On reaching the mansion I straight away ran upstairs to Hazel's room. But as soon as I opened the door no one was in the room and the room was a complete mess. I checked on the washroom she wasn't there too.

Taking out my phone I called Connor while running downstairs "Where are you?"

From the other side his reply came "I had some work so I came out for a while."

"Where's Hazel, Connor?" I asked impatiently.

"She was in her room when I went to check on her. She said she wasn't feeling so good so she needs to rest."

Hanging up the call when I reached the pool side I found Olivia.

"Olivia."

She instantly looked at me giving me a smile "Yes Vincent."

"Where's Mom?"

"I don't know but yeah the last time I saw her she was near the basement. Why?"

Basement?

Fuck!

I made my way towards the basement as fast as I could, praying that Mom doesn't hurt Hazel in any way.

I just hope I am not late.

As soon as the door opened all I heard was Hazel's cries.

My heart was beating so fast, I ran down the stairs but stopped when on seeing what was happening in front of me.

Mom was sitting on a chair looking at straight at what's happening in front of her, she didn't notice me as I was behind her. Some shirtless man was trying to force himself on Hazel while she was trying to push him away, begging to let go of her. Her top was torn, she was trying to cover herself with her hands while the man was trying to take off her shorts while she struggled holding onto it tightly.

Looking at that I just couldn't control myself, I am not letting it happen again. Taking out my gun I shot the man in the head. His body fell to the ground, Hazel didn't look anywhere, as the man laid dead on the floor she dragged her body to one corner covering herself, crying and shaking in fear.

Mom got up from the seat "Rafael!" She was about to touch me but I moved away.

How can someone go so low? I didn't expected this. Not from this woman in front of me atleast.

"If you weren't my mother, you would've been the second person to die today."

"Rafael." She muttered in disbelief.

Keeping my gun on the desk nearby I went to Hazel. Kneeling down in front of her I rested my hand on her shoulder but she flinched at my touch and tried to move towards the wall.

Before I lose it, I have to get out of here.

"Hazel." I called but she was so scared that she tried to back away like I was going to hurt her.

Ever since I met her, I haven't seen her this scared... not when we were attacked, not when she was telling me about her parents' death, not when she saw me killing Christopher.

Her breathing was increased it was very clear she was finding it hard to breathe.

Taking my t-shirt off I made her wear it "Let's get you back to your room."

Scooping her in my arms I made my way out of the basement. She hid her face on my chest like it would help her to hide herself completely. Seeing her condition, I could feel tears in my eyes.

It hurts. It fucking hurts to see her like this.

As I was about to take her upstairs Connor came running towards us with a worried look.

"Jesus! What the hell happened to her?"

"I'll talk to you later. Get the basement cleaned." Saying that I carried her upstairs. Since her room was a complete mess, I took her to mine.

Placing her gently on the bed I gave her a glass of water. Her hands were shaking so much that she wasn't even able to hold the glass properly. Making her drink the water I sat beside her holding her hand in mine.

"Hazel.

"I-I feel so d-dirty." Finally she muttered, her voice was barely audible.

I nodded.

Taking her to the washroom I said "I'll be waiting outside. Don't take too long."

She nodded and was about to close the door but I stopped her.

"Wait. I'll give you some clothes."

Again all she did was replying with a single nod.

Taking out a hoodie of mine from the closet I handed it to her.

"Please don't take too long and don't lock the door."

She just closed the door, I went and sat on the bed tapping my feet impatiently waiting for her to come out.

Why? Why is it her who always has to suffer? For what is she being punished? For being that asshole's sister? I'm sorry Hazel. I'm so so sorry.

The waiting from 5 minutes went on to 10 minutes then to 15 but still she wouldn't come out. I knocked at the door.

"Hazel come out please."

No reply.

"Hazel?"

Shit!

I opened the door entering the washroom to see her again cowered on the bathtub with tears rolling down her cheeks, she didn't even take off her clothes.

Why Mom? Why?

Moving closer to her I kneeled down "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry baby. I should've reached earlier."

Hiding her face on my chest she cried her heart out.

"W-Why me? Why d-does everyone has t-to h-hurt me?"

I don't know the answer to why... but I too am one of the people who did hurt you.

"Hazel."

"Why me, Rafael? Why?"

I didn't try to stop her from crying she had to let it all out. It was needed after everything she went through.

Finally when her cries stopped a little I made her stand up and took off her clothes. Stripping out of my clothes too I pulled her with me starting the shower I stood with my arms wrapped around her body.

"How did this happen?"

She started "I-I w-wasn't feeling well s-so I thought to rest f-for sometime but then I started talking t-to you, s-suddenly Mrs. Salvatore entered m-my room with t-that man, I called you b-but before I-I could tell you anything, t-that man f-forcefully carried me to that place then your m-mother a-asked him to..." She stopped.

"It's okay you don't have to say anything else. It's fine" I said trying to stop her from saying any further.

"H-He tore my shirt off and started t-touching me. I-I t-tried to push him away but it didn't work. Then y-you came."

I nodded and hugged her tightly.

"I-I t-thought h-he would-"

"Shh... Don't." I said making her stop saying another word. Caressing my hand over her hair I muttered "You scared me today babygirl."

Pulling away from the hug I cupped her face "I am not leaving you alone ever again." With that I placed my lips on her.

Turning the shower off I passed her a towel while I wrapped another one around my waist. She wore my hoodie and slowly left the washroom I followed her from behind. She was making her way towards the exit when I held her hand.

"Where you going?" I asked.

"M-My room." Her voice was still shaky.

"You are staying with me. After what happened today, I can't let you stay alone."

"B-But y-your mother-"

"I don't care about her. You are staying with me, that's it." I went and locked the door so she doesn't get out. "Get on the bed."

She slowly dragged herself to the bed. I went to the walk-in closet and wore my sweats. Coming back I found Hazel lost in her thoughts.

Taking a seat beside her on the bed I waited for her to say something but she didn't. But when I placed a hand on her shoulder, she started hitting me on the chest.

"You are so bad... so so bad. Why did you have to leave me? I hate you! I-I was scared. I hate you. Why did you leave me? Why? I hate you. I hate you so much."

I cupped her face, wiping her tears "I'm so sorry babygirl. I'm sorry."

Pulling her closer to me I made her sit on my lap she wrapped her arms around my neck resting her head in the crook of my neck.

I love you so much babygirl.

I looked beside me to see Rafael was already asleep but I couldn't sleep. I just couldn't. Everytime I try to close my eyes that man's face would appear in front of me.

Getting up from the bed I went near the window staring at the stars.

Are people really this cruel? For their satisfaction they can even hurt others.

Did Simon really did something so bad to Rafael's sister? That man today wasn't successful but with Rafael's sister they really did it. If Rafael didn't c-

My thoughts were interrupted when a hand slid around my waist making me jump. When I looked at the person, I calmed a bit.

Rafael.

"Don't think too much about it." He said.

"I can't sleep. Everytime I try that man's face would appear in front of me."

He turned me to himself then wrapped his hands again around my waist "How about we do something? I have been thinking about this for a long time now."

"What?"

"I'll buy a new apartment for you in the city itself, you can stay there. Away from all this mess."

I stared at him blankly.

"Then when all this is over you can lead your life as you want."

"You think Simon won't be able to reach me there?"

He didn't reply.

I smiled "I'll be fine here Rafael."

He shook his head "You won't. Not after what happened today."

Standing on my tip toes I pecked his lips "Take me out."

"I said you can't g-" I cut him off by again placing my lips on his.

"Please."

He sighed "Where?"

"Once Connor showed me a place like really beautiful. I want to go there."

"Let's ask Connor then where this place is."

I nodded.

He called Connor. By the time he hung up he seemed really pissed.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Don't ever listen to him or go anywhere with him." Rafael said angrily and started walking, I followed him holding his arm.

Rafael made his way towards the backside of the mansion and to my surprise it was the same place where Connor and I once came. With tall trees, forest like view.

Rafael held my hand in his so that I don't fall down, the path was really messed.

"What did he tell you about the place?"

"You mean the tent like thing?"

He nodded.

"He told me whenever he is sad or in a fucked up situation, he always goes there to calm himself."

"Asshole." Rafael muttered.

"Don't curse him. If it wasn't for him, I would've never seen this place. You know he has made it himself."

"Just shut up Hazel. He has done nothing."

"Huh?"

He rolled his eyes and continued walking pulling me with him. As we reached the place Rafael light up the fire while I went inside adjusting myself comfortably.

"This place is so beautiful. Connor's choices are the best!"

"Can you stop praising him? It's not his choice, he has done nothing in here than passing comments on how lame this place looks." He replied all irritated.

"What? But he told me he has done everything, all hardwork is his."

"He was just pain in our ass while Ivy and I were doing this."

That made me shut my mouth completely.

I blinked my eyes few times then looked around the place in my mind imagining Rafael doing all this. He came and took a seat beside me staring up at the sky.

A light smile spread on my lips "You are jealous."

He looked at me totally confused.

"You are jealous of Connor." I completed.

He scoffed "I am jealous of that asshole?"

I nodded "Yep."

"For what would I be jealous and that too of him?"

"Me."

"For you?"

I nodded "You can deny it. I wouldn't mind but that's the truth."

He looked in the front but didn't deny it.

I wrapped my arms around his right arm resting my head on his shoulder "Don't worry, your babygirl is not leaving you so soon."

He chuckled "Good. Daddy wouldn't have liked you being a bad girl."

I smiled.

"Rafael."

"Hmm?"

"When all this is over how would we be?" I asked.

"What does that mean?"

I pulled away my head from his shoulder, he already had his eyes on me "After you will be done with your mission, will it be over for you and I?"

He remained quiet for a moment "I don't know."

"So when you made this genius plan, you didn't think that at the end what to do with Simon's sister?"

"I have plans for everything Hazel."

"I want to know what were your plans about me?"

He shook his head "I can't."

I stared at him.

His jaw clenched feeling my gaze "I can't tell you Hazel, you'll hate me."

"I won't."

"You will after knowing what plan I had for you."

"Tell me."

"Hazel please."

"Rafael... tell me."

"I wanted to kill you in front of Simon and enjoy watching him suffer when you die in front of his eyes." He didn't look at me even once.

"And what made you change your mind?"

"I want to make him suffer not myself." He looked at me "In my revenge you are too precious to lose now."

When my eyes didn't move from him he spoke "You can hate me Hazel but at that time I was angry at Simon, his whole family, what he did to my sister was bad... I-I know it's not an explanation. I'm sorry, I-"

I placed my lips on him, he didn't kiss me back.

I pulled away "I am sorry if whatever you say, Simon really did. You weren't wrong, you should kill me-"

"And regret for the rest of my life? No."

"I won't come as a ghost to scare you or remind you of your deeds. So you can kill me."

He chuckled "Maybe you won't but I would still regret it." With that he cupped my right cheek, pecked my lips.

What am I gonna do when he'll leave me? I can't live without this man, he is my need.

Rafael pulled me up on his lap, both my legs on either side of him. Wrapping my arms around his neck I kissed him with everything I had. The kiss was slow, passionate, filled with love.

He kissed on my cheek, slowly moving down to my jaw.

"I love you." I don't know why do I embarrass myself always by saying things I shouldn't. I tried not to say it but I just couldn't stop myself.

His lips stopped moving "I just told you I was going to kill you and you say I love you."

I bit my lips.

He sighed "Let's head back."

I nodded giving him a sad smile.

As we got inside the house, the first person came in front of us was Rafael's mother. Rafael stopped in front of her while she glared at us. Holding Rafael's arm, I hid behind him trying to make myself invisible.

I am really scared of this woman after what she did today. I don't even want to see her.

Rafael held my hand and dragged me with him ignoring Mrs. Salvatore.

"Rafael?" She called as we walked past her. Rafael stopped on his way, he looked extremely angry. "Whatever I did today was for a reason."

What the actual fuck! She's trying to give an explanation for her actions. Seriously?

Rafael remained rooted at his place

Mrs. Salvatore continued "Seeing her everyday makes me sick and moreover you caring for her, doing things for her you haven't done for anyone, all of this just irritates me. It was her brother who killed my daughter and husband, it was her brother who broke our family into pieces, her brother cause of my condition, it's her brother-"

This time Rafael spoke "That's my point, Mom. It was all her brother not her. Stop it. Just fucking stop hurting her. You want your revenge from Simon, I will give him to you. I'll give Simon to you but please not Hazel. Stop hurting her Mom, I am begging you."

She kept staring at Rafael.

"After what you did today, I don't find any difference between you and Simon."

"I am not Simon." She snapped.

"You are nothing less than him. You both made me feel helpless, first when his men were raping Ivy and today when you ordered your man to rape Hazel. You both are no different and I hate to feel helpless. This is not fair Mom, if Ivy was innocent then she too is innocent. And if what Simon did to Ivy was wrong then what you did to Hazel is also wrong and I ain't forgiving you for that."

He took a step closer to her, looking in her eyes he said "She is a Martinez now not a Cameron and the day we got married I took a vow to protect her from everything and I will do that even if that includes fighting you."

"You will fight me?" She asked in disbelief.

He nodded "I will and I promise that."

With that he dragged me with him upstairs to his room.