*** Hyacinth *** It seems that my husband loves Patriciaâs gift. He then decided to leave shortly just before itâs his turn to hand out the gifts. He distributed the boxes and gave Patricia a few more boxes and wasnât wrapped well. âWait, what are these?â She asked and he put more. I chuckled as Patricia counted all of the gifts, small and big. âMy gifts for you.â âThis is an exaggeration.â She squinted her eyes at him. âTwenty gifts?â I laughed. âWhat? Thatâs only too little.â He then took his name from Zianâs hands as he handed the gifts. What I didnât expect is thereâs more gifts for me. Like five more or six? I was puzzled. Then, I checked the years. I think it was his gifts for the past years that we are not together. âThis is indeed an exaggeration.â I agreed with my best friend but I couldnât help but to be so happy that I received so many gifts today. On every Christmas. I usually donât get gifts. I mean, I donât get anything at all. Except when Darcy and Raven came int
*** Cal ***I stared at her face for a long time and kept my distance. She was too drunk this time and I took her to her room but she held me down, and ripped my clothesâĶ we kissed but then she fell asleep quickly on my chest. She should be washing up and putting her skincare on but then, she slept like a baby, so I wiped her face and removed her makeup.She looked like an angel without any makeup on.âOh geez.â I pulled on my pajamas and winced when I accidentally touched my hard manhood. This is Kellyâs curse to me. I get hard easily.âHmm, Cal?â She mumbled.âKel,â I moved closer to her. âDo you want me between your legs?ââHmm, nope. Food. I want food.âI reach for the phone and call the kitchen. Then, I realized that it was only Irene who was in the kitchen and I was about to hang up but Irene spoke.âHello?ââUhh, Irene~~about breakfast.ââYes, I will leave it by the door.â She said.âThank you.â She hung up like she knew what to do.âWater.ââAlright,âI jumped off of bed, even
*** Hyacinth *** I canât shake the feeling that somethingâs off, like the air around me is thick with uncertainty. My eyes keep flicking back to the screen of the phone, where the memory of those photos lingers, elusive. I swear I saw them, a quick flash of images sent by someone I didnât recognizeâsomeone who clearly wanted me to see them, only for them to vanish in a heartbeat, as if erased by some invisible hand. But why? Why delete them right away? My heartâs racing a little now, and I find myself scrolling aimlessly, hoping for some explanation that never seems to come.Then thereâs himâmy husband. Heâs lying next to me, so still, his breathing slow and deep like heâs in a deep sleep, unaware of the mess of thoughts swirling around in my head. Itâs almost comforting in a way, that quiet rhythm of his breath, but it also feels distant, like thereâs a wall between us I canât quite break through. He mentioned giving me a new phone, with an electronic sim card. He seemedâĶ calm about
*** Raven ***Einoâs eyes lit up upon seeing me. His face glows with that charming smile that he always flashes on my wife. I smiled at him formally and approached him while Seth followed my wife and Patricia into the store.âEino, you are hereâĶ in the Philippines.ââYes,â He grinned. âOh, itâs amazing here during Christmas, just what Hyacinth said. Itâs not cold. I mean, for us Finns, itâs practically warm!â He laughed. âI was telling Hyacinth that we have this cozy little condo in the city. Itâs perfect for the holidays. But guess, what? My girlfriend, sheâs been curious about what Christmas feels like in the Philippines. Can you imagine? No snow, just sunshine,â He looked at his girlfriend as they chorus on the first word. âWarm weather! I think he wants to experience something completely different. But here itâs magical. "Iâm glad that you like it here." Einoâs voice was warm, but I couldn't help but wonder if it was genuine. I stole a glance at his girlfriend, trying to place her
*** Hyacinth ***I stood there, torn between wanting to invite Eino and the hesitation that kept me from taking that step. It wasnât that I didnât want him thereâI owed him. He had been kind to us months ago during the typhoon when everything was coming undone. But it wasnât easy, either. Even though the mansion was technically under my name, I still felt like it wasnât just mine. It was ours. Raven and mine. And Raven, my husband and provider, was the one who truly made it feel like home. I needed his approval, but I didnât want to seem too eager.Ravenâs voice broke my thoughts, warm and low. "Big purchase, huh," he said, his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me closer. His lips grazed my earlobe as he whispered, âHow about some sexy lingerie?âI froze, feeling his words tickle my skin, but then the heat of embarrassment rushed through me. I quickly covered his mouth, my eyes darting toward Patricia, who was standing behind us. I could feel her cringing, probably disgusted by h
*** Patricia ***The air was thick with unspoken tension as we moved through the mall, a strange undercurrent weaving through our little group. I couldnât help but notice the subtle shifts in body language, the way Ravenâs grip on Hyacinthâs waist tightened whenever Eino leaned in too close, his Finnish words flowing smoothly, almost too familiarly. Bless her heart, Hyacinth seemed obliviousâor maybe she wasnât. Sometimes, I wondered if she was just playing the part, her face a mask of innocence while her mind worked in ways I couldnât quite decipher. She was always hard to read, like a book written in a language I only half-understood.Raven, on the other hand, was an open book. His possessiveness was almost comical, his arm a constant anchor around Hyacinth, as if he feared she might float away if he let go. And then there was Venla, her eyes lingering on Raven a little too long, her laughter a little too bright. It was like watching a soap opera unfold in real-time, and I couldnât
*** Darcy *** As I stood there, holding the bouquet of Hyacinths, my heart sank. The flowers were beautiful, but they carried a weight that made my stomach churn. The note inside the envelope was a stark reminder of the darkness lurking around Hyacinth and Raven. My hands trembled slightly as I unfolded the paper, and the words written there sent a chill down my spine. The sheer malice in the message was overwhelming. *How could someone be so twisted?* I thought, my mind racing. My protective instincts flaredâHyacinth was like a daughter to me, and Raven, though stubborn and reckless, was my son. I couldnât let anything happen to them.Janiceâs voice pulled me out of my thoughts. âAuntie? Whatâs so horrifying?â Her sharp eyes caught the tension in my expression. I tried to brush it off, to shield her from the ugliness of the situation, but Janice was relentless. She was a prosecutor, after all, trained to see through lies and half-truths. When she took the note from me, I felt a mix
*** Raven ***Janiceâs unease was palpable, a dark cloud hovering over her usual sharp demeanor. She stood in the corner, her fingers gripping the wine glass like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. My eyes narrowed as I tried to piece together what had shaken her so deeply. The flowersâthose damned flowersâwere a piece of the puzzle, a clue to the stalker who had been lurking in the shadows. But before I could dig deeper, the door opened, and Anthony and Maggie walked in.Hyacinth greeted them with her usual warmth, but my stomach churned. Their arrival felt... calculated. My plan was unraveling, and I didnât like it.The evening pressed on, the room filling with laughter and the clinking of glasses. My mother and Hyacinth had outdone themselves with finger snacks and drinks, creating an atmosphere that felt almost too perfect. Eino, ever the social butterfly, was already deep in conversation with my friends, his familiarity with Anthony raising my suspicions. Venla, graceful
***Hyacinth***It all happened so quickly, like a whirlwind tearing through our lives. We arrived at the airport to meet the private plane Raven had sent to transport Cal to a specialized facility. The place they chose was renowned for its state-of-the-art care, the best money could buy. Cal was still unconscious, trapped in a coma, and the sight of him lying there, so fragile, was a dagger to my heart. Kelly, too, was suffering, left behind in her own hospital bed. Despite our pleas, Uncle Hayden insisted she remain there, though I couldnât shake the guilt of leaving her alone.The hospital where Kelly was staying was top-tier, but the facility Cal was being moved to offered even more personalized attention. We ensured he was settled into a VIP suite, with a dedicated nurse monitoring him around the clock. I stood by, watching as they adjusted his IVs and checked his vitals. His eyes fluttered open a few times, only to close again moments later. It was progress, albeit small. He even
***Kelly***I remember it all too vividly. Cal was driving carefully, his hands steady on the wheel, his eyes focused on the road. But that carâit came out of nowhere, swerving deliberately toward us. Calâs reflexes were quick. He threw his right arm across me, shielding me as best as he could. But it wasnât enough. The impact was brutal. Our car slammed into the post on my side, the sound of crunching metal and shattering glass echoing in my ears. I felt the searing pain in my right arm and leg, but it was nothing compared to the horror of seeing Calâs head hit the windshield with a sickening crack. The glass splintered, and he went limp. âKelly, Iâm so sorry, darling.â My motherâs voice trembled as she reached for my hand, her fingers squeezing mine gently. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face pale with worry. âDonât lose hope. Calâs strong. Heâll pull through. Heâll be out of the ICU soon, I promise.ââI need to see him,â I begged, my voice breaking. âEven if itâs just from the out
***Hyacinth***I sat in my swivel chair, my mind racing as I tried to figure out what to do next. My imagination spiraled with ideas on how to catch that *bastard*. Restlessness gnawed at me, and sleep felt impossible. I glanced at my husband, Raven, who was hunched over his computer, laser-focused as he made yet another call. It was well past midnight, and here we were, still tirelessly checking on our friends back in the Philippines.âRaven,â I called out softly. He paused, his fingers hovering over the keyboard, and turned to look at me. Our eyes locked, and for a long moment, we just stared at each other. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat. âNever mind,â I muttered, looking away as I turned back to my laptop. I could feel his gaze lingering on me, heavy with unspoken concern.In that moment, I couldnât help but wish I had run away with Raven years ago. I wished there were no stalkers, no threats, no shadows lurking in our lives. Why did this person want
***Zian***When we arrived at the hospital, Cal was standing outside the operating room, his arms stained with blood that still dripped onto the floor. Kellyâs parents hadnât arrived yet, but my concern was entirely on him. His white shirt was soaked in crimson, and his face was pale, his eyes wide and unfocused. He looked shattered, broken in a way Iâd never seen before.âCal,â I called softly as I approached him, my voice trembling with worry. âYouâre hurt. We need to get you checked up.âHe pushed me away weakly, his hands shaking. His eyes were dilated, his breathing uneven. My heart ached seeing him like thisâso lost, so consumed by guilt and fear. âBro!â I shouted, trying to snap him out of it. âYouâre bleeding! You need help!ââSheâs in thereâĶâ he muttered, his voice barely audible as he pointed toward the operating room. His hand trembled, and he exhaled slowly, as if the weight of the world was crushing him.Before I could say more, I heard the sound of rushing footsteps. Ke
***Raven***I forced myself to stay seated during the meeting, even though every fiber of my being screamed to leave. Hyacinth had assured me she was fine, but the unease gnawed at me. My partners and our business dealings were importantâcrucial, evenâbut nothing mattered more than my wife. âIâm sorry, but I need to leave immediately. Thereâs an emergency,â I said, rising from my chair. My voice was steady, but my heart raced.Colton Pines, the first of the three partners Iâd met who shared my passion for rare gems, leaned back in his chair, his tone casual. âWhatâs going on?ââMy wife needs me,â I replied, my words clipped.âWife?â Daneâs head snapped up, his expression a mix of surprise and mock offense. âYou got married without inviting us?â His voice rose, and I raised a hand to silence him, my jaw tightening.Minerva, ever the dramatic, rolled her eyes and pushed her fiery red hair back. âOh, bummer. Guess weâre not important enough for wedding invitations.ââIâll introduce you
***Darcy***I couldnât help but laugh when Raven and Hyacinth told me how Regina had outsmarted Samuel. It all came rushing back to me nowâthe reason Samuel married me. It wasnât love. It was my alimony from my first husband. Samuel was handsome, sure, but not nearly as striking as Ravenâs father. He had married Regina for her business acumen, hoping sheâd save his failing company. And she did. But what he didnât know was that Regina had already secured her wealth, transferring most of her assets to her mother and Hyacinth. Hyacinth, my dear girl, is now richer than any of us, thanks to her motherâs foresight. I couldnât be prouder of Regina for that.But thereâs one thing weighing heavily on my heartâproof that Reginaâs death wasnât an accident. Hyacinth needs closure, and Iâm determined to help her find it.âTake care, my dear,â I said, waving at the screen as Hyacinth blew me a flying kiss.âLove you, Mom,â Hyacinth replied, her voice soft and sweet. I nodded, a lump forming in my
***Raven***I was pleasantly surprised when my wife greeted me at the door, wearing an adorable apron and a warm smile. She helped me remove my coat and necktie, her hands gentle and efficient. She even made sure I slipped into my home shoes, leaving my dirty ones by the rack until they were clean enough to be stored in our shoe closet. She handed me a damp, hot towel to clean my hands, her touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Then, with a playful grin, she led me to the round table near the balcony, where the city lights sparkled like a sea of stars. The soft hum of romantic music filled the air, and the flickering candles added a touch of magic to the scene. Patricia, Seth, and Irene were eating in the dining room, but my wife had prepared something special for just the two of us. She looked stunning in an olive green dress, her hair twisted into a low, messy bun. My mind wandered to all the things I wanted to do with her tonight, but for now, I focused on the momen
**Raven**Iâve always been a man who values loyalty and integrity, which is why the situation with Seth and Patricia has been gnawing at me. I know for a fact that Seth was married, but thereâs an undeniable attraction brewing between him and Patricia. As much as I want to stay out of their personal lives, Patricia is like a baby sister to meâspoiled, sharp-tongued, and always two steps ahead of everyone. Sheâs Hyacinthâs best friend, and I donât want Hyacinth to worry about her either. So, Iâve decided to keep a close eye on things, even if it means stepping into territory Iâd rather avoid.I leaned back in my ergonomic chair, the soft hum of the office filling the silence as I scrolled through the list Hyacinth had sent me. It was all photosâhandbags, shoes, and a few pieces of jewelry. My wife has always had an eye for elegance, and I couldnât help but smile at her impeccable taste. I called for my assistant, who appeared promptly, her heels clicking softly against the polished flo
**Raven**Understanding the immense influence Hyacinthâs mother held in the business world only fueled my determination to provide for Hyacinth in every way possible. Her motherâs wealth was hers, not mine, and I respected that boundary. But every penny I earned, every success I achieved, was for Hyacinth. She was my purpose, my driving force. I built my empire not for glory or power, but to ensure she lived a life free from worry, surrounded by the luxury she deserved. Yet, no amount of wealth could erase the pain etched on her face when she spoke of her mother. The emotional scars from her family ran deep, and it pained me to see her cry. Her mother, a brilliant mind who had saved countless companies, had left behind a legacyâand a final message to secure her daughterâs future. It wasnât just the Charles Law Firm searching for Hyacinth; Sinclair was also in the mix. The weight of it all was overwhelming, but I would shoulder it for her.We left the mansion late that night, after Hy