Chapter 107


    RAVEL


    PRESENT TIME


    I wasn’t expecting things to take this direction at allst night. Having Hazel kiss my lips and having her


    warm naked body on minest night is something I won’t trade for anything in this world. Having her


    naked and fair skin sleeping next to me this morning is truly a blessing.


    Unable to keep my hands to myself, I reached forward and removed a hair from her face before


    reaching down to kiss her face. Last night, I had purposely taken her with no condonis, hoping that she


    will get pregnant. Call me a coward, but that is the most efficient way to constantly inform that wanker


    David that she is mine.


    I’m fully aware that the threat still exists, and it lingers ominously in the back of my mind. Although


    things may seem calm for now, the ckmailer might be lying low, silently observing how everything


    unfolds, biding their time for another strike.


    Pushing that concern aside, I nced at the wall clock and with a gentle roll, I slipped out of bed,


    determined to prepare something special for her. She’ll undoubtedly be tired when she wakes up


    because I kept her uptest night.


    As I left the room, I couldn’t help but smile upon hearing Daisy’s cheerfulughter, apanied by her


    nanny’s soft and reassuring chuckles. The sound was aforting reminder of the happiness that


    surrounded me at the moment.


    Upon entering the kitchen, theughter gradually quieted down, reced by a warm and weing


    atmosphere. Daisy greeted me with an infectious smile that brightened up the room. Without hesitation,


    I reached for her, pulling her into my embrace, and began peppering her delighted face with


    affectionate kisses. Her joyful giggles filled the air, a melody that warmed my heart and made the


    worries of the outside world seem distant and insignificant.


    My housekeeper, Mrs. Mary Reynolds, cleared her throat politely, attempting to gain my attention.


    “What would you like for breakfast, sir?” she inquired in her customary respectful tone.


    Bncing little Daisy on my hips, I carried her over to the spacious kitchen ind. “I was thinking of


    whipping up something special for Hazel myself,” I replied, my voice filled with a hint of excitement.


    Mrs. Reynolds nodded in acknowledgment and, with a gracious gesture, opened the refrigerator to


    disy the array of breakfast options at our disposal. Daisy’s nanny, aware of the morning routine,


    suggested that I hand her over so she could prepare for her morning bath.


    Taking stock of the ingredients, I decided on preparing a delectable dish of chicken and waffles. It


    seemed like a manageable task, possibly because Mary was there to supervise the culinary venture.


    After cooking up a delicious breakfast, I carefully arranged it on a tasteful tray,plete with a chilled


    ss of orange juice. With the tray in hand, I made my way upstairs to our bedroom. As I entered, I


    found Hazel still nestled in the embrace of slumber, her peaceful form illuminated by the soft morning


    light filtering through the curtains.


    cing the tray gently on the bedside table, I couldn’t resist the turge to lean down and nt a tender


    kiss on her cheek. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered, and her eyes began to open.


    “It’s morning already,” I softly whispered in her ear, nting a gentle kiss on her lips to rouse her from


    sleep. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, and a warm smile spread across her face. “Good morning,


    sleepyhead,” I greeted her with a smile of my


    own.


    She giggled and attempted to sit up, inadvertently causing the duvet to slip,


    exposing her bare chest. I couldn’t help but


    stare, and she yfully remarked, “You’re quite insatiable,” covering herself with a bashful grin.


    ‘It smells wonderful in here,” shemented


    as I approached the bed, carrying a tray


    “After how loudly you screamedst night, I thought you might need some energy,” I teased, finding her


    blush utterly endearing.


    Her disheveled, post–lovemaking hair only


    added to her charm.


    She reached for a waffle, took a bite, and let


    out a contented moan. “Did you make this?”


    she asked between bites, eyes widening in


    surprise. I nodded with a grin which made her eyes widen the more. “Really? You made the waffles


    yourself?” Her astonished expression prompted a heartyugh from me. “Well, Mary might have given


    me some tips on what to add and when,” I admitted with a yful smirk.


    She snorted, clearly amused. “I knew you couldn’t have pulled this off alone,” she said before


    devouring more waffles. “But, thank you, I truly appreciate the effort.”


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    I rolled my eyes in mock exasperation. “If you’re genuinely grateful for my effort, then express it,” I


    teased, swiping the waffles from her hand with a mischievous grin.


    I reclined on the bed, propped up on my elbow, watching her savor her meal. The soft morning light


    filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on her face. “You know,” I began, my tone slightly


    more serious, “I’ve been dreaming of this moment for a long time.” I let out a wistful sigh, my gaze


    drifting to our wedding portrait that hung on the wall. I could feel her eyes on me, even before I turned


    to meet her warm, loving gaze.


    “If you desperately wanted this moment, then you shouldn’t have done what you did, or at least you


    should have told me why you did it,” she responded, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. Her gaze


    remained fixed on mine, searching for answers in my eyes. “I’m going to trust that you have your


    reasons, and I’m going to believe that you will eventually tell me.”


    Her words struck a chord with me, and I gave her a quick, grateful nce, my smile tinged with relief. I


    had always felt unworthy of her, and her understanding was a gift I cherished. “Thank you, Hazel,” I


    whispered sincerely, my fingers lightly tracing patterns on the bedsheet.


    She reached for the juice and took a long sip, her expression contemtive. “Don’t thank me just yet,


    Ravel,” she continued, her voice soft but unwavering. “We’re not going to move past this stage until you


    give me a valid reason.” Her gaze bore into mine, urging me to open up. “The fact is that this secret will


    always take us two steps back, and I won’t be able to stop myself from taking that step back until I


    understand why.”


    Licking my lips, I directed my gaze into the empty space, contemting her words, and then nodded


    slowly. “I understand that you don’t fully trust me yet, Hazel, and I’m okay with us taking things one step


    at a time.”


    She finished thest of her drink, then gracefully got out of bed, wrapping the duvet around her to


    shield her body. Her next question hit me with a weight I couldn’t ignore. “Does Raymond know about


    the reason you did what you did?”


    I nodded in response, my voice steady. “Yes, he does.” Raymond had been my confidant throughout


    this crazy journey, aware of every twist and turn in my life. He knows everything–how I had to go public


    with June because I received a text from the mysterious sender instructing me to do so, how I had to


    y the role of a loving partner towards June because it was demanded of me, and even how I was


    compelled to touch June to ensure Hazel’s safety.


    “So Raymond knows about the reason you did what you did, and I don’t, right?” Hazel asked, her tone


    dripping with frustration. I nodded in response, still unsure of where she was going with this.


    “Do you get the point now, Ravel?” She asked, trying so hard not to sound snappish. “It simply means


    that this isn’t about me not trusting you; rather, it’s about you not trusting me.”


    My eyes snapped up to meet hers, surprised by her perspective. “I trust you, Hazel, with my life,” I


    assured her, my voice


    earnest.


    “Do you?” Her doubt was evident, and it struck me deeply. I hesitated, torn between the desire to


    protect her and the need to


    be honest.


    “I love you, Hazel,” I dered, my voice filled with sincerity. “That’s one thing you shouldn’t question.” I


    knew that the truth had toe out eventually. The new investigator Warren had introduced me to had


    promised to provide a lead before the month was over. “When the time is right, I’ll tell you everything


    you need to know. I’ll answer all your questions, but for now, it’s just not the right time,”


    Biting her lip, Hazel nodded, deciding to let the issue rest for the time being. “I need to have a shower


    and then go check up on Daisy.”


    I couldn’t resist a teasing grin. “Want me to join you? You know, for the sake of water conservation and


    all that.”


    Herughter filled the room as she shook her head. “If we get in there together, we won’t be getting out


    of the shower anytime soon.”


    She was right, and we both knew it. I watched her sensuously sway into the bathroom and closed the


    door behind her. As I picked up the tray to return it to the kitchen, my phone chimed with a new


    message. I furrowed my brows in concern as I read the message.


    My heart raced as I read the threatening message. It was from the anonymous sender who had been


    manipting my life for years.


    I SEE YOU ARE BACK WITH YOUR WIFE, BLATANTLY IGNORING MY MESSAGE. I BELIEVE IT IS


    TIME TO REOPEN HARRISON’S CASE, LET US SEE IF YOU WILL REKINDLE WITH HER BEHIND


    BARS. YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING.


    I guess if you indeed think of the devil, he does show up.