CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR HAZELMelissa and I were dressed and attended to by experts. We were seated in front of a large mirror that showed the whole room. “No matter what happens tonight, you’re forbidden from taking all the shine. I will not be the first topic on the news for being a neglected bride.” Melissa spat.“How can you be a neglected bride? It’s a private ceremony. Darius said he invited only a few guests.” I replied.“And Darius has been so busy that he forgot to tell those guests they cannot bring other guests. I’ll tell you something. Half the people present at our wedding are reporters in disguise. They’re probably expecting Darius to shed some blood at his own wedding ceremony, and I can assure you that they want to be one of the first people to report such news.”I looked away from her, and blinked.“I’m just going to be a happy bride. It’s all up to Darius.”“And where’s your friend? Or should I say; lover?”“Who’s that?” I asked.“Of course, you know him—Xander.”“Xander
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE HAZELShe didn’t plan something with the dancers, did she? Soft music began, and the dancers split into groups of three. A man and two women, symbolizing me, Melissa and Darius. They danced in beautiful harmony, their moves practiced and perfect. It was a show people would pay dollars to watch. They formed art as their robes and satin scarves flew as they danced.Even without words, they communicated the strength of three in a marriage. Unfortunately, the strength wasn’t meant for ‘this’ particular marriage. Our marriage was bound for failure from the very beginning. But honestly, what was Melissa playing at? Were lies all she had now?After the dance, poems and songs were shared, delighting the audience, and I kept peeking looks at Darius, who was as impatient as hell. He looked like he just wanted to scream at them, and asked who the hell planned the whole thing, but each time his lips parted, he’d steal a glance at me, and keep quiet.Finally, and finally, it
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIXHAZELI froze, staring at the videos, as they overlapped with each other. Someone had taken the time to edit the video, and even add a soft song to it. Xander’s face was blurred, and let’s say that gave me just a teeny relief because I would not like to put him in trouble, or tarnish his reputation. He was especially careful around me, and it was probably for this reason. He didn’t want people misinterpreting our relationship. I hated the way the video turned out. I felt like a cheat. Darius couldn’t tear his eyes off the video. His jaw was clenched, but apart from that, I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Melissa had her fingers over her mouth, as she stared at the video in utter shock. It made me think for a moment that maybe she wasn’t the one, but no; she told me herself that she had a gift for me. This was her gift. The bitch. The desire to launch myself against her, and hit her silly was strong. I wanted to just ditch it all, grab her hair, and slap her t
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVENDARIUSFrustrated, stressed, and unhappy with the way all the events went, I got down from the car, heading to the hall. I didn't even think she would still be there. It wasn't until her maid told me she wasn't back that my mind told me she had to be at the wedding hall.When I saw her sitting on the steps to the altar, looking lost, guilt twinged my heart. It wasn't my intention to forget about her. She must have thought I was mad because of the man she was caught having fun with. Of course, I was jealous, and hated to see her with someone else, but I knew her heart belonged to me, and if she was happy with a friend, why should I break them apart, and cause her to have negative thoughts about me? I was going to change, and become someone better.“Hazel.” I called, and she raised her tear- stained face to look at me. She got up from where she sat, and walked the rest of the way to me slowly. “Dar…” She was saying weakly, but she stumbled, and I held her. She gav
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHTHAZELMelissa stared after them as they went, even going far as rising slowly, so she could watch them until they were out of sight. As for me, I watched Xander. I didn't think he'd caught wind of the news, since Darius had instructed no one to release it.Maybe it was better that way.“Tell Darius I didn't really feel up to dinner. I hope you're fine too.” I said, getting to my feet, and she shot a brow upwards.“Why should I?”“Because you want to pretend you care about me, and asked why I was leaving the table without having dinner.” I said, and began to make my way to my room, feeling horribly disoriented, and so out of focus that I bumped into a maid in the hallway. “Jeez, I'm so sorry.” I said immediately, hoping I didn't spill the fruits she was carrying.“Are you okay, Lady Hazel? Your face is really pale.” She said, peering at me. How could I say I was fine? I didn't feel at all fine. I felt queasy, suffocated, nauseated. I'd been feeling that way for a
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINEHAZELWatching Darius leave just like that was like poking the tip of a knife in my chest. I knew it would hurt, but I was yet to believe that the knife would actually be pushed in. My hand slid into the pocket of my dress, feeling the paper stiff at my side. Well, there was plenty of time to tell him. Bad days wouldn't last.I made my way to my room after that and spent the whole day reading novels. Waiting for the right time to see Darius. I itched to leave the room to go to his; at least, find a reason to talk to him.It went on as the hours passed by, I'd go to his door, but then stop myself, and return to the bed.Finally, when it was time for dinner, I dashed out of my room, and made my way to the dining. When I was close, I stopped to catch my breath, and pretend I wasn't running, but… Darius wasn't there. It was just Melissa. “Where's Darius?” I asked, but she didn't even reply. She just kept eating, and ignoring me, so I went to the kitchen. “Did Darius
CHAPTER SEVENTYHAZELI got to my feet, wanting to call out to him, but the window snapped shut. What was wrong with Darius? Why would he look at me when I wasn't looking, with some kind of mixed emotion, and then act so cold and distant when he had my attention?What on earth was going through his mind?I carried my tray, and ran to the kitchen, dropping it before making my way to his study. “He's not in.” The guards said, before I could even get close enough. “Then where is he?”“He didn't tell us anything.” The second replied, and my feet carried me to his room. It was the same response. “He hasn't come to his bedroom.”I gave up, and went to sleep.But days went on, and on in that manner. Everytime I went to meet Darius, his men said he wasn't in. I always thought it was just my bad luck, and him having a lot of workload, but that wasn't the case. On one fateful morning, he actually came for breakfast.My heart leaped in hope, and excitement that things could probably be differe
CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE HAZEL“I’m leaving? You want me to leave? To where?” I asked, feeling my senses slowly going numb.“Find that out on your own.” He snapped, and began taking documents to deal with, opening and spreading about four of them at once all over his table.“You have to explain. You never even got back to me about the honeymoon. It's been over a week now since the marriage.”“I decided that I'm not going to take any risks. Do you know what seeing you everyday feels like? It's tormenting, it's hard. I don't think I can put up with such feelings anymore. You’re leaving my kingdom, Hazel.” I couldn’t understand or believe any of what he was saying. It felt like he was speaking a foreign language. What risks? What torment? Could he actually hear himself? How was I expected to understand what was going on?I moved closer to him. “Look into my eyes, and explain, Darius. All this is weird. You should tell me more, so I can know exactly what to say. What are you talking about?
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINEHAZEL'S POV {One Year Later}I pushed the baby in the cot, hearing him moan and look up at me with twinkling eyes. “Sweet Dennis, you know you want to sleep. Don't give mom a headache. You know I should be with the twins, right? It's their birthday, and you had me with you all day.” I said, touching his cheeks, and he giggled. His giggle— my freedom.After Xander had been banished, and Melissa had been cast into the dungeon, I'd been so traumatized. She'd truly given birth to a baby, but it had been given to Xander. That was the last thing Darius could do to compensate him as a Beta as he sent him off to never return. As for Melissa? She remained in the dungeon. The moment she gave birth to the baby, she hated it. She complained the baby didn't give her freedom and seeing it made her remember Xander whom she painted to be a traitor and a snitch. Staying in the dungeon had broken her and the maids whispered of how she murmurs inaudible words,
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTMELISSA'S POV I yawned, stepping out of the room to get myself something to eat. Perhaps, it was just my intuition, but the house felt strangely quiet. The fridge light reflected on my face as I pulled it open, and I saw that Hazel's food for the day hadn't been given to her. “Are you planning to starve her now that we're going to kill her?” I called out, “Well, good riddance!”My voice bounced back to me in echoes, and I stepped back, “Xander?” My feet crossed the living room quickly to the room he usually slept, and I pushed open the door. He wasn't there. Did he really go to a hotel, or was he down in the basement with Hazel?Turning around, I went straight to the basement, and pushed it open, looking inside as I switched on the light. Hazel wasn't there!It hit me like a bolt of terror. “Xander! Hazel!” I called into the empty basement as if they would reply from some hiding place.“No, no! Stop thinking crazy thoughts, Melissa!” Quickl
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENHAZEL’S POV I couldn't believe it when Xander was loosing the ropes from me. I was finally free. My hands were so white, and devoid of blood, completely lifeless. After freeing my legs, he helped me rise to my feet, but I fell back almost immediately. He caught me, and we waited a while for me to be able to regain the feeling in my legs. Walking was strange and difficult after being tied up for so long, but after taking a few steps, I finally began to get the hang of it, my heart pounding in excitement as we left the house. Xander took me in his car to the mansion, and I rubbed my hands in anxiety. I would see my kids. I would see Darius. Night had fallen completely by the time we got to the mansion, and when the guards at the gate saw Xander, they gave a signal, and different guards came out from different angles, surrounding us with weapons trained on us. “Beta Xander, you have been…” A guard began.“I know. I know… just take me to the Kin
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXXANDER’S POV As Melissa walked past me, my hands balled into a fist, and shook so much that I couldn't even find a way to calm myself. She had crossed the line. She had done way too much. She had said way too much!My chest burned intensely, as a wild heat rampaged around, spreading deep within me, like a fire racing down a forest, burning everything in sight. Damn everything. Damn it all. I wouldn't let her have what she wanted. My baby! She was going to give it to Darius. And then killed Hazel? That was impossible. Yes, I'm mad at Hazel, but I still love her and wouldn't just let her die. The thought ate at me for hours, digging deep inside of me, probing me, disturbing me, until I finally realized I couldn't stay still. Hazel couldn't just die like that. I know it sounds crazy to not want her dead after everything she did to me, but for the sake of the past… perhaps just for the past…I stormed down to the basement where she stayed tied u
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE MELISSA’S POV Yes, Three long weeks went past, and my life became so static, and stagnant. Seeing Hazel’s face everyday honestly made me want to puke. At times, I’d meet her praying for her kids, and that would anger me more. She’d become a kind of punching bag for me because I vented my full anger on her whenever I felt like it. As for Xander, I didn’t know how he was doing it. For the time being, there was no trouble even with Darius having the kids, so I guessed all was going well. Perhaps he’d been avoiding Darius, although that was almost impossible and risking.However, how he handled it wasn’t really my problem. The only thing he’d become useful for was pleasing my body’s sexual desires. When he wasn’t doing that, everything else he was doing naturally became annoying. That very morning, I woke with a fever; something that was very rare for me to have. I got up, took some water, but my headache only got worse. Eventually, I crawled back
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR DARIUS’ POV {Three Weeks Later}The last three weeks that passed were hectic. Azel was still so closed off, and wouldn’t talk to me. He would not eat, and get me worried so much that I’d have to ask Theresa to find out what he wants, and take care of him so he wouldn’t get sick. Recently, things got worse. Azella, who was the more receptive one suddenly locked herself up, and wouldn’t leave her room. It was what baffled me the most, and caused me sleepless nights. A knock sounded on my door, and Theresa came in, holding Azel, who had a lollipop in his mouth, and a scowl on his face. “Yes?” “You asked for my report. Azella still won’t come out, and keeps crying. She won't let anyone talk to her.” She said, and I pushed aside the hectic work on my desk, with a sigh, before rising to my feet. Damn. My men were all over, looking for Melissa now. She’d simply gone off the grid. Her phone was untrackable. All of her records were blank. How she did
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THREE DARIUS’ POV {The Previous Day}My heart stirred as I beheld the two children before me. My kids. Seeing the girl again, my resemblance was present in her shining face. And the boy… he was a combination of me and Hazel. They were really my kids—my heirs. They were… mine. The feeling in my chest felt tight. Like I couldn’t breathe. Just the pain of seeing them so close to me. I’d missed so many important things in their lives. Things I wanted to do with my heirs—take first steps, go out somewhere nice, hear them call my name. The girl smiled happily, her cheeks turning a deep pink as her adorable smile reached her ears. However, the boy had a deep-seated frown on his face, making him look more like me instead of Hazel. I raised my hand, and the guards following all came to stand behind me.“Take the kids in. Give them to Theresa. Food, water, clothes, a bed… give them everything they need.” I said, and they nodded, going to the kids. Azella'
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWOMELISSA'S POV Damn it. I was drunk.She was probably not in her right senses too. The silence was too thick, and my eyes fell on his lips. Firm, smooth, full… like a magnetic attraction, I was drawn to them, and couldn't take my eyes off them. And he made the move. He placed his hand behind my head, and bent to kiss me. It was when his lips touched mine that I knew it—my body ached to be loved. It ached to be wanted, wanted to be remembered. I'd spend so many years aching for Darius who never looked my way that I forgot what my body craved, and needed. My tears dropped as the kiss between me and Xander ran deeper, like we wanted to devour the whole of us, tongues gliding over tongues, over lips. My hands found the hardness of his chest, roaming around it as the feet seemed to pull out from underneath me. I fell against him, and he supported me, since the world was becoming unstable. My fingers ended up ripping his buttons, pulling his shirt
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONEMELISSA'S POV PRESENTLY “The kids are what?” I asked, shocked. “Missing for three days.” My whole world crashed on me. They were dead. Two malnourished kids on their own for three days. They were dead. What would I do? My hands slowly threaded into my hair. If Darius ever found out…What would be my plan? What exactly was the whole plan from the start. Darius was never supposed to find out. He found out, and ruined everything. His patience would soon wear thin. He would soon realize that I would never ask for anything, and all I wanted was their deaths. What exactly was my plan?My hands fell limply to my sides, and I turned away from my parents, feeling the devastation continue to creep on me, snatching my chest in its iron grip. “Melissa! Where are you going in that manner? You…”“Don't act like you care! You ruined me!” I screamed, without even looking back. I needed to think. There was no way I'd see the twins if I wanted to start search