When her mother was diagnosed with a serious illness, Hazel Gabriella found herself trapped in financial desperation. Her simple life took a drastic turn when Theo Filbert, a handsome yet cold-hearted billionaire, offered her a marriage contract. For Theo, this marriage was the only way to secure his inheritance and maintain his position as the primary heir of Filbert Corporation. For Hazel, it was the only way to ensure her mother received the proper care she needed. However, as the line between pretense and reality begins to blur, their feelings become the greatest risk. Can love truly blossom from an agreement that never involved the heart? Or will it only end in deeper wounds?
Lihat lebih banyakAfter the call ended, Hazel stared at her phone for a long time, as if hoping for another answer to appear, something that could free her from this situation. But there was nothing. Only a tightening sensation that increasingly squeezed her chest.Guilt crept over her. Guilty for leaving her mother, guilty for having to play a role that felt foreign to her, and guilty for being trapped in a relationship she did not want.Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the jacket hanging on the back of the chair. But before leaving, she approached the bed again, knelt beside her mother, and gently held the woman's hand."Mom... Hazel has some business to attend to. I promise I won't be long," she whispered, her voice sounding faint. She carefully stroked the back of her mother's hand, trying to convey the warmth she could give.Maria slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was still tired, but she offered a small smile."Be careful, dear..." she said softly, full of affection.Hazel bit her li
Hazel picked up the food she had prepared from the table, gently blowing away the warm steam before carefully spooning it. She directed the spoon to her mother’s lips with the tenderness of a child who didn’t want to see her mother in pain. “Eat plenty, Mom,” she said softly, a warm smile etched on her face, even though her heart ached seeing her mother’s condition deteriorate.Maria slowly accepted the spoonful, her lips trembling slightly before swallowing. Every time Hazel fed her, she felt a mixture of gratitude and guilt. After a few spoonfuls, Maria suddenly looked at her daughter with weary eyes and let out a deep sigh. “Hazel… I’m sorry… for making you go through this,” her voice was faint, almost a whisper, but strong enough to pierce Hazel’s heart.Hazel paused for a moment, her brows furrowing at her mother’s words. “Oh, Mom,” she murmured, her voice slightly hoarse. She tried to smile, though something was lodged in her chest.With a still steady hand, she scooped up anoth
Theo smiled thinly, a cynical smile. “Good. Because that will make everything much easier.” He turned and walked toward the door, but before leaving, he glanced back once more.“One more thing, Hazel.”Hazel stared at him, trying to remain calm even though her heart pounded wildly.“We might be married on paper, but never forget that I’m still in charge here.” The door closed with a loud bang, leaving Hazel with mixed feelings—anger, hurt, and helplessness.Hazel realized one thing very clearly: her life with Theo Filbert would never be easy.***The next morning, Hazel awoke with a heavy head and puffy eyes. Last night, she had barely slept. Her mind was filled with worries—about her mother, about the sham marriage that now bound her, and about the cold man who was now her husband.She looked into the large mirror before her. A pale face with dark circles under her eyes stared back. With a heavy sigh, Hazel tried to muster her strength. There was no time to appear weak, especially wh
Hazel took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. But before she could think further, the bedroom door opened without a knock.Theo stood in the doorway, wearing a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His face remained expressionless, but his gaze was sharp enough to make Hazel shiver."You're not asleep yet?" he asked flatly.Hazel quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and stood up. "I... just haven't gotten used to it," she replied softly.Theo entered without permission, his steps steady toward the balcony. He opened the glass door and let the night breeze into the room. "You need to get used to it," he said without turning. "Starting tomorrow, your life will change."Hazel bit her lower lip. "I know."Theo turned, his hands in his pants pockets. "We're getting married tomorrow. That means from then on, you'll be part of my life—in public."Hazel held her breath."But remember," Theo continued in the same cold tone, "our relationship is nothing more than a contract. D
The room felt colder, even though the air conditioner’s temperature hadn’t changed. Only the ticking of the wall clock broke the silence, making every second feel heavier for Hazel. The marriage contract lay before her like a curse, ready to change her life forever.Theo Filbert still sat across the desk with a relaxed demeanor, in stark contrast to the tension enveloping Hazel. His face remained unreadable, as if he already knew the decision Hazel would make even before she opened her mouth.“Take a moment if you need to,” Theo said, his voice flat and emotionless. Yet, his tone clearly conveyed impatience. “But the decision must be made tonight.”Hazel bit her lower lip, feeling the sharp sting. Her heart pounded hard, echoing in her chest like a war drum.Am I really going to do this?Her mind was in turmoil. A small voice inside her wanted to refuse, to fight back, to find another way to save her mother without having to surrender her freedom to a man who didn’t even believe in lo
As the door opened, the aroma of mahogany wood and coffee greeted her. The room was spacious and modern, dominated by black and gray tones that imparted a sense of coldness and elegance simultaneously. Large glass walls showcased a glittering cityscape under the night lights.Behind a large, neatly arranged desk, a man sat with a relaxed yet commanding demeanor.Theo Filbert. Hazel had read about him—the youngest CEO in Filbert Corporation's history. A billionaire known for his ruthlessness. An ambitious figure unafraid to destroy anyone in his way.The man's gray eyes were sharp, assessing Hazel as if she were an item under consideration for purchase."Please, sit," Theo said curtly, his tone leaving no room for refusal.Hazel felt her legs suddenly grow heavy, but she forced herself to walk and obey Theo's command. With a pounding heart, she finally sat in the chair before him. Her back was tense, as if an invisible weight compelled her to remain upright. Her hands clenched tightly
Rain poured heavily outside the hospital window, creating a monotonous rhythm that echoed through the silent corridors. The distinctive aroma of disinfectant mixed with the damp night air. Dim lights illuminated room number 312, where a middle-aged woman lay weakly. An IV was inserted into her wrinkled, aging hand. Her breaths were labored, as if each inhalation was a final, exhausting battle.Hazel Gabriella sat quietly at the edge of the bed. Her trembling fingers grasped her mother's increasingly cold hand. Hazel's lips quivered, but she forced herself to remain strong. Maria Gabriella—the only family left, the sole reason Hazel continued to endure despite the world's relentless blows."Mom... please hold on. I promise I'll find a way. I won't leave you," she whispered, her voice breaking. Tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking the pristine white blanket covering Maria's frail body.The woman who was once full of energy and spirit was now a shadow of her former self. This cruel di
Rain poured heavily outside the hospital window, creating a monotonous rhythm that echoed through the silent corridors. The distinctive aroma of disinfectant mixed with the damp night air. Dim lights illuminated room number 312, where a middle-aged woman lay weakly. An IV was inserted into her wrinkled, aging hand. Her breaths were labored, as if each inhalation was a final, exhausting battle.Hazel Gabriella sat quietly at the edge of the bed. Her trembling fingers grasped her mother's increasingly cold hand. Hazel's lips quivered, but she forced herself to remain strong. Maria Gabriella—the only family left, the sole reason Hazel continued to endure despite the world's relentless blows."Mom... please hold on. I promise I'll find a way. I won't leave you," she whispered, her voice breaking. Tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking the pristine white blanket covering Maria's frail body.The woman who was once full of energy and spirit was now a shadow of her former self. This cruel di...
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