I was feeling horrible sitting in one room so I came out of my room and stood at the window side staring outside.

No, it's not that I trust Simon and not Rafael, it's just I don't know who to trust anymore. Everytime I start trusting a person he betrays me.

But what Simon said about Rafael, I don't believe Rafael can do anything like that, he can't.

While thinking these stuffs I got lost a bit, suddenly a voice pulled me back from my thoughts "Who are you?"

I turned around, a woman stood in front of me, I have never seen her before she looked like she was around her late 40's. She took a step towards me and asked again "Who are you?"

"I am new in here." I replied.

"You look really familiar. Have we met before?"

"I don't think so. I have never-"

"Mrs. Salvatore." I looked over the lady's shoulder it was some girl about whom I don't have any idea.

Oh Sweet Jesus! Where the hell is Connor? Why are there so many unknown faces?

But wait Mrs. Salvatore?

Oh Sweet Jesus! She is Rafael's mother.

"Olivia." The lady said.

Great! This is Olivia. The bitch in my love story.

Olivia stood beside the lady and said "She's Hazel Cameron."

"C-Cameron?" She muttered in complete hatred like Cameron was the only thing she heard from the three-word sentence.

"Yes, the one who Vincent married. She is Simon's sister." Olivia said again.

The lady's eyes widened "R-Rafael married a Cameron? That too that man's sister who destroyed our family?" She asked in disbelief.

Oh boy, this isn't gonna end well.

To this Olivia replied "He didn't have any other choice. For his revenge he had to marry her."

The lady looked at me with her same hatred filled eyes "And what is she doing in my house now?"

"He wants to reach Simon now for that he has her here, so that Simon can't take her away. He needs her to kill Simon and this is the only place Simon can't reach."

"And does Rafael think she'll help him in killing her own brother?" She scoffed "All Cameron's are the same. I hope my son divorces her after Simon is dead." Saying that she went downstairs fuming.

Fucking Great! Now my mother-in-law too hates me.

Olivia smirked looking at me "Hey I am Olivia."

"Since you already know my name, I don't think I have to tell you again. But anyways nice meeting you Olivia." I gave her a sweet smile.

But bitches you know they can't keep their mouth shut nor they can talk sweetly so I just wasted my sweet smile.

"She already hates you. You know she already considers me as her daughter-in-law and trust me she would never accept you as her son's wife."

"Olivia I think we both should mind our own business. I really don't want to know from you whether she would ever like me or not."

Saying that I turned around and ran back to my room.

In the evening, Connor came to my room seeing me sad sitting on the bed he took a seat beside me.

"Now why are you sad?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"Haze, haven't I told you before friends don't hide things from each other?"

"I met Rafael's mother today."

"Well shit."

"Yeah. I know. I always fuck things up."

"No you don't. It was meant to happen someday, I warned him about this before he shifted you to the mansion. What did she say?"

"She didn't say anything to me but to that bitch Olivia."

"Woah you are already calling her a bitch. So you met her."

I nodded "She was the one to introduced me with Rafael's mother."

He nodded.

"And Rafael's mother doesn't want me to stay with him. She hates me."

"It's okay Haze." Pulling me closer he rested my head on his shoulder. We stayed like that for sometime then he said "How about you do something? It will help you to take your mind off of all this."

"What should I do?" I asked.

"Anything you want but in this house itself. You are not allowed to go out."

I chuckled and nodded.

When it was 6 pm I decided to again text Rafael.

I am so sad😔

After a minute his reply came.

Why?

U never text me, it's just me who remembers u

That's bcz u don't have any work all day

Now u being rude😤😤😤

I thought you were mad at me.

So wasn't it ur responsibility to make it up to me.

You weren't ready to listen.

U r a v. bad husband

Husband?

Yep.

You still consider me as ur husband? You didn't believe Simon, did you?

I don't know if you killed my mother or not, but I know you can't rape someone. He lied.

You still trust me, which you shouldn't.

No. I don't trust u.

You do.

I told you I don't. I don't trust you. Don't make me angry now.

When r u coming tonight?

I ain't coming tonight, I have plans.

Why? What plans?🧐

Dinner date

Oh Sweet Jesus! Dinner date? Has he already forgotten he is married?

Wtf!? Why on earth r u going on a dinner date?

Who said I can't go on a date?

The world knows it, you are married Mr. Rafael Martinez.

U better not go there I'll kill u🤬🤬🤬🤬

Woah slow down there I was just kidding.

It better be a joke or u r dead😡🔪

After that I ran downstairs to the kitchen just to find a maid cooking. I think I can do something that will finally be meaningful.

I made my way inside the kitchen and asked the maid "Excuse me, are you doing something important?"

She looked at me with wide eyes "Ma'am what are you doing here?"

"Umm... you can call me Hazel and if you don't mind can I use the kitchen?"

"But Sir won't-"

"No. Don't worry about him he won't say anything to you. So may I use the kitchen? I'll be in one corner I won't disturb you."

"Of course you can use the kitchen, if you want we can go out."

"That won't be necessary you can continue your work."

Moving to one corner I started making peanut butter cheesecake. Finally after two hours of struggling my cheesecake was ready.

Feeling all excited I was about to run to Rafael to make him taste my cheesecake but when I reached the living room I stopped.

For a moment I almost forgot that everything has changed between Rafael and I. We do not share the same relationship anymore.

"There you are." Connor's voice came. I looked up to find Connor and Rafael standing near the couch Connor made his way towards me, Rafael followed him.

"Vincent went to see you in your room." Connor said.

I looked at Rafael and apologised "I'm sorry I was in the kitchen."

Seeing the plate of cake in my hand he asked "You were cooking?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry if I am not allowed to. The maid even asked me not to but I didn't listen to her."

"I didn't mean that. You can do whatever you want." He replied.

"You made this?" Connor asked scanning the cake on the plate.

I nodded.

He gave me a grin "Friends don't stop each other if they want to have something." Saying that he took the plate from my hand and took a spoonful of the cheesecake stuffing it in his mouth.

I waited for his reply.

While chewing he said "Damn! Haze this tastes so fucking good!"

I gave him a bright smile.

"I think you too should taste it, Vincent. You would love it." Connor extended the plate towards Rafael not before filling another spoonful of the cake in his mouth.

As Rafael was about to take a bite of the cake a voice came from behind me "Don't you know Rafael doesn't like sweet things."

I knew who it was.

Rafael's mother.

Rafael looked at me for a moment like he didn't want me to be here then back at the person standing behind me. Mrs. Salvatore made her way towards us behind her of course Olivia.

"Connor you have been working with my son for over 15 years, atleast till now you should've known he does like sweet things." The 'sweet thing' she said looking at me. Then took a step towards Rafael "You married a Cameron, after knowing what her brother did to my daughter? That man destroyed our whole family and you still married her?"

Rafael once looked at me and ordered "Hazel go back to your room."

But I didn't move. I remained there not moving from my place even a bit.

"You know right what her family use to do. They used to sell young girls for money, tried to do the same thing with your sister. The Cameron's are pathetic piece of shit Rafael and you married one of them when you hated them the most, what were you even thinking? Do you even know how she was in her past? You don't. But still you married her."

This time Rafael's eyes were fixed on his mother, with a clenched jaw he said again but this time in a calm voice "Hazel go back to your room."

My family might be very bad even worst but they are still my family. I could feel tears gathering in my eyes.

Mrs. Salvatore looked at me for a moment then back at Rafael "Weren't you the one who used to say that once their daughter is done the same like those girls, her body is being sold to everyone then they will understand what are they really doing? Do you think she's pure and innocent after being in that fam-"

"HAZEL I SAID GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM, RIGHT NOW!" This time his voice wasn't calm anymore he nearly yelled making me jump still not taking his eyes off his mother.

This was too much, I can't take anymore. I was about to leave when again his mother said "Stop right there, let her know the truths about her family."

"Mom, please."

"Really Rafael? You're asking me to stop? Why did you marry her? Couldn't you think of anything else to kill Simon than to marry a slut like her?"

I really want to die right now.

"That's it, Mom. It's enough. You don't know anything about her stop calling her with names."

She scoffed "Her surname defines her."

"No it doesn't. Not every Cameron is same."

"What has happened to you Rafael? You were never the one to take sides of a Cameron. You hated them always." She looked at me "You forgot her brother, her Uncle what they did to your sister?"

"Mom, I haven't forgotten anything but she is not her brother or her Uncle."

"But she is no different from them."

Rafael sighed and rolled his eyes.

She went to Connor and said "This cake looks good." Saying that she took the plate from him and dropped it on the floor.

I stared down at the cake lying on the floor with tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Now it doesn't look good anymore." Saying that she came to me "And he is Vincent for you. Not everyone is allowed to call him by his name, especially not a Cameron." Saying that she left.

My eyes again went to the now destroyed cake.

It took me two hours to prepare this cake.

I don't know why but I was feeling so ashamed of myself, I was feeling ashamed of even raising my gaze, the things she said was hurting so bad.

Connor hugged me "It's okay Haze."

But this time I didn't need Connor to comfort me. The person who I really needed was just standing at his place not making any move towards me.

"She didn't mean any of that." He said trying to calm me.

"She did." I replied crying.

"Stop crying Haze. It's fine."

This time Rafael said "Connor, there are things that needs your attention."

Connor pulled away from the hug then turned to Rafael "Yes Vincent. I'll leave." Saying that he left leaving me alone in the room with Rafael.

After a long silence Rafael said "Why don't you ever listen to me Hazel? I asked you to go back to your room."

Without saying any other word, I started walking. He was right I should've gone back to my room. As I walked past him, he again spoke up "Aren't you going to talk to me? You asked me to visit you everyday. Now you are going to stay quiet?" I knew what he was trying to do. He wanted to hear me, he wanted to listen to what was I feeling, but he didn't know what to say.

Wiping my tears, I replied "I'm fine V-Vincent."

Why is it so hard to call him by that name?

He scoffed "Vincent? That is enough for me to understand how fine you really are."

"I just need some time alone."

He turned to me "Whom are you lying to, Hazel? You hate to be alone."

"Not everytime someone is there to hold you." I needed him. I needed him to hold me so badly. I wanted to cry in his arms.

Holding my hand he dragged me upstairs with him, closing the door of his room he hugged me. As soon as he did that, I wrapped my arms around him hugging him back crying my heart out.

"You are nothing what she said Hazel, she was just angry."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry if my family has really caused you so much pain. I'm so so sorry."

Pulling away he cupped my face in his hands "No. Nothing is your fault. You didn't even know about them. I am sorry for whatever Mom said."

"I-I a-am not a slut."

"You are not. Hazel stop crying over whatever Mom said. She doesn't know you."

"I-I am n-not what she called me. I-I a-am not."

"I know. I know." But my tears just weren't stopping. "Hazel." When I didn't stop, he placed his lips on mine. I closed my eyes instantly letting him kiss me. He sucked on my lips moving them passionately against mine. The way he was kissing me was something I have never felt before when we kissed... he was moving his lips slowly with so much love.

But I don't think love is the word that I can use to define our relationship.

How can it be love? I am not even allowed to call him Rafael.

He is Vincent for me.

Pulling away from the kiss he wiped my tears "You need to rest and stop thinking."

Picking me up in his arms he placed me on the bed and covered me with a duvet. He sat on the bed beside me tracing his fingers on my hair.

I returned to the penthouse after she fell asleep.

What happened today was wrong so wrong, I didn't expect Mom would behave in such a way seeing Hazel. I hope nothing more happens to Hazel she has already been through so much because of me.

I looked at my phone.

I wish I could know how you are doing Hazel. I decided to call Connor "Hey man." Came his cheerful voice from the other side.

"Did you do what I asked you to?" I asked.

"Yeah. But we have one problem."

"What?"

"Kennedy might come to your place interrogating about Christopher's murder and also searching for Hazel."

"I'll handle him."

"Cool."

I bit lips before asking "How's she?"

"She? Oh yeah Mrs. Salvatore is great doing as usual fine."

"Not Mom, Connor."

"Then who? Oh, Yeah Olivia too is doing so fucking great."

"Connor." I warned him.

He laughed "I went to check on her few minutes ago, she's still sleeping and that too in your room. But after what happened today, I don't think it's a good idea to keep Haze here."

"That's the only place where Simon can't reach. Just keep Mom away from her. I'll try to talk to her tomorrow."

"You really should do that or your girl will keep crying."

"Shut up Connor and get back to work." With that I hung up.

Taking a shower, I laid on the bed trying to stop myself from thinking about her but now it has been a really bad habit of mine to hold her and sleep for that reason I have been unable to sleep properly for the last few days. Finally, trying a lot I fell asleep but woke up early. I couldn't sleep properly for even 4 hours.

I went to my study, switching on the laptop I started working. Around 8 I got a message from Connor.

There's a problem, I can't track Alberto

And?

You drunk?

What?

He is our next target, we need him

I know Connor. I'll come to the mansion in the evening then we can think about something but you all won't be needed I can handle it.

You are definitely drunk

Connor

There will be atleast 15 men trying to protect that asshole. 10 with guns.

You need to stay hidden for few more days I am sure after Christopher's murder Kennedy will look for you so just stay hidden.

Just don't die.

Sliding the phone in my pocket I made my way downstairs for breakfast. While eating there was a knock on the door.

I smirked.

"Dad can you do me a favour?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Whatever I say today just say 'yes' to that."

"What's wrong?"

"I'll explain everything once this mess is over for now, please just say yes."

He nodded.

A voice came from behind "Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, Rafael."

I got up from my seat and stood in front of Kennedy "Officer Kennedy?"

"I want to speak to your wife." He said.

"She's not here."

"May I know where she is?"

I shrugged "I don't know."

His brows furrowed "What do you mean? Your wife is missing and you didn't even file any report about her missing case?"

"She's not missing. She left and that's her choice. I think she is at her Uncle's place or maybe with Simon."

"Christopher?"

I nodded and extended a letter "She left this before leaving."

Rafael,

I am sorry for leaving but I can't take it anymore. I feel like someone has caged me, I never wanted this marriage it was Simon who forced me but now I am done with everything that is happening I really need to breathe properly. I need to live my life.

It was lovely spending days with you. I will never forget you and Dad.

Goodbye.

Love, Hazel.

"You didn't even try to search for her?" He asked in disbelief.

I nodded "I called her and she said the same things written on the letter. I respect her decisions so I didn't stop her. But why are you asking about her?" I asked making a face that I don't understand what's happening.

"Christopher is dead and Hazel is missing."

"What? W-Who killed Christopher?"

"Is it so hard to guess?"

"Vincent." I replied.

He nodded.

He then looked at Dad and asked "When was the last time you saw her?"

Dad looked at me I nodded my head once asking him to tell the truth.

"It was a week ago, Rafael and Hazel went for a dinner at Christopher's place."

Kennedy turned to me "And you?"

"Same day. We had our dinner that day Hazel said she would stay with Christopher for few days but when I returned home, I found this letter on the bed."

He nodded lost in his thoughts.

"I think Hazel is fine. Maybe she is with Simon. When I spoke to her the last time, she was normal even she sounded happy."

"Why aren't you searching for your own wife?"

"Officer our marriage was never out of love, it was just a deal where my job was to protect her and now if she wants to leave I have to respect her decision."

He scanned my face, I kept a straight face.

"I'll come back if I have any questions."