialist's office. The sounds of nurses and patients filled the air, but in that moment, Xavier couldn’t focus on anything but the weight on his shoulders. His mind kept replaying the conversation they had had earlier, but now, he was about to face the truth about his father, Thomas. He wasn’t prepared for whatever he was about to hear.As they entered the doctor's office, Xavier’s eyes immediately fixed on the doctor sitting behind the desk. Dr. Harris, a man in his late 40s with glasses perched on the bridge of his nose and a clipboard in hand, motioned for them to sit. His calm demeanor offered little comfort to Xavier, whose anxiety was beginning to bubble up."Mr. Donovan," Dr. Harris greeted them, his voice calm and professional. "I’ve reviewed the tests and scans. Let me get straight to the point. Your father is suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a for
Xavier walked slowly down the hallway, his footsteps muffled by the soft carpet beneath his feet. He paused for a moment outside Thomas's bedroom, his hand resting on the doorknob. The house was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning. It was late—far too late for him to be awake, but sleep evaded him. His thoughts were consumed by the grim reality he had just been handed.With a heavy sigh, Xavier pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room smelled faintly of antiseptic, mixed with a trace of something deeper—something he couldn’t quite place, but it made his chest tighten. Thomas lay in the bed, his once-vibrant frame now frail and wasted, his chest rising and falling with the shallow breaths of a man who had long overstayed his welcome in the world. His face was gaunt, his skin pale, and the sight of him struck Xavier with a strange, hollow pain.He stood there for a long time, just watching. It was as if time had stopped, leaving Xavier suspended between
The front door slammed behind her, and Calla didn’t hesitate. She had made up her mind, and there was no turning back. The air was crisp as she stepped outside, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm the chaos in her mind. Drake had been giving her trouble lately, and she couldn’t take it anymore. She had to see her father—at least he was a constant in her life, even if their relationship had become strained over time. She needed to talk to him, to feel like someone cared.As she slid into her car, the familiar roar of the engine reverberated through her body. She adjusted her rearview mirror, glancing at the empty driveway one last time. Drake was inside, but Calla didn’t care. He’d never understand why she needed to see her father.She shifted the car into drive, her fingers gripping the wheel tightly as she pulled away from the house.Back at the house, Drake stormed out onto the porch just as Calla’s car was pulling away. He shouted after her, his voice rising with frustration
The sound of heels clicking sharply on the marble floor echoed through the mansion as Ember entered, her eyes immediately scanning the familiar space. She had dressed in a short, tight mini dress that accentuated her curves. Today, she was determined to make her presence known to Xavier, to remind him that he should be focused on her, not someone else.She didn’t bother knocking as she pushed open the grand door to the dining room. Bella was seated at the table, helping Zane and Alana with their dinner. The children were laughing, their innocent voices filling the air. Ember’s eyes narrowed as she saw them. Bella, dressed in her simple attire, was speaking to them with that gentle, maternal tone that always seemed to draw attention.Xavier was standing near the window, his back to Ember. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of possessiveness as she walked toward him. With a purposeful stride, she reached him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a kiss. Her lips presse
The sun was setting as Calla walked through the house, her mind set on one thing: she needed to get away from the suffocating atmosphere that surrounded her every day. The house felt smaller with each passing moment, and the tension was unbearable. She had been living in this nightmare for far too long, and today, she was determined to take a step for herself.She found Drake sitting in the living room, a scowl etched across his face. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was sniffing some white powder—cocaine. It was a sight she had seen far too many times, and it disgusted her to her core. Her body tensed as she approached him, but she kept her voice steady, despite the anger building up inside her.“Drake,” she said, her voice tight with emotion. “I need to go shopping. Take me.”Drake looked at her, a sneer on his face as he casually dropped the bag of powder onto the table. His hands were shaking, but his words were colder than ever.“No,” he spat, his voice rough. “I’m not taking yo
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 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 air was thick with tension, the weight of the unknown pressing down on Xavier’s chest. Every minute that passed without any sign of Zane and Alana made his worry grow exponentially. The school had been searched from top to bottom, every hallway, every classroom, every corner. The guards, both of the school and Xavier’s, had been dispatched to search the surrounding areas. Still, there was no sign of his children.Xavier’s mind raced, unable to focus on anything other than the image of his kids, missing and alone. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks—he loved them. He loved them in a way that he had never fully recognized before. He thought of the times they had come to him, seeking comfort after a nightmare or needing his help with their schoolwork. He thought of their laughter, their energy, their constant chatter. Now he couldn’t imagine a life without them, but he had never fully allowed himself to admit how deeply they had become a part of his world.He clenched his fi
The drive home felt longer than usual. Xavier’s mind was racing as he tried to process everything that had happened. Thomas was quietly resting in the passenger seat, the therapy session having drained him. His father had barely spoken a word since they left the clinic, and Xavier had allowed the silence to stretch on. It was a rare moment of peace, a chance for Xavier to reflect on the complicated web of emotions that had unfolded between them in recent weeks.When they finally arrived home, Xavier stepped out of the car, his mind still heavy. He was about to head inside when Bella appeared in the doorway, her face pale and strained.“Xavier,” she called, her voice tight with worry.“Zane and Alana haven’t come home yet. It’s already late.”Xavier’s heart skipped a beat. The familiar sense of unease began to settle in his stomach.“What do you mean, they haven’t come home?”Bella stepped forward, glancing nervously down the driveway.“I called their school, but they told me all the s
Xavier’s hand tightened on the steering wheel as he drove through the streets, the familiar hum of the car’s engine a backdrop to the silence in the vehicle. Thomas sat beside him, his frail figure slumped in the passenger seat, his eyes hollow with exhaustion. It was his third round of chemotherapy, and the weight of it was clearly starting to take a toll on him. The physical changes were evident—his once broad frame had thinned considerably, his skin was pale, and his eyes seemed permanently tired. The chemo was slowly breaking him down, but it wasn’t just the disease; it was the emotional strain, the battle that had taken a toll on his spirit.Xavier could feel the tension in the air, the weight of what lay ahead hanging over them both. It had been a long, difficult road, but today felt especially heavy. He was exhausted, not just from the demands of work and family, but from the emotional toll that his strained relationship with Thomas had put on him.When they arrived at the hosp
The soft click of the door opening was barely audible as Bella stepped into Xavier’s study. She had been avoiding him for the past few days, needing space to clear her mind, to understand what was happening in her heart. But today, something in her had snapped. She couldn’t pretend anymore.Xavier was sitting at his desk, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of a lamp. The papers in front of him seemed like an endless blur, each one a reminder of the responsibilities that weighed heavily on his shoulders. He didn’t hear Bella’s footsteps at first, too consumed by the work in front of him.“Xavier,” Bella said quietly, her voice trembling ever so slightly.He looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers, a quiet understanding passing between them as if he had known she was standing there all along.“Bella,” he said, his voice softer than usual.“What’s wrong?”She stepped closer, the words almost stuck in her throat, but she forced them out, her voice breaking with emotion.“I want to leave. I
Xavier sat in the expansive living room of his mansion, the silence enveloping him as he stared out at the manicured gardens outside. The soft hum of the house was a comforting contrast to the chaos he had just returned from in Washington. His mind was still processing the conversation he’d had with Leila, the revelations that had shaken him to his core.As the door to the living room opened, Xavier looked up and found Jacob coming towards him.“Xavier,” Jacob greeted, his tone forced casual as he approached the couch. He sat down across from Xavier, his posture tense, as though he had something important on his mind.Xavier raised an eyebrow, not in the mood for pleasantries.“What’s going on, Jacob? What do you want?”Jacob’s eyes flickered briefly to the side before meeting Xavier’s gaze.“I need your help,” he said, his voice lower now, tinged with an urgency that immediately piqued Xavier’s interest, though not in a good way.“I’m in a tight spot, and I need a loan. A big one.”X
The small café in Washington had a cozy atmosphere, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the soft hum of background chatter. Xavier and Leila sat across from each other, two mugs of coffee placed on the wooden table between them, the steam rising from their cups as an unspoken tension lingered in the air.Xavier took a deep breath, his fingers curling around the mug, seeking warmth as much as solace.Xavier and Leila had left Dr. Priya’s clinic for a while and came to Cafe to have some coffee and discuss few more things while they had a chance."How are you now, Leila?" Xavier asked quietly, his voice uncharacteristically gentle."What does your doctor say?"Leila looked at him for a moment, as if weighing the truth of her response. She glanced down at her hands, fingers resting on the edge of the mug, before lifting her eyes to meet his."Alzheimer’s never cures," she said, her voice tinged with a sense of finality."But the medicine can help control its symptoms. So
Xavier's mind raced as he stepped off the plane in Washington, the weight of the upcoming conversation with Leila heavy on his shoulders. It had been weeks since he last heard her name, and now, after all his searching, he was finally going to face her.His manager, ever efficient, was waiting for him at the airport, greeting him with a slight nod."Mr. Xavier," his manager said, gesturing toward the car."I’ve arranged everything. Dr. Verma’s clinic is just a short drive away."Xavier nodded silently, his thoughts still spinning. There was a knot in his stomach, a mixture of frustration, confusion, and, oddly, anticipation. He had so many questions for Leila. The woman who had vanished from his life, leaving him with Zane and Alana, only to disrupt his world with her sudden disappearance, was finally within reach.The drive felt long, despite the distance being short. Xavier's mind kept circling back to the same question: Why had she disappeared? What had driven her to leave her niec