*** Raven ***Eino’s 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.“Eino, you are here… in the Philippines.”“Yes,” He grinned. “Oh, it’s amazing here during Christmas, just what Hyacinth said. It’s not cold. I mean, for us Finns, it’s practically warm!” He laughed. “I was telling Hyacinth that we have this cozy little condo in the city. It’s perfect for the holidays. But guess, what? My girlfriend, she’s been curious about what Christmas feels like in the Philippines. Can you imagine? No snow, just sunshine,” He looked at his girlfriend as they chorus on the first word. “Warm weather! I think he wants to experience something completely different. But here it’s magical. "I’m glad that you like it here." Eino’s 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 wasn’t that I didn’t want him there—I owed him. He had been kind to us months ago during the typhoon when everything was coming undone. But it wasn’t easy, either. Even though the mansion was technically under my name, I still felt like it wasn’t 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 didn’t want to seem too eager.Raven’s 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, “How about some sexy lingerie?”I 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 couldn’t help but notice the subtle shifts in body language, the way Raven’s grip on Hyacinth’s waist tightened whenever Eino leaned in too close, his Finnish words flowing smoothly, almost too familiarly. Bless her heart, Hyacinth seemed oblivious—or maybe she wasn’t. Sometimes, I wondered if she was just playing the part, her face a mask of innocence while her mind worked in ways I couldn’t 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 couldn’t
*** Darcy ***My heart sank as I stood there, holding the bouquet of Hyacinths. 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 flared—Hyacinth was like a daughter to me, and Raven, though stubborn and reckless, was my son. I couldn’t let anything happen to them.Janice’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Auntie? What’s so horrifying?” 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 relief an
*** Raven ***Janice’s 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 flowers—those damned flowers—were 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 didn’t 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 ***The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a serene ambiance in our bedroom. Raven’s arms were wrapped around me, his warmth seeping into my skin as we lay there, basking in the afterglow of our love. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my arm, and I couldn’t help but smile, feeling utterly cherished. Raven made me feel like the most important person in the world, like nothing else mattered when we were together. His love was my sanctuary, a place where I could be completely myself, vulnerable and unguarded.As we made our way downstairs, his hand never left my side, his possessive and tender touch. I loved how he always seemed to need to be close to me as if even the slightest distance was too much. His PJ pants hung low on his hips, and I couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles moved with every step. Raven was effortlessly handsome, his dark hair tousled, his eyes always holding a hint of mischief. But it wasn’t just his looks that ca
**Raven**The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the house. I was already on edge after Irene handed me that letter, “This is surprisingly yours, sir.” Irene said. The single black rose in the bouquet for Hyacinth sent a chill down my spine. A black rose meant something dark. Whoever sent it knew too much, and I wasn’t about to let anything threaten my wife. I slid the letter into my pocket, determined to deal with it later.“That’s for Hyacinth,” I pointed to the bouquet. “Burn it.” “Yes, sir.” She nodded and went back to the guard’s house while I went back inside the house. I went close by the windowsill and watched as they lit up As I turned, Hyacinth descended the stairs, her hair tousled from sleep, her eyes still heavy with drowsiness. She was breathtaking, even in her half-awake state. I met her at the bottom step, pulling her into my arms. Her lips met mine, soft and warm, and for a moment, the world faded away. But of course, Patricia had to
*** Hyacinth ***My beloved keyboards. I was over the moon as I arranged the new ones, each encased in the protective acrylic covers my husband had gifted me. Vintage mechanical designs—each one a masterpiece. I adored them, worshiped them even. But for now, I’d be using the keyboard Raven had bought for me, the one that felt like an extension of my thoughts, my creativity.“Hyacinth,” my mother-in-law’s voice chimed in, pulling me from my reverie. I turned around, my fingers lingering on the keys for a moment longer.“Yes, Mom?” I replied, my voice soft but attentive.“We’re off to check on the place for our New Year celebration. It won’t be in the city, but somewhere where we can watch the fireworks,” she explained, her tone light and cheerful.“Yes,” I agreed, though a flicker of unease passed through me. Fireworks in the woods? I couldn’t help but think of the birds, the animals—the chaos it might bring to them. But we’d only be watching from afar, and perhaps that made it alright.
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
–Hyacinth– My feet ached as I finally let them rest flat against the cool hardwood floor. Never again, I vowed, glaring at the discarded high heels lying near the closet. But duty called—tonight, Raven’s business partners expected us for dinner. We’d met them briefly at the gala, but between the endless introductions and the suffocating crowd, we’d barely exchanged more than pleasantries. Three days had passed since then, and though my social battery was still drained, I couldn’t postpone this any longer. My mind, however, refused to relax. Even now, I found myself checking my phone—again—for updates on Penny and David. They were safe, I knew that, but the memory of their close call still coiled around my chest like a vise. A soft laugh drew my attention to the living room, where Kelly and Calisto were curled together on the sofa. Calisto, still recovering from his head injury, had his arm draped lazily over Kelly’s shoulders. The two of them had adjusted well to their new realit
—Patricia— The Silver Gala was a spectacle of wealth and power—crystal chandeliers dripping light over marble floors, the air thick with the mingling scents of expensive perfumes and champagne. The elite moved in a slow, calculated dance, their laughter sharp as cut glass, their smiles never quite reaching their eyes. And among them, Hyacinth stood out like a rare gem in a sea of polished stones. No—not just a gem. Something far more precious. She was the kind of brilliance that made people want, that made them covet. And why wouldn’t they? With a net worth in the billions, an inheritance that could topple empires, she was more than just a woman—she was a prize. I stayed close, as always. My role was to observe, to protect in my own way. My gaze flickered to the right, where a man in a black suit stood motionless against the wall. Seth. His presence was a quiet reassurance—Hyacinth’s shadow, her shield. Then Eino approached, swift and purposeful, another man from his famil
Hyacinth For the first time in what felt like forever, we’d finally had days of good sleep. Kelly and Cal seemed to be healing each other—attending therapy together, flanked by three bodyguards and a standby nurse in case Cal had another seizure. But lately, his recovery had been startlingly fast. The shadows under his eyes had lightened, his smiles came easier, and whenever Kelly was near, he looked… happy. I was glad. Relieved, even. Yet, I couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at me. Cal’s parents still despised Kelly—or rather, they wanted nothing to do with her family. Raven had mentioned some past conflict between them, something buried deep enough that neither side spoke of it openly. All I knew was that they’d once been close. Now? They were strangers with grudges. “Rachel said this gala will expand your business knowledge,” Raven murmured, handing me a thick, embossed invitation. His fingers lingered against mine. “So, you’ll pick out our outfits?” “Yeah, of course.” I