Chapter One Hundred And Eighty Three Kim sat on the edge of her floral-patterned couch, her fingers trembling as she held onto her phone. She stared at the number on the screen, her heart pounding in her chest. Taking a deep breath, she mustered the courage to dial the familiar digits. The phone rang, and her anxiety grew with each passing second.Finally, a weak voice answered on the other end. It was a voice she hadn't heard in years, but it carried the weight of familiarity. "Hello?" came the hoarse whisper.Kim's throat tightened as tears welled up in her eyes. "Mr. Xander?" she choked out, her voice filled with concern.There was a pause on the line, and then a faint gasp. "Kim? Is that really you?" Mr. Xander replied, his voice barely audible."Yes, it's me," she replied, her voice quivering. "I heard you were sick. How... how are you feeling?"A sigh escaped from Mr. Xander' lips. "Not too well, I'm afraid," he said, his voice filled with exhaustion. "The doctors aren't sure w
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty Four Anastasia sat nervously on her sofa, clutching her phone tightly in her hands. She ran her fingers through her long, chestnut hair, contemplating the words she would soon utter to her best friend, Princess . The evening sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow upon the room as she prepared to have a life-altering conversation.Anastasia and Princess had been inseparable since childhood, sharing secrets and dreams over countless cups of tea. But tonight, Anastasia's heart was burdened with a weighty dilAnastasia. Her marriage to Xander, her husband of five years, had become a mere facade, crumbling under the weight of his busy schedule and constant absence.She hesitated for a moment, her finger hovering over the keypad, before finally summoning the courage to dial Princess 's number. The phone rang, and with each echoing chime, Anastasia's pulse quickened. She took a deep breath and pressed the device to her ear, her voice tre
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty Five Xander sat on the edge of his bed, clutching his cellphone tightly in his hand. The room was dimly lit, with shadows dancing on the walls as the evening sun began its descent. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and his throat felt dry and constricted. He knew he had to make the call, to reach out to his wife, Anastasia , for help.With trembling fingers, Xander dialed Anastasia 's number, the phone ringing with an urgency that matched his increasing anxiety. Each ring seemed to echo through the empty room, amplifying the heaviness that settled in his chest. Finally, on the fourth ring, Anastasia 's voice filled the silence."Hello?" Her tone was rushed, indicating she was caught up in the chaos of her own day.Xander's voice was strained, but he mustered the strength to speak. "Anastasia , it's me. I don't feel well. I think I'm sick."There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line. Xander could almost imagine Anastasia furrowing her br
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty SixXander stood alone in the dimly lit attic, a heavy wooden chest before him. Dust motes floated in the air, casting a hazy glow on the forgotten relics of his family's history. He ran his fingers over the rough wood of the chest, hesitating before lifting the creaking lid.The scent of old paper and faded memories wafted up as he uncovered the layers of his past. His heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, knowing that the answers he sought were nestled within these yellowing pages. The flickering light of a single lantern cast eerie shadows on the forgotten letters and photographs that filled the chest.Gingerly, Xander picked up a faded daguerreotype. His parents' smiles beamed back at him, frozen in time. He traced their faces with a trembling finger, his eyes welling with tears he hadn't allowed himself to shed in years. His parents, taken from him too soon, were an enigma he was determined to unravel.As he sifted through the
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty SevenWeeks turned into months, and Xander's determination remained unshaken. Alongside Aria, he continued to delve deeper into the world of secrets and shadows, following the twisted trail that led them closer to the truth behind his parents' murder. With each new revelation, Xander's resolve grew stronger, and his bond with Aria deepened.However, as they grew closer, Xander's former secretary, Miss Kim, watched from the sidelines with a mix of jealousy and bitterness. She had once held a position of importance in Xander's life, but now she found herself replaced by Aria, a childhood friend who shared Xander's grief and purpose. Miss Kim's heart simmered with resentment as she observed their partnership, and she couldn't bear the thought of being overlooked.One evening, after hours, Xander sat in his study, engrossed in a pile of documents spread across his desk. The soft knock on the door startled him, and he looked up to see Miss Kim standing there,
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty EightXander and Kim sat in the dimly lit office, their laughter filling the air like a sweet melody. They had been caught in a compromising position, making out passionately, and their cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and amusement. The rest of the office staff had wisely decided to leave them alone, allowing the young couple a moment of privacy.As the laughter subsided, Xander turned to Kim, his brown eyes twinkling with affection. He reached for her hand, fingers intertwining. "You know, I missed this," he admitted, his voice filled with a hint of nostalgia.Kim's hazel eyes met his, and she smiled, a soft, genuine smile that made Xander's heart skip a beat. "I missed it too," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. The weight of their separation had been hanging over them for weeks, and now, in this stolen moment, it felt like they could breathe again.Their lips met in a tender kiss, a slow and gentle exploration of each other's warmt
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty Nine Xander sat in his modest home office, surrounded by the clutter of books and papers, his fingers tapping idly on the worn-out keyboard of his ancient computer. The sun was casting long shadows through the window, bathing the room in a warm, golden light. He had been engrossed in his writing, lost in the world of his characters, when his phone suddenly rang, jolting him back to reality.With a furrowed brow, Xander picked up his phone, glancing at the caller ID. It displayed the name of his bank manager, Mr. Henderson. His heart skipped a beat as he answered the call."Hello?" Xander said, trying to keep his voice steady."Good afternoon, Xander," Mr. Henderson's voice was calm and composed. "I have some incredible news for you."Xander's pulse quickened. He leaned forward in his chair, his curiosity piqued. "What is it?""Your stocks, Xander," Mr. Henderson continued, "they've suddenly taken a remarkable turn. Your investment has skyrocketed, and I
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Xander took a deep breath, looking at Anastasia with concern in his eyes. "Anastasia, you need to calm down," he said softly, hoping his words would penetrate the heated atmosphere of their argument. Anastasia scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "Why should I listen to you, Xander? You're just a poor man trying to control me."Xander shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. "It's not about control, Anastasia. It's about us being a team, supporting each other. I can't tolerate the constant fights and disrespect."Anastasia burst into laughter, a sharp and mocking sound. "A team? You and me? Please, Xander. You're lucky to have someone like me. You'd be nothing without me."Xander's jaw tightened, but he remained composed. "This isn't about luck, Anastasia. It's about mutual respect and understanding. I want us to build a life together, but I can't do it if you continue to insult and belittle me."Anastasia leaned back, crossing her arms defiantly. "Ma