Harden’s concern deepened as he watched Hazel, her eyes swollen from crying. The doctor, sensing the tension, offered them a moment alone, which Hazel accepted with a nod.Once the doctor left, Harden turned to Hazel, disbelief evident in his voice. “Are you planning to terminate the pregnancy?”Hazel’s voice was barely a whisper. “I’m not ready for a child, Harden.”Harden shook his head, refusing to accept her decision. “I can’t let you do this, Hazel. If you’re afraid of Alex, I promise to hide you from him. Come with me to Pennsylvania; you can have the baby there, and I’ll protect both of you. But I can’t let you end this pregnancy. I love you, Hazel, and even though I hate Alex, I can’t let you do this. It’s selfish, but please, don’t go through with it.”Hazel, overwhelmed, could only nod in response. Harden assured her he’d handle everything, and as he left to sign her discharge papers, Hazel sat in quiet turmoil, her hand resting on her abdomen, trying to process everything.
Martha bites her fingers after what her bodyguard says to him, if she involves the authorities, Alex will be free as she’s the one with more dirty hands in the situation, she needs to think of how she can protect her daughter, Kayla did nothing wrong.Martha was still thinking when an unknown number call came in. She picked and put it on the loudspeaker.“You witch, what have you done with my daughter? She’s all over the news missing you witch!!” An angry man's voice said for Martha to frown.“How dare you call my number you poor goat, she’s now your daughter, for ten years you abandoned us, even when she was in the news being a supermodel, you didn’t call to appreciate me for giving her the life you can never give to her. Don’t try to act brave here Collins or I will use you to quench my anger. Keep to your promise and never meddle in our life, you got it.” She said and hung up sighing.“Ahhhh!!” Martha screams in anger and frustration as she doesn’t want anything to happen to her d
The sun was bright, and the air was fresh and clean, far from the sterile hospital smells of antiseptics. Hazel stirred from her sleep, blinking against the soft light filling the room. It was a beautiful, bright space, much different from the cold, clinical atmosphere she had grown accustomed to. She could hear the distant sound of maids chatting in the garden below. Sitting up slowly, she looked around, feeling a sense of warmth and calm radiating from the room.A soft knock on the door caught her attention before it opened, and Harden stepped inside.“You’re awake?” he asked, watching as Hazel nodded in response.“How are you feeling?” he added, his voice gentle.“Good,” she whispered, offering him a small smile.“I’m leaving for work. You’ll be staying here until you give birth and can care for your baby,” Harden explained, glancing around the room. “This isn’t my home. It’s one of my homes, actually.”Hazel looked around, taking in the luxurious surroundings.“To keep my promise,
Mr. McCall’s body trembled with rage as he slammed his fists onto the desk, his anger palpable. He had signed a contract with the Nakazimo company from Japan, a deal that hinged on his son, Harden, agreeing to marry their daughter, Kiara. The McCall company had already begun expanding beyond state lines. Yet, this morning, he received a call from the patriarch of the Nakazimo family, informing him that the contract was being breached—because Harden had broken up with Kiara.“Dad…” Harden began, sighing as his father angrily struck the study table.“Why did you break up with Kiara?” Mr. McCall demanded, his voice full of frustration.“I told you, I never liked her,” Harden replied, his tone tired.Mr. McCall scoffed. “You’re still chasing after someone else, aren’t you? Alex’s wife? She’s married, Harden! Why are you doing this?”Harden looked away, unable to face his father’s fury.“First, you abandoned Cynthia. And now this? No! I’m not sitting still, Harden. You will continue the re
The day was bright and sunny. The usual routine at Hazel’s mansion unfolded with precision. The maids and butler had completed their chores and served Hazel her breakfast. A serene silence enveloped the grand estate, only to be disturbed by the sound of Harden’s car pulling into the garage. The butler, ever attentive, hurried to greet him, following close behind as Harden entered the mansion.“Good morning, boss,” the butler greeted respectfully. Harden responded with a nod, not breaking his stride as he made his way upstairs.Reaching Hazel’s room, Harden knocked twice but received no answer. His brow furrowed slightly, and he decided to open the door. The room was eerily quiet. Harden glanced around but couldn’t find Hazel. He checked the balcony—nothing. The only sign of her presence was her half-eaten breakfast on the table.Just as he was about to call her, a faint sound from the bathroom caught his attention. It was the unmistakable sound of someone retching. Harden’s heart sank
Alex’s car sped through the cold evening toward Wilson Park, the engine’s hum steady and determined. As the car slowed near the park, Alex scanned the area through his rear camera, taking in the dimly lit surroundings. The park was almost deserted, with only a few stragglers on their way out. His eyes locked on a figure sitting on a bench under the soft glow of a security light, matching the picture he held on his phone. His grip tightened on the gun inside his coat before stepping out of the car. Meanwhile, the Alpha team had already arrived. Positioned discreetly among the trees and nearby buildings, they kept their eyes trained on Alex as he moved toward the hooded figure on the bench. The team captain whispered into his mic, “Seven o’clock,” directing the sniper to target the man Alex was approaching. The assassin’s heart raced as he saw Alex, exuding a dark, deadly aura, stride purposefully toward him. He had a bad feeling about this—this wasn’t a negotiation; it was a hit. He
It was midnight. Two black Range Rovers sped towards the nearby hospital. Inside the lead vehicle, Simon’s eyes were filled with worry as he looked at his boss, who kept breaking out in sweat, his lips turning purple. Simon’s brow furrowed as he decided to undress the unconscious Alex. He removed his coat and unbuttoned Alex’s black inner shirt, revealing his firm, masculine chest. But something horrifying caught Simon’s eye. The cut on his boss’s arm had turned black. Simon could see the black substance moving through Alex’s veins toward his chest. Though slow, it was a terrifying sight. “Hit the accelerator!” Simon screamed, his voice filled with fear and urgency. “Shit, what can I do?” he muttered to himself, worriedly. He tore Alex’s shirt and tied the arm tightly to prevent the poison from reaching his heart. The car screeched to a stop at the emergency center of the nearest hospital. As soon as Simon opened the door, he jumped out and rushed to carry Alex, shouting for a do
After seeing the doctor’s solemn expression, Simon sigh looking at the doctor’s face, worried. The doctor sighed, then looked at him and the other men around before speaking. “The both of them are fine,” the doctor’s words were comforting, but not for Simon. “What about the poison? Was it successfully extracted?” he asked, wanting to hear a clear “yes” and to put his worries to rest. “Yes, we were able to stop the poison from spreading further into the heart,” the doctor confirmed, and Simon sighed in relief. “But…” The doctor’s hesitation made Simon’s eyes widen. “He’s not waking up anytime soon. The poison stimulated his body’s reflexes, causing the brain to shut down. As long as the body still feels the poison is there, the brain won’t come back until the body finally believes the poison is gone. For that reason, he’s in a coma,” the doctor’s words echoed in Simon’s head, making him swallow hard. “There’s no way to make the body understand the poison is gone? What kind o
Hazel looked at Dr. Frank with her eyes wide open as he kept rubbing her stomach until he officially confirmed he could hear two heartbeats.“Congratulations once again, Mrs. McCollum,” he said, helping Hazel up.“So, what is it, Frank? Is the baby healthy? You said two heartbeats—am I having twins?” she asked anxiously.Dr. Frank nodded, and Hazel teared up, covering her mouth with her hands.“Twins? Is it a boy and a girl, two girls, or two boys?” she asked, her excitement evident.Dr. Frank chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Well, it’s a boy and a girl.”Hazel gasped and covered her mouth again in excitement. “Please don’t say anything to Alex. I want to surprise him with it,” she said.Dr. Frank nodded. “Of course, ma’am. Congratulations once again.”He helped Hazel walk back to his office, where Grace and the guards were waiting.At the General’s villa, Gloria sat, looking around. The luxurious, old-money-style villa made her wonder who had invited her over.“Please come with me, ma’am
The sunshine streamed brightly through the curtains in the spacious bedroom, casting its warm rays on Hazel as she slept. Her elegant facial features twitched slightly under the light before her long lashes fluttered. Finally, she opened her eyes. Her luscious lips parted as she slowly came back to reality.Hazel yawned deeply, then sat up.“Good morning, madam,” a familiar voice greeted her, prompting Hazel to frown as she turned toward the figure.“Grace?” she exclaimed in surprise.Grace stood in her maid’s uniform, bowing her head respectfully.“Give me a hug, Grace. I’ve missed you so much,” Hazel said, her eyes welling up with tears. Without hesitation, Grace stepped forward and embraced her.“Please don’t cry, madam,” Grace said gently, rubbing Hazel’s back. “I wouldn’t know what to say to the boss if he walked in and saw you like this,” she added anxiously.“Don’t mind me; this pregnancy makes me so emotional,” Hazel said, wiping her tears. “It’s been months, Grace. How are yo
The doors to the dining room opened, and three men in black suits entered silently, their imposing presence casting a shadow over the room. Alex smirked, his tone ice-cold. “I mean, Mr. Lark, that your time has run out.” The assistant paled, his hands trembling as the men in black closed in. *Outside the Villa* A convoy of cars pulled up near the entrance to the McCollum estate. The general, sitting stiffly in the backseat of his car, glanced at his assistant. “I don’t think it’s wise to approach the villa uninvited,” the general said, his voice calm but firm. “Shall I write to Mrs. McCollum, then? Ask about her health and that of your great-grandchild?” the assistant offered. The general nodded, his lips curving into a rare smile. “Yes, do that. And… one more thing. Have you found her mother?” “Yes, sir,” the assistant replied. “She’s currently in the city.” “Invite her to the villa,” the general said, his expression unreadable. The assistant hesitated. “Are you sure, sir?
Simon immediately followed Alex’s instructions. As expected, Alex approved of the arrangements. The drive back to the villa was dead silent. Hazel held Alex’s hand tightly, watching him carefully for any unusual signs that might necessitate returning to the hospital. “When are the workers in the mansion coming back?” she asked, breaking the silence and earning a small smile from Alex. “They’re already back. I just want us to stay at the villa until you give birth,” Alex replied, his tone calm. Hazel sighed. “It’s lonely in the villa. At least in the mansion, the maids keep me company when you’re away.” Alex nodded thoughtfully. “I don’t trust them with you. They might accept money to hurt you. Let’s stay here until our child is born,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips and planting a gentle kiss. “And the scan?” Alex asked, watching Hazel closely. “You remember?” Hazel responded with a smile. “Of course. I dare not forget anything about you,” he said, making Hazel blush. “I
Hazel sat in the cold weather as Alex slept soundly, unaware of Simon being out on tasks. The gentle snow falling outside caught her attention so deeply that she didn’t notice someone enter the room. “Erhem,” a familiar voice said, causing Hazel to turn abruptly. Supporting her stomach, she stood up swiftly. “How dare you step your filthy feet in here?” she demanded, her voice full of rage, as Harden raised his hands in mock surrender. “Guards!” she called out, but Harden sighed in response. “Chill. I wouldn’t be here if the guards were active. I just came to visit,” he said, watching Hazel reach for her phone. She knew the sedative Alex was under wouldn’t allow him to wake up. “Haze, chill—” “Don’t call me that!” Hazel snapped, furiously dialing Simon’s number. “I came for a business deal,” Harden continued, undeterred. “I just wanted to check on him after hearing he was in an—” “Or you came to see if he survived the accident you planned!” Hazel cut him off furiously. “Get ou
Alex’s eyes opened slowly, his gaze unfocused but alive. Hazel sobbed with relief, pressing a kiss to his hand. “You’re here… you’re still with us,” she whispered. Alex’s voice was hoarse, barely audible. “Hazel… what happened?” “You were in an accident,” she said softly. “But you’re going to be okay.” His brow furrowed, memories flickering through his mind. “It wasn’t… an accident,” he rasped. Hazel nodded, her voice trembling. “We know. And we’ll find out who did this. Together.” Simon stepped forward, his expression grim. “Sir, we think it was Harden McCall.” Alex’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “Harden… he won’t get away with this.” Hazel squeezed his hand, her resolve matching his. “No, he won’t. We’ll make sure of it.”the soft knock on the hospital door pulled Hazel’s attention away from Alex. A middle-aged man in a white coat stepped in, carrying a clipboard.“Mrs. McCollum, I’m Dr. Harris, I will be taking over from Doctor Gabriel, he has a family emergency,” he s
Tears streamed down the driver’s face as he shook his head. “I didn’t mean to… I swear I didn’t…”The driver’s sobs grew louder, and he buried his face in his hands. “I… I needed the money… but I didn’t think… It wasn’t supposed to…” He broke off, shaking his head in despair. Grant ignored him, stepping out of the room to make a call. “Officer Grant,” a voice answered on the other end. “I’ve got a lead,” Grant said. “Trace the account that sent this transfer. We’re dealing with something bigger than a random accident.”… “Understood,” the voice replied. Grant hung up, his mind racing. He had a gut feeling this wasn’t just a case of reckless driving—it was a targeted attack. And someone wanted Alex McCollum dead. Back at the hospital, Hazel stirred awake, her face still pale and tear-streaked. She glanced around and found Simon seated by the window, speaking quietly on the phone. Alex lay on the hospital bed beside her, his breathing steady but labored. “Simon,” Hazel called
The doctor let out a heavy sigh, his face shadowed with sympathy as he looked into Hazel’s striking blue eyes, which were now brimming with tears. She stood there, shaking, the weight of his silence suffocating her. “We tried our best, but…” His voice wavered, trailing off. “What?!” Hazel screamed, her body jolting forward in shock. Simon, her steadfast support, quickly caught her before she fell. His own face was a mask of anguish, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. “We did everything we could, ma’am,” the doctor said softly, lowering his gaze. “But I’m sorry. The blow to his head was… too severe. He didn’t make it.” “No! No, no, no!” Hazel cried, her voice piercing and raw. She wrestled free from Simon’s arms, shaking her head violently. “Don’t say that to me! Where’s my husband?” Her frantic eyes searched the room for any sign of Alex, her desperation palpable. Simon stood frozen, helplessly watching her crumble. “Ma’am, please,” the doctor interjected, his tone gentle but fi
Inside the McCall office, Harden anxiously drummed his fingers on the polished oak desk, his sharp eyes darting between the wall clock and his expensive wristwatch. The silence in the room was suffocating, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the clock. He exhaled deeply, frustration evident in his posture. Suddenly, his phone buzzed, breaking the stillness.“You agreed that if I do this, I’ll get twenty percent of the shares in McCall Corporation?” the voice on the other end asked sharply. Harden let out a slow sigh, gripping the phone tighter.“It’s a signed deal, Mr. Lark. Just do this for me,” Harden said curtly, his voice laced with impatience.“Alright,” Lark replied, though there was a hint of reluctance in his tone. “But don’t associate me with this if it doesn’t turn out as you wanted.”Harden’s lips curled into a sly smile. “And if it doesn’t turn out as I wanted, you won’t be getting twenty percent. You’ll get ten percent at most,” he countered, his voice cold and calcula