LOGINShare
EVER AGAIN
Last Updated:
2023-08-19 20:26:31
Related chapters
Xavier's Surrogate THE WRONG WOMAN
It was dark. A darkness that Xavier thought he’d been used to since the day he realized what his life's trust purpose was but this time it was different, because he could feel everything and at some point…he could hear everything as well and it was completely torture for him. Xavier's consciousness began to surface, like a ship emerging from the depths of a storm-tossed sea. His mind felt heavy, his thoughts muddled as he fought to break free from the embrace of sleep. Halle's apologies reverberated in his head, each word a painful reminder of the pain he felt. Her voice was a haunting echo, a discordant melody that played on his heartstrings, tugging at his emotions. He could remember the guilty expression on her face when she voiced out her betrayal and finally stated her intentions…she had drugged him. Intentionally lured him out and drugged him, to do what with him? He wasn’t sure. Xavier wondered who she worked for and how much of everything they’d shared was a lie but yet, his
Last Updated : 2023-08-20Xavier's Surrogate COME OUT WITH
Halle's heart sank as her eyes met Xavier's accusatory gaze. His brown eyes bore into hers, a silent storm of anger and hurt. She could feel the weight of his disappointment, a heaviness that settled deep within her chest. Guilt gnawed at her, twisting her insides as she struggled to meet his gaze.Xavier's voice was cold, cutting through the charged atmosphere like a blade. "Explain." He repeated with a chill in his tone that he’d never used with her before. Now the reality of the situation was sinking in properly and Halle was now beginning to fear for her life. What had she done? Was it the right action to take? Tunde, standing beside her, seemed unaffected by Xavier's gloomy demeanor. She also noticed that his nonchalant attitude grated on Xavier's nerves, but she was too shaken to react. “Calm down before you blow a fuse, man,” Tunde dragged the chair from the bedside table and plopped down on the seat with a heavy sigh, a quirky smile that was no doubt the really for Xavier’
Last Updated : 2023-08-20Xavier's Surrogate HIS PROMISE
Tunde's voice was steady as he began to speak, his words carrying a weight of truth that neither Halle and she was sure Xavier couldn't ignore. "Xavier, there's something you need to understand about our way of life. It's not always what it seems. Trust is a luxury that can be hard to come by." Tunde was in this life just as deeply as Xavier and his cousins were but, he found a loophole and that way he was the target of many but also the target of none. Halle couldn’t think of anyone better to speak to Xavier about this. Xavier's gaze remained fixed on Tunde, a look of skepticism in his eyes. Halle noticed he was willing to listen to what they had to say but he also looked tense, like he was ready to claw his way put of here if their words didn’t appeal to him. Halle knew he wouldn't let his guard down so easily. Tunde continued, his words measured. "I received a letter from Halle yesterday morning. She said your life was in danger, and she was certain that your aunt Martha and Andr
Last Updated : 2023-08-20Xavier's Surrogate SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
“Please, Xavier, wake up,” Halle whispered, her voice a mixture of desperation and fear.She sat beside him, her gaze never leaving his face as she waited for any sign of him stirring. Her heart ached as she watched him, guilt gnawing at her for sharing the truth with him in a way that seemed to have overwhelmed his already fragile state. She wished she could take back her words and shield him from this harsh reality, but it was too late now.It had to happen. Time seemed to stretch on, each second feeling like an eternity as Halle sat there, watching over Xavier’s unconscious form. Tunde returned with a doctor on the phone, but Halle barely registered their conversation. Her focus was solely on Xavier, her fingers gently brushing against his hand, seeking some sign of warmth or response.Days turned into a blur as Halle refused to leave Xavier’s side. Tunde came over several times, concern etched across his features, urging her to rest and take care of herself, especially given her
Last Updated : 2023-08-21Xavier's Surrogate BORN TO LEAD
Halle never let go of his hand, she knew right there and then that he needed someone to listen, to be there for him at this point in his life. Halle recalled a moment in her life when she had been so broken beyond repair, when the people she thought were meant to protect her were the instigators of every hurt she felt and she’d always wondered…if they chose to listen just once, maybe things would’ve been different. Halle listened intently as Xavier recounted instance after instance that should have made him suspicious of Martha’s intentions. With each memory he shared, a fresh pang of guilt went through her. If only she had noticed sooner but she also had grown to love the woman like a mother and Halle didn’t want to compare her hurt to what Xavier was feeling but her heart hurt more than she let on. While he spoke, he never met her eyes, he looked like a young boy who had just gotten his world turned upside down. Halle never imagined she would see Xavier in such a state. But what
Last Updated : 2023-08-23Xavier's Surrogate WE'RE SAFE
A few weeks had passed since Halle had revealed the truth to Xavier about his aunt Martha's betrayal. Thanks to Angela's diligent and strict care and being free of Martha's "treatments," Xavier's health and strength had improved greatly.Though Angela advised checking into a hospital, Xavier refused to risk Halle's safety that way. No doubt Martha would be out for vengeance if they dared show themselves in public now. So they stayed in hiding at Tunde's safe house. Tunde was hardly ever in the property so he didn’t mind giving it to Xavier for the next few months. Halle had also noticed that their friendship had improved over the past few days even while Tunde made jokes like, “Thank God you married her instead,”That would always crack Halle up though she knew it was a sensitive matter and Xavier would end up just rolling his eyes at the both of them. One morning, as sunlight streamed into the bedroom through the parted curtains, Halle lay curled against Xavier's side, her back pr
Last Updated : 2023-08-23Xavier's Surrogate KICKS
A few days had passed since Xavier had left to begin making moves against Martha and securing Damien’s safety. Though he had assured Halle he would return soon, she couldn’t help but spend each hour anxious for his safe return.Halle paced the floors of Tunde’s house, unable to focus on anything while her mind was heavy with worry. She trusted in Xavier’s capabilities, knowing he was powerful and cunning as the head of the Stone family. But up against Martha’s web of deception, there were so many uncertainties.Halle pressed a hand to her rounding belly, taking comfort in the steady kick of the new life within. At least she had a piece of Xavier with her even when he was away.“Your daddy is strong and brave,” she murmured. “He’ll come back to us, no matter what.” Halle had never spoken to the baby before, maybe because somehow she felt guilty for loving the child when her first intention was to leave it behind. So many things had changed since she signed that contract. The day drag
Last Updated : 2023-08-23Xavier's Surrogate DOWN
After several long months in hiding, Halle was beginning to go stir crazy being cooped up in the Tunde's house day after day. Now eight months pregnant, she longed to get outside and breathe some fresh air, even if just for an hour.Sure if it were the days when she worked a thousand jobs a day, she would long for the comfort of staying indoors this long but now, that seemed like a lifetime ago and Halle had now concluded with herself that too much of everything was very fucking annoying! When she broached the idea of a quick outing to Xavier over breakfast, he immediately tensed up. "It's too risky for you to leave right now, Flower," he said, shaking his head. "Not until I have Martha fully cornered and our safety is guaranteed." He added in his firm tone that usually left no room for argument. But Halle persisted, reaching out to squeeze his hand reassuringly across the kitchen table. "I'll be extremely careful, I promise. I just need a change of scenery before I lose my mind. I
Last Updated : 2023-08-24
Latest chapter
Xavier's Surrogate FIRST TIME
“Do I really need to be blindfolded for this?” Halle asked with a warm chuckle. Xavier just grinned mysteriously in response, guiding her by the shoulders through what sounded like a set of heavy doors given the echo. “Patience, Flower. I promise, it’s worth the surprise,” he assured her, amusement and excitement dancing in his tone. Halle smiled and cooperated as he led her slowly ahead a few more steps. Her heart swelled, trusting Xavier so completely even when she couldn’t see. After everything they had endured, Halle knew without doubt he would never lead her anywhere dangerous again. “Just a little further,” Xavier coached. “Watch your step.” His sturdy hands on her waist aided Halle in navigating what felt like a small staircase. A few more shuffling paces forward and they finally halted. Halle quivered in anticipation. “Can I look now?” “One moment…” She heard the smile in Xavier’s voice just before he moved behind her and untied the blindfold at last. “Now you can open your
Xavier's Surrogate REVENGE
When Halle awoke late one night from another vivid episode of panic, Xavier recognized a shift had finally occurred. He gathered her quaking frame close while she wept, exhausted and heart sore. “Shh I have you, just breathe,” he soothed until the tension slowly left her muscles. Halle clung to him like an anchor amidst stormy waters even once fully awake. “I’m scared, Xavier,” she admitted in a small voice once sufficiently calmed. “Scared she’ll find us again.” Xavier steeled himself before answering gently. “Then it’s time I put real end to this. For your peace of mind, and our son’s future.” Halle’s arms tightened around him briefly at the implication. But she simply nodded bravely when she pulled back. “Just promise me you’ll come back safely. I can’t lose you.” Her palm cupped his bearded cheek with profound tenderness. Turning his head, Xavier pressed a kiss into her open palm. “I will always come back to you Halle,” he avowed passionately. His piercing gaze bore into hers,
Xavier's Surrogate THE THREAT
Xavier paused in the open doorway, gazing at the scene before him – Halle curled protectively around their three week old son as he nursed, her expression tired but content, Damien was at the edge of the bed, curiously watching and asking questions, his wide eyes innocent and childlike, just like it ought to be. Xavier’s heart swelled at the simple domestic sight, still scarcely able to believe he had nearly lost them forever.Halle had begged for Damien to be close, so the second they left Halle’s birth country in Africa, he had Monty bring the young boy out from hiding and back with them, where he belonged. After Halle had been safely recovered and gave birth, Xavier wasted no time whisking her away to a secluded estate where they could focus solely on healing without fear of Martha’s lingering reach. And healing was no small feat after the trauma Halle had endured. Though her physical wounds were minimal, the psychological toll left lasting scars.She was plagued regularly by v
Xavier's Surrogate PEACE
Halle drifted slowly up towards consciousness, clinging to the last visages of a dream where she was enveloped in tender warmth and comforting strength. Even semi-conscious, she instinctively recognized the sensations cocooning her now were real, not imagined. But after endless days and nights of torment, believing rescue could only manifest as a fantasy, Halle desperately avoided opening her eyes fully. What if this beautiful illusion shattered the instant she woke up? The possibility made her heart seize with renewed panic.No - the arms cradling her were solid, the scent of juniper and fresh rain surrounding her unmistakably Xavier’s. This precious peace was real, it had to be. Halle focused on steadying her breaths, mentally grasping for fragments of memory through the haze still clouding her thoughts. Flashes filtered back now – the frantic escape attempt, searing contractions hitting, Xavier appearing through her delirium of pain like a saving vision…the sweet sound of her chi
Xavier's Surrogate COUNTRY
A FEW HOURS EARLIER… The scorching sun beat down as Xavier surveyed the sprawling, dusty streets from the backseat of the nondescript sedan. It had taken tremendous resources and calling in more favors than he could count to get boots on the ground in this remote country so quickly. But nothing could deter him from his mission – finding Martha and making her pay for taking Halle.Taking the woman he loved and then sending him papers to sign while at it. Xavier gritted his testy as he thought about the phone call he had gotten from his aunt, she’d sent papers to his mail…asking him to sign over everything to her, that was her endgame. If she couldn’t get it from Damien as she’d originally intended, she’d get it directly from the man himself. Xavier had agreed to her deal but…he wasn’t really going to sign those paper. Stone was his legacy and he’ll be damned if he let’s and overly ambitious bitch take over and ruin everything he’s built. His mind wandered inevitably to images of h
Xavier's Surrogate SOMEWHERE SAFE
Too spent to argue, Halle permitted him to gently help her ease down onto the padded nest now warming her chilled legs. Though hardly ideal accommodations, at least she was off the frigid concrete floor. Monty seemed satisfied with his efforts.“I must inform the Don that you have been found before he burns the brothel down,” he announced. Before Halle could wrap her mind around the significance of his deliberate phrasing, Monty had disappeared back down the cellar corridor with a final instruction tossed over his shoulder – “Try to focus your energies, I will be back as fast as I can.”Xavier…was here, for her. Halle couldn’t hold back her relieve tears but of course that feeling was short lived. Then Halle was alone again with her body’s urgent demands. She closed her eyes, trying futilely to center her wild thoughts through the intensifying contractions. But it was impossible to find any inner calm or fortitude. Not with her heart pounding anew wondering how much longer until
Xavier's Surrogate THE BIRTH
Halle’s heart hammered violently in her chest as the first contraction seized her swollen belly. There was no denying it now – the terror and physical exertion of her escape attempt had triggered full blown labor. Her child was coming, ready or not, even as Martha’s henchmen battered viciously to break in.“Shit!” Halle cursed under her breath as she held her belly, the pain hitting her unexpectedly and making her whole body sway and her legs shake. Leaning heavily on the dusty desk, Halle fought to stay upright and quiet through the painful tightening. But despite clenching her jaw, a low moan still escaped through her gritted teeth. The dampness soaking her dress kept spreading. “Why are you so impatient…” Halle cursed through gritted teeth, trying her best to stay up right so as to prevent any complications. From down the cellar corridor came another resounding crack – the stubborn old door’s hinges were splintering rapidly under the men’s force. In mere minutes they would be
Xavier's Surrogate THE BABY
Halle awoke with a gasp, her heart already racing. Today was the day – the day she would finally attempt her escape from this nightmare. She lay still for a moment, focusing on slowing her breathing and gathering her courage. The gloom shrouded the cramped room, but Halle’s eyes discerned the packed bag hidden beneath her cot containing the supplies she had managed to secretly squirrel away over the past week. The last week had been utter torment, forcing herself to endure her mother’s assaults and the groping hands of repulsive men trying to lay claim to her while pretending total resignation. More than once she had nearly faltered, the will to fight slowly being crushed out of her. But she would gently caress the swell of her belly. She could not – would not – let this place and its monsters claim another child if there was any hope of escape.Moving slowly to avoid any sounds of creaking, Halle eased herself up to sit on the edge of the mattress. Her heavy, cumbersome belly m
Xavier's Surrogate SILENCE
The days dragged by in agonizing torture as Halle remained trapped in her personal hell. Time ceased to hold meaning within the dingy confines of the small room that had been hers as a teenager under her mother’s cruel control. The peeling walls oozed with memories of past suffering, the very air thick with hopelessness.And now, heavy with her unborn child, Halle felt more trapped than ever. Her mother’s daily visits always ended with fresh bruises blossoming on her skin, dark reminders of her powerlessness. When not enduring her mother’s rage, Halle spent the empty hours curled miserably on the cot, arms wrapped around her belly as if to shield the precious life within from the darkness pressing in around them.On the fifth night, Halle lay tense and sleepless, every creak of the old brothel putting her nerves on edge. She stared dry-eyed into the gloom, too weary even for tears. The baby’s steady kicks were her only comfort.When the familiar scrape of the main door opening reached
