MIRANDA Seeing the surprised look on my face, Hazel chuckled, "What do you think? I will burn down the kitchen? I learned how to cook when I was young because back then, I didn't want to rely on anyone."I wanted to ask him what the situation was like back then, but I was too hungry to form the words. I stared at him as he put the pot on fire and began to cook the noodles.Seeing that his attention was no longer on me, I took advantage of the opportunity and walked closer to the pack of noodles. I knew I couldn't wait for him to finish cooking.Picking up a pack of noodles, I quickly hid it under the shirt of my pajamas.He suddenly turned to stare at me and I gulped. My face which had turned red, contorted in pain and my heart rate increased.Hazel noticed my condition and walked up to me, "Are you okay? Are you in any pain?"I regretted not telling him the truth from the beginning. I didn't want to seem like a liar so I nodded, "Yes, I am fine. I think I need to use the restroom. I'
MIRANDA The man posing as Hazel got up with a strange look in his eyes.As he approached me slowly, I took a few steps back, warning, "Don't come any closer, otherwise I will stab you with this fork.""This doesn't seem like a joke," were the words he said before he turned around and walked away. I noticed he was heading toward the kitchen and ran back to the bedroom, locking the door.Recalling that I had just eaten the food he made, my heart raced even more. I didn't know what to do. In a city where I knew no one else, how could I find out what was going on?I wondered when exactly Hazel was switched and what had happened to him."Who was the man I gave myself to?" It was most likely the impostor because the Hazel I knew wanted our relationship to be different. He had clearly stated it in the contract he made me sign."Miranda, this isn't funny anymore. Open up, I'm worried about you," Hazel's voice followed by a series of knocks on the door, made me take a few more steps away from
MIRANDAI gasped and the scissors fell off my hand."What are you trying to do?" Hazel asked again.I gulped at first, then smiled, "Your hair looked so good but a part was sticking out. I just wanted to trim it."He eyed me suspiciously, "That is the job of my hair barber. When did you become one? Moreover, if any part of my hair is sticking out, you should inform me about it and not try to cut it off. What if you ruined my hairstyle?""I guess I didn't think of all that," I replied before taking the seat opposite him and trying not to make eye contact.He kept staring at me and did not dare to sleep anymore.My heart which had been racing terribly began to slow down until I felt better."Come here," he eventually said to me.Like a robot obeying commands, I got up and walked to him, wondering what he wanted to do.Once I stood in front of him, he circled his arms around my waist, with his face on my belly. We both remained in that position for almost ten minutes. Fortunately, the pi
MIRANDAI bit my lips as I felt torn. I wanted to send Hazel away until I knew who he truly was, however, how could I let go of such a golden opportunity?"Okay, come in," I finally told him with a smile as I made way for him to get in.Seeing all the pillows on the bed, he stared at the pillow in his hand and smiled awkwardly, "I didn't realize you had so many pillows. I would not have brought one if I did."I looked at the eight pillows on my bed and smiled, "It's okay, I guess we can find a place for it."Taking the pillow from him, I placed it atop one of the pillows and lay on the bed, he followed right after. Since I wasn't comfortable around him anymore, I turned, showing him my back. He moved closer to me until there was no space left between us. His hand snaked around my waist as he hugged me from behind, his breath fanning my neck.I remained in the same position, and closed my eyes, not wanting to react to anything he was doing, in hopes that he would give up and fall asle
MIRANDAI got dressed about one hour later but didn't leave my room. I kept watching through the window until I saw Hazel drive out and leave for work.I heaved a sigh of relief and finally came out. After having breakfast alone, I called Mel and learned that she was waiting in the car for me.I quickly got into the car and smiled at her, "Hi, Mel. Sorry about yesterday, I was so exhausted and my mood wasn't really good."She smiled back, "Good morning, Miranda. I completely understand. I'm happy to see the smile on your face. According to your timetable, you have missed your first class today.I had thought you would come out early, that's why I waited in here for you."I sighed, "You're so sweet, Mel. You have no idea how much I missed you.""You were gone for almost two days," she reminded me. "That isn't such a long time. Besides, you were with your beloved husband."I rolled my eyes, "I am not going to school today. I have a few things to take care of so, I'll resume tomorrow.""T
MIRANDA Mel and I arrived at Princess' school and informed her teachers of my desire to see her."We need to seek her mom or dad's permission first," her class teacher told me.I wanted to suggest that they call Shayla because I wanted to keep everything from Hazel. However, the teacher dialed his number before I could speak and he immediately gave his consent.I heaved a sigh of relief, especially since he did not call me afterward to find out why I wanted to see his daughter. When Princess came out, she was very excited to see me."Miranda!" She exclaimed and ran into my arms while I went on my knees and hugged her. Just as we had planned, Mel took out a pair of scissors from her bag at this point, went behind Princess, and secretly cut off some strands of her black hair."I missed you so much and that's why I came to see you," I told her."I missed you too," she replied. "My daddy bought a new house for me and my mummy. It's bigger than the old one and my mummy bought me more toy
MIRANDA Mel also read the conclusion, took the result from me, and gave it back to the doctor."We'll be right back, doctor," she told him before getting to her feet. She held my hand and began to lead me out of the hospital.My feet felt heavy and my eyes brimmed with tears but I tried to control my emotions. I wondered where Hazel truly was and what they had done to him.Mel did not say anything until we got to the car. Seeing how weak I had become, she held my shoulders and said, "Listen to me, Miranda. Do not conclude from this result that Hazel is an impostor because there is another explanation for it.""The truth is as clear as day," I replied. "What other explanation could there be, Mel?""Let's do another test to confirm," she told me."What other test? I asked her. "The truth is right in front of us, Mel. We should be thinking of a way forward."She sighed, "You trust me, don't you?""Isn't that obvious?" I asked her."Then come with me," she responded.I got into the car a
MIRANDA"You have to tell him, Miranda," Mel told me."Tell who what?" I asked."Your husband," She replied. "You need to tell him that Princess is not his daughter."I recalled all the times I saw Hazel display his affection for Princess and how he had cried when he found out she had been molested.I shook my head, "No, Mel, I can't do that. I feel sorry for Princess who loves Hazel so much. Exposing the truth might leave that innocent girl without a father and break her fragile heart.""What about your husband who has been deceived by his ex-wife, Shayla?" She questioned.I sighed. I never thought Shayla could be so heartless. Wasn't it bad enough that she cheated on Hazel? She even deceived him into becoming a father to a child that wasn't his."But why does Princess look so much like Hazel?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it."It might just be a coincidence," Mel rationalized. "Princess grew up as Hazel's daughter so maybe she looks like him because they've been clos
MEL I walked into the home of my best friend, Miranda which had been thoroughly decorated. "Mel! You came!" she exclaimed and wanted to get up so she could hug me. "No, you don't need to get up," I said stopping her. "You just brought a new life into this world and should get all the rest you need." She rolled her eyes, "It's been over three days, Mel and I feel quite strong. I gave birth but everyone acts like I'm handicapped. My mom, my mother-in-law, my husband, and now you." I laughed, "They can't help it. You are their princess. Where's everyone by the way?" She sighed, "They are all in my son's room. I instructed the maids to send you here because I wanted us to chat for a little. It's been a while." I sighed, "Yeah. It's been quite hectic, with my pregnancy and all. I rarely even go to the company because Simon takes care of everything and insists I should rest." Miranda smiled, "He is just like Hazel, but I can't blame him. Your stomach is protruding because y
"Wow! I am so happy, Simon." Gia gushed. "I feel as though I am dreaming." "The party will be held at seven," Simon added. "When it's time, I'll pick you up and take you to the venue, okay?" She nodded her head excitedly. "Now, you can go back to your office, I have a lot of work to do." As she walked away, Simon smiled, "Finally, I'm going to put an end to all the drama and enjoy my marriage to the fullest." While in her office, Gia kept daydreaming about how the news of her upcoming wedding to Simon would go viral. Thinking about how sad Mel would be when the time came, doubled her happiness. After spending a little time in her office, she went out and did some shopping, getting herself a nice dress for the party. At six-thirty, she was ready and waiting for Simon to pick her up. She imagined how envious of her, people would be, as well as the various opportunities that would be open to her once she became Simon's wife. If only she had known that Simon would be the o
After leaving the station, Gia went back home. She felt so happy that everything had gone her way and she began to celebrate. She changed the password of her door, just in case Simon wanted to come around to pay her a visit. She had a feeling it would happen anytime soon. When she heard a knock on the door, she opened it a little and saw her boyfriend, Bill outside. "What do you want?" She asked. Bill scoffed, "What sort of stupid question is that? And why did you change the passcode of the door?' She smiled, "Have you forgotten that this is my house? Yes, I paid for this house so I can decide to do whatever I want with it." "What has gotten over you?" He asked her in surprise. "Why are you being so rude? Move away, and let me in." However, she slammed the door on his face. He knocked on the door again while she went straight to the room and began to pack up his things. Putting all his stuff into a bag, she came back, opened the door, and threw his bag outside. "What
Jude, who had spent the night at Riley's, showed up at Mel's company before she even arrived. He was filled with so much anger because of what Riley had told him, and he had four men with him, all armed. He planned to deal with Mel thoroughly. They hid and waited for Mel, until she showed up, went into the company and up to her office. Afterward, Jude led the men, and they all barged into Mel's office. When Mel saw Jude, she rolled her eyes, "What do you want?" He turned and gestured to the men, who took out their guns and pointed them at her. "What does it look like, Mel? I'm going to give you a taste of your own medicine. Simon has divorced you, so he is not here to protect you. Just as you forced Riley at gunpoint to say those things, I am also going to force you to your knees at gunpoint and make you clear her name. I will reveal who you truly are to the entire world." Jude snarled. Mel chuckled, "Is that what Riley told you?" She threw her head back and laughed, "Oh Ju
After spending time thinking about what to do, Sandra finally made up her mind. She called Becky and Aria; the maids she had planted in Simon's house, and asked them to meet with her secretly. Since Simon was not home, it was easy for the maids to sneak out and hurry to meet Sandra at the agreed location.Sandra stared at the bottle in her hand, with the liquid inside it, and said, "I never wanted it to get to this Simon, It's all your fault. You just have to die. As for Gia, she will learn the consequences of double-crossing me. Gia, watch what I will do to you once Simon dies and I take control of the company. Both you and Mel will learn that I am not someone to be trifled with."Simon was in his guest house with Mel when he received a call from the man he had planted in Sandra's house. "Okay, thank you," he replied. After the call ended, he turned to Mel and said, "Finally, Sandra is taking that bold step we wanted her to take." Mel gasped, "Really? I never really thought sh
Sandra got out of her car, her face beaming with excitement as she thought, "Mel has signed the divorce papers, moved out of Simon's house, and found accommodation elsewhere. Meanwhile, Simon is having an affair with his ex, taking her out to dinner, and even getting intimate with her. How would Dad react to this amazing news?" She could not wait to present all the evidence she had before her father. She believed that once he realized that Simon's wife had divorced him due to his infidelity, he would never forgive Simon. Even if he did forgive him, their relationship would never be the same again and nothing could make her happier than that. Of course, that would also pave the way for her to get the company back from Simon. Because once his father gave him the order, Simon, who valued his father's approval and happiness more than anything, would have no choice but to obey him. When Sandra walked into the house and her father saw her, he sighed. She sat beside him and as
After Riley left, Mel and Simon spent some more time together at his guest house, taking pictures, making videos, and talking about their plans before Simon eventually left and went back home. In the morning, while it was still very early, Mel got dressed and ready for work. She packed the fruit Simon had brought the previous day into a bag and left for her father-in-law's house. She planned to go to work from there, so she had to leave early because she had a lot to do at the company. When she arrived at his house, Simon's father was so happy to see her. "I have missed you," he told her. "I thought you guys had gotten so busy that you'd forgotten about me." "That is not possible," Mel told him. "Here, I brought some of your favorite fruits." He smiled, "Why did you go through the trouble? There are more than enough fruits here for me." "I know," Mel replied, "I just... I still wanted to bring something that you would like." "Thank you," he beamed. "You must have your hand
When Mel opened her eyes, Simon was sitting up staring at her with one of his hands gently stroking her hair. "Good morning," She told him. "Morning, Darling," he replied. She was about to speak when he placed his hand on his chest as though he was in pain. She immediately became alarmed and sat up, "What is it?" Hand still on his chest, he smiled, "You are beautiful." She furrowed her brows, "What?" "How can you be so beautiful even in the morning?" He asked. "Just the thought that I won't get to see you until evening makes my heart hurt." She shook her head, "You are impossible. Is that the new pickup line these days?" He threw his head back and laughed, "Seriously, I have no idea. I'm just expressing how you make me feel." She looked at the time, "It's almost 5.am. You should leave now so our plan doesn't get ruined. He sighed, "It seems those two vultures are already awake. I need to be very careful." As he got up to leave, Mel asked him to wait, so she coul
When Simon arrived at his company, he could not stop smiling due to the conversation he earlier had with Mel. However, when Gia walked into his office, dressed in a provocative black dress, the smile on his face disappeared, and he pretended to be sad. She stood on the other side of the table and said, "Simon, I know you told me not to come into your office, but I'm worried about you. I see the way you look sad and worried. For old times' sake, I can't just leave you all by yourself." Simon stared at her from head to toe and said, "I thought I told you that this form of dressing is not allowed in my office." She smiled, "Oh, I actually came with a jacket; it's just that it's in my office." He stared at her exposed thighs and scoffed, inwardly thinking, "I can't believe I was ever in love with someone this shameless." "It seems you have a lot on your mind," she said, turning to the other side and taking a chair with her so she could sit closer to him, "Do you want to talk