Chapter 104


    Chapter 104


    HAZEL


    PRESNT TIME


    During the quietude of the early morning, I find myself unable to sumb to sleep’s embrace. Daisy,


    remains in blissful slumber beside me, tightly clutching the preposterously oversized and luxuriously


    fluffy teddy bear that Ravel thoughtfully presented to her during hisst visit.


    Exhausted by my restless shifting and turning on the bed, I eventually surrender to the futility of my


    quest for rest and reluctantly extract myself from the sheets.


    I retrieved my smartphone and an invitingly warm nket. With thesepanions in hand, I walked


    quietly to the kitchen, where I aim to obtain a soothing ss of warm milk. Seated upon a stool, I gaze


    intently at the stovetop, observing as the milk gradually warms in the saucepan. Patiently, I waited for


    the milk to reach that perfect temperature that I desire.


    Once the milk attained the ideal warmth, I carefully pour it into a ss, ensuring not a single drop is


    wasted, and then begin my leisurely return to the sanctuary of the bedroom.


    I can’t leave Daisy unattended for too long, especially with no baby monitor in sight and her nanny


    dozing off nearby. I settle into the single sofa positioned conveniently close to my bed. Tapping the


    screen of my phone, I navigate to my gallery.


    After some searching, I finally locate a picture of David. I click on it, my gaze fixed intently on the


    image. Lately, he’s been engaging in actions that have left me questioning many things. My thoughts


    drift back to the incident at his mother’s ce before I made the trip to New York.


    It’s clear that the little girl in the photo is David’s mother’s child, as their resemnce is striking. What


    baffles me is the necessity for her to be dishonest about it. I find myself torn between two options:


    should I consider hiring someone to investigate the matter, or should I simply let it go? After all, it’s a


    personal issue within their family, not mine to meddle in.


    With a weary sigh, I downed thest of my milk and set the empty ss on the bedside drawer. I then


    retreated back beneath my cozy duvet, hopeful that this time I would find some much-needed sleep.


    My peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by a distant ringing tone. As I reluctantly cracked open


    my eyes, I realized that the sun had risen, indicating I had slept for longer than intended. ncing


    beside me, I found the space empty. Even the used ss I had left on the bedside drawer had


    mysteriously disappeared.


    A wave of panic washed over me as I initially feared my daughter was missing. However, the


    reassuring thought that I wasn’t alone in this apartment, that her nanny was also present, managed to


    quell some of my anxiety. I hastily abandoned my robe, opting for a short nightdress, and hurried to the


    living room, determined to locate my daughter.


    As I rushed into the living room, my steps faltered at the unexpected scene before me. There, on the


    floor, was Ravel, engrossed in y with Daisy, who was surrounded by an array of new toys that I was


    certain he had brought with him. Daisy, the first to notice my presence, beamed with delight.


    “Mama!” she eximed happily. However, her attention remained fixed on the captivating toys, and she


    made no move toe to me, clearly more absorbed in the ytime.


    Ravel’s gaze movednguidly, starting from my bare legs and lingering there for a moment before


    slowly ascending to my chest. His intent examination left me acutely aware of how revealing my


    nightwear truly was. I had chosen it forfort, not expecting an audience.


    For a brief, heart-pounding moment, his eyes rested on my chest before finally lifting to meet my face.


    The intensity of his gaze made me feel incredibly exposed, as if I had never felt so vulnerable in my life.


    A flush of embarrassment crept across my cheeks, tainting them a rosy hue, and Ravel couldn’t help


    but revel in my difiture.


    “Good morning, Hazel,” he greeted with a smug undertone, his smirk clearly indicating he was well


    aware of the


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    awkwardness he had caught me in..


    I instantly regretted my decision not to wear my robe, and in my haste to rectify my attire, I tugged at


    the hem of my dress. Unfortunately, my attempt to pull it down only seeded in exposing more of my


    chest. Flustered, I released the hem abruptly and attempted to adjust the V-neckline.


    Ravel couldn’t help but chuckle at my predicament. “Don’t trouble yourself on my ount, love,” he


    quipped, a mischievous glint in his eye. “I am quite enjoying the show.” His wink sent a delightful shiver


    down my spine. “Why don’t you freshen up and join me for breakfast? I have something important to


    discuss with you.”


    My concerns about the situation snapped me out of my provocative thoughts. “Is everything okay? Did


    something happen?” I inquired, my worry evident in my voice.


    Ravel rose from the floor, closing the distance between us. He ced both hands on my shoulders and


    leaned in close to whisper near my car, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. “Something


    will definitely happen if you don’t cover up,” he murmured suggestively.


    My heart fluttered again, and I cleared my throat nervously. Pulling away from his touch, I practically


    sprinted to my room, his soft chuckle following me like a teasing echo.


    An hour and a halfter, I emerged from my room, my hair beautifully curled, a departure from its usual


    natural texture. And yes, I had taken the time to sha ve my body. Don’t judge; I simply wanted to feel


    pretty today.


    Ravel paused in his task of pouring fresh juice into smaller sses when he noticed me approaching.


    His gaze drifted to myically oversized pants, but he wore a warm smile as his eyes met mine. “You


    look beautiful.”


    Hispliment brought a weed blush to my cheeks. “Thank you,” I replied with gratitude, pulling


    out a chair and helping myself to some toasted bread. “When did you get here?”


    “Early enough to find you still fast asleep,” he answered, passing me a te of scrambled eggs. “Did


    you stay upte? You didn’t even hear mee into the room and pick up Daisy with the empty ss


    of milk.”


    I grumbled slightly. “I just couldn’t fall asleep,” I confessed. “But the ss of milk did help, though.”


    “You should have called me,” he suggested, his tone caring. “I would have talked you to sleep.”


    Augh bubbled up at his suggestion. “What am I, five?” I quipped, imagining the absurdity of him


    trying to lull me to sleep over the phone.


    Ravel chuckled softly. “It worked in the past,” he teased, his voice trailing off suggestively. “Or at least it


    worked after I’ve f u


    “Okay, okay, I get the point!” I interrupted, my cheeks ming red. Ravel’s smirk in response only made


    me blush harder. Attempting to keep the conversation strictly PG, I decided to move to a more saver


    topic. “You mentioned you have something important to discuss with me?”


    He picked up a piece of toast, his expression growing serious. “I want you and Daisy to move in with


    me, at least until you’re ready to return to Seattle.”


    The yful smile on my face vanished, reced by a more serious expression. “What is that supposed


    to mean?” I questioned, a hint of frustration in my tone. Just because I could banter with Ravel didn’t


    mean I was ready to entertain the idea of moving in with him and ying the part of a loving couple.


    “Are you out of your mind? Perhaps drunk? Don’t you think it’s too early for that?”


    Ravel reached for his phone and ced it on the table before nudging it in my direction. “For your


    safety,” he began, “I had some of my men keep an eye on you, and they noticed something.”


    I picked up the phone and examined the image on the back, depicting a person I didn’t recognize.


    “What’s this?” I asked, puzzled.


    “Your stalker, he replied solemnly. “He’s been photographed outside the hospital on several asions


    and lurking around your apartment.”


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    I scrutinized the image more closely, my brows furrowing in confusion. “Are you absolutely sure this


    isn’t June’s doing? She’s the only one I can think of who might have a reason to stalk me.”


    Ravel shook his head, his expression serious. “I ended things with June,” he confessed. “And with the


    settlement I offered, she seemed quite content to move on. So, I don’t believe this man is connected to


    her.”


    I sighed, feeling a mixture of frustration and fear. “Why in the world would anyone want to stalk me?”


    “That’s a question I can’t answer,” he admitted. “But I want you to move in with me until we figure out


    who this stalker is, or until you’re ready to return to Seattle.” suggestion.


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