Francisco sat in the car, heading out for official work, when his phone buzzed. A sharp alarm flashed across the screen.Max, sitting in the front seat, glanced back at the sound. Francisco’s face darkened as he scrolled. His fingers moved fast, his jaw set tight. Max had never seen him like this — agitated, tense.“Turn the car!” Francisco barked, his voice cutting the air.Max stiffened.“What happened?”“We’re under attack,” Francisco growled.He pulled up the CCTV feed. The new mansion had cameras outside, but none inside. This time, he hadn’t installed them. He had wanted to trust Hazel, to give her freedom. That decision burned in his mind now.He dialed Lily’s number.No answer.He tried the landline.But it was Dead.No one recieved.“Bastards!” Francisco slammed his fist against the seat, rage flashing in his eyes.The car picked up speed, tires biting the road. Max opened his mouth to calm him, but stopped. Francisco’s fingers drummed on his thigh, restless, sharp. Panic sho
Hazel blinked awake, her eyes heavy from sleep. She sat up, the room empty. Francisco was gone, but a note lay waiting on the table.She picked it up.Eat on time, my love.Her chest tightened at the words.Love?She scoffed, rolling her eyes, masking whatever stirred inside her. With a sigh, she stood, her face cold, refusing to care. She pushed the door open.Guards filled the hall, their eyes sharp, their presence suffocating. Ignoring them, Hazel made her way to the library, craving the silence of books.Downstairs, Lily carried a tray with steaming chicken soup, Francisco’s order for Hazel. She balanced it carefully, her steps light as she moved toward the stairs.But just as she lifted her foot to climb, a sudden crack split the air.Gunshots.Lily’s brows shot up at the sound. Before she could react, the front door slammed open, and a storm of bullets ripped through the air.The tray slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor. She leapt aside with sharp, trained movements. Y
Hazel let out a long sigh.She knew Francisco too well. He was a master at twisting words, reading emotions, and using them as weapons. But despite that, something in his voice felt real.She looked away, then slowly turned her eyes back to him.“What if I ran away with our baby?” she said with a soft smirk, watching his face carefully.Francisco raised his head, locking eyes with her.“Really?” he asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Are you planning to run away again?”Hazel leaned back slightly and shrugged.“Not now. But if you break our deal—if you try to keep me here—I won’t have a choice.”Francisco took a deep breath and stepped closer. He knelt in front of her, placing his hands gently on her knees.His voice dropped, low and steady.“Why would you run when I’m giving you everything?”Hazel arched an eyebrow.“Everything? Like what?”He tightened his hold slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to make her feel the weight of his words.“Myself,” he said, his tone unwav
Six months had passed, and Hazel’s body had changed—softened by pregnancy, her belly showing clearly now. But more than her body, her behavior toward Francisco had changed.She spent more time with him, cared for him in quiet ways. She no longer pulled away when he reached for her. Sometimes, she even came to him first. It felt like she was finally letting him in.Francisco stood in the living room, speaking on the phone. His voice was low and tense—something had happened. Something bad.Hazel approached him slowly. His back faced her, shoulders stiff. She leaned down, wrapped her arms around his neck, and rested her cheek against his.Francisco tilted his head toward her, brushing his hand gently along her cheek.“I’ll call you back,” he said onto the phone. He ended the call without hesitation.His hand found her hair, fingers slipping through it with care.Hazel spoke softly, her voice laced with warmth and fatigue.“I’m not feeling well.”Francisco immediately turned to her, conce
Before Freddie could speak, Rafael suddenly grabbed Ron’s face.Ron groaned in pain, but Rafael tightened his grip, pushing him hard to the floor.“Sir!” Freddie rushed forward, grabbing Rafael’s shoulders, trying to pull him back.But Rafael didn’t budge. His strength surged like something dark had taken over him.The chair clattered to the floor with a loud crash.Rafael pinned Ron down, his hand locked around his throat.“You know what…” Rafael said, his voice low and threatening, “I don’t give a damn about you.”“If you won’t talk, then maybe you don’t need to live.”He raised the burning cigarette in his hand, inches from Ron’s face.Freddie’s eyes widened. He stepped forward quickly. “Sir, wait! Don’t do this.”Rafael didn’t look at him.“Freddie,” he said, his tone suddenly cold and calm. “Get out.”“I don’t want to see your fucking face.”Freddie stood still for a second, jaw clenched, eyes filled with frustration. He knew there was no stopping Rafael now.Rafael gripped Ron’s
“I hope I’ve made everything clear, Mr. Kevin,” Dimitri said firmly.Kevin sat on the sofa, tapping his fingers on the armrest. He had listened to every word. He had warned Francisco before—but the boy hadn’t listened. Kevin had held back, giving him time to come around. To realize the weight of his choices.But it seemed Francisco had taken his warnings lightly.Kevin let out a long breath. “Dimitri,” he said, his voice calm but heavy, “I don’t believe Francisco will do anything that breaks the rules.”Dimitri rolled his eyes at the other end of the line, clearly unimpressed.“But…” Kevin paused, his tone shifting.“If things spiral, I’ll do what I have to.”Dimitri’s eyes narrowed. His voice dropped to a cold, steady tone.“I hope you remember what you just said.”There was silence for a moment. Kevin’s jaw tightened.Without another word, he ended the call.“Alfred!” Kevin’s voice was low and heavy, laced with disappointment.Alfred entered the room at once, sensing the shift in mo