As Hazel hurried down the corridor, her mind was in turmoil. She couldn't shake off the unease that Olivia's presence brought, and Christopher's reaction only added to her confusion. She needed a moment alone, away from the tension that seemed to follow her everywhere.
But as she passed by Olivia's room, she overheard voices inside. Instinctively, she paused, her heart racing. She recognized Olivia's voice, but it was what she heard next that made her blood run cold.
"Mother, it's working perfectly. Christopher has no idea," Olivia's voice was a low, conspiratorial whisper.
"And neither does that naive Hazel," her mother responded, a note of satisfaction in her tone. "Once she believes the child is his, she'll leave on her own. The way she's been clinging to him, it's only a matter of time before she hears the right words and runs."
Hazel's breath caught in her throat. What were they talking about? Was Olivia lying about the child? A wave of nausea washed over her as she realized the depth of their deceit. Without thinking, she took a step back, her mind reeling. She needed to get out of here, away from these manipulations and lies.
Silently, she turned and fled down the hall, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know where she was going; she just needed to escape. Tears blurred her vision as she raced through the corridors, her mind a whirl of betrayal and fear.
Reaching her room, Hazel slammed the door shut, leaning against it as she struggled to catch her breath. Her chest heaved with the effort to calm down, but the shock of what she'd heard refused to let her be.
She needed to tell Christopher everything—about Olivia, about her mother, about the lies they were spinning. He deserved to know the truth.
But just as she reached for her phone, a soft knock interrupted her frantic thoughts. Startled, she wiped away her tears and tried to compose herself. The maid's voice came through the door.
"Miss Hazel, there's a guest here to see you."
Hazel hesitated, her emotions still raw. She wasn't ready to face anyone, not now. But something in the maid's tone made her pause. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to push aside her turmoil for just a moment.
"Who is it?" she asked, her voice barely steady.
"They didn't give their name, Miss. Just said it was urgent," the maid replied.
Hazel's mind raced. Could it be someone who could help her? Or was this another piece in Olivia's twisted game? She didn't know what to think anymore, but she knew one thing—she needed to be careful, more careful than ever before.
Taking a deep breath, she straightened up, wiping away the last traces of tears. "I'll be down in a moment," she said, her voice firmer now.
As the maid's footsteps faded away, Hazel stood there, gathering the strength she needed to face whatever lay ahead. She would tell Christopher, she promised herself. But first, she had to deal with whoever was waiting for her downstair.
*************
Hazel descended the stairs, her emotions still a tangled mess. As she reached the bottom, her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Becky, her former shop owner, standing there.
"Becky!" Hazel exclaimed, rushing forward and hugging her tightly. It had been so long since she'd seen her, and the unexpected visit brought a surge of happiness she desperately needed.
Becky returned the hug warmly, a smile on her face. "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your photo in the news, Hazel. I read about Mr. Garden and Alexander and knew I had to find you."
Hazel's heart swelled with gratitude. In the midst of everything, seeing someone from her old life was like a breath of fresh air. "I'm so happy you're here," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
"Come upstairs," Hazel said, leading Becky to her room. The comfort of having someone she trusted close by was a welcome relief. Once they were inside, Hazel asked the maid to bring some tea, eager to savor this moment of normalcy.
As they settled in, Becky took a good look at Hazel, concern etching her features. "Are you okay, Hazel? You seem... different."
Hazel sighed, the weight of her recent experiences pressing down on her. She had been holding so much inside, and now, with Becky here, she felt like she could finally let it all out. She began to explain everything, from her childhood, the first meet with Chrtiphors, olivia and her mother , everything.
Becky listened intently, her face growing more serious with each word. She had always known Hazel as a strong, independent woman, but hearing how much she had endured made her heart ache.
When Hazel finished, her voice barely above a whisper, Becky reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "Hazel, you've been through so much," she said, her tone filled with sympathy. "But you need to be strong and bold. Don't let anyone take advantage of your kindness."
Hazel looked at Becky, feeling a sense of clarity. Becky's words were like a lifeline, pulling her out of the confusion that had clouded her mind.
"And Hazel," Becky continued, her expression firm, "don't trust anyone too easily, especially not Christopher. You need to protect yourself. No one else will do it for you."
Hazel nodded, absorbing the advice. She realized she had been too quick to believe in the goodness of others, especially in Christopher. Becky's presence reminded her of the strength she once had, the strength she needed to find again.
*****************
Hazel sat in the garden, her thoughts swirling as she tried to make sense of everything. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, offering a temporary reprieve from the turmoil inside her mind. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Christopher approaching from behind.
"Hey!" Christopher called out softly, his voice breaking the serene silence.
Startled, Hazel jumped, spinning around to face him. "Christopher! You scared me!" she exclaimed, placing a hand over her racing heart.
Christopher chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How dare I, huh?" he teased, stepping closer.
Without thinking, Hazel playfully swatted him on the arm. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" she scolded, her voice light despite the surprise.
"Ouch," Christopher mockingly winced, rubbing his arm where she had hit him. "That actually hurt!"
Hazel's expression softened as she watched him, a smile tugging at her lips. There was something disarming about seeing Christopher like this—relaxed, playful, and with that rare laugh that seemed to make the world a little brighter. "You know," she said, her voice gentle, "you look really handsome when you're laughing."
Christopher's grin widened, his gaze locking onto hers. "Really? Thanks, ma'am," he replied, his tone teasing yet filled with sincerity. There was a moment of silence as he leaned in, his eyes briefly flickering to her lips, as if drawn to them.
For a split second, Hazel felt herself drawn in, the warmth between them almost tangible. But just as their faces were about to meet, she quickly pulled away, her cheeks flushing. "You must be tired after your day," she said, taking a step back. "Why don't you go freshen up?"
Christopher paused, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face before he masked it with a smile. "I guess I could use a little break," he admitted, trying to keep his tone light. But there was a question in his eyes, a silent wonder at the sudden shift in her demeanor.
Hazel nodded, forcing a smile as she watched him walk away. Her heart was still racing, not just from the surprise but from the close encounter they had almost shared. The warmth she felt earlier was quickly replaced by a cold, creeping anxiety.
She knew she couldn't keep wavering between emotions. There was too much at stake, too many secrets lingering just beneath the surface. She couldn't afford to be swayed by moments of tenderness, not when she was surrounded by deception.
As Christopher disappeared inside, Hazel clenched her fists, determination hardening her resolve. She needed to find out the truth—about Christopher, Olivia, and everyone else involved. If she didn't, she feared she might lose more than just her heart.
With a deep breath, she turned her gaze back to the garden, her mind set. She would uncover the truth, no matter what it took.