The tension between Christopher and Olivia simmered beneath the surface as they gathered in a secluded room that evening. Christopher held a document in his hands—a secret will that had just been uncovered. His face was twisted with frustration. "This damn will," he muttered, glaring at the paper. "It says only Hazel's child is the rightful heir to everything. How are we supposed to get the wealth if she doesn't even trust me enough to marry?"
Olivia, always cunning, sidled up to him with a sly grin. "Don't worry, Christopher. We'll get what we want. You just need to convince her to marry you. Once she does, we'll make sure the child is 'ours'—it doesn't matter whose it really is. After that, Hazel's fate is sealed. We'll slowly push her out until she's out of the picture entirely."
Christopher's eyes darkened with greed. "You think she'll just agree to marry me? She's not stupid, Olivia."
Olivia chuckled softly, her voice dripping with deceit. "Leave that to me. I know exactly how to manipulate her into thinking it's the right choice. She'll never see it coming. No one will. We'll make sure everyone believes the child is hers, and by the time she figures out what's really happening, it'll be too late."
Christopher let out a deep breath, feeling a twisted sense of relief. "You're certain? This has to work."
"Trust me," Olivia assured him, her tone unwavering. "Once we're done, Hazel won't be a problem anymore. And the wealth—everything—will be ours. Just follow my lead."
Christopher smirked, his resolve hardening. "Alright, Olivia. Let's make this work. It's time to play our roles perfectly."
Their sinister plan set in motion, the pair sealed their deal with a shared look of triumph, unaware of how fate might soon turn against them.
**************
Hazel wandered aimlessly through the grand halls of the bungalow, a soft smile playing on her lips. Every corner held memories of her parents, echoes of laughter, and warmth she could no longer feel. Despite reclaiming the house that was once theirs, an emptiness lingered in her heart. "I'm still an orphan," she whispered to herself, wiping away a tear as she made her way to the garden.
Settling on a bench under the evening sky, she gazed up at the stars, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "God, please send me someone who will love me, someone who will truly care for me," she prayed quietly, her voice filled with longing.
"What are you doing out here?" a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
Startled, Hazel turned to see Christopher approaching with a gentle smile. "Mr. Christopher…" she said, her own smile returning. "I was just walking around, taking it all in. This place is so big, it almost feels unreal."
Christopher chuckled softly as he sat down beside her. "It's your house now, madam. You have every right to feel at home."
Hazel's smile wavered. "I know… but even with all this, I still feel alone. I'm still an orphan at heart."
Christopher's expression softened, though there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "Just like me," he murmured, gazing at her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, lost in the unspoken connection.
Hazel quickly glanced away, breaking the spell. "Where's Olivia?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Christopher's demeanor hardened instantly. "Don't mention her, Hazel. You insisted she stay here, but I don't trust her. I'm still not convinced she's really pregnant."
Hazel looked at him in shock. "What are you saying, Christopher? She's carrying your—"
"She *was* carrying my child," he interrupted sharply, his tone cold as he corrected her. "But that was in the past. You should keep your distance from her. She's dangerous and manipulative. Now come on, it's late. You should get some rest."
He stood and extended his hand toward her. Hesitating only a moment, Hazel took it, and together they walked back inside. As they reached her room, Hazel turned to him with a small, grateful smile. "Good night, Christopher."
"Good night, Hazel. Sleep well," he replied with a warm smile, his voice gentle. But as soon as she disappeared into her room, his expression twisted into something darker.
"It's almost too easy to fool you," he muttered under his breath, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're so innocent, so trusting. You'll be mine before you even realize it." With a final, sinister glance toward her door, he walked away, his footsteps echoing ominously down the hallway.
**********
Olivia leaned in close to Christopher, her eyes gleaming with calculated intent. "So the plan is simple," she whispered. "First, we'll make Hazel believe that you're ready to accept me and my child, showing her how 'kind and responsible' you are. Then, when she trusts you completely, you'll break her heart by pretending to cheat on her. She'll be devastated, and that's when she'll have no choice but to depend on you. Slowly, she'll start falling for you. Once she's in love, everything else will fall into place, and we can take control of her wealth without resistance."
Christopher nodded, a smirk forming on his lips. "Exactly. We need to move quickly, though. The sooner we execute this plan, the sooner I can get rid of her from my life for good."
"I can't wait for that day either," Olivia added with a sly grin. "The sooner she's out of the picture, the better. We'll have everything we ever wanted."
Christopher's eyes darkened with resolve. "Then let's not waste time. We have a game to play, and Hazel is the perfect pawn." The two shared a conspiratorial glance, their scheme set into motion with sinister precision.