XAVIER’S POV
“Daddy, when is Sarah coming back?” Elizabeth had asked after I had watched as William’s car disappeared, taking Sarah away from me. My heart felt like it had been ripped out. I couldn’t believe I had to let her go.
But I knew it was necessary. William’s anger and determination to keep us apart were palpable.
I crouched down to meet Elizabeth’s height, her big brown eyes filled with concern. “Soon, sweetie. Sarah needs to go for now.” I offered a reassuring smile.
“Where’s William, her dad?” Harper chimed in, her brow furrowing. “Did the two of them leave?”
I glanced up at Harper, who stood beside Hayden, his expression serious as if they were interrogating me.
I let out a sigh and tried to simplify the truth. “Like I said, they’re gone, but-” I was interrupted by Elizabeth whining. Her face scrunched up. “Why did Sarah leave without telling us? This is so unlike her.”
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “Sometimes, grown-ups need to figure things out. She has to leave without telling you.”
The girls exchanged glances, their faces etched with disbelief. Being with Sarah for more than four years, they’ve gotten used to her habits and movements. Sometimes it seems they knew Sarah more than I did.
I hugged Elizabeth tightly, trying to lighten her mood. “She will be back soon. We just need to give her some time.”
I pulled away, and as I stood up, Hayden’s eyes met mine, her arms crossed. “It’s been hours ago since she left,” she remarked, raising an eyebrow.
“Girls, why don’t you go play in your room for a bit?” I suggested, trying to change the subject.
Elizabeth nodded, reluctantly leaving my side. But as for the twins, they remained standing, all with crossed arms.
“Since she decided to leave without informing us, can we at least talk to her on the phone?” Harper spoke up while Hayden sauntered to the table to grab my phone.
“Take it, call her. We want to talk to her,” Hayden said, handing me the phone.
I hesitated, unsure if William would allow Sarah to receive calls from me. I knew William all too well; he’d make sure Sarah and I never made contact.
“I don’t think…” I began, but Hayden cut me off with a shrug.
“Fine, we’ll call her ourselves then.”
Hayden’s fingers flew across the screen, dialing Sarah’s number. The twins exchanged nervous glances as they waited for her to pick up.
After a few rings, Hayden’s face lit up. “Sarah!”
“Sarah, is that you?” Harper chimed in, her eyes sparking with excitement, but then the voice from the other end sounded. Their gaze snapped towards me, her brow furrowing in confusion.
“Dad,” Harper called, and I quickly understood what was going on.
I collected the phone from them, only to hear William’s voice from the other end.
“You won’t see her again, so don’t bother calling her. In fact, she’ll be changing her number. Goodbye.”
I felt a surge of anger and frustration as William’s cold voice echoed through the phone. I clenched my jaw, trying to remain calm for the girls’ sake.
“William, don’t you think you’re taking this too far?” I said, my voice firm but controlled.
“Goodbye, Xavier,” William repeated, his tone final.
The line went dead. I stood there, frozen, as the twins looked up at me with worried eyes.
“What did he say?” Harper asked with an expectant gaze. “Who’s he anyway?”
I took a deep breath before answering. “He said Sarah will be changing her number and that we won’t be able to contact her.”
Hayden’s face fell. “But why? That’s not fair!”
Elizabeth, who I didn’t realize was quietly observing, spoke up. “Is Sarah okay?”
“Sarah is fine, sweetie. She’s just… dealing with some things,” I replied.
The girls exchanged glances, their faces etched with concern.
“We want to talk to her,” Harper said, her voice determined.
I hugged them tightly. “I know, babies. Me too. But we have to be patient and understand that this is what William wants right now. But that doesn’t mean I’ll give him that.” I added a sly smile on my face.
As I pulled away, their eyes locked onto mine, probably wondering what I meant by my last words.
But before they could ask, I broke it to them. “Stay here with Nanny. Grandma will come join you later today.”
Their eyes narrowed in confusion, and Harper and Hayden asked in unison, “Where are you going?”
I stood up and ruffled their hair. “I’m going to get Sarah. And I’ll be back before you know it.”
__________
I stood outside William’s door, my heart racing with anticipation and determination. It wasn’t so hard to find him when I have connections, and he, most of all, had forgotten he gave me a hint of where he lived in Paris some time ago. We were best friends; he didn’t hide anything from me back then. I recalled the night, years ago, he boasted about his new apartment the moment he arrived in Paris, the exact address slipping from his lips amidst our friendly conversation and laughter.
Now life had changed. Our friendship had frayed, and William’s protectiveness toward Sarah had turned into an obsession. But I held onto that memory, onto the trust we once shared.
I took a deep breath, my thoughts clarifying. This wasn’t just about Sarah; it was about reclaiming what William had taken from me-a life without Sarah wouldn’t be complete.
As I raised my hand to press the bell, my mind wandered back to the girls. Their faces, etched with worry, still lingered in my mind. I knew I had to do this, not just for myself but for the girls.
My knuckles rapped against the door, the sound echoing through the silent hallway.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead. William’s anger, his refusal to listen, wouldn’t deter me.
The door creaked open, and William’s eyes widened in shock.
“X-Xavier…” His voice trailed off, surprise and anger warring on his face. “Xavier,” he repeated this time, his voice laced with venom.
I smiled, a cold, calculated smile. “Hello, William.”
William’s gaze darted past me, as if searching for someone. “H-how did you find me?”
“I have my ways,” I replied, my eyes locked onto his while a sly smile played on my lips.
William’s face reddened as he pointed down the hallway. “Leave. Now.”
I stepped forward, my presence filling the doorway. “I’m not leaving until I see Sarah.”
William’s eyes flashed with anger, but I saw a flicker of uncertainty. He knew I wouldn’t back down.
“I will never allow Sarah to see you again,” he growled.
I chuckled and held onto the door as I leaned closer to his face. “We’ll let Sarah decide that for herself.”
With that, I pushed past William into the house.
“Sarah! Where are you? I’m here to take you back.”
My voice echoed through the penthouse, but I was met with silence. I turned to William, my expression serious.
“Where is she, William?”
William’s brow furrowed. It seemed he was surprised that Sarah hadn’t run out of her room to meet me.
“Where is she?” I demanded.
But William’s surprised expression twisted into anger in an instant. “You think she’s just waiting for you? She’s moved on, Xavier.”
I smirked. “We’ll see about that.”
Without waiting for William’s permission, I strode down the hallway, opening doors to empty rooms. William followed closely, his footsteps echoing behind me.
“Sarah!” I called out again.
Suddenly, William grasped my arm, spinning me around. “Stop this, Xavier. You’re only hurting her more.”
I shook off his grip. “You’re the one hurting her, William-by keeping her from me.”
We rushed to Sarah’s room, the door slightly ajar. I pushed it open, and the sight I saw made my heart sink.