Will my secret be exposed? Leslie approaches me, his smile widening. "Hazel, where have you been all this time? I was so worried about you.” Alex’s puzzled gaze flicks between me and Leslie as he murmurs, "Hazel?" I pull myself together. I can’t afford to falter now. "Oh no, I’m not Hazel.”I retrieve my company ID from my purse, holding it up for Leslie to see. "Veronica Shultz," I say, the name suddenly sounding foreign yet familiar on my tongue.Shocked, Leslie’s eyes search mine for some hint of the truth. But I force a fake calmness, my eyes distant. Leslie sighs, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I’m so sorry. You just… look so much like someone I used to know."“That’s alright,” I say, grateful that he doesn’t insist on his correct assumption.He then turns and walks away, casting one last, lingering glance over his shoulder.What’s Leslie doing here, of all places? Could he be a new colleague? Is this a mere coincidence? This can’t be happening! I have to keep my
MARIUS’ POV: Two years had passed since that fateful day, yet the memory is as vivid as if it had happened yesterday: the mangled wreck of the Uber, the panic of the ones who saw it and the blaring sirens. But most of all, Hazel’s pale and bloodied figure.I rushed Hazel to the nearest hospital and that’s when I learned that she’s pregnant, which made her escape all the more urgent. It’s then that I made a choice that’s been haunting me even up to this day.I paid the doctor a hefty amount of money to switch Hazel's identity with the woman named Veronica Shultz, the other passenger who died in the accident. Veronica’s family was also compensated handsomely to remain silent about it.Some may understand it as helping someone in need, but it’s still a crime, given that I’m a lawyer. But that’s the best thing I can do to help Hazel escape. And I’m glad she didn’t waste that opportunity I created for her."Have you told Carter about me?" Hazel asks, her voice trembling."No, and I won't.
HAZEL’S POV: This is crazy, and out of the blue too! I sit at the corner table of the high-end restaurant where Marius asked me to meet him. Marius, with his perfectly tailored suit and air of confidence, sits opposite me. "I'm not ready for a new romantic relationship. My marriage with Carter... it left me broken in ways I never thought possible." Marius’ expression is unreadable. "I know, but I’m not asking you to be my real girlfriend. You just need to act like it." A fake relationship? I’m shook! I can’t believe he’s just said that. “Not only would I be your divorce lawyer, but I also promise your protection from Carter and his family if you ever return to the capital,” he adds. A bitter taste fills my mouth for an attempted manipulation by another man who sees me as a means to an end. Is this what being wealthy and influential does to people, like they can just use anyone for their gain? "I don't want to be in a fake relationship," I declare, irritated. "Thanks for cons
I can’t look Marius straight in the eyes out of embarrassment, perhaps to also keep my remaining collectedness. “I can stay and look for Sammy,” Marius says. “No, you should go home and rest, Marie will soon be here.” I can’t entrust Sammy to someone I don't fully know. What if he steals Sammy and brings him to Carter? I shake my head at the absurd thought, feeling guilty for thinking about it even after receiving financial assistance from him. Marie finally arrives. Though it aches me with worry for briefly leaving Sammy, I have to personally go to work to properly file an immediate leave so I can take care of him myself. I kiss Sammy on the cheek before slipping away from the hospital. Marius offers to give me a ride, but I refuse again without forgetting to thank him for his kindness. I can’t be too close, or too involved with him. Whatever we have, it can’t be more than that. I can’t make the same mistake. By the time I reach my workplace, my supervisor is already on bre
CARTER’S POV: It’s been two years, but I’m still grieving my loss. I’m at the cemetery, standing in front of Hazel’s grave with a bouquet of her favorite white jasmine in hand. I make this pilgrimage countless times to appease my guilt for the cruel words and actions I hurled at her in her last moments. "If only I could turn back the time," I whisper. My fingers trace the engraved letters of her name and our unborn child’s that nobody got to utter except me in my nightmares, feeling the chill of the stone seeping into my skin. As I make my way back to my car, an unfamiliar, old couple walks towards Hazel’s grave. They‘re weeping, clutching each other. The man carries a bouquet of flowers, the woman a small, framed photograph of an unfamiliar younger woman. Who are they? I’m sure they’re not one of Hazel’s adoptive family members, Hazel also doesn’t have a friend except for Lilian. When I approach them, they gasp in fear as if I’m about to do something horrible to them. The wom
LILIAN’S POV: We had been so passionate, so in sync before Morgan came along. Now, it feels like Carter's attention is monopolized by Morgan, while I’m relegated to just an insignificant role. The only time I feel Carter's attention on me is when we’re in bed, and even that feels like it’s driven more by routine than passion. Elmyra’s voice pulls me out from my thoughts. "Is something bothering you?" she asks, her tone deceptively gentle.I sigh. "Carter. How can he not show some effort with our wedding when we've talked about this several times before, even when he was still married to Hazel?"Elmyra chuckles. The sound grates on my already frayed nerves, but I force myself to be calm. I’ve been trying my best not to make a bad impression on her, no matter how infuriating I find her.Elmyra leans closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Remember, once you're married to my son, you'll lose all the privilege to question his words and actions. You must follow him, an
HAZEL’S POV: My heart aches as I think of Sammy who has to remain at hospital for I have no idea how much longer. Our bills have already reached thousands of dollars since he became an in-patient just a few days ago. Without Marius’ help, we won’t be able to sustain it.I grab the bag, heavy with fresh clothes, and step out of my house. The sand crunches softly beneath my feet as I make my way to the bus stop. While waiting for the bus to arrive, the sound of an approaching BMW catches my attention. It glides by, followed by another, and then another. Then, a chill runs down my spine when I notice the plate numbers: WTL. T-that’s… The Whitlocks! What are they doing here?! Why do the people of my past keep reappearing now all of a sudden?!Men in black suits begin to emerge from the cars, their faces hard and menacing. Some of them I’ve seen, and even talked to before. They’re Carter’s bodyguards!Panic surges through me, and without thinking, I bolt towards the nearest convenienc
Wow! This is all… so much!This place, with its panoramic views and opulent decor, is beyond anything I’ve ever imagined for me and my son. I only want a safe place to hide, but Marius offers so much more than that - a penthouse.I lay Sammy onto his bed. His own bedroom has medical equipment meticulously arranged, and a private, in-house nurse who’ll look after him. Betty and I also have our own bedrooms, though Betty is free to come and go home just as what stated in our contract.My eyes fall upon Marius to thank him. But, I utter no single word as I first notice the red mark on his cheek. Guilt gnaws at my insides. I’ve acted out of fear and misunderstanding, and Marius has responded with compassion and generosity.Night descends, Betty is asleep in her bedroom, while the nurse is with Sammy in Sammy’s bedroom. Marius is preparing to leave and go back to the capital."I can't thank you enough, Marius," I say softly, walking over to him with an ice bag. "For everything."Marius' s