Hazel finished adjusting her dress, her eyes lingering on the glass for a moment before turning to face Francisco. He hadnât taken his eyes off her, his intense gaze unwavering. She could feel his eyes on her, and it made her uneasy. Hazel sighed, trying to shake off the discomfort.âDonât look at me like that,â Hazel said, her voice laced with unease.Francisco tilted his head slightly, âWhat look?âFranciscoâs expression didnât change.âWhat eyes?â he asked, his tone calm but probing.Hazel blinked, feeling the weight of his stare.âYou know what I mean,â she replied, trying to avoid his gaze.A small, almost amused smile played at the corners of Franciscoâs lips.âAnd why shouldnât I look at you?â he pressed.âBecause,â Hazel started, her voice faltering slightly, âbecause it feels like I did something wrong.âShe turned away, gathering her hair into a ponytail, trying to shake off the feeling of being under his scrutiny.Without warning, Franciscoâs hand shot out, gripping her wai
"You swear, right?" Francisco's voice was soft, almost tender, but there was an underlying tension that made Hazel's heart race. She could barely find the strength to speak, her voice trembling as she answered, "Yes..."The next words out of Francisco's mouth shocked her to the core."Do you want me to surrender to the police?"Hazel's breath caught in her throat. She broke the embrace, her eyes wide as she searched Francisco's face for any sign of what he was thinking. But his hands remained on her waist, keeping her close, as if he feared she might slip away."You swear, right?" Francisco's voice was soft, almost tender, but there was an underlying tension that made Hazel's heart race. She could barely find the strength to speak, her voice trembling as she answered, "Yes..."The next words out of Francisco's mouth shocked her to the core."Do you want me to surrender to the police?"Hazel's breath caught in her throat. She broke the embrace, her eyes wide as she searched Francisco's
Hazel had been anxiously waiting for Francisco, her nerves fraying with each passing hour. She had dozed off in the chair on the balcony, lulled by the nightâs quiet, but the sudden roar of a car engine startled her awake. Groggy and disoriented, she struggled to piece together how long she had been asleep. The moon had shifted significantly in the sky, indicating she had been out for hours.Peering over the balcony, she saw Franciscoâs car glide into the driveway. Relief mixed with dread as she quickly stood up and hurried inside the room. As she exited the chamber, she caught sight of Francisco ascending the stairs, his eyes locking onto hers. A faint smile curled on his lips, though it didnât reach his eyes.âYouâre still awake, my queen?â Franciscoâs voice was gentle, almost affectionate, as he extended his hand toward her.Hazel placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth of his palm, but something in his touch felt differentâcold, distant."You told me you had a surprise for me,"
Hazelâs eyes fluttered open, and she found Francisco lying beside her, his arms wrapped around her hands. She lay still for a moment, lost in thoughts about the previous night. Her mind replayed the unusual tenderness and the troubling bloodstains on his shirt.What happened to him last night? Hazel wondered, her concern mingling with confusion. He behaved so strangely.She shifted her thoughts to her own pressing issue: her parents. How can I find out about them? The realization that she needed information but had no clear way to get it weighed heavily on her.Franciscoâs grip on her hand tightened as she began to move. Hazel took a deep breath and carefully untangled herself from his embrace. As she eased her feet onto the floor, she tried to be as quiet as possible, but just as she was about to stand up, Francisco stirred and spoke.âWhy do you always leave me like a thief?â he asked, his voice laced with a chuckle.Startled, Hazel turned back to him, her expression a mix of confus
Hazel did as Lily instructed, walking slowly to her room, a growing sense of unease gnawing at her. The silence of the house felt stifling, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was being hidden from her. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car horn outside, signaling Franciscoâs return. She hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the room, hoping to get some answers.As she descended the stairs, Hazel saw Max waiting at the bottom. He looked up and said, âMs. Hazel, come to the library.âHazel followed Max, her footsteps echoing through the empty halls. When she entered the library, she spotted Francisco flipping through the pages of a book. He looked up with a faint smile as they approached.âSorry for the delay,â Francisco said, closing the book and setting it aside.âI had to handle some urgent work.âHazelâs relief was tempered by lingering concern.âAre we staying here?â she asked, trying to sound casual.âYes, but I thought it would be best to brin
Franciscoâs eyes narrowed as he observed Hazelâs fury and desperation.He moved closer, grabbing her arms firmly as she struggled to break free.âKill?â Franciscoâs tone was icy. âHow could you say that?âHazelâs eyes, filled with tears and defiance, refused to meet his. Her mind was racing, trying to reconcile the brutal reality before her with the love she had once tried to convince herself she felt.âI did not kill them, honey,â Francisco said, forcing Hazel to look up at him. His grip was unyielding, and his expression was one of cruel amusement. He seemed to relish her distress.Hazel, however, was not in the mood for his games. She wrenched herself away from his grasp, her voice breaking into a shout. âAh...!âFranciscoâs smile faded as Hazelâs anger reached a boiling point. âShut the fuck up,â she snapped, her voice hoarse and filled with rage. âJust tell me where they are! What have you done to them?âHer words cut through the dimly lit room with a raw intensity. Franciscoâs e
Francisco clutched Hazel tightly as her body went limp, her sudden collapse shocking him more than he let on. Her fragile frame fit perfectly into his arms, her face pale, lips slightly parted as if caught between a breath. His heart raced, but he forced himself to breathe deeply, to stay calm. He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her forehead, a gesture of tenderness that contradicted the dark turmoil within him."Why donât you understand, Hazel?" His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he held her close. The warmth of her skin against his made his chest tighten."I told you not to betray me, honey."He stared down at her, unconscious and vulnerable, and something inside him wavered. He hadn't anticipated that her deception would cut this deep.His hand trembled slightly as he brushed a strand of hair from her face."But you pretended with me," he continued, his voice breaking ever so slightly. "I didnât even think it was all your acting, Hazel. It seemed so real."His gaze
"I spent the whole day torturing that bastard. My mind was consumed with rage, with betrayal."Franciscoâs hand reached out, brushing against Hazelâs arm, but she didnât react."And then I thoughtâĶ what better way to show him than to love you in front of his eyes? To show him how much you enjoy our intimate moments together."Hazel's lips trembled, the reality of what Francisco had done crashing over her. Rafael had seen everything, and the thought made her feel exposed, vulnerable in a way she had never felt before. How could she ever face him again?"ButâĶ" Francisco hesitated, his voice faltering for the first time."But, I couldnât. I didnât want anyone to see my angelâs beautiful body, to hear your moans. Those are only for me." His words were possessive, a twisted form of affection. "That bastard only saw us kiss. Nothing more."Hazel took a deep breath, her mind reeling. The room felt like it was closing in on her, the weight of Franciscoâs actions pressing down on her chest. Sh
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