☆PROLOGUE☆

The morning air in France carried a crispy chill, but Xavier Kincaid barely noticed it.

His phone buzzed on the nightstand, the continuous vibrations shattering the silence of his room. Groggy and lazily, he reached out for it, expecting another business call.

But when he saw his father's name - Vivian Kincaid - a strange unease settled in his chest. His father rarely called until it was necessary or something urgent. It was always his mother who called him.

He swiped to answer.

"Xavier," his father, Vivian's voice, was grim. "It's your mother, Stella had a heart attack."

For a moment, everything blurred. Xavier shot up from his bed, gripping the phone tighter.

Heart attack? His mother?

He was both tensed and concerned now.

"I'm leaving for New York," he said sharply, his tone filled with urgency. "I'll be there soon."

He rushed to inform Alex and Isa, his mother figure in France; though she was only Alex's and Rose's mother but she'd taken care of Xavier, Ana and Luna as her own children, she'd never made them feel less for anything.

At that moment, Ana, Luna, and Rose were still at university attending their classes, oblivious to the storm brewing at their home. By the time they returned, tension was thick in the air.

At dinner, Xavier made his decision clear and announced. "I've a flight to New York. I'm leaving tonight. "

Ana, Luna, and Rose - their faces were crossed as confusion and curiosity took the better of them.

"Suddenly? But why?"they questioned.

"What's the reason?"they asked in unison, sensing something was off.

Xavier huffed and paused for a brief moment. He took a deep breath before answering in a dull tone, "Mom has got heart attack." He announced sadly.

The friends like sisters who were having their dinner with little somewhat peace got up from their seats and started bombering Xavier with questions.

Isa stepped forward, comforting and consoling them. She said that they shouldn't be worrying but praying.

Ana, Luna, and Rose instantly objected to see Xavier gonna leave. "We're coming with you," Luna insisted.

Xavier shook his head, "You all will come with Alex later. I need to be there first."

With his bags packed, he made his way to the airport. As he reached his private jet, his family over there in France stood by to see him off. Isa, ever the motherly figure, cupped his face. "Take care of you and your parents, if I ever get a chance, I'll surely come."

Xavier gave her a nod. His expression softening. Alex patted his back slightly, "Call me when you land."

He hugged his sisters, and with a final glance at his family, Xavier boarded his jet.

New York awaited.

New York City:

Xavier's jet touched down hours later, exhaustion clung on him, but he didn't have time for it. He drove straight to his mansion, freshened up, and without wasting a second, sped up towards the hospital.

In the parking lounge, he stepped out of his car, his long strides urgent. His only focus was reaching his mother's ward, while he was busy on a call with Alex about his arrival in New York. But fate had other planes.

He bumped into a woman as she was hurrying and leaving from the same entrance of high-section wards.

Xavier hung up on his call with Alex. "Watch where you're going,"she snapped, not even looking at him.

Xavier's patience slipped. "Maybe you should learn how to walk without being a nuisance. "

She spun around, her eyes flashing, "You are a maniac. "

He snapped back, "Stupid."

Her lips twitched slightly, "Your wife."

Xavier raised an eyebrow. "You're standing in my hospital, talking to me like that."

Her glare didn't waver. "Are you flattering yourself with your fame, Mr?" She shot back, her voice sarcastic.

They stared at each other for a brief moment, but the tension broke as they both rolled their eyes in unison at each other, walking in opposite directions.

She was Bella - Bella Christane.

Bella Christane wasn't the type to be intimidated, and Xavier Kincaid was no stranger to be taken lightly.

Yet, something about their short encounter stuck with him,

Her sarcasm, her confident mocking voice, and a savage tongue.

Later, in his mother's ward, the doctors assured and confirmed Stella was out of danger. "She'll regain consciousness soon, Mr. Kincaid. We're expecting her to stabilize. She'll be ready for discharge in two days." Xavier nodded understanding.

He leaned outside the ward, his thoughts a whirlwind. His mind kept going back to the woman, Bella; and the way she'd cursed him out.

It was the first time someone dared to speak him this way, but something about her defiance stirred something deeper in him.