Hello my precious readers!  Hope you are doing well.

This chapter maybe posted when I'll be on a break for some personal reason.  So I'm not putting any target in this chapter. 

But if are lover of this book make sure to shower you love the chapter.  💖💞

I'll be back soon ( more likely within 15 days) and if I get time I'll upload the next chapter 🔥

The upcoming chapters will have many twists and turns 🔥💞💔
Stay tuned 💞
________________________________

I got discharged from the hospital today. The doctors advised me to stay another day or two, but I refused. I hated the sterile, suffocating atmosphere. I’d rather be at home, call a nurse if needed, and deal with my recovery on my own.

But the best part of coming home? Sana.

Despite my insistence that I’d be fine, she came along. And after that warm, heartfelt moment we shared in the hospital… she’s been acting differently. Not like the best friend she used to be. More like...a girlfriend.

God. I never liked that word this much before.

She even  stayed in the hospital that night and slept on the couch despite my protest, despite how tired she was from her journey.

When we arrived, the first thing she did was clean my room. I hadn’t stayed here for days, as most of my time had been spent at the secret house handling the underworld business. Sarfaraaz had enough on his plate...managing the company, drowning in thoughts of Tania, and wrestling with his demons. So, I chose to lighten his burden.

But right now, as I watched Sana dusting, organizing, moving around like she belonged here… my world felt strangely whole.

"I'm giving you trouble, Sana. Let me call someone to help," I said, feeling guilty.

She glanced at me and smiled. "It's okay. I love cleaning."

I raised an eyebrow. Sana? Loving chores?

She chuckled at my expression. "What? Hard to believe? A party girl like me knows how to clean?"

I smirked. "A little."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, I actually enjoy doing things myself–cleaning, washing, all of it. Except cooking…" She trailed off, rambling about things she liked while I just sat there, completely mesmerized.

Then, suddenly, she turned to me, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Well, today, I decided I’ll cook for you too!"

My heart skipped a bit.

"Okay, Istennő," I murmured, smiling softly.

___________________________________

Two hours later…

Sana walked into my bedroom, carrying a tray with both thrill and nervousness in her expression.

"Try it," she urged, placing it in front of me. "I cooked for the first time."

Her bright smile made me hesitate. I lifted the lid.

A… purple-colored soup? I never had anything like this..

"I put all the healthy ingredients in it," she explained. "It'll help you recover faster."

Her words were sweet, but the appearance of the dish screamed otherwise.

Still, I scooped up a spoonful, swallowed.

And instantly regretted it.

What was this taste? It wasn’t sweet, nor savory. It was just… not tasted like food.

But I managed to gulp it down, forcing a straight face. There was no way I could hurt her after all this effort.

"Why did you stop?" she asked eagerly. "It's healthy for you!"

Oh God. How do I tell her without breaking her heart?

I cleared my throat. "Sana, I really appreciate the effort. But if I take another bite… I may have to be re-admitted to the hospital. This time, for food poisoning."

Her smile faltered, but before I could soften the flow of my words.....

She grabbed the spoon and tasted it herself.

The next second, she rushed to the bathroom.

"I'm never cooking again! Ew, it tastes like shit!" she shouted from inside.

I laughed. Hard.

When she finally returned, still making a disgusted face, I smirked. "Yeah. You don’t have to cook. I can do it for you. Anytime. Anything you want."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Shit. Was that too much?

I immediately added, "I mean..I'm sorry if I got too greedy to dream like that."

But Sana didn’t look uncomfortable. Instead, she looked… soft.

She stared at me for a long moment before smirking. "No, you don’t need to feel like that. From now on, you'll cook for me whenever I ask."

I blinked. "Really?"

She took my hand. "Yes, Mr. Rahat Hunyadi. Because I'm asking you to date me."

…Wait.

Did she really said it?

"I-I don’t know what happened to me after your confession," she whispered, her eyes turning misty. "I’ll go mad if this continues. So I want to face it. I want to try dating you. Will you… be my boyfriend?"

My mind short-circuited.

Was this real?

Shit. I can’t believe it.

"Of course," I managed to say. "I’d die if I said no."

Forgetting the pain in my shoulder, I pulled her into a hug.

She hesitated for a moment before whispering, "And I think I like you too."

My arms tightened around her. My lips brushed her hair as I murmured, "I love you, Istennő."

And for the first time in my life, everything felt right.

"By the way, I found some pictures while cleaning the bookshelf. Was that your family?"

Family?

The word felt foreign. Almost distant.

My parents’ marriage had been nothing more than a business transaction–an alliance between mafia clans. There was no love, no warmth. Just a deal sealed with vows that meant nothing.

It didn’t last.

When I was seven, my mother left. My father had admitted to cheating on her with his first love. I still remember that night the cold way he confessed, the silent storm in my mother’s eyes, the way she walked out without looking back.

Love wasn’t something I grew up believing in.

Two years later, my father was killed in a clash between mafias. I became an orphan, left with nothing but the weight of a legacy I never asked for.

And then… I met Sarfaraaz.

He and Safina became my family. My real family. I followed them wherever they went, through fire and blood, through loss and victories. Even now, I was here–because of him.

But I didn’t want to talk about that now. Not when she was smiling. Not when this moment felt light, free of the ghosts of my past.

"Yeah," I muttered. "Those were family pictures."

I rarely looked at them. They hurt too much.

Sana tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "I saw someone who looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it."

I forced a small smile, running my hand down her back in slow, soothing circles.

"Is that so?" I murmured.

She was too curious sometimes.

And maybe… one day, I’d let her in. Let her see everything.

But not tonight. Tonight, I just wanted to hold her.
___________________________________

I woke up with a jolt.

Another night terror.

I didn’t know when they would stop haunting me.

Lately, I wanted to let go of my past—to live only for myself. For Hazel. For Muneeb. The people who were my present.

But the past wasn’t something I could just walk away from. Even if I wanted to stop searching for answers or digging through old wounds, the thirst for revenge was embedded in my system like a toxic drug.

Sometimes, it felt heavy. Too heavy to carry. Just like now.

I got up, grabbed a bottle of whiskey, and poured myself a drink. My escape. The liquid burned its way down my throat, but it did little to ease the ache in my chest.

Mom, Dad, Safina... If they were alive, would my life be like this? Would I have turned into this monster, a man whose very soul is drenched in blood?

Questions like these circled in my mind.

I placed the glass on the table with a sharp thud, shattering the silence of the empty room.

Her room.

And instinctively, I knew where I could find my solace.

Grabbing my phone, I dialed Tania’s number.

She picked up after a few rings.

"Hello? Who is this?" Her soft yet groggy voice reached my ears.

"Aapka shohar, Hazel," I said, trying to keep my tone steady.
(Your husband, Hazel.)

There was a pause before she asked, "Itni raat ko kaise call kar liya aap?"
(How come you're calling at this hour?)

Her sleepy tone was gone, replaced by clear surprise.

"Jaise tum mere dimag pe chha rahi ho, ab mujhe waqt ka bhi hosh nahi," I teased, my voice slightly slurred.
(The way you’ve taken over my mind, I’ve even  lost the track of time.)

"You’re drunk? Are you okay, Rayan?"

Of course, she caught on. It took her mere seconds.
________________________________

"I miss your warmth, your scent, Hazel," he murmured, his voice rough with longing. "I need to breathe you in. Don’t you miss me?"

I did.

It had been almost a week since we returned from that mansion. That night–his warmth, his touch, his presence....I missed everything.

I had been busy with my exams, but despite that, not a day passed when I didn’t think about him. I wanted to see him, talk to him, but I didn’t have his number.

How stupid of me, right?

Rahat bhai had called two days ago to ask about my studies. I had wanted to ask him about Rayan, but he got another call, and I never got the chance.

"I do," I admitted softly.

"Then I’m coming to see you right now."

"Now?!" I almost shouted but quickly lowered my voice, remembering Jubi was asleep. "Have you lost your mind, Rayan? It’s 3 a.m.!"

He chuckled, his voice unbothered, drunk, and teasing.

"Okay, I won’t come now, édesem. But tomorrow, I’m picking you up."

He was asking me out?

"For what?" I knew, but I wanted to hear him say it.

"A date, obviously. I never took my little wife on one. So tomorrow, I’m taking you out."

My heart raced. Excitement bubbled inside me.

"Okay. Then see you tomorrow. Now sleep, it’s late," I said firmly.

"Tell me goodnight, Hazel. Then I’ll hang up."

A thirty-year-old man, demanding like a child.

I smiled. "Good night, Mr. Talukder."

"Good night, Hazel. And... thanks for talking to me. I needed it."

What did he mean by that?

I had no clue. But as I closed my eyes again, the excitement of seeing him tomorrow filled my thoughts.
__________________________________

The Next Morning

When I woke up, there was a text from Rayan.

"Be ready by 11. But if you have class, let me know."

So considerate of him.

But I decided to skip class. It was an important lecture, but honestly, I wouldn’t be able to concentrate anyway.

I texted him my location....near the forest behind my hostel.

For the date, I picked casual wear: loose denim pants, an off-white T-shirt tucked in, and a sky blue oversized shirt for a comfortable yet modest look. Wrapping my hijab around my head, I applied light makeup with a peach-toned lipstick and a touch of mascara. Slipping on my canvas shoes, I left my room.
_______________________________

Three Hours Later

I was still waiting.

Three long hours.

He didn’t show up.

How dare he stand me up like this?

On top of that, he wasn’t answering my calls.

No. He needed a lesson.

Frustrated, I dialed Rahat bhai.

"Sarfaraaz will scold me, sister," he said, tension thick in his voice.

"But I’ll be mad at you too, Rahat bhai. And you called me your sister," I reminded him firmly.

He let out a deep breath. "God, I hope Sarfaraaz doesn’t shoot me for this. Thankfully, I’m not with him. Okay, I’m sending you the location."

"Thank you," I muttered sincerely.
_______________________________

Thirty minutes later, Tania arrived at the location Rahat had sent her.

It was an office building–a new venture of Sarfaraaz that hadn’t been launched yet.

The basement was hosting a territorial mafia meeting. The atmosphere was tense, filled with low murmurs and the occasional click of a gun being heard. A few mafias had already pointed weapons at each other during negotiations.

Sarfaraaz, seated at the head of the room, exhaled sharply. He was getting frustrated having to mediate their useless disputes. He knew Tania must be waiting for him, but he hadn’t been able to call her. Phones weren’t allowed inside, stored away before entry.

"If I catch either of you involved in another petty rivalry," his voice was dangerously low, "I will personally ensure you regret it. You know what I’m capable of–"

A loud bang interrupted him as the doors swung open.

All eyes snapped toward the entrance.

A beautiful young woman in her early twenties stood at the doorway.

Murmurs rippled through the room–then silence.

Because she wasn’t just any woman. She met their king’s gaze without an ounce of fear.

And to everyone’s shock, the cold mask on Sarfaraaz’s face cracked, his expression softening.

"Édesem?" he murmured, barely believing his eyes.

To their absolute bafflement, the girl strode straight to Sarfaraaz, grabbed his collar, and yanked him up from his seat.

"So, you were busy with this shit, forgetting about me completely?" she snapped.

Before anyone could react, she dragged him out of the meeting.

Leaving the world’s most feared mafias stunned into silence.

No one had ever dared to touch the infamous mafia king, Sarfaraaz Talukder...the man who once ruled the European territory with an iron fist before shifting to India. Yet here he was, being intimidated by a fiery little woman barely 5'3".

___________________________________

"Hazel!" I muttered, stunned by her audacity, but I didn’t resist. Instead, I followed her obediently.

"Where is your damn office?" she demanded, her furious expression making me hold back a smirk.

"On the top floor," I replied calmly, watching the fire in her hazel eyes. My little wife was angry, and rightfully so. I chose silence over provocation, knowing well enough that pushing her further would only fuel her wrath.

She released my collar but grabbed my wrist instead, her grip firm as she pulled me along.

Once we reached my office, I finally tried to speak. "Hazel, listen—"

But she cut me off with a firm push, forcing me down onto the couch. Before I could react, she stepped forward, standing boldly between my legs. One hand rested on my shoulder, the other perched on her waist as she glared down at me, eyes blazing.

"Do you have any idea how important that class was? I bunked it just to spend time with you, and you dared to stand me up? Huh?" she snapped, her voice sharp with fury.

Instead of guilt, I felt something else entirely....temptation.

She looked utterly irresistible; flushed cheeks, sharp gaze, lips painted in a soft peachy tone.

My Édesem had dolled up just for me, for our date.

"Are you even listening?" she nearly shouted, frustration dripping from every word.

My gaze stayed locked on her lips, my resolve crumbling.

"May I kiss you, Hazel?" I asked, my voice deep and velvety.

Her eyes widened in shock, her anger momentarily forgotten.

"Huh?" she blinked, flustered.

"You're looking ravishing, Édesem," I murmured, my dark eyes boring into hers. "I want to taste your lips. Can I?"

She faltered, her breath hitching. And from the look I knew she had missed me too–my touch, my warmth, the way I made her feel.

"Fine. But I'm still angry at you," she muttered, barely above a whisper.

Leaning down to my level, she cupped my jaw, her soft fingers tracing the sharp lines of my face before pressing her lips to mine.

The kiss started slow, teasing, but the fire between us ignited instantly. I slid my hands around her waist, pulling her flush against me, deepening the kiss.

Against her lips, I whispered huskily, "Climb onto my lap, Cica ( Kitten), Now"

A shiver ran through her at the Hungarian endearment, but she didn't hesitate.

Slowly, deliberately, she shifted, her legs sliding around my waist as she straddled me. The moment she settled, I exhaled a deep, satisfied breath, feeling her warmth seeping into me. All my tensions started to melt way feeling a sense of peace. I could stay like this forever. Forgetting everything.

"That's it," I murmured, my fingers trailing up her spine.

Also a low chuckle rumbled from my chest at her eagerness, but she groaned in response, biting my lower lip in warning.

I let her take control, parting my lips for her, surrendering to her heat.

Damn, I had missed her.

Her tongue explored every corner of my mouth, devouring me with an intoxicating hunger. And her taste… damn, it was addictive.

One of my hands instinctively slid from her waist to her ass, giving a firm squeeze. A soft moan escaped her lips, muffled against mine. The sound sent a shockwave down my spine–pure, unfiltered music to my ears.

She pulled back, panting softly, her temple resting against mine. Her eyes remained closed, lips parted as she caught her breath.

I tightened my arms around her, savoring the warmth of her body. Damn. It had been a long week.

The moment she steadied herself, her grumpy mood returned. She tried to get off my lap, pushing against my chest.

"Let me go. I'm not talking to you," she huffed, pouting....a dangerous mix of cuteness and defiance that made my heart race.

"Okay. Don’t talk for a while. Just stay here," I murmured, trailing soft kisses over her face.

I knew it would melt her resolve. And it did. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she smiled shyly.

"Okay, stop now," she whispered, her voice losing its edge.

I cupped her face, my thumb brushing over her soft skin. "I'm really sorry for standing you up, Édesem. I got stuck. You know how messy a territorial mafia meeting can get. They turned it into a complete disaster, and I had to step in to clean up their mess. But I promise, I’ll make it up to you."

She was silent for a moment before sighing. "Okay. I'll forgive you this time. But there will be no next time," she warned, her tone soft yet firm.

Her fingers absentmindedly played with my mustache, making me chuckle.

"Understood, my Wifey. Now, let’s go. You must be hungry."

"Yes, I am," she admitted, finally getting off my lap and adjusting her clothes.

___________________________________

At the Restaurant

We arrived at the restaurant of her choice. It had been so long since she had a taste of a normal life, and I wanted to give her at least a glimpse of it.

"Choose whatever you like," she said, handing me the menu.

"I'm fine with whatever you choose," I replied, giving her full control.

But she shook her head. "This is a date, Rayan. It’s not just about fulfilling my wishes. You should choose what you like too," she said, her voice steady and wise.

My eyes lingered on her face, slightly wide in surprise. She was too sweet, too considerate... far more than I deserved.

"Stop staring at me and look at the menu, Mr. Talukder," she muttered, making me chuckle.

I ended up ordering a mix of Indian dishes and an Italian dessert.

As we dined like a normal couple, I felt everything else fade away our past, my worries, and even the shadow of what I feared most.

Everything will be alright. Just like you thought, I told myself.

After finishing my meal, I sat back, watching her savor her tiramisu.

I had ordered it, but now it was hers. And I didn’t mind. Just seeing her enjoy it was enough.

_________________________________

As we stepped out of the restaurant, we ran into Kaan.

My jaw clenched. What the hell was he still doing here? I thought he had left.

"Long time no see, Sarfaraaz," Kaan greeted me with a sinister smile.

This boy never let go of anything. It had been years–a decade, to be exact.

"Yeah. Why are you still in India? It has nothing to offer you," I said coolly. We weren’t friends anymore, but I wasn’t looking for a fight. However, if he dared to provoke me, I wouldn’t hold back.

I had let go of what happened at the charity event for old times' sake. That was it.

Kaan’s smirk deepened. "If this land could offer its most precious treasure to someone like you, then how is it possible that it has nothing to give me?"

His eyes lingered on Tania for far too long. She looked away.

My fists clenched, rage bubbling beneath my skin. I was about to throw a venomous reply when....

Tania’s fingers entwined with mine, giving my hand a light squeeze.

Somehow, it calmed me.

"Let’s go. It’s too stuffy here," she said softly, sensing the tension between us.

I nodded, casting Kaan one last warning look before walking away with her.
______________________________

After dinner, Rayan took us for a long drive, and now we were sitting by the beach. No lavish setups, no extravagant gestures–just the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the cool breeze against my skin.

It was exactly what I wanted. Serenity over luxury.

Like that afternoon in Hungary, we sat close together. My head rested against his shoulder, his arm wrapped around my waist, anchoring me to him.

"Are you liking it, Hazel?" Rayan murmured against my forehead.

"Yeah… it's so calm and peaceful," I whispered before frowning. "But why is it so quiet? I mean, it's a beach after all."

A knowing smirk tugged at his lips. "I made it happen. Just enjoy it, don’t overthink." He kissed my forehead. "If your exam wasn’t coming up, I would’ve taken you abroad–to my private island in Europe."

I smiled. A perk of having a billionaire mafia husband, I guess.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and stolen moments. We ran barefoot across the sand, chased the waves, and let the sun dip into the horizon as if we had all the time in the world.

And Rayan… I had never seen him so carefree before. He took off his coat and was in a light lavender colored shirt, sleeves folded above his forearm. His muscles reflexed beneath the fabric. The usual weight he carried on his shoulders had momentarily lifted. The smile on his face was rare but beautiful.

"You should smile like this more often," I murmured, brushing my fingers against his stubbled jaw as we sat on the hood of his Audi.

His gaze softened. "If you want me to, I will." He flashed me that dazzling smile again.

My heart skipped a beat, racing like a foolish teenage girl in love.

For a split second, the words almost slipped from my lips. The three words he’s been waiting to hear from me.

But before I could say them, his phone rang.

Reality crashed back in.

I pulled away, letting him take the call. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, willing my heart to calm down.

The moment he ended the call, his expression darkened, as if a storm had been unleashed inside him. His men were urging him to leave, but I could see it...the reluctance in his eyes, the unwillingness to let go of this rare, peaceful moment.

Without a word, he pulled me into a hug, his face buried against my neck. He inhaled deeply, as if trying to store my scent to memory.

"I just want to stay like this and never go back," he murmured against my skin.

"Then don’t go," I whispered, my hands moving to soothe his back.

He let out a deep sigh. "Yeah… I wish."

A beat of silence passed before he exhaled sharply. "Sorry, Hazel. We have to return. I need to drop you back at your hostel." He placed a lingering kiss on my cheek.

I didn’t want to go either, but I had no choice. I had already skipped classes–I needed to catch up.

"Yeah… let's go back," I said softly.

By the time we arrived at my hostel, it was nearly 9 PM.

Rayan intertwined our fingers, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I wish I could’ve made our date more special. But I’m sorry, Hazel… this was all I could do today."

I squeezed his hand, offering him a reassuring smile. "It was more than enough. Thank you. I enjoyed every moment."

His lips quirked up slightly. "Okay then… go back inside. I’ll call you." He leaned in, placing a quick, goodbye peck on my lips.

But that wasn’t enough.

Before I could second-guess myself, I grabbed his chin and kissed him.

Shameless. Bold. Reckless.

And it was all his fault.

He smiled against my lips before kissing me back, deep and slow, making it impossible to pull away.

How does he make me feel this intoxicated?

Finally, breathless, I whispered, "See you, Mr. Talukder."

With that, I stepped out of the car, leaving him behind with the remnant of my touch lingering on his skin.
___________________________________

Sarfaraaz watched as Tania disappeared through the gates of her hostel. A faint smile still played on his lips, his fingers brushing over them, where the warmth of her touch still lingered.

But within seconds, the smile faded. His expression hardened as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"How far along is the search? Have you retrieved it?" His voice was cold, slipping effortlessly back into its usual sharp edge.

"Two more days, Boss. I'll bring it to you," the man on the other end replied.

"Good. And don’t forget the other thing I ordered." With that, he ended the call.

A mystery was about to unravel.

Either it would confirm the weight of years filled with guilt and helplessness....

Or it would unleash something far more sinister.

_____________________________

How was it? 

Follow  my Instagram account for spoilers 💖✨.

Id link is on my bio ✨