The air in the forest was thick with tension, as if the very trees held their breath. Hazel and Christoper stood frozen, eyes locked onto Alexander. His sinister smile sent chills down Hazel's spine.
"Christoper," she whispered, her voice trembling, "what is going on?"
Alexander took a step closer, his gaze flickering between Hazel and Christoper. "You didn't tell her, did you? How predictable."
Christoper tightened his grip on Hazel's hand. "This isn't about her, Alexander. This is between you and me."
Alexander let out a dark chuckle. "You think you can protect her from me? How noble, but utterly foolish."
Hazel's mind was spinning. She knew Alexander was dangerous, but this? This was something else entirely. Before she could ask, Alexander signaled his men. "End this."
In an instant, chaos erupted. The shadowy figures lunged forward, and Christoper shoved Hazel behind him, drawing a concealed knife. The first man reached them, but Christoper was faster, slashing across his arm. The attacker stumbled back, clutching the wound.
"Run, Hazel!" Christoper shouted, but she couldn't move. Her legs felt like they were rooted to the ground.
Another assailant charged at Christoper, and this time, the fight was brutal. Fists flew, and blood splattered the ground. Christoper fought like a man possessed, driven by something more than just survival.
Hazel's heart pounded as she watched, paralyzed by fear. She wanted to help, but she was no match for these men. A scream tore from her throat as one of them managed to strike Christoper across the chest with a knife, blood pouring from the wound.
"No!" she cried, finally finding the strength to move. But before she could reach him, Alexander grabbed her by the arm, yanking her back.
"You really have no idea, do you?" Alexander hissed into her ear. "You're the reason all of this is happening."
Hazel struggled against his grip. "Let me go!"
Christoper, despite his injury, managed to throw off the last attacker and staggered towards them. "Get away from her, Alexander!"
Alexander smirked, shoving Hazel aside. "You think you can stop me, boy?"
With a roar, Christoper charged at Alexander, but his strength was fading fast. Alexander sidestepped the attack, sending Christoper crashing to the ground. He stood over him, a look of disdain on his face. "You're just like your mother, weak and foolish."
Hazel's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?"
Christoper groaned in pain, struggling to rise. "Hazel... run... please."
But Hazel couldn't leave him. Instead, she picked up a fallen branch and swung it at Alexander, hitting him across the back. He stumbled, surprised by the attack.
"You little-" he started, but Christoper, using the last of his strength, tackled him to the ground.
"Go, Hazel!" Christoper gasped, blood staining his clothes.
Hazel hesitated only for a moment before sprinting into the forest, tears streaming down her face. She didn't know where she was going, but she had to get away, had to find help. The sounds of the struggle faded behind her, but she kept running, her heart pounding in her chest.
After what felt like an eternity, she heard footsteps behind her and turned, ready to fight. But it was Christoper, staggering towards her, blood soaking his shirt.
"Christoper!" she cried, rushing to his side.
"We need to keep moving," he panted, wincing in pain. "He'll be back, and next time, we won't be so lucky."
With his arm around her shoulder, they stumbled through the forest until they found a secluded spot. Christoper collapsed against a tree, his breathing ragged. Hazel knelt beside him, tears streaming down her face.
"You're hurt, Christoper. We need to get you to a hospital."
He shook his head weakly. "No... there's no time. I need to tell you the truth, Hazel. Before it's too late."
Hazel's heart skipped a beat. "What truth?"
Christoper's eyes met hers, filled with pain and regret. "You're the rightful heir of the Garden family, Hazel. Your parents... they were murdered. Mr. Garden killed them to steal their wealth."
Hazel recoiled, her mind refusing to believe it. "No... no, that can't be true."
Christoper grimaced as he tried to sit up. "It is. He killed them, and then he took you, hoping to raise you under his control. But when you were older, he realized you were too dangerous. So he sent you away, erased your memory of who you really are."
Hazel shook her head, tears blurring her vision. "Why... why would he do that?"
"Because," Christoper said, his voice barely above a whisper, "you're the last of the Garden line. And with you gone, he can claim everything. But when I found out the truth... I couldn't let him get away with it. That's why I dropped my engagement to Olivia Garden. I was trying to protect you, Hazel."
The ground seemed to shift beneath Hazel's feet. "But why are you helping me?"
Christoper's eyes softened. "Because... you mean more to me than anything. I couldn't let him hurt you."
Hazel's heart shattered as she processed his words. "And Alexander? He's not your real father?"
Christoper shook his head. "No. He's not. He took me in after my mother died, but I'm not his blood. He's always hated me for that."
Hazel was speechless, her world crumbling around her. Everything she thought she knew was a lie.
"So now... what do we do?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"We keep moving," Christoper replied, his voice weak but determined. "We find somewhere safe, and then... we figure out how to take him down."
Hazel's mind raced with doubt, fear, and confusion, but she knew she had no choice but to trust Christoper. He had risked everything for her, and now it was her turn to be strong.
"Okay," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "But promise me one thing."
Christoper looked at her, his eyes filled with pain and resolve. "Anything."
"Don't leave me," Hazel whispered, her voice breaking.
Christoper reached out, his hand trembling as he touched her cheek. "I won't, Hazel. I promise."