Chapter 7

“What exactly do you want?” Christopher probed, his voice laced with annoyance with Xavier’s indecisiveness.

“Even if you found Eva, what would you do?” he continued, urging Xavier to confront the implications of his actions.

With a heavy sigh, Christopher gracefully exited the office, leaving Xavier alone with his thoughts.

Just as Christopher departed, Bella stormed into the room, narrowly avoiding a collision with him on the way.

“I want to be alone,” Xavier declared, his voice laden with a sense of weariness and frustration.

“What?” Bella inquired, moving closer, her genuine concern evident.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen at work? You can tell me anything,” she insisted, circling around to where he sat.

She reached out to touch his shoulder, but Xavier abruptly shrugged her off.

“Please leave,” he said, his patience wearing thin, his voice tinged with exasperation.

“But…” Bella began to protest, determined to understand what was troubling him.

“Now!” he yelled, his emotions finally breaking through the surface.

“You’re thinking about your ex, aren’t you? This is blatant disrespect, after what she did to me. Now you’re even pushing me away!” Bella retorted, her frustration and anger spilling over, her deep–seated resentment for Eva resurfacing.

Even though Eva had disappeared, her presence still lingered, haunting their relationship. Xavier’s inability to move on fueled Bella’s irritation.

Xavier remained silent, caught in his inner turmoil, and unable to articulate his feelings.

“You want to be alone? Fine! I’ll leave your house. I’ll leave and never come back. Go find your precious Eva. I’m nobody anyway,” she said, turning to leave.

She paused at the door. hoping and expecting Xavier to chase after her, as he always did.

She often guilt–tripped him and threatened to leave whenever he got lost in thoughts of his ex–wife.

However, today was different. Xavier remained seated quietly, his decision firm and unwavering.

“Go to your room, Bella, and remain there,” he finally commanded, his tone resolute. With an annoyed sigh, Bella slammed the door behind her, her brashness a reflection of her mounting frustration.

Inside the room, Xavier’s fists clenched in anger.

Bella had become increasingly challenging, acting like a brat, and testing his patience.

She would make threats like that whenever

she didn’t have her way, but now he was too fatigued and stressed to give in to her demands.

The strain in their relationship was clear and even members of his pack had begun to voice their dissatisfaction, longing for his former wife and Luna, Eva.

He sighed once again, burdened by the complexities of his life and relationships.

He sat there for hours shuffling through documents and folders concerning work and the pack.

Amid his contemplation, a knock echoed through the study.

“Come in,” he beckoned.

Martha, a longtime member of their household staff, entered with a polite greeting.

“Good evening, Alpha.”

“Martha,” Xavier acknowledged, reclining into his seat.

His composure remained steady as he inquired, “Is something wrong?”

“No, Alpha. Nothing is wrong, It’s just that I would like to resign,” Martha explained, her voice tinged with sadness.

“You no longer want to work for me?” Xavier inquired calmly, knowing that Martha had been with Eva’s family long before she joined their household.

“It’s not that way, sir,” Martha replied, her head bowed respectfully.

“I would love to retire and move to the seaside.”

“Okay,” Xavier said, understanding her desire.

“Is there anything I can do to make you change your mind? I can offer you a raise or something.”

“No, sir. I would like to retire and live with my family on the island.”

Martha insisted, her resolve unwavering.

“Very well,” Xavier agreed. “You’ll be missed, Martha. When do you intend to leave?”

“By the end of this month,” came her reply.

“Alright then,” Xavier acknowledged.

“Thank you for your services. Please send for James on your way out.”

Martha exited the study quietly, leaving Xavier to his thoughts. Moments later, James entered, waiting respectfully.

“James, Martha will be retiring next month. Please make the necessary arrangements,” Xavier instructed without raising his head, still shuffling through documents.

“Yes, sir,” James replied, but there was a moment of hesitation in his demeanor.

“Is there a problem?” Xavier inquired, sensing James‘ reluctance to speak.

“Well,” James began, “the maids were cleaning Ma’am Bella’s room, and they found this,” he said, passing an envelope to Xavier.

“I believe it’s addressed to you.”

Xavier looked up, his brows furrowing with curiosity.

“What?” he asked, collecting the envelope and tearing it open, wondering why Bella had left a letter.

As he read the contents, his face contorted with concern, and he rushed out of the room, his steps echoing on the stairs as he dialed a number on his phone.

“What’s going on?” Christopher inquired, noticing Xavier’s agitated state.

“Bella’s gone,” Xavier replied, his voice filled with worry.

“Gone where?” Christopher asked, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

“She’s gone. She said she’s leaving, that she isn’t good enough for me, and that I don’t want her,” Xavier explained, exasperation and regret evident in his tone as he ran a hand through his hair.

“What?! Get your act together. First Eva, now Bella. What exactly do you want?” Christopher asked in annoyance, preparing to follow Xavier in his search.

As Xavier waited for Adam to bring the car around, he muttered to himself, “Pick up phone, Bella.”

He entered the car and began searching the streets for her, deeply regretting how he had treated his mate.

He had constantly pushed her away and ignored her.

Christopher was right, he and Eva were divorced.

But all he ever did was make Bella feel unwanted, at that moment he made up his mind.

He had put it off long enough, once he found Bella, they would get married.

His phone rang, and he answered it. It was Christopher on the other end.

“Come to Willow Hospital right now. Bella’s here she was hit by a car,” Christopher urgently informed him.

Xavier froze at his words, the weight of guilt crashing over him.

“What?!” he bellowed, as panic gripped him.

“Calm down. Just drive over,” Christopher advised, urging Xavier to collect his thoughts and not do anything rash.

Guilt gnawed at Xavier as he navigated the streets, fully aware of the consequences of his actions.

Its all my fault, I pushed my mate away he thought sadly to himself.