I refuse! That’s my response to Marius’ marriage proposal, but regret gnaws at me instantly. I love him still, but how can I marry someone I also hate? Despite the pain etched in Marius' eyes after my rejection, he continues to stay by my side. And I begin to wonder if he’s already neglecting his businesses and responsibilities as a lawyer for my sake. The following day, Pierce arrives in papa’s mansion unannounced.Papa is visibly taken aback, his stern voice betraying his irritation. "Mr. Thorne, you should have given me a heads-up." Pierce is unfazed. He directs his attention to me, his demeanor almost cordial, different from how he’s always looked at me. Is he here to negotiate Lilian’s situation? Well, he’s only wasting his time. Lilian will stay in jail! Marius appears too, rushing from behind Pierce, looking anxious and angry. “Dad, leave now.” But Pierce ignores him, and ushers his way inside. As we settle in the living area, Pierce's proposal comes swiftly. "Hazel,
A new baby isn’t about competing against Nicole to make things more complicated, but more like trying to completely forgive Marius and stop dealing with the pain of losing our baby. Even so, I’m still not accepting Marius' proposal. Not yet. My day begins at the graveyard. Marius and I stand side by side in front of our baby’s stone marker. Together, we offer flowers and whisper prayers. Our next stop is the hospital for Sammy's check-ups. The doctor tells us that his cancer cells are slowing down, and if this continues, he’ll soon be cancer free. Though I’m relieved to hear that, I’ll remain fearful as long as my son isn’t completely healed. I already lost a child, my sanity can’t afford to lose another one. Looking at Marius with Sammy clinging into his chest, I feel like we’re a family… again. For how long will this last? I don’t wanna think about that anymore. I just wanna immerse myself in the present and let the future take care of itself. Later, we drive back home sinc
CARTER’S POV: The pain I’ve caused Hazel, is it the same level of the pain she’s causing me now? If it was, then how did she endure and overcome it? Tears continue to fall down my cheeks as I bring the glass of bourbon into my lips. I’m partially staring and listening to the TV, showing the news of Lilian’s murder. I don't have to pay keen attention to it though coz I know every detail.It was, after all, my doing.Lilian manipulated me into loving a son that isn't mine. She also tried to kill Hazel. Therefore, her death is just and deserved.I can only hope that Hazel won’t push me to the brink of my patience like what Lilian did. I love her, though some may call it an obsession. I’d rather see her dead than seeing her happy with another man.If only my attempt to kill Marius succeeded, then I won't have a competition for her affection. But fate has other plans, it seems, testing my power. If that’s so, I’m ready to show just how powerful Carter Whitlock truly is.My thoughts are i
VINCENT’S POV: “No! Why did it have to happen?!” My cries echo off the barren walls of my rented small apartment, my hands clutching the crumpled newspaper with a headline: Lilian Doyle Murdered Inside the Prison. It’s my fault! I love her, but when the noose tightens, I let her take the fall, convincing myself it’s the only way to save us both. And her killer, I was the one who hired him oblivious of what he could do. Now, she’s gone! If only the gunman isn’t caught, then Lilian won’t have to suffer in jail. But why would he kill her even after I already gave my promise that I’ll get him out too as soon as possible? There's something more than meets the eye here. Is it possible that both the gunman and Lilian were killed by the same person or group of people? But who? My head spins. I haven’t come up with any strategy on how to get out of the other abyss I’m being dragged into, and now I’m shoved into another one! My swollen eyes flicker towards my email through my laptop, re
MARIUS’ POV: My path to redemption may take longer than I would want to, but just the fact that Hazel is willing to open the door to me again is beyond exhilarating.Before I second-guess myself, I kiss her passionately. Instantly, she melts into the kiss, her arms wrapped around my neck."Take care, see you tomorrow," she murmurs.My hand gently caresses her cheek before I walk out of Mr. Montgomery’s mansion.As I drive towards my penthouse, a rare sense of peace courses through me. But as I approach an intersection, that peace is abruptly shattered. Three cars barrel down the road, swerving to block my path. My heart lurches as I slam on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a collision. The cars box me in, leaving no room for escape.Then, masked men spring from the cars. They wrench open my door and drag me out. I throw punches and kicks, but there are too many of them."Let go of me!" I shout.One of the assailants presses a cloth with a pungent smell against my face. Then, the world
HAZEL’S POV: I’ve been calling Marius, each unanswered ring making me anxious. We have plans for today, but he’s already hours late. The security at Marius’ penthouse said that Marius didn’t return home last night. Marius’ parents confirmed that Marius is no longer living with them since Lilian’s arrest, and they’ve already reported him missing to the authorities. My mind races through a myriad of scenarios, each darker than the last. I try to brush them away, but they’re too insistent to be ignored. Suddenly, my phone rings. Hope flares that it may be Marius. But my anticipation quickly deflates when I see Carter’s name on the screen. I ignore the call coz I need to focus on finding Marius instead of listening to Carter’s repeated declaration and promises of love. But Carter keeps buzzing up my phone. Then, an inkling snaps into place: Carter may know something about Marius' disappearance. It isn’t far-fetched; he already tried to kill Marius once. And with me and Marius get
My phone vibrates incessantly and papa’s name flashes on the screen. I’m not picking up coz he’ll only make me second-guess what I’m doing. Instead, I send him a text message: -[Bring the authorities to 20 Cooper Square. Carter and someone else kidnapped Marius and are planning to kill him.]-I then silence my phone to make sure it won’t interfere with me later on.After an hour drive, the Uber pulls up to an eerie, abandoned building. Every instinct screams at me to wait for help, but the image of Marius, possibly hurt and helpless, propels me forward.I slip inside with only the moonlight as my source of light. In the distance, there’s a group of muscular men drinking and smoking, a game of cards spread out before them. Then, another figure emerges - Vincent?! The shock nearly makes me gasp, but I clamp a hand over my mouth.I know he and Marius are rivals as the sole inheritors of their father. But they’re brothers! This Vincent may be more vile than Carter and his father for
I have no idea where exactly we are or how far we have strayed from danger. Inside a cave, I huddle over Marius' frail form. I’ve done my best, using the meager leaves blanched in boiled water to patch his wounds, but it isn't enough. He still has a high fever with labored breathing.I can't leave him to seek help. Yet, if no help arrives soon, he may not make it through the day. The raw terror of losing him gnaws at my insides, and I can't think straight of what to do next.Dawn comes unnoticed, and my exhaustion and hunger begins to take a toll on me. Suddenly, voices echo and shadows dance at the cave's entrance. Then, a jolt of fear courses through me when Vincent and his men emerge with villainous smirks. "Found’ya," Vincent wickedly teases."No, please," My voice trembles as I position myself protectively in front of Marius. "Don't kill us. Let us go.""And why would we do that, Lilian’s enemy number one?" Vincent sneers as he steps closer.He then motions for his men to gr