Chapter 105 Xander’s POV

Chapter 105 Xander’s POV
Chapter Hundred and five

Xander's POV

The moment the call ended, I felt uneasy. Something wasn't right.

I heard the tremble in her voice when she said “We’ll talk tomorrow.” And that didn’t sit well with me.

I stood in the middle of my living room long after the line went dead.l

Every instinct in my body was screaming that I go and check up on her.

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration and told myself to calm down. I told myself to be rational, to wait till morning.

I paced the length of my office twice and before I knew it, I was grabbing my keys and heading out.

I wasn’t going to sit in my penthouse and imagine over a hundred scenarios of what could happen.

I took the private elevator straight to the basement, got into the car, and drove faster than I should have.

By the time I pulled up in front of her apartment building, the lights in her living room were still on.

I stepped out of the car quietly. The only thing in my head was getting to Bella. Making sure she was okay. Making sure Noah was safe.

At her door, I didn’t knock immediately.
I just stood there, gathering my nerves.

What was I even going to say when she opened the door?

“Hi, I know it's late but I just thought I'd check up on you?”

I almost laughed at myself. That sounded dumb.

“Well then, here goes nothing,” I muttered under my breath.

I gathered enough courage and was about to knock on the door when I heard Bella's voice.

“Daniel s… stop.”

“Daniel don't.”

I immediately barged in and I saw Daniel. His hand was on her cheek, his face was close like he was about to… kiss her

My vision went red with rage.

“What the hell is going on here?” I growled.

Daniel jerked his hand away from Bella, but not fast enough. I had already seen everything.

Bella stepped back with her eyes wide open.

My jaw clenched. “I asked a question.”

Daniel straightened. “You can’t just walk into her home like you own it.”

“I don’t own her home,” I shot back, stepping forward, “but I sure as hell own the right to ask why your hands are on the mother of my child.”

Bella whispered, “Xander… please.” She looked towards Daniel's direction. “Daniel was just leaving, isn't that right?”

Daniel glared at me for a second and then glanced back at her. “Yeah, sure. Goodnight, Bella.”

Bella still looked shaken. Daniel really destabilized her.

I sighed. “Sorry, I should have been here to protect you from things like this.”

Daniel scoffed. “Protect? You weren’t there when she needed protecting.”

I whipped my head towards him. “I’m here now, that's all that matters.”

“You think you can just walk back into their lives because the truth came out?” he snapped.

My voice turned ice-cold. “Yes. And I should have you arrested for going against medical ethics by lying about my son's paternity but I'm letting you go because of your kindness. Next time… I won't be so merciful.”

Bella gasped softly, but I didn’t break eye contact with Daniel.

Daniel’s eyes darkened. “I love her,” he said. “And I've been here for her. Unlike you.”

I stepped even closer. “You loving her doesn’t give you the right to force yourself on her. She doesn't want you, get over it.”

Daniel froze and his face turned pale.

He opened his mouth to deny it but I interrupted him.

“Don’t,” I cut in. “Don’t insult either of us by pretending. I saw it.”

He shook his head in embarrassment. He was embarrassed that he had been caught.

I lowered my voice dangerously to Daniel. “You will not be alone with Bella again. And you will never ever try something like that again in front of my son. Now get out.”

Daniel swallowed. “You don’t control…”

“I can't control her friends,” I said. “But I can damn well control who gets near my family. Get the hell out.”

“I'm not leaving until she asks me to,” he replied stubbornly.

“Daniel,” she whispered, “please… go.”

Daniel’s shoulders dropped, then he walked out quietly without another word.

Immediately Daniel left the house, I closed the door behind Daniel, making sure it shut firmly.

I turned back to Bella.

She looked so small at that moment with her arms curled around herself.

My chest tightened painfully.

I stepped closer. “Bella,” I said softly, “look at me.”

She lifted her gaze, and our eyes met.

“I should have been here,” I murmured. “I shouldn't have left you alone tonight.”

She shook her head. “Xander… it’s not your responsibility to…”

“It is,” I cut in. “You and Noah? You’re my responsibility whether you want me to say it out loud or not.”

Her eyes widened a little, like she wasn’t expecting that.

I took another step toward her. “What Daniel did… it won’t happen again. I promise you that.”

She exhaled shakily. “He just… he caught me off guard.”

“I know.” My jaw clenched. “And that’s exactly why I’m not leaving you alone tonight.”

I could tell by her facial expression that she doesn't want me to go.

“Where’s Noah?” I asked softly.

“Playing in his bedroom.”

I nodded, breathing out slowly. “Good.”

I moved closer, brushing my fingertips lightly over her arm. She didn’t pull away. If anything… she leaned into it.

“Bella,” I said quieter, “you’re safe with me. I need you to know that.”

Her lips trembled slightly. “I didn’t expect him to act like that. Daniel’s always been… careful. Gentle.”

“Gentle men don’t ignore the word ‘stop’,” I said, voice low and controlled. “Gentle men don’t corner women they say they love.”

Her eyes closed, like she didn’t want to relive it.

“Hey,” I whispered. “Come here.”

She stepped forward, collapsing into my chest. My arms wrapped around her instantly, protectively. I felt her breath shudder against me.

I lowered my chin to her hair. “I’ve got you,” I murmured. “No one’s touching you again. Not like that. Not ever.”