***Hyacinth***After the conference, my father’s gaze lingered on me in a way that made my skin crawl. It was unsettling, unfamiliar. He had never looked at me like that before—was it guilt? Regret? I couldn’t tell, and I didn’t care to decipher it. My heart was a fortress, hardened by years of suspicion and pain. How could I forgive him when I was convinced he had a hand in my mother’s death? The thought clawed at me, relentless. He had always been more interested in her wealth than in her. I knew it. My mother and grandmother had hidden their assets from him for a reason. They saw what I now see—a man driven by greed, not love.And then there were the insurance settlements. I was certain he had profited from her death. The pieces were falling into place, memories resurfacing like shards of glass. Rosie, his favorite, had been spoiled rotten. I remembered the horse he bought her shortly after Mom’s death. A horse Rosie had beaten to death in a fit of rage after falling off it. The im
***Rosie***Yesterday’s conference was a living nightmare. I was unceremoniously stripped of my position as COO, and the board of directors didn’t even hesitate to agree. The betrayal stung like a thousand needles piercing my skin. For a fleeting moment, I considered releasing those damning videos to destroy them all. Hyacinth would never dare show her face in public again. But then, there’s ‘him’—Mysterious psycho. His plans, whatever they are, always seem to overshadow mine. If it weren’t for him, I would already be sitting in Hyacinth’s place, basking in the glory that should have been mine.But truthfully, the COO position was never my end goal. It was merely a stepping stone. What truly burns me is the thought of Hyacinth occupying that prestigious role. The board hasn’t officially announced her as the new COO, but Raven’s actions speak louder than words. He’s already parading her around as the new face of the company, and it’s infuriating.“Rosie,” my father’s voice cut through m
***Hyacinth***The weight of guilt pressed heavier on my chest as I watched her crumple to the floor, clutching her face. Darcy moved swiftly, bending down to help her up just as one of the maids burst into the room, her eyes wide with alarm. My heart raced, hoping she wasn’t bleeding. I hadn’t even noticed my father, Samuel, sitting in his wheelchair by the doorway, his face a storm of anger. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the armrests, and beside him, Rosie was wailing like a child, her cries piercing the tense air.“Dad!” Rosie scrambled to her feet, shoving Darcy aside as she rushed to Samuel. Her voice was shrill, dripping with accusation. “Hyacinth just punched me!”I couldn’t help but smirk, crossing my arms as I leaned against the wall. “Wow, this is the first time you’ve told the truth about something,” I said, my tone laced with amusement. My gaze flickered to my mother-in-law, who stood silently in the corner, her expression unreadable.“Hyacinth!” Samuel’s voice boome
**Raven**The weight of the situation pressed heavily on my mind. Rosie’s decision to sell her shares had far-reaching implications, even if it only left her with a mere one percent stake in the company. I couldn’t help but wonder what Samuel would think of his daughter’s actions. Would he be disappointed? Concerned? Or would he understand the desperation that might have driven her to such a decision? Now, the Ruby Empire’s sudden interest in the Dawson company added another layer of complexity. Why would they want to involve themselves in our affairs? Was it because of Hyacinth’s connection to them, or perhaps because Regina had once saved the Ruby Empire from ruin? I knew Rosie was vulnerable in the cutthroat world of business—easily swayed, easily tricked. It was no wonder the company had nearly collapsed under her watch. “It seems the Hekkinen family is determined to get closer to you,” I remarked, turning to my wife. Her expression was unreadable, as always. “Speaking of Hekkin
***Hyacinth***The room buzzed with the warm hum of conversation, but my attention was entirely consumed by the small, intricate box in my hands—my eighteenth birthday gift from Raven. I glanced up at him, catching his amused gaze. His eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and affection, and I squinted at him, feigning suspicion. He responded with a playful wink, his lips curling into that familiar, heart-stopping smirk.“You’re making this hard for me, my love,” I muttered, my fingers fumbling with the puzzle.“Do you want me to solve it for you?” Raven offered, his voice dripping with mock innocence.I scoffed, though my cheeks warmed at his teasing. “No,” I said firmly, though my resolve wavered as he stood and moved to sit beside me. His presence was magnetic, and I couldn’t help but lean into him as he pulled me closer. I shook the box gently, listening for any hint of its contents. “I didn’t hear any surprises in here,” I said, my tone half-curious, half-challenging.He nuzzled h
***Hyacinth***Tears welled up in my eyes as Raven knelt before me, sliding the ring onto my finger. The cool metal felt familiar, as though time had stood still. It fit snugly, a reminder of how little I had changed over the years—perhaps I had been heavier back then, and now, after shedding some weight, it clung to me just as tightly. My heart swelled with a mix of emotions: joy, nostalgia, and an undercurrent of guilt I couldn’t quite shake.“It’s so beautiful, Raven,” I whispered, my voice trembling.“Of course, it is,” he replied, his voice warm and proud. “I told you, no other ring I’ve made for you compares to this one. This is my masterpiece.” He brought my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles gently. “Though it’s a bit tight. I’ll make some adjustments. Hurry, pull it off. It’s bad luck if I do it myself.”“Okay,” I murmured, sniffling as I struggled to remove the ring. It resisted at first, as if reluctant to leave my finger.“Just a tiny adjustment,” Raven assured me, his
***Patricia***I sat on the edge of my bed, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, as my mind raced. Did Eino set this up? The thought gnawed at me. Or did I accidentally place it there? I was certain it hadn’t been on my reading list. My fingers drummed against my arm as I replayed the events in my head. Eino had mentioned he was heading to his bedroom earlier. Was that a coincidence? I couldn’t shake the unease settling in my chest.I stood abruptly and stepped into the corridor, my eyes darting to the security cameras. They were functioning, their tiny red lights blinking steadily. Pulling out my phone, I dialed Seth. The phone rang twice before his calm voice answered.“Hi, Miss Patricia,” he greeted, his tone professional yet warm.“Seth, can you review the footage from the corridor outside my room?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.“Is something missing?” he inquired, his tone shifting slightly, picking up on my tension.“No, nothing’s missing. But… I think someone might
***Hyacinth*** The words on the business textbook blurred together, meaningless shapes on a page. I tapped my pen against my notebook, leaving behind a trail of spirals and half-formed story ideas instead of notes. This wasn’t me. Numbers, strategies, corporate jargon—it all felt like a language I’d never be fluent in. But Raven had insisted, and so here I was, trapped in a role I never wanted. A sigh escaped me, heavy with frustration. “It’s interesting.” Patricia’s voice snapped me back to reality. Of course she found it fascinating. She thrived on structure, on logic, while my mind lived in the spaces between words, in the emotions that couldn’t be quantified. I slumped further in my seat, my pout deepening. “Hyacinth.” A book landed with a sharp thud in front of me. Zian loomed over the table, arms crossed, his usual calm demeanor fraying at the edges. “Are you even listening?” I blinked up at him, deliberately slow. “Can’t Patricia just handle this?” “Hey,” Patri
–Hyacinth–I planned it to be in Switzerland. Patricia always wanted to go there. So we made it. Raven and I decided to let them go wherever they want. While he and I stayed in our hotel room to make love. I promised him. That we would go crazy in bed once he’s fully recovered. It’s still his birthday week. Besides, my husband is all that matters now. I may not be able to give him children but this one happiness… maybe it’ll fill up his wants. “I am loving your body, right now.” He said while admiring me on a fitted dress that I put on for our afternoon walk. We’ll be meeting them in the restaurant that they found a few blocks from our hotel. “Really? I think I am fatter than before.” I approached her as he caressed my curves. “Oh, these… mama mia!” He grinned. I laughed and pushed his hair forward. “Let’s go. I want to eat and also enjoy this place.” “Okay, okay.” He bounced his head. “I don’t want my wife to get hungry. Hungry wife, disaster life.” He said as playfully as I sma
–Hyacinth–I quickly tucked the letter away, my fingers trembling slightly as I realized it could ruin the night for Raven. No, not tonight. Not on his birthday. I stepped outside, handed the bouquet to a passing housekeeper with a grateful smile, and whispered, "Thank you," before rushing back in.And the letter? I buried the storm of emotions twisting inside me. Because this isn’t just about me anymore. This time, I’m protecting him. I’m protecting Raven.The door burst open from the bathroom. “Love!” Raven called out, his voice bright and boyish.I turned with a soft smile. “Yes?”He peeked his head around the doorframe with that mischievous grin of his. “I was thinking… quick party, then make love?”I laughed, arching a brow. “You’re not fully recovered yet. So, we can’t—unless~”“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, waving a hand. “I know. No more food poisoning, I swear.”“Mmhmm,” I hummed, unconvinced.He walked over, draping himself across the bed. “So, who knocked earlier?”I avoided h
–Hyacinth–I sighed, stomach churning. Ugh, probably too much soda. I rushed to the bathroom, hoping it would pass. That’s when it hit me—I hadn’t gotten my period.I froze, hand instinctively reaching for my chest. Tender. Really tender.“Oh, shit,” I muttered. “Am I pregnant… or is this just PMS?”No. Couldn’t be. I stopped taking the pill, yeah, but Raven had a low sperm count and we always used condoms… right?“This is just PMS,” I told myself, firm. “Just premenstrual weirdness. Totally normal. Nothing to see here.”I cleaned myself up and was just reaching for toilet paper when Raven knocked.“Come on, babe!” he called.I opened the door just enough to peek out.“I’m not feeling great,” I said, nudging him inside. “Your turn.”He rushed past me like a man on a mission. “Thanks! But hey, we still have places to be, remember?”“Yeah, yeah,” I said with a laugh.The door shut, and a groan came from inside.“You okay in there?” I asked, amused. “Want me to get you some medicine?”“Y
Hyacinth I’ve always dreamed of touring Europe, and now, with our budget secured, we finally could. The private jet made the trip hassle-free, and as we stepped onto foreign soil, I intertwined my fingers with my husband’s. But he brushed my hand away, handing me my purse instead. I pouted, only for him to secure his own bag across his chest before resting a firm hand on my waist. My irritation melted into a grin when he winked at me. “So, this is the surprise birthday trip you planned for me?” he asked. “Yes,” I confirmed. “I would’ve preferred it if we were alone, you know.” His grin turned wicked as he wiggled his brows. “Locked in our room for days—lazy, indulgent, just us. I’d never get tired of that.” “But I would,” I shot back, squinting up at him. “It’s bad for me.” He laughed as I did, then pushed open the door to the first café we spotted. The place wasn’t crowded, but the rich aroma of coffee and pastries was intoxicating. My eyes locked onto the cinnamon Dani
–Patricia–I had invited Anthony with Hyacinth’s approval, and they unexpectedly showed up together. I was surprised that Hyacinth had brought our favorite yogurt set, while Raven handed me the apple container.“You can eat all of that since you’re single,” Raven remarked with a pitying look. It was irritating, but I had to endure his constant jibes—after all, my best friend was paying me to tolerate his face.I put the yogurt in the fridge, only to be interrupted by a hand that appeared behind me, placing something next to it. I turned, nearly colliding noses with the newcomer. He quickly raised his hand and apologized, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”“No, it’s fine,” I replied with a grin. “You’re not trying to flirt with me, are you?” I teased.“What if I am?” he shot back, laughing and nodding.“You’ll have to ask my best friend’s permission first,” I quipped.He chuckled and patted my arm. “Sure thing. By the way, I have some questions,” he said, extending his arm. I gracefu
***Raven*** Rosie had put on quite the show. After days of comforting my wife and convincing her not to blame herself, it seemed to be working—somewhat. But I needed to double down. I had to find that last copy and destroy it, especially now that my wife was gaining fame. Maybe we should stop attending galas altogether. “Why are you packing so much?” I asked as she counted a few items. “We’re off to Europe,” she replied casually. “Babe, we’re not going to Finland again,” I teased. “I didn’t say Finland,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I have work.” “You can work from there. Besides, I made sure the jet is packed.” She winked and held up a piece of lingerie—tempting, to say the least. “Wow, second honeymoon?” I approached her, but she raised a finger to stop me, carefully placing the lingerie into the luggage. “Now I remember—our anniversary is coming up,” I said, walking around her and pulling her waist toward me. “Are you planning to make love to me?” “No way! After
–Raven–As soon as I answered his call, the first thing I heard was his heavy breathing.“I will kill her. I will kill Hyacinth,” Samuel said, as though Hyacinth wasn’t his daughter. His words sent chills down my spine. Even his own flesh and blood—he wanted her dead.“Killing Hyacinth won’t do you any good, Samuel,” I replied, keeping my tone casual.“She said something to Rosie. She must have. Now, tell me—what else did she say to Rosie?”I frowned.“I have no idea what you’re talking about. And whatever Hyacinth said must be true.”“I will end you both!”I sighed and hung up, immediately calling Samuel’s nurse. She answered after a few moments.“What’s going on in there?” I asked.“Unfortunately, Miss Rosie sent a message. She tried to overdose on pills. She’s currently in the emergency room.”I was silent for a moment, processing the news. Rosie—always desperate for attention. No, she wasn’t just seeking attention; she was demanding it. Just earlier, she had threatened Hyacinth, v
—Stalker’s Point of View—Smelling her, touching her—it almost drove me insane. But it wasn’t just her that consumed me. It was something our family was meant to possess. Her mother was perfect. The epitome of intelligence. A woman who had it all, despite being a commoner, not royalty. Yet everyone wanted her as their daughter-in-law. A genius in everything… except love. “I was thinking that maybe Hyacinth was also a victim of love.” I stood, pacing around my desk, glancing at the piles of recently filed cases. Boring paperwork, but necessary. Even the bomb incident was just another file to clean up. I hadn’t meant to kill anyone—just to isolate her. If everyone around her was gone, taking her would be effortless. But no matter how many times I tried, they clung to her. Maybe I should ruin her relationship with Darcy. “How do I do that?” My fingers tapped against the windowsill as I watched Hyacinth step out of her apartment across the street, her bodyguards trailing like
–Hyacinth— I was certain she intended to become my husband’s mistress. Proposing in front of me? Bold. But I had seen Raven flinch multiple times. That woman—Minerva—sat across from him, her foot subtly grazing his ankle, then sliding higher, testing his restraint. Raven’s discomfort was palpable. His glare could have scorched her where she sat. When our orders arrived, I draped my hand possessively over his lap. He shifted under my touch, but I only leaned closer, crossing my legs to shield him from Minerva’s advances. Let her try. “If you want, you can visit the site with us,” Colton offered. “Are we hiking, or…?” I trailed off, waiting. “Fly. We’ll fly,” Dane cut in, grinning. “I’ll be your pilot.” Raven’s hand settled on my thigh, a silent claim. “Let me taste that,” he murmured, nodding toward my tuna. Without hesitation, I fed him a bite, rice and all. Colton groaned. “Oh, come on! I don’t want to be a third wheel here.” I smirked. “Minerva’s here. You don’t