Zamiel's grip tightened around his phone, his jaw clenching as his eyes darkened.
"Who is this?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
A soft chuckle echoed from the other end.
"Come on, Zamiel… a man like you should know when he's being watched."
Zamiel's heartbeat slowed—not out of calm, but calculation.
"What do you want?"
"I want nothing… yet," the voice replied. "But your little secret meeting? Beautiful scene. Powerful man. Powerful connections. It would be such a shame if the world misunderstood it."
Zamiel's eyes narrowed.
"This was planned," he muttered.
"Oh, very planned," the caller said proudly. "And trust me… that picture is only the beginning."
The line went dead.
Zamiel slowly lowered his phone, his mind racing.
Hazel.
Without wasting another second, he grabbed his car keys and rushed out. The fear on Hazel's face earlier replayed in his mind, and for the first time in years—
Zamiel felt something close to panic.
Meanwhile, outside the house, Hazel stood by the roadside, her hands trembling as she tried to stop a taxi.
Tears blurred her vision, but her mind wasn't on the picture anymore.
It was on the message she had received before Zamiel came home.
"Stay away from the award… or you'll lose more than your reputation."
Hazel clenched her phone tightly.
"Who is doing this to us?" she whispered.
Before Hazel could call a taxi, Zamiel's car suddenly parked in front of her. Hazel recognized Zamiel's car immediately after he stopped in front of her. She wanted to leave immediately she spotted his car, but Zamiel was fast. He quickly dragged her back.
"We need to go home, Hazel," Zamiel said.
Hazel tried to break free from Zamiel's hold, but he was too strong for her.
"Home? I am not going anywhere with you. I can't go with a man who doesn't believe in his wife."
Zamiel was speechless, but he knew for sure that everything would be fine. All he could say was—
"Hazel, please just come home and let's talk. We have a lot to talk about."
"There is nothing to talk about," Hazel said with tears in her eyes.
"Please, I beg you, Hazel. Hear me out."
Hazel shook her head in disagreement and forcefully freed herself from Zamiel's grip, but her body betrayed her. Hazel's vision started to become blurry, and suddenly she collapsed. Before her body could land on the ground, Zamiel grabbed her, and she fell into his arms.
Zamiel did not waste any time and quickly drove his wife home.
Hazel slowly opened her eyes and saw that she was already in the house. She was not shocked to find herself there because her heart truly wanted to be in that house.
The door of the room opened, and Zamiel stepped in with a cup of tea and water. He first gave Hazel water to drink, and to his surprise, she accepted it without complaint. After seeing that Hazel had drunk the water, he handed her the cup of tea, which she also accepted without complaint.
After Hazel finished drinking the tea, Zamiel finally spoke.
"Are you okay? I hope you are not feeling pain in any part of your body."
Zamiel asked with a hint of worry in his voice.
Hazel nodded, signifying that she was fine.
"What a relief," Zamiel replied.
He continued, "Will you freshen up first? We need to talk."
Hazel nodded again without saying a word. Zamiel helped her to the bathroom and told her to take care.
Hazel finished taking her bath and went downstairs. She started perceiving a delicious aroma. She followed the smell and saw Zamiel preparing a meal for both of them.
Hazel could not help but stare at her man. Zamiel looked so handsome to her, and Hazel became lost in admiration while looking at him.
Zamiel looked up and saw his woman staring at him with all the affection in the world. He could not help but smile.
Hazel was brought back to reality when she realized that Zamiel had caught her staring. She quickly looked away from him and blushed.
Realizing this, Zamiel smiled again and finally broke the silence.
"Come and eat."
Hazel walked down the stairs, and Zamiel pulled out a chair from the dining table, motioning for Hazel to sit. Hazel obeyed and sat down.
Zamiel served the food and sat across from Hazel. The both of them ate quietly.
After a few minutes of silence, Zamiel finally cleared his throat.
"Hazel, everything you think is not like that. Someone snapped that picture on purpose just to show you. I did not go to meet Mr. Snow because of you. I went to meet him for something else."
Zamiel spoke calmly.
Hazel did not say anything. She only stared at him.
"Talk to me, Hazel," Zamiel said in frustration.
"Before you arrived, someone messaged me to stay away from the award."
Zamiel was shocked when he heard this. His eyes widened in surprise.
The couple continued telling each other everything they had been keeping from one another, which helped them finally understand each other better.
"I can't think of anyone else after the award, but the only possible person I can think of right now is Amanda," Zamiel said.
Hazel nodded, realizing that Zamiel's instinct might be right.
"But why is Amanda so determined to drag me down with her?" Hazel thought to herself.