The ornate, wrought-iron doors of the opulent Knight residence groaned their welcome as Cathleen swung her sleek car into the grand driveway. Despite the luxurious surroundings, every line of her body exuded reluctance and a sense of being trapped. With a decisive jab of her finger, she killed the engine, a symbolic gesture that could not mask her true intentions: she wasn't staying, not if she could help it. The sprawling mansion loomed before her, its imposing presence a constant reminder of Xavier's control over her. To Cathleen, it was nothing more than an ornate cage, beautiful on the outside but suffocating within its gilded walls."Damn sham," Cathleen muttered under her breath, her voice a low hiss as she gathered herself for the charade. Her hand rested protectively over the subtle swell of her abdomen; the child within was hers alone, Xavier be damned.With calculated poise, she stepped out into the crisp air, her heels clicking on the stone like a metronome ticking toward h
Cathleen rose from the tangled sheets, a frown creasing her forehead. Her feet found the plush carpet as she made for the door."Where are you going?" Xavier's voice, deep and commanding, anchored her to a halt."To my room, I need to freshen up," she replied without turning, her tone clipped and resolute."This is your room; this is where you belong. I've moved all your things to this room." The declaration was possessive, brooking no argument.Cathleen spun around, the incredulity written stark across her features. "What?" She spat the word out like a curse. "What right do you have to move all my belongings to this room?"Xavier's eyes, cold and unyielding, locked onto hers. "The right a husband has over his pregnant wife," he countered, his voice firm and dismissive of any protest. "I don't want to argue with you, and if you're going to start with the Olivia drama, know this—I have never been to this room with her."He paused, his gaze never wavering. "Olivia knows my room to be th
Dora's fingers tightened around the spoon, its handle cold against her warm skin. She watched Xavier through narrowed eyes, her gaze sharp as a blade. The suspicion in her chest twisted like a snake, coiling tighter with each tender glance he cast toward Cathleen. Dora forced a smile, as brittle as glass. "Try this," she urged, her voice honeyed poison, sliding some eggplant onto Cathleen's plate with calculated grace.Cathleen rose from her seat, an elegant dismissal. "I'm sorry, I am not hungry." Her words sliced the tension, and she turned away, hips swaying as she moved to the kitchen counter to prepare fresh orange juice. The whir of the juicer created a defiant buzz in the silence that followed."Are you insinuating that I poisoned this food?" Dora's voice cracked like a whip, her chair scraping against the floor as she shifted, the sound grating on nerves already frayed."Would you blame me?" Cathleen's retort came sharp, her back straight as she faced her stepmother, the juice
The rich, savory scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the dimly lit room, filling Xavier's senses. He carefully placed the tray on the nightstand and took a moment to admire the delicate shadows dancing across the walls, cast by the flickering light of a single candle. The cozy bedroom seemed to embrace them in its warm embrace. As he gazed upon Cathleen, her face serene in sleep, he couldn't help but feel grateful for this quiet moment together. The soft rise and fall of her chest with each breath was like a lullaby, calming his restless mind."Cat," he called softly, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to vibrate through the stillness. Her body stirred, a small crease forming between her brows, and for a fleeting moment, Xavier's lips twitched into a semblance of a smile. She was always so composed, every word calculated, but now, in slumber, she seemed almost vulnerable.He leaned closer, the scent of her hair mingling with the food's steam. It should have been a moment of p
Water cascaded over Xavier's chiseled frame, the steam obscuring the bathroom in a hot mist. He shut off the shower with a decisive turn, droplets trailing down his skin as he wrapped a towel around his waist and padded across the cool tile floor. The early morning silence was punctuated only by the subtle sounds of his movements.He approached the bed where Cathleen lay, her chest rising and falling with the deep breaths of sleep. Xavier bent over, his shadow enveloping her form. "Cat," his voice was low but firm, resonating through the quiet room. "I notice it is hard for you to bathe since the baby is quite big. Let me bathe you before I leave for the office."Cathleen's eyes fluttered open, and her frown creased the sleep from her face. The offer hung in the air, an unspoken command that tempted resistance. Yet, the memory of yesterday's struggle in the shower tugged at her pride. "Okay," she relented, her voice barely above a whisper.With careful hands, Xavier lifted her, suppor
Xavier's shadow loomed tall as he strode toward the private elevator, the sharp click of his Italian leather shoes echoing against the marble floor. Olivia’s heart hammered in her chest, a desperate plea at the tip of her tongue."Congratulations, Miss Williams." Xavier's voice was a cold caress, absent of warmth or interest as he glanced at her swollen belly with dispassionate eyes."Xavier, it's your baby," Olivia blurted out, the words laced with a cocktail of hope and defiance.A chuckle rumbled from his throat, a rich sound that held no mirth. "Miss Williams, you have to be very sure of what you are talking about, because I do not remember," he said, his tone dripping with derision. He turned to his assistant and said, "Caleb, let's head inside. I don't have time for this."But Olivia wasn't done—not by a long shot. Her heels clicked against the floor as she pursued him, determination etched on her face. "Just because you are now in love with your stupid wife, you tossed me away
Xavier gripped the steering wheel, knuckles whitening, as he navigated the sleek black car through the evening traffic. He could have waited for Caleb to drive him, but the urge to escape the office, to outrun his thoughts, proved fiercer than patience. The mansion loomed ahead, its windows like darkened eyes gazing down upon him with silent judgment.The engine cut down, silently swallowing the growl of horsepower. Xavier stepped out, his movements mechanical, like a man bracing for battle. Inside, Dora sat at the dining table, draped in expectation and greed. Her eyes flicked up, seeking acknowledgment, but Xavier moved past her—a ghost to her desires. Xavier went straight upstairs to his wife, Cathleen."Hey." His voice was low as he entered the bedroom, finding Cathleen absorbed in her iPad. She didn't look up; she just acknowledged him with a tilt of her head."Hey," she murmured back, her focus undeterred.His suit jacket flew through the air, landing carelessly upon the couch—a
Xavier's body twisted in the silken sheets, a turmoil that mirrored the chaos churning within. The moonlight bathed the room in an eerie glow, casting shadows that danced with his mounting regrets. His gaze fixed on Cathleen, her delicate form shrouded by the darkness of their bedroom and the weight of his transgressions. A single tear escaped her closed eyelids, tracing a path down her cheek—a silent testament to the pain she harbored even in slumber."Damn it," he muttered under his breath, the coarse whisper barely disturbing the oppressive stillness. With a gentleness that belied his usual dominance, Xavier reached out, his index finger tenderly brushing away the moisture from her skin. He watched, rapt, as each breath she took lifted her chest in a rhythm that seemed too serene for one so wounded by his hand.Restlessness clawed at him, urging him to stand upright. He slipped from the bed, muscles coiling, and every step away from her was a reluctant retreat. He snatched his phon