The moon hung low, casting its silvery glow on the pool's surface. Ripples of light danced across the water, creating a serene atmosphere, but Hazel's heart was anything but calm. She stood at the edge of the pool, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
Everything felt heavy—the lies, the betrayal, and worst of all, the feelings she was trying to suppress for Christopher. Despite everything she knew about him, there was something about his presence that both comforted and terrified her.
As if on cue, Christopher appeared from the side of the garden, his steps silent as he approached the pool. Hazel turned, surprised by his sudden arrival, her breath catching when she saw him. He was half-naked, only a towel slung loosely around his waist, droplets of water glistening on his chiseled body. His hair was damp, and his skin shimmered under the soft glow of the moonlight.
"Enjoying the view?" His voice was teasing, breaking the silence.
Hazel's cheeks flushed. "I didn't expect you here."
Christopher grinned, stepping closer to the pool. He crouched down and dipped his hand into the cool water, swirling it around. Without warning, he flicked a handful of water toward her, splashing her lightly.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and laughter. She couldn't help but smile, though it felt awkward under the weight of her emotions.
"Oops, did I get you?" Christopher asked, his tone light and playful.
Before Hazel could respond, he reached out and caught her wrist, his grip gentle but firm. In one swift motion, he pulled her toward him, and she stumbled, falling right into his chest. Her heart pounded wildly, not from fear, but from the proximity between them—the warmth of his skin against hers, the strong beat of his heart beneath her hands.
"Christopher..." she started to say, but her words faltered as he lifted her chin with a delicate touch.
"Shh..." he whispered, his gaze intense, his eyes never leaving hers. Slowly, he bent down and kissed her forehead, the soft press of his lips making her breath hitch.
Hazel's mind went blank. In that moment, nothing else mattered—not Olivia, not the lies she overheard, not the fear that gnawed at her constantly. The only thing that existed was Christopher and the undeniable chemistry between them.
His lips traveled down, grazing her cheek, moving closer to her lips. Hazel's heart raced faster, and before she could stop herself, she found her hands clutching onto him, holding him close.
Their lips met, and the world around them seemed to dissolve. The kiss was slow, tender, and filled with a depth of emotion she hadn't expected. For a brief moment, Hazel allowed herself to melt into the kiss, to forget everything that had been weighing her down. She kissed him back, her fingers tangling in his damp hair, pulling him closer still.
But just as quickly as the warmth had overtaken her, a sudden realization hit her. She was falling for him. Despite knowing how dangerous he was, despite all the lies and manipulation she suspected, her heart was betraying her. The truth that she had been trying to ignore for so long was now undeniable—she was in love with him. And it terrified her.
Hazel broke the kiss, pulling away suddenly, her breath coming in short, shaky bursts. She took a step back, her mind reeling from the confusion. She couldn't afford to love him, not when he was part of the lies that had shattered her world.
Christopher frowned, his brows knitting together in confusion. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice softer now, laced with concern.
Hazel bit her lip, her hands trembling as she tried to steady herself. "I... I can't do this," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I can't..."
Christopher stepped forward, closing the distance between them once more. He reached out, gently caressing her arm, his touch sending shivers down her spine. "You can't what, Hazel?" His voice was low, almost hypnotic. "Tell me."
Hazel looked up into his eyes, her heart aching. "I don't know how I feel anymore," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't trust you, Christopher... but I can't seem to stay away from you either."
His eyes softened, a strange emotion flickering across his face. "You're not the only one who's confused, Hazel," he murmured, his hand still resting on her arm. "I didn't plan this either."
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging heavy in the air. But before Hazel could respond, a sudden voice cut through the stillness, shattering the moment like glass.
"Well, isn't this cozy?"
Hazel's head snapped toward the sound, her blood turning to ice. Standing at the edge of the pool, illuminated by the moonlight, was Olivia. Her arms were crossed, a cold smile on her face, but her eyes were filled with fury.
Christopher stiffened, his grip on Hazel tightening as he turned to face Olivia. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice suddenly hard, all traces of warmth gone.
Olivia stepped closer, her smile widening. "I could ask you the same thing," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "But I think it's clear what's going on here."
Hazel felt her stomach churn as Olivia's gaze shifted to her, cold and calculating. "You really thought you could play this game, didn't you, Hazel?" Olivia sneered. "But you don't know him like I do. You have no idea what you're getting into."
Hazel's heart sank. This wasn't just about their relationship anymore—this was a warning, a threat that went deeper than she could have ever imagined.
"I won't let you come between us," Olivia continued, her voice deadly calm. "Christopher belongs to me. He always has, and he always will."
Hazel felt the world spinning around her as Olivia's words echoed in her mind. The truth was finally staring her in the face—she was caught in a web of lies, deceit, and dangerous emotions. And she had no idea how to escape.
Christopher's jaw clenched as he stepped forward, his eyes burning with anger. "Olivia, enough," he growled. "This has nothing to do with you."
But Olivia only smiled, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Oh, but it does, Christopher. You think you're in control, but you're wrong. Very wrong."
Hazel's heart pounded in her chest, fear clawing at her. She had to get out of there, but her feet felt glued to the spot. She had never felt so vulnerable, so trapped.
Hazel stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. Her gaze dropped to the ground, unable to meet Olivia's burning stare. "I... I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. She didn't know why those words came out, but they did, soft and uncertain.
Olivia's lips curved into an unsettling smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Sorry? After everything, you stand here and say *sorry*?" Her tone was unusually calm, yet laced with venom. "You stole my man, the father of my child, and now you're apologizing like it's nothing?"
Hazel's breath hitched. She looked at Olivia, trying to form a response, but the words wouldn't come. Her throat felt tight as guilt gnawed at her. "I… I didn't mean to—"
Before Hazel could finish, Olivia cut her off, her voice cold and sharp. "You're just like your mother. A bloody, conniving bitch—"
"*Enough!*" Christopher's voice rang out, echoing through the room. He stepped between them, his eyes blazing with anger. "What's your problem, Olivia?"
Olivia crossed her arms, her expression bitter. "*You* are my problem, Christopher. *Her* too! You forget, I'm carrying your child."
Christopher's gaze darkened as he stared at her, his lips curving into a sardonic smile. "Are you sure, Olivia?"
The place fell into a tense silence. Olivia's face paled, the confidence she had moments ago vanishing as she stared at him, speechless. "Christopher… What are you saying?"
Christopher's voice lowered, his words sharp and deliberate. "I know more than you think, Olivia. That child isn't mine. And another thing…" He reached out and pulled Hazel into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest.
Hazel gasped, her mind reeling at his sudden gesture. Her heart raced, confused and overwhelmed by the storm of emotions swirling around her.
"I love her," Christopher declared, his words sending a jolt through both Hazel and Olivia. Olivia's face twisted in shock, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for something to say, but nothing came.
Hazel could barely breathe. Did she hear him right? Did he just say he loved her?
"And one more thing," Christopher continued, his gaze locking onto Olivia, cold and unyielding. "I'm going to marry Hazel."
His words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Hazel's eyes widened, her body stiffening in his arms. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her mind raced, trying to process the gravity of his statement. She looked up at him, her lips parted in disbelief. Marry? *Her*?
Olivia's face crumbled in a mixture of fury and devastation. "You… You can't be serious," she stammered, her voice breaking.
Christopher didn't flinch. "I'm more serious than ever," he replied, tightening his hold on Hazel, as if sealing his decision.
Hazel stood there, utterly shocked, her world spinning out of control. This wasn't what she wanted. This wasn't what she expected. But as she felt Christopher's arms around her, she realized everything had just changed—irrevocably.