On the day Francisco was being prepared for the court appearance, the media frenzy outside the gate reached its peak. Reporters and cameras swarmed the area, eager to capture the high-profile moment. The arrest of Francisco was now the city's top news, creating a buzz that reverberated through the community.James, reveling in the perceived vulnerability of Francisco's absence, continued to expand his influence in the criminal underworld.Within the precinct, Hazel and Rafael were in the midst of the chaos, navigating through the crowds and the media circus. Hazel whispered something to Rafael, a shared concern etched on their faces. However, their hushed conversation was interrupted when Francisco's gaze met Hazel's. A slight smirk played on Francisco's lips, creating an unsettling moment between them.Quickly averting her eyes, Hazel continued to move through the crowd with Rafael.The tension in the air was palpable, and the weight of the situation pressed upon them. As they exited
Hazel's heart raced as her gaze collided with Francisco's deep ocean eyes. At that moment, a mix of emotions swirled within her, captivated by the calmness yet ominous undertone that emanated from those eyes. Hazel couldn't shake the feeling of an impending storm.Rafael responded, "Ms. Emily, we're not thrilled to see you and your boyfriend either."Emily, eyes narrowed, retorted, "Oh, really! Actually, the way you guys harassed my boyfriend, he should file a harassment case against your girlfriend. But Francisco is a kind man, so he did not."Rafael's lips curved into a slight smirk at Emily's words."Oh, your boyfriend is a kind man, really? He should show his kindness to the world as well."Before Emily could escalate the confrontation further, Francisco intervened. With a light smile, he gently took hold of Emily's hand, his touch serving as a quiet gesture to temper the rising tension."Mr. Rafael, I think you guys came here for your wedding. So please, don't bother us," Francis
Hazel's eyes widened in horror as time seemed to slow down around her. The joyous occasion had morphed into a nightmare. The purity of her white dress was marred by a sinister stain — a bloodstain. A surreal stillness settled over the church, shattered only by Hazel's piercing scream."Rafael!"Her love, her would-be husband, stood before her, his white coat now a canvas of crimson. The world around her blurred as the reality of the situation dawned. The once joyous ceremony had morphed into a scene of unimaginable horror."Ra - fael!"Hazel's lips trembled as she knelt beside him, her hands stained with the evidence of the tragedy. In her desperate attempt to comprehend the nightmare unfolding, she looked around and realized the brutality extended beyond Rafael. The priest, the congregation — everyone laid on the floor, victims of a senseless act of violence.Her white dress now echoed the crimson tragedy that had unfolded. The sacred space had become a blood-soaked tableau of despai
Hazel's world had narrowed to the dimly lit room, the cold wall against her back, and the tight restraints binding her.The muffled groans were the only testament to her struggle against the ominous circumstances that had befallen her. Fear gripped her, amplified by the uncertainty of what awaited her.The creak of the opening door sent shivers down Hazel's spine. Her groans intensified as she strained to see through the darkness, desperate to identify her captor."Umm..."A hesitation escaped her lips, drowned out by the echoes of her own anguish.As Hazel recoiled, her back meeting the unyielding wall, a realization dawned upon her - escape was futile.Her thoughts raced, trying to unravel the mystery of why she was there and what fate awaited her.In the deafening silence, Hazel's mind fixated on one name - Rafael.The mere thought quickened her heartbeat, as she grappled with the possibility of who might be the reason behind her predicament. Dread and confusion intertwined, cloudi
Francisco sat on the couch, indulging in a cigarette, the room permeated with the lingering scent of smoke.Hazel lay naked on the bed, her back turned toward him, vulnerable and exposed. The cold air from the AC chilled the room, causing Hazel to curl up on the bed, seeking warmth.As Francisco took the last drag of his cigarette, he extinguished it in the ashtray. Rising from the sofa, he approached the bed, his gaze fixed on Hazel's delicate form. Tenderly, he traced his fingers along her cold arms.The aftermath of her tears and the torment she endured left her unconscious.With a gentle touch, Francisco moved strands of her hair away from her forehead. Hazel's eyes were closed, still bearing the marks of her recent ordeal. Slowly, he began to untie the cloth covering her eyes, revealing closed eyelids beneath.Francisco's fingers delicately brushed against her closed eyelids, a momentary pause in the relentless storm. ‘I would not able to do it while looking at you so I tied you
Sitting beside Hazel, Diana gently spoke, "You need to eat something."Hazel's gaze remained averted, a silent protest against the reality she found herself trapped in.Diana turned to Lily, seeking a solution."Do you have any women's dresses here?" she inquired.Lily shook her head, indicating that there were none available."Master already ordered everything; it will come soon," Lily added."Then give me his shirt or anything," Diana requested.Lily nodded and left the room, leaving Diana alone with Hazel. Diana turned her attention to the silent figure on the bed, Hazel, who remained fixated on the ceiling.Diana offered a gentle plea, "If you don't eat, you can't get up."Yet, Hazel remained silent, a stoic presence in the aftermath of unspeakable violation."I just want to say, if you need to save yourself, you have to listen to Francisco," Diana continued, her voice tinged with an underlying urgency."He told me to feed you. So please eat something before he comes here."Hazel s
Following a disturbing encounter, Francisco lightly pushed Hazel's head, leading to a tense moment where their eyes met.Hazel, her grip on the blanket tightened, glared at Francisco with a raging intensity."Fuck you, bastard!" she spat out in defiance, her words filled with venom. Francisco, seemingly unfazed, chuckled at her outburst."Really?" he mused, finding amusement in her resistance.Kneeling on the bed, Francisco reached out to touch the blanket, taunting her."That means you don't have a problem with my warmth." In a swift motion, he snatched the blanket away from her, leaving Hazel exposed."Stop it!"Hazel shouted, her hands instinctively covering herself.Francisco seized her wrist and pulled her closer."I like to dress you up with my warmth, Hazel," he declared, a disturbing possessiveness coloring his words.Hazel's teary eyes met his, but within their depths, only hatred and rage for him simmered.Francisco, noticing Hazel's struggle, questioned the mark on her for
The graveyard was filled with a somber assembly of police officers, each bearing the weight of grief for their fallen comrade, Ken. The loss of such a brave and skilled officer left a void that could never be filled.All present, including Robert, Adam, Freddie, and every police officer, except for Peter and the critically injured Rafael, gathered to bid farewell to their fallen companion.Ken's absence echoed through their ranks, a painful reminder of the dangers inherent in their line of duty.The identity of those responsible for this tragedy remained elusive, shrouded in shadows that seemed to deepen with every passing moment.The search for Hazel, a potential key to unraveling the chaos, proved futile as she had vanished from the church amid the chaos."Did you find any suspicious things around his house?" he inquired about Francisco, who he believed to be behind the orchestrated chaos.Adam's response was disheartening. "Still not. Also, on the wedding day, he had a party. He pl
“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