Chapter 194

• Xavier felt a rush of anxiety as he arrived at his home—a grand, white mansion surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens and dense woods stretching across acres of land.
• His sleek, black shoes clicked against the stamped concrete driveway as he hurriedly ascended the steps leading to the white-marbled porch, striding swiftly through the entrance hall.
• “Hazel!” he called out, his complexion drained and worn. Just an hour ago, he had received a phone call from Hazel’s school informing him that she had fallen ill, having vomited twice and running a high fever.