LOGINHAZEL The first woman to walk inside… was beautiful. Blonde hair, blue eyes, flawless in a way that didn’t feel real. She looked like she had stepped out of a magazine—no, more than that. Like she belonged on a runway, under flashing lights and cameras. An angel. That was the only word that came to mind. And the way she walked.... God. There was confidence in every step. Control. Power. Like the room belonged to her the second she entered it. Even on six-inch heels, she moved effortlessly, owning every inch of space she crossed.For a moment, I just stood there, watching her. Completely, unexpectedly… mesmerised. I was so focused on the first woman, the blonde, the one who seemed to command the room without even trying, that I didn’t notice the second one at all.Not until she moved. She rushed past me in a blur and went straight for Axel, practically throwing herself at him. That’s when my attention finally snapped to her.She was beautiful too. Dark hair, long and flowing all the
HAZEL Angela assured me that I was ready and good to go, so I walked down the stairs at 6:55. I didn’t want to be late. I didn’t want to keep Axel waiting. And, if I was being honest, I wanted a few minutes to myself before I saw him, to steady my thoughts, to remember everything I had planned.But the moment I stepped onto the staircase, I realised he was already there.... He was standing at the bottom, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone, his attention fixed on the screen. For a second, I paused, watching him without him noticing me. He looked composed, calm, like he always did. Like nothing ever really touched him. And for a brief, foolish moment, I let myself think… he’s waiting for me.I decided to believe it. The thought settled in my chest just as I took another step down. The sound must have carried, because his head lifted.Our eyes met. And then he saw me. Not just a glance. Not just acknowledgement.... He saw me.Something in his expression shifted, subtle
HAZEL Angela was already there when I arrived, and the moment she saw me, she smiled slightly and said, “Someone must be hungry today.”I paused, then gave a small, uncertain nod. “Yeah.... I am.”She served me food without asking for anything else. I was the only one at the table as always during lunch. The silence stretched around me as I ate, my thoughts louder than anything else in the room. Amanda’s face kept flashing in my mind, her voice, the fear in her eyes. Every bite felt automatic, like I wasn’t really there, like I was somewhere else entirely.When I finished, I didn’t leave immediately. Instead, I waited And when Angela came back in, I looked up at her and, for the first time, asked, “Would you help me get ready for tonight?”She stopped immediately giving me all her attention.“Get ready for what?” she asked.“I’m going out with Axel tonight and I want to look great,” I said, not even trying to hide the excitement in my voice.She didn’t respond immediately. Instead
HAZEL After Nico left, sitting there didn’t feel good anymore. I hadn’t gotten anything from him except Amanda’s brother’s name, and sitting here only reminded me of Amanda, of the moments we would steal just to talk and when she would bring me something outside to eat. And now she was in trouble, and I couldn’t even help her.By now, I was used to feeling helpless when it came to myself. But being helpless when it came to someone else… that was new. And it didn’t sit right with me at all. I stood up and decided to go back inside. Maybe I would finally find the courage to find Axel and ask him about Amanda.A few minutes later, I was already walking through the hallways of the mansion, no direction in mind, just moving, just thinking, hoping to find someone, anyone who could give me something..... And then I bumped into him.The one person I really did not want to meet right now. Not like this. Not when I wasn’t ready. I collided into him, and his hands came up instantly, gripping m
HAZELHe shook his head, still smiling a little as he looked at me.“No, I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s just… Are you taking a basket of sweets to one of the maids? That’s new.”I frowned slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“Nothing,” he said quickly, lifting his hands in surrender. “It’s just....people don’t usually do that around here. And you have never seemed to care about anyone before.”“Well, maybe we should all care about each other,” I muttered.He watched me for a second longer, like he was trying to figure something out.“You barely know her,” he pointed out.“I don’t have to know her that well to care if she’s sick,” I replied, a little sharper than I intended.His eyes narrowed slightly. And there it was.... Suspicion.I forced myself to relax, to soften just a little.“She’s been nice to me,” I added, quieter this time. “More than most people in this house.”That seemed to land better. Niko exhaled lightly and started walking again, and I followed beside him, matching
HAZELI straightened slowly.“Okay,” I murmured, nodding my head. “Nico.”If I couldn’t go to Axel, then I’d go to the next closest person who might be helpful.But this time, I had to be careful. I couldn’t go with accusations, bashing or wandering around blindly. I had to be smart about this...for Amanda and for myself.I stepped out of the house and went downstairs in search of Nico. I didn’t even know if he was still here or not I walked down the hallway, my eyes scanning and listening for any sign of movement. And then I heard Nico’s voice and stopped just before turning the corner. I took a deep breath before I peeked and saw him talking on the phone.He was laughing lightly, like the same Nico that I found in this house, the one who wasn’t mad, the one who wasn’t angry, the one who just accepted where he was and just took everything as it came.I turned away again, took a deep breath, as I wondered how I could start this conversation. How should I approach him? Would he get su
HAZELIt has been a few days since Remo was here after that awkward dinner. I haven’t seen him again, maybe just a few glimpses around from afar.But so far, no sign of Axel. I wonder if he’s even here. I wonder if he took one of those trips far away. And then I remind myself that I shouldn’t care.
HAZELBut no. That can’t be right.This is Axel’s best friend.His right hand.And yet… if he is Axel’s best friend, then he’s also the right person to get me out of here. Axel must trust him a great deal to give him access, to give him the keys, and to give him power.If there is anyone in this h
HAZELThe idea excites me more than it should. The thought that Axel might still care enough to want me warm. To order something for me..... It’s stupid, I know it is.But Amanda shakes her head. “No. I was just finishing up in the kitchen when I noticed you. I’m leaving with my brother.”“Your bro
HAZEL“Enough.” Natasha's voice snaps. “You don’t get to talk back. Not now.”"Fine. I am not here to talk back at you, but you have to see things on my end too...""Are you here to apologise or make me understand your selfish side of the events?"I clamp my mouth shut immediately. Little mouse. L







