Isabella~
"What are you doing?" I stared bewilderedly at Xavier's face. Xavier's unexpected action caught me off guard while I was deep in conversation with my guest.
"Please excuse us; I need to speak with Bella." He gestured for the guest to continue enjoying the party, then dragged me upstairs to my room.
"Where are you leading me, Xavier?" I attempted to extricate myself from his hold, but he ignored me, too caught up in his anger as he escorted me upstairs. I couldn't understand what had triggered him so suddenly. I'd seen him talking with Derrick, and I had a feeling Derrick might have said something to provoke him, explaining why he was now behaving so harshly.
Victor and my father-in-law noticed us and attempted to intervene, but Xavier was too far gone, ignoring everyone in his path. His reckless actions would only further irritate Dad, so why was he doing this?
He pulled me into the room and closed the door behind us, blocking Victor from getting to me.
"What's wrong with you, Xavier?" I tried to assess his anger, searching his face for answers.
"What's wrong with me?" His words came slurred, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Tell me, Bella, what's wrong with you?"
My stomach churned as I took in the sight before me. Xavier wasn't himself. "Xavier, you're not in your senses; we'll talk later," I managed, struggling to break free as his gaze bore into mine with an intensity that both unnerved and confused me.
"No, Bella. Until you answer all my questions, I won't let you go." His grip tightened as he pinned me to the wall, the harshness in his touch sending a sharp pang through my arms.
"You're hurting me, Xavier." I winced, my heart thudding painfully in my chest as his anger closed in on me.
"Why did you decide to get involved with the Jordan Lucas case? You know how dangerous he is, so why did you take on his case after I warned you to stay out of it?" Concern laced his words even as his tone stayed furious, his hands holding me as if I'd vanish without his grip.
"You don't need to worry about me, Xavier." I tried to look away, refusing to meet his heated gaze. The closeness between us was tearing at me, challenging my composure, but I couldn't show weakness. My heart wrenched at his genuine worry, something I hadn't seen in him for years.
I could feel his eyes burning into me throughout the party, his jealousy barely contained as Victor stayed close by my side. I knew he didn't want to see me with Victor, but I couldn't resist the familiar weight of his gaze and the way it seemed to pull me toward him, just as it always had.
Xavier was so close that his breath touched my cheek, stirring nerves I'd worked so hard to suppress.
"You don't know what Jordan Lucas is capable of, Bella. He could hurt you or your loved ones just to keep you out of his way." Xavier's voice softened, pleading with me now, as he seemed to forget his anger. For a moment, I saw in his eyes something I hadn't noticed in years—a glint of the man I used to love.
"Please open the door, Bella!" Victor's voice came sharp through the wood, and he began knocking insistently.
"Let me go, Xavier." I tried once more to break free, but he held on.
"Why did you choose him, Bella?" His grip didn't loosen as he asked the question that had haunted us both. His voice cracked as he spoke, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. Seeing him so vulnerable tugged at my heart, almost breaking my resolve. I could feel the weight of his unspoken regret—the years of bitterness dissolving into this fragile moment between us.
"I'll break the door if you don't open it, Bella." Victor's pounding became more frantic, my whole body tense with the growing threat on the other side of the door.
"Let me go, Xavier," I pleaded, my words barely audible over the pounding of my own heart. But Xavier seemed lost in his torment, refusing to listen.
"Do you still love me, Bella?" His face was so close to mine now, his warm breath skimming my skin. I closed my eyes, shutting out the sight of him, but I couldn't shut out the sound of his voice—the voice I'd once longed for. He was relentless, trying to uncover feelings I had buried long ago.
"You look beautiful tonight," he murmured, his fingers brushing along my jawline in a gesture that was as painful as it was tender. The heat of his touch melted my resolve, weakening the walls I'd built around myself. I could feel his lips pressing against mine in a soft, lingering kiss, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot the years of hurt and betrayal. I clung to that kiss, my tears mingling with his touch. This—this was the touch I'd once ached for.
"Bella, what are you doing?" Victor's voice shattered the spell as I opened my eyes, finding Victor standing there, his gaze horrified and accusatory as he took in the scene before him.
"I told you to stay away from him, but you didn't listen to me," he said, his voice a dangerous growl. "I will no longer accept any of your excuses." With that, he grabbed Xavier by the collar, his fist connecting with Xavier's face in a swift, unrestrained punch.
"Victor, please don't!" I cried, desperately trying to pull him back.
"Don't interfere now, Bella." He held up his hand, stopping me in my tracks. "He's taken advantage of you for the last time." He punched Xavier again, the rage on his face a mask of pain.
"Victor, she still loves me! Give me one chance, Bella; I swear I'll be the husband you deserve," Xavier pleaded, the desperation in his voice a painful reminder of the past we'd once shared.
Victor's fist swung again, and I grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
"Victor, please stop; he's not himself tonight!" But my words went unheard as he pushed Xavier toward the door.
"Don't stop me, Bella." Victor's voice was cold and unyielding. "He's toyed with your love and emotions long enough." He shoved Xavier back toward the party hall, his every move radiating the determination of a man who'd reached his limit.
"Victor, don't humiliate him like this, not in front of everyone." I stood between him and the door, my plea earnest.
"Bella, I warned you not to make the same mistake twice. And yet here you are, letting yourself fall for him all over again. He deserves to be kicked out," Victor snarled, pushing past me.
He ignored my protests as he dragged Xavier down the stairs.
Everyone's eyes were on us as the noise ceased, the shattered glasses and fallen trays from a nearby waiter marking the tension in the room.
"Dad, why are you hitting Uncle?" Alan's innocent voice rang out, confusion darkening his face as he watched his father drag Xavier out of the party.
"Alan, come here," my father-in-law intervened, lifting him in his arms to spare him the sight. "I have a surprise for you."
Meanwhile, Victor seemed set on seeing Xavier out while I trailed after him, tears streaming down my face.
"Victor, please stop this."
"Don't waste your tears on him, Bella." My father-in-law gave me a stern look, firm in his support for Victor's actions. "He's finally getting what he deserves."
Victor finally let go of Xavier, who stumbled out of the doorway, his expression a mixture of anger and heartbreak. As Victor turned back, motioning for the guests to return to their conversations, I could feel the weight of my own shame settling like a stone in my chest. I slipped away from the party, not looking back, and made my way upstairs to my room.