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
Lilith walked closer to Hazel, her coat draped casually over her shoulder. She crossed her arms and looked Hazel up and down, her expression hardening. "I don't fucking care about whatever you're playing at," Lilith spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "But let me be clear: I wonât tolerate you disturbing Franciscoâs mind." Hazel's face tightened at the blatant hostility. She took a deep breath, deciding to stay calm despite the provocation. "Please, have a seat," she said coolly, gesturing toward the couch. "Wait for your friend." Lilith's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with venom. "Iâm not here to meet him. Iâm here to see his new prostitute," she sneered. The insult hit Hazel like a slap, and she gritted her teeth, struggling to keep her composure. Lily, who had been standing discreetly in the corner, stepped forward. As Hazel's personal guard, she felt compelled to intervene. "Ms. Lilith, please stay within your limits," Lily said, her voice firm but respectful. Lilith tu
Hazel and Francisco had shared a quiet dinner, with Hazel constantly searching Francisco's face for any hint of his thoughts. He remained unreadable, his usual composure in place, giving away nothing about whether he had watched the footage of her confrontation with Lilith.After dinner, Hazel found herself on the porch, staring into the night, her mind racing with questions. Had Francisco seen the footage? What did he think? The uncertainty gnawed at her. She was deep in thought when she felt Francisco's arms wrap around her waist from behind, his touch both familiar and unsettling. He nuzzled her neck, planting a soft kiss on her cheek, and asked, "What are you thinking?"Hazel forced a smile and turned to face him, her hands resting on his broad shoulders."I don't know what I'm thinking," she replied, her voice soft and laced with an undercurrent of tension. Francisco's eyes searched hers, his expression gentle yet probing.He pulled her closer, his hands warm against her waist, a
âWill you be able to handle everything?â Francisco asked, his voice low as he and Max walked through the quiet garden under the night sky.âDo I have any other option?â Max replied, glancing at him.They both fell silent for a moment, only the sound of their footsteps on the gravel breaking the stillness.âSo, youâve really decided to go through with this?â Max asked, sensing something heavy on Franciscoâs mind.âYes,â Francisco replied, exhaling a puff of smoke into the cool air.âI have to do whatever it takes to protect her... and the child.âMax looked at him with concern.âFrancisco, I donât knowâĶ is it really worth it? All of this?âFrancisco took a deep breath, then threw the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath his shoe.âMax,â he said firmly, âfor me, she is everything.""And soon, sheâll give me the best gift I could ever have.âMax looked around the still garden, the silence pressing in.âIâll pray for you,â he muttered, then let out a soft laugh.âPray? When weâre
James took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and muttered, âYeah, everything I do irritates you, but when it comes to Franciscoâeverything he does is just perfect, right?âLilith narrowed her eyes, her patience clearly thinning.âJames, just shut up.âHe smirked, not bothering to hide the satisfaction in her irritation. âFine, Iâll stop. But letâs not forgetâyou lost him too.âLilithâs 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. âAlright, enough. Letâs stay on topic.âAndrew leaned forward, glancing around the table. âWe all know this wonât be easy. Francisco may be reckless, but heâs done a lotâthings that kept the balance. We need to decideâdo we support this internal power shift, or not?âDimitri raised a brow and turned to Michele, Kaiâs son. âSpeaking of balance, Michele... I heard about the recent attack on Francisco.âMic
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 warmâinviting.No longer did the room feel like a prison.Hazel propped herself up on one elbow. âWhat is thisâĶ?âJust then, Lily entered with a bright smile and a large bouquet of fresh flowers in her arms. âGood morning, maâam.âHazel blinked in surprise. âGood morningâĶ but whatâs going on?ââSir instructed us to redecorate the room,â Lily replied, arranging the flowers in a vase by the window. âHe said it should feel brighter for you.âHazel raised an eyebrow. âWhy?âLily smiled softly. âBecause the doctor said it would help improve your mood.âHazel 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.Franciscoâs voice cut through the silence."I didnât mean to shock you."Hazel didnât look up. Her tone was flat."Itâs 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 himâan 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
âSo the deal is more important to you than your child?â 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.âWill you really be able to live without your child, maâam?âHazelâs 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 hadnât once stopped considering the child.Would she really leave her baby with him?Would the child grow up to be like Franciscoâa ruthless mafia king?A deep frown creased Hazelâs forehead.No. She didnât want to think about that. That wasnât 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.âArthur.âArthurâs eyes remained on her, waiting.âDo you know your boss is monitoring me?â she asked, tilting her head slightly. âEvery 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.Hazelâs face was gloomy, her expression distant. She wasnât naiveâshe 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 didnât care much about the child. The idea of carrying Franciscoâs baby had been unbearable. But now, an unfamiliar feeling twisted inside herâsomething more than just obligation. A strange, indefinable bond.Francisco, watching her closely, noticed the way her fingers pressed lightly against her stomach. He didnât say anything, but he understood.She was shaken.She hadnât expected an attack so soon.He clenched his jaw. From now on, he had to be more careful.Whatever he had been beforeâruthless, reckless, untouchableâit didnât matter anymore. Now, he
Francisco glanced at his bodyguard, his tone sharp and commanding.âTake her from here. Iâll handle this.âThe bodyguard hesitated, his grip tightening on his weapon.âBoss, itâs too risky. How can I leave you alone?âFranciscoâs gaze snapped at him, cold and unwavering.âDo you need me to shoot you right now?âThat was enough.The bodyguard stiffened, lowering his head in obedience.âUnderstood.âHe turned toward Hazel.âMaâam.âBut Hazel wasnât 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 clearlyâhe was outnumbered, and he was bleeding.Still, he didnât hesitate.Didnât falter.The bodyguard reached for her arm, his grip firm, almost forceful.âWe need to move.âHazel 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
Maxâs 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 couldnât.With a sigh, he answered."Yes?"There was silence at the other end. Then, after a brief pause, Dianaâs 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."MaxâĶ Iâm not feeling good about this. FranciscoâĶ heâs messing everything up. I donât 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 wouldnât 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 didnât 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 didnât want to carry the child of a man who had turned her life into a nightmare. A mafia kingâa ruthless, heartless man.And yetâĶ she couldnât.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 didnât wan