Rafael's gaze bore into Peter's, a silent exchange passing between them before Rafael finally broke the tension with a question that caught Peter off guard, "Where is Robert?"Peter's curiosity piqued by Rafael's sudden inquiry, he couldn't help but respond with a question of his own, "Why are you asking about him suddenly?"Rafael's measured nod was met with a lingering gaze, a silent conversation playing out between them. Then, finally, Rafael spoke again, his words carrying a weight of significance, "Did he leave to save her parents?"The question hung in the air, a moment of profound realization sweeping through the group. It was as if the pieces of a complex puzzle were finally clicking into place, revealing a clearer picture of the events that had transpired.Stunned into silence, the others exchanged glances, understanding dawning upon them. They realized that the truth they had been seeking had been lurking beneath the surface all along.Meanwhile, on the other side of the sto
Hazel walked the pristine corridors of the mansion, the remnants of last night's party erased by the meticulous care of Francisco. His penchant for cleanliness was evident in every corner of their home, a reflection of his desire for order and control.As she walked, a faint sound caught her attention, the muffled cries of someone in distress. Hazel's curiosity piqued, she followed the sound until she reached a closed door. Without hesitation, she pushed it open, revealing a scene that sent a chill down her spine.Inside the room, Lily's voice pierced the silence, her words laced with a sense of urgency."It's an order from him," she repeated, her tone hushed yet tinged with apprehension."And he does not want to meet you because he is at an important meeting."Hazel's brows furrowed in confusion as she listened, her instincts telling her that something was amiss. Then, she heard Emily's voice, her cries echoing in the room like a haunting refrain."How could he say that?" Emily's wor
Max could sense the danger looming on the horizon, but Francisco was blind to it, lost in the depths of his infatuation. He was willing to risk it all for a chance at love, even if it meant gambling on his own life and fate.Francisco remained silent, his thoughts consumed by the intoxicating allure of Hazel. He knew the risks, understood the consequences, but he was willing to defy fate itself for a chance at happiness.For the first time in his life, Francisco was in love, and he wanted Hazel with an intensity that bordered on obsession. He was willing to stake everything on her, even if it meant risking his own destruction.In the game of love, Francisco knew that he was playing with fire. But he was willing to embrace the flames, to dance with danger, if it meant holding Hazel in his arms for even a moment longer.The elevator doors slid open, revealing Francisco's figure as he stepped out into the corridor, his mind consumed by thoughts of Hazel. Max followed closely behind, his
"How could you tell me to kill your own child?" she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion.But Francisco's response was cold and calculated, his grip on her hair loosening as he sought to explain himself. "Actually, it's not the child itself," he began, his tone almost clinical in its detachment. "The thing is, the child should be in Hazel's body."Emily recoiled in horror at Francisco's words, her disgust plain on her face. "Are you really a normal man?" she questioned, her disbelief evident in her tone.But Francisco offered no response to her query, his silence a damning confirmation of the depths to which he was willing to sink in pursuit of his own desires.Emily's resolve solidified in the face of Francisco's cold indifference. "I will not abort this child, and I will see how that bitch can carry your child," she declared defiantly, her anger simmering just beneath the surface.Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her determination to defy Francisco's call
Emily watched with a mixture of disdain and apprehension as Hazel and Lily entered the café, their bodyguards stationed outside. Her lips curled into a mocking smirk at the sight of their ostentatious arrangements.As Hazel settled into the seat across from her, Emily's expression remained cool and calculated."I had never been treated like that. He had never treated me in this way," she remarked, her tone dripping with bitterness and resentment.Hazel, undeterred by Emily's sarcasm, calmly removed her sunglasses, revealing eyes that held a steely resolve."Ms. Emily, then I will tell you were lucky," she retorted, her voice tinged with a hint of superiority.Emily's smirk faltered momentarily, replaced by a look of defiance."Lucky?" she scoffed, her tone laced with skepticism.Hazel leaned forward, her gaze unwavering."Because I am the one who was dying for his attention," Emily declared, her words cutting through the tension like a knife.Hazel's disbelief turned into a mixture of
Lily stood in the hospital corridor, her heart heavy with the weight of the news she was about to deliver. With trembling fingers, she dialed Francisco's number, her mind racing with apprehension. As the call connected, she wasted no time in getting to the point.Hazel sat nearby, her own expression tense with worry."Master, we have a problem," Lily said as Francisco answered the call.Francisco's brows furrowed in concern at the seriousness of Lily's tone. "What happened?""Why didn't you pick up my call earlier?"Taking a deep breath, Lily explained the situation."Ms. Emily had an accident," she said, her voice trembling slightly."And Ms. Hazel was with her?"Francisco's brows furrowed in alarm.How could Lily have known about the accident involving Emily, and the fact that Hazel was with her only added to his bewilderment."What?" Francisco exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. "How could she be with her?"As Lily recounted the events leading up to the accident, Francisco's
As Francisco and Hazel returned to the confines of the mansion, tension crackled in the air like electricity. Hazel wrenched her hand free from Francisco's tight grasp, her expression wrought with a mixture of defiance and frustration. Francisco's gaze remained stern, his features hardened with resolve as he watched her closely.Hazel pressed her lips together, a gesture of inner turmoil as she touched her throbbing head. Regret washed over her in waves as she grappled with the weight of her own actions."She asked for my help, she wanted to save her child but…" Hazel's thoughts trailed off, her eyes squeezing shut in a pained expression of remorse."You..." Hazel's voice broke the heavy silence, her words tinged with accusation as she turned to face Francisco."How could you kill your child?" she demanded, her tone laced with anger and disbelief. She refused to meet his gaze, her eyes fixed on some distant point as if unable to bear the truth that lay before her.Francisco's response
Francisco's face contorted with anger as he disregarded her words, his hands tugging at his sleeves in a display of simmering violence. With a chilling indifference, he revealed the veins bulging beneath his skin, a silent threat of brutality yet to come."Rape?"Francisco's stern gaze bore down on her, his presence looming over her like a menacing shadow.With deliberate intent, Francisco closed the distance between them, his movements purposeful as he clasped her face in his palm. Together, they stood beneath the unforgiving stream of water, its cold embrace enveloping them both."I can do whatever I want," Francisco declared, his voice unwavering in its conviction. "I just want you to accept me.""If you see the real me, then you can understand what I am capable of doing for you," Francisco continued, his words a chilling reminder of the depths of his obsession."I will kill my own existence because I want you to hold my existence," he confessed, his tone tinged with desperation."
“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