Max stood there, the nurse's words echoing in his mind. He looked back at Diana, lying fragile in the hospital bed. "She will be okay, right?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper."Yes, sir," the nurse replied. "We washed her stomach. She’s stable now."Max took a deep breath and exited the room, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt. Francisco was waiting in the hallway, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and disappointment. Max pressed his hand against the wall and leaned his forehead on it, trying to compose himself."I told you to take care of her," Francisco said, his tone stern but not unkind.Max exhaled heavily, the guilt etched deeply on his face. He couldn’t find the words to answer. Francisco had entrusted him with Diana's well-being, and he had failed. The weight of that failure was crushing.Francisco observed Max, recognizing the torment his friend was in. He tightened his expression, understanding the gravity of the situation but knowing he had to maintain a
"Yes!" Hazel said, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach."Everything is fine. I just thought about meeting him."Lily looked at her skeptically."No one will allow you to go out alone, so I am asking for your help," Hazel added quickly, her expression sincere and imploring.Hazel gave Lily a look that she hoped conveyed trustworthiness and sincerity. She knew that regaining their trust was crucial. After a moment’s hesitation, Lily nodded."Then let me call the boss.""No," Hazel said a bit too quickly, stopping Lily from reaching for the phone.Lily raised her eyebrows, looking at Hazel with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.Hazel pressed her lips together, trying to come up with a believable explanation."Actually, I wanted to give him a surprise. That's all."She forced a smile onto her face, hoping it looked more genuine than it felt. Lily studied her for a moment longer before finally nodding."Okay, girls, carry on," she said to the other maids."I will
Francisco gave Ben a sidelong look but quickly realized that Ben had no intention of leaving the room. Diana hadn't asked him to leave either, and Francisco knew she was doing this on purpose. She understood his preference for privacy at such moments, yet she chose to keep Ben there. Francisco turned back to Max and then looked at Diana again, his eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and concern."Why?" Francisco demanded, his tone stern."Why did you do that?"Diana, avoiding his gaze, looked down at her fingers, rubbing them together nervously."Francisco, it was nothing. I don't know why I did that."Francisco moved closer, his voice softening but still firm."I am not staying in the mansion. Why don't you go there?"Diana offered a slight, melancholic smile."Francisco, you're not there. If I go, it will be the same as living alone. Besides, you won't go there with Hazel, will you?"Francisco sighed, running a hand through his hair."I still need some time, but then I will go
Hazel sat down at one of the reading tables, pretending to be engrossed in a book.Meanwhile, Francisco's voice was a mix of anger and authority as he glared at Ben. "Diana, I don't want to hear anything about it. The thing is, I don't like this man," he said, indicating Ben with a dismissive gesture.Ben, feeling the sting of Francisco's words, pressed his lips together in frustration. He couldn't understand why Francisco had such disdain for him. He was a successful doctor, well-respected in his field. What more did Francisco want?"Mr. Francisco, why?"9865Ben finally spoke up, his voice tinged with a mixture of confusion and hurt."Why don't you like me?"Francisco turned back to him, his expression hardening. "I don't like to repeat my words," he said sternly.Then, addressing Diana again, "Diana!"He continued, "I will choose your partner."Francisco's words hung heavy in the air as he stepped forward to leave. Max, who had been standing silently by the door, exchanged a glance
Hazel gulped slowly as she looked at the man of seduction before her. She whispered under her breath, "I was missing you.""I hope it is okay for you."Francisco held his breath for a few seconds when he heard her. Suddenly, he took a deep breath and cursed, "Fuck!"From his voice, it was obvious that he was suppressing something inside his heart. Francisco touched her soft lips with his thumb, rubbing them slowly, ruining her lip gloss. He came close to her ear and said with a heavy breath, "You can miss me whenever you want, baby.""You can play with me if you want to."His hot breath touched her bare shoulder. Hazel slowly closed her eyes, feeling aroused by him. Though it wasn't her intention to be aroused, it was something she couldn't control, something she hated but also secretly enjoyed. She had come to love the feeling of being penetrated by him.Hazel took a deep breath and, with her shaky hands, grabbed his hair, saying, "If that's the case, then I hope you won't mind here.
"I accept you," Hazel stammered, looking directly into Francisco's eyes."So, let her decide what she wants," she added, hoping to steer the conversation in a more favorable direction.Francisco exhaled loudly, then answered, "I know Max likes her. But the problems they had, I'm not fully aware of."Hazel felt a surge of courage. She had managed to change the topic successfully. Walking slowly, she traced her fingers along his cheek, saying, "I can help."Francisco looked at her, intrigued."How?" he asked."Tell Max to stay with her for the last few days," Hazel suggested."I think they can solve their problems if they're given the chance."Her heart started beating faster, hoping he would agree. If he accepted her suggestion, it would give her the leverage she needed to manage her plans.Francisco moved slightly, looking into her eyes. He exhaled and, while nodding, said, "It's not a bad idea, darling."Hazel's heart leaped with joy. She smiled, her victory evident in her expression
The nurse was helping Diana feed the soup. Max stood beside her, tense and silent, having been rebuffed earlier when he tried to feed Diana himself. Diana had clearly told him no, and so the nurse stepped in to assist. The atmosphere in the room was thick with unspoken tension. The nurse, a silent witness, had arrived just after Max and Diana had a heated exchange, and now the air was heavy with discomfort.Suddenly, the door swung open, and Ben entered the chamber. His presence immediately added another layer of tension. Max and Ben exchanged cold, distant looks, each man pretending the other didn't exist. Ben approached Diana with a soft, concerned tone, "Dear, how are you feeling?"He touched her shoulder gently as he came near her. The casual intimacy of the gesture made Max's jaw tighten. He stood there, fists clenched, watching as Ben's fingers lingered on Diana's shoulder. The sight of Ben touching her, even so innocently, ignited a flicker of anger in him that he struggled to
Hazel meticulously prepared dinner for Francisco, every detail reflecting her determination to convince him of her loyalty. The room was dimly lit, casting a warm and romantic glow over the elegantly set table. The soft light flickered off the walls, highlighting the careful decorations she had arranged. The air was filled with the delicate aroma of the meal she had prepared, a blend of spices and herbs meant to enchant his senses.Dressed in a striking red frock, Hazel let her hair cascade in soft waves around her shoulders. She took a deep breath, her heart racing as she considered the evening ahead. This was her chance to either secure her freedom or resign herself to a life with Francisco, a man whose power made escaping his grasp nearly impossible.Her thoughts were a whirlwind of anxiety and determination. Could she really pull this off? Was it possible to convince Francisco that she had genuinely changed her mind about him? The stakes were high, and failure was not an option. S
“Will you be able to handle everything?” Francisco asked, his voice low as he and Max walked through the quiet garden under the night sky.“Do I have any other option?” Max replied, glancing at him.They both fell silent for a moment, only the sound of their footsteps on the gravel breaking the stillness.“So, you’ve really decided to go through with this?” Max asked, sensing something heavy on Francisco’s mind.“Yes,” Francisco replied, exhaling a puff of smoke into the cool air.“I have to do whatever it takes to protect her... and the child.”Max looked at him with concern.“Francisco, I don’t know… is it really worth it? All of this?”Francisco took a deep breath, then threw the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath his shoe.“Max,” he said firmly, “for me, she is everything.""And soon, she’ll give me the best gift I could ever have.”Max looked around the still garden, the silence pressing in.“I’ll pray for you,” he muttered, then let out a soft laugh.“Pray? When we’re
James took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and muttered, “Yeah, everything I do irritates you, but when it comes to Francisco—everything he does is just perfect, right?”Lilith narrowed her eyes, her patience clearly thinning.“James, just shut up.”He smirked, not bothering to hide the satisfaction in her irritation. “Fine, I’ll stop. But let’s not forget—you lost him too.”Lilith’s expression darkened. Her jaw clenched, and for a moment, it looked like she might speak, but she chose silence. Her cold stare said enough.Dimitri let out an audible sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Alright, enough. Let’s stay on topic.”Andrew leaned forward, glancing around the table. “We all know this won’t be easy. Francisco may be reckless, but he’s done a lot—things that kept the balance. We need to decide—do we support this internal power shift, or not?”Dimitri raised a brow and turned to Michele, Kai’s son. “Speaking of balance, Michele... I heard about the recent attack on Francisco.”Mic
The next morning, when Hazel woke up, something felt different. She looked around the room, her brows knitting together in confusion. The walls, once cast in shadows and a cold ambiance, now glowed with soft, natural light. The curtains were lighter, fresh flowers adorned the corners, and the overall atmosphere felt warm—inviting.No longer did the room feel like a prison.Hazel propped herself up on one elbow. “What is this…?”Just then, Lily entered with a bright smile and a large bouquet of fresh flowers in her arms. “Good morning, ma’am.”Hazel blinked in surprise. “Good morning… but what’s going on?”“Sir instructed us to redecorate the room,” Lily replied, arranging the flowers in a vase by the window. “He said it should feel brighter for you.”Hazel raised an eyebrow. “Why?”Lily smiled softly. “Because the doctor said it would help improve your mood.”Hazel pressed her lips into a thin line and said nothing. She simply stood and made her way to the washroom. After freshen
Enemies surrounded Francisco from all sides. He had built his empire on blood, and now the ghosts of his past were closing in.On him.On her.On their unborn child.Hazel studied him for a moment longer before shifting her gaze back to the book in her lap.Francisco’s voice cut through the silence."I didn’t mean to shock you."Hazel didn’t look up. Her tone was flat."It’s nothing new for me."Francisco clasped his palms together, his fingers pressing against each other in thought. He wanted to keep talking to her, to break through the walls she had built around herself, but Hazel was determined to end the conversation before it even began.He blinked slowly, exhaling through his nose.As he watched her, something stirred inside him—an overwhelming craving. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her close, to feel the warmth of her body against his.He had heard that pregnant women experienced mood swings, that they craved more affection even as they pushed people away.Was th
“So the deal is more important to you than your child?” Arthur asked, his voice gentle yet firm.Hazel fell silent.Her heart pounded faster, but she forced herself to ignore it.Then, Arthur spoke again.“Will you really be able to live without your child, ma’am?”Hazel’s fingers tightened around the book she was holding. She had only been thinking about her freedom, about escaping the monster who had taken everything from her. But she hadn’t once stopped considering the child.Would she really leave her baby with him?Would the child grow up to be like Francisco—a ruthless mafia king?A deep frown creased Hazel’s forehead.No. She didn’t want to think about that. That wasn’t her concern.She was only supposed to care about herself.That was the plan.That was the deal.That was it.Taking a deep breath, she spoke, her voice steady but cold.“Arthur.”Arthur’s eyes remained on her, waiting.“Do you know your boss is monitoring me?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “Every second.
Francisco and Hazel arrived at the mansion after the dangerous chaos. The ride had been silent, but the weight of what had happened lingered between them like an unspoken storm.Hazel’s face was gloomy, her expression distant. She wasn’t naive—she knew this was only the beginning.There would be more.More blood. More danger.More reasons to fear for the life growing inside her.Her hand instinctively rested on her belly.At first, she didn’t care much about the child. The idea of carrying Francisco’s baby had been unbearable. But now, an unfamiliar feeling twisted inside her—something more than just obligation. A strange, indefinable bond.Francisco, watching her closely, noticed the way her fingers pressed lightly against her stomach. He didn’t say anything, but he understood.She was shaken.She hadn’t expected an attack so soon.He clenched his jaw. From now on, he had to be more careful.Whatever he had been before—ruthless, reckless, untouchable—it didn’t matter anymore. Now, he
Francisco glanced at his bodyguard, his tone sharp and commanding.“Take her from here. I’ll handle this.”The bodyguard hesitated, his grip tightening on his weapon.“Boss, it’s too risky. How can I leave you alone?”Francisco’s gaze snapped at him, cold and unwavering.“Do you need me to shoot you right now?”That was enough.The bodyguard stiffened, lowering his head in obedience.“Understood.”He turned toward Hazel.“Ma’am.”But Hazel wasn’t moving.Her eyes were locked on Francisco as he fired at the advancing enemies, drawing their attention toward himself.Each shot echoed with deadly precision, but Hazel saw it clearly—he was outnumbered, and he was bleeding.Still, he didn’t hesitate.Didn’t falter.The bodyguard reached for her arm, his grip firm, almost forceful.“We need to move.”Hazel barely registered his words. She was staring at Francisco, unwilling to leave.As they shifted to retreat, a sudden bullet shattered the glass near them with a sharp crack.Hazel ducked in
Max’s phone rang as he worked through a stack of files. Without thinking, he glanced at the screen.Diana.He hesitated, a flicker of agitation crossing his face. For a moment, he considered ignoring it.But he couldn’t.With a sigh, he answered."Yes?"There was silence at the other end. Then, after a brief pause, Diana’s voice came through, quieter than usual."Francisco came here.""I know," Max replied flatly, his tone robotic.Diana took a deep breath, trying to steady herself."Max… I’m not feeling good about this. Francisco… he’s messing everything up. I don’t know what to do."Max slowly set the file down, his jaw tightening. He knew exactly what she meant.But he also knew there was no turning Francisco back now.A faint, bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.Sarcastic.Resigned.Francisco loved Hazel so much. So much that, if anyone stood in his way, Francisco wouldn’t hesitate to ruin everything.And the dangerous part? People wanted that kind of devotion."Diana,"
"Hazel."Francisco gently guided her to sit beside him, closer than before. He didn’t wait for her response."Our baby will play like them, right?" His voice was soft, almost hopeful.Hazel remained silent.Then, suddenly, she felt a touch on her belly.She froze.Francisco's large palm traced over her stomach, slow and deliberate. Her heartbeat quickened."I wonder how much he or she has developed inside you," he murmured. His words echoed in her mind, stirring something deep within her.When Hazel first learned she was pregnant, her immediate thought was to end it. She didn’t want to carry the child of a man who had turned her life into a nightmare. A mafia king—a ruthless, heartless man.And yet… she couldn’t.Francisco was right. Their child would play one day.She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and slowly raised her eyes.The moment she did, she met his gaze.Francisco was leaning in closer, watching her intently.A wave of discomfort washed over her. She didn’t wan