Mafia Billionaire Riven Blackwood has a score to settle with his rival Julian Styles- the man who almost ruined his family's business in the past- and what other way to get his revenge than to seduce Julian's sister, Hazel? He believes that using her as a pawn will provide him the closure he seeks. Yet, as he gets to know Hazel, he finds himself getting obsessed and possessive of her. Hazel Styles longs for freedom from her controlling stepbrother, Julian, and is determined to pursue her own passions but just like everything in her life, it's almost impossible. Then her life takes a complicated turn when she encounters Riven, the man linked to her family's past tragedies. A man determined to possess her body and soul. Despite trying her hardest to resist him, Hazel soon discovers that staying away from Riven is increasingly difficult. As their lives intertwine, heightened by a lurking stalker whose obsession reflects the grip others have held over Hazel, the stakes rise. Will their love be enough to overcome the secrets and lies surrounding their relationship Or will Riven's consuming fixation on Hazel ultimately lead to their undoing?
Chapter 1 One
HAZEL STYLES POV
"This is not working"
I glanced up from my food, my eyes widening a bit as my gaze met those of Liam.
"What are you talking about? Don't you like the food pairing" I asked, my hands trembling a bit as I pointed to the food on the table. I knew he hated whatever I liked but I was starving and also a bit anxious so I'd ordered most of my comfort food.
"What do you think? Did you have to get all these dishes? You're always ordering like you're trying to add more fat to those you already have"
My brows furrowed. "I just saw my therapist yesterday and he told me I was underweight... That's why I ordered..."
"How could I forget," he said cutting me off with a roll of his eyes, "the baggage you have is endless. Aside from being an artist who doesn't have a career, you also have unresolved childhood trauma. Oh, Your brother is also out to get you." He let out an exasperated sigh. "Do you know how exhausting you are"
His words hurt but I was already used to them, besides he didn't really mean them. Whenever he was stressed out, he tended to say hurtful things. It was just the way he was wired.
I forced a smile to my lips as I dropped the fork. "I'm sorry. Next time, I won't..."
He let out an exhausted sigh, then held my gaze. "There won't be a next time, Hazel"
His words hit me like a freight train and I froze. "What... What are you talking about"
He sighed, then dragged his hand through his hair. There was a block of ice lodged in my throat and it intensified the longer I waited for him to say something.
Lena had said he was going to propose today because it was so out of character for him to invite me for dinner, but now, as we sat in the beautiful restaurant with all my favorite food, I couldn't help but feel like it was the opposite.
Liam let out a rough exhale, then leaned forward. "Are you really that dumb... I mean everyone says it, but I thought they were exaggerating"
My hands trembled and I squeezed them into fists "What? Why are you..." I stuttered and he scoffed as he cut me off.
"God, I don't even know how I put up with you. Three years of my life freaking wasted. Do you know that every little thing you do annoys me to death? Are you really that oblivious"
My stomach churned making it difficult to breathe. I felt both hot and cold. "Is this some sort of a prank... If you're trying to scare me before you propose..."
"Propose" he got out, his tone incredulous. "You thought I was going to propose to you?" He said then scoffed. "Do you think you're worth it? I am Liam Hex, heir to the Hex family fortune. Did you seriously think that I was going to settle for a nobody like you"
My eyes felt hot. I glanced around, noticing the gaze of the other diner that was now on us.
"Liam," I got out as the heat in my heart bubbled over. It burned so hotly that it was difficult to breathe. I clenched my fist harder and then took a deep breath to calm myself. The tears that had filled up my vision threatened to fall. "Can we talk outside at least"
He smirked, then leaned toward me. "We have nothing to talk about. This relationship is over" he got out curtly, his eyes emotionless. "I brought you here to break up with you. Aren't I just the gentleman huh"
My vision swirled as the heat in my chest churned. It was so painful, I could barely speak. "You said you loved me. You promised that you were going to stay by my side and that nothing would ever come between us"
He was looking straight into my eyes and the cocky look on his face as he laughed had the pain in my chest intensifying.
"All empty promises that anyone with sense would have seen through. I thought I could get something out of you since Julian Styles is your brother, but turns out he doesn't even give a shit about you since you choose to rebel against his wishes. You are useless to me so why should we continue this relationship... You barely even let me touch you"
"Bastard" I gasped out, a single tear trailing down my cheek.
"Whatever you say, love. Oh, and you should take your leave now, my real date is here" he said and my gaze jerked up to his as he stood up.
Sweet-scenting perfume wafted up to my nose as someone came to stand beside me.
"Liam" she chirped, then threw her arms around him, before they proceeded to kiss.
I watched, frozen and shell-shocked. I was having a fucking nightmare. It had to be. There was no way this was real.
"You said it was only going to take ten minutes. Why is she still here" the girl whined and Liam's gaze moved to mine.
"What are you still doing here, Hazel? I told you to leave. We are done. I want nothing to do with your sorry ass anymore"
I slowly got to my feet, my heart pounding in my ears. My fingers closed around the glass on my table. I yanked it up and threw the content in his face.
There were no words left to say. There was only rage burning and chopping away at my heart. It was vicious. Liam had ripped out my heart in the most vicious way and I just couldn't let it go.
Liam gasped, his expression aghast as he took in the red wine dripping down his crisp white shirt.
My hands moved and I hit him over and over again. My scream of rage filled up the restaurant as Liam tried to restrain me while I struggled against him.
"Enough of this madness!" He roared and pushed me hard. I fell on my ass, my tailbone tingling in pain. I gazed at him dazedly as he towered over me.
Where the hell had I gone wrong? How the hell did I go so low only to end up being treated like shit. All the shit I took from him and this was how I got paid back. Why.
"You fucking crazy psycho. Do you want to get arrested? I thought the Styles had more dignity. If you don't want this published in the news, I suggest you fucking behave" he threatened because he knew how Julian would react if I got into a scandal
I couldn't breathe. "You have no right to treat me this way. All I ever did was love you... How dare you do this to me"
"You're worthless, Hazel. This is exactly what you deserve, so deal with it" he said, turned to the girl, and took her hand. "Let's get out of here before this lunatic does something crazier"
They both turned to leave, the sound of their footstep trampling what was left of the pieces of my heart.
I got to my feet. "A lunatic huh" I muttered as my hands grabbed the vase on the table next to me. "I'll show you how crazy I can get," I said, turned, and sent the vase hurtling.
My eyes widened, a gasp escaping my lips as I reached out to stop what I knew could not be undone.
The vase crashed against his face. But it wasn't Liam's face.
It was the one man everyone feared. The man Julian warned me to stay away from. The man I loathed with a passion ever since the night of my tenth birthday.
Riven Blackwood.
Chapter 1 One
27/11/2024
Chapter 2 Two
27/11/2024
Chapter 3 Three
27/11/2024
Chapter 4 Four
27/11/2024
Chapter 5 Five
27/11/2024
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