Hazel has always stayed indoors since she pledged her life to Ray. She was grateful for the opportunity to help with the house chores, prepare meals for everyone, and take care of the kids. Though she was progressing slowly with Ray, deep down, she knew she would not be able to leave him on her own accord.

  She gradually fell for him and it took her a long time to realise it was not gratitude.

  It was the charming side of him that barely anyone noticed when he coaxed her.

  The little unsaid gesture with tacit understanding when helping out in parenting to the need of gradually doing a date discreetly daily to keep the sparks going.

  She especially loved his strong build as he could lift her effortlessly and smitten her every time those arms wrapped around her while she slept at night.

  It felt like they had been married for a long time, except they had to wait for him to be a little older. She was especially glad for his family's acceptance. Never in her past years had she dared think of such blessings that she constantly feared being robbed of her happiness.

  She least expected her nightmares from the past to return to haunt her on a particular weekend when she anticipated some alone time with Ray since the Ophals were gathering with James. She knew it was a mistake to attend the annual dinner which had brought both Ophal and Rahi’s family to the headlines even till the new year since this year’s focus was the completion of Manes old town phase two.

  She sat by the French window in Ray’s room when Joseph finally fell asleep that late evening in the dark. Her head kept ringing the same warning verse she heard hours ago.

  I know who you live with. Don’t think I can’t find you and I will tell the press what their daughter-in-law was like back then… If you don’t want this then give us money! Your mother is dying!

  She was very furious with the threat but there was nothing she could do. She contemplated telling Ray but she did not want to bother the Ophals for being so nice towards her ever since she was rescued. She owed the family a big favor she could not repay this lifetime. How was she to trouble them with her tragic dark past?

  She wanted to just give her useless father the money but she knew he would never spend it for her mother’s cancer treatment. She wanted to see her mother one last time though she agreed to her sell-off to prostitution back then. She knew her mother had no choice as she was also a victim of an abusive husband.

  Hazel could not help but keep tearing up as she hit a crossroads. She felt like running away and hiding but she had entangled with Ray so far that she did not want to hurt him.

  However, the more she was reminded of the threat her father made, the more she felt unworthy of Ray.

  She came to a conclusion and a part of her was glad their relationship had not progressed too intimate. While in a trance, she absentmindedly walked out of the house in a blank mind to a high area nearby.

  Ray was rushing back home after Ivy called to inform him that Jonathan had decided to head back to Rahi’s family home for the night with her. He knew Hazel would have cooked dinner and waited for him to eat together no matter how late he was every night. He made it a point to make it like a date despite who was eating with them which meant they rarely had a chance to dine together alone.

  On Saturdays especially, he knew Jin would bring Peter to visit James and Cassie for dinner as an excuse for the couple to be alone. Hence, it was just her and baby Joseph. He glanced at his watch and saw it was close to eight at night. He smiled knowing Joseph would have finished nursing and slept. So, he looked forward to a long-awaited, alone dinner date with Hazel.

  However, to his surprise, he found Joseph asleep in their dark room alone and she was nowhere to be found. Ray panicked thinking something bad must have happened as he quickly checked the CCTV at home and saw Hazel was not in the right mind when she left the house.

  He called Jin for backup to search for Hazel as he drove to Cassie’s boutique and left baby Joseph who was restless with occasional cries on the way with Cassie. Jin hopped into his car and drove instead while Real and Chiang with a bunch of security team members trailed their car in search of Hazel.

  “Bro, don’t panic. While I drive, think of where she would always go. She shouldn’t be far from home…” Jin urged as Ray tried to calm his mind but nothing came up as he was so worried of her wellbeing.

  “What had happened recently? Haven’t you two started dating?” Jin asked as Ray frowned unable to think of a reasonable concern.

  Jin knew his brother was lost as Jin’s investigator mode was put on. He began to trace her steps and possibly places she could be near their housing estate.

  Moments later he got a call from Real and his team spotting her nearby the lookout point at a park nearby. She was saved from jumping off the cliff but she was very emotional when Ray got to her.

  The moment he saw her state was when he knew in mind, this woman was his for good.

  Jin and the rest left them both alone as Ray hugged her tightly after wrapping her into his coat.

  “I’m here… It’s alright… Everything is going to be alright. Trust me, sweetie.” Ray coaxed while she wanted to hold on to him where her only refuge had finally come but a part of her was so disgusted with herself that she wanted to just end everything off the cliff.

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  “I can’t… Please don’t. Please don’t be so nice to me. I don’t deserve this. I am a disaster…” Hazel wanted to break away but Ray was strong enough to secure her in his arms. She gave up eventually and broke down as Ray frowned in disappointment, wondering what went wrong.

  “Haz… You’re not a disaster. You’re my strong woman who had a strong will enduring against all odds when the world is upside down. You fought your way to me and it’s my responsibility to protect you and give you all that’s good ever since. I am your husband for good whether you like it or not, even if it is not legal yet. Don’t ever doubt this.” Ray’s words were comforting her very much and giving her the conviction of security she sought but she hesitated to trouble him for being so nice.

  “Even more I should not trouble you… You’re so nice. You’re too good for me…” Ray kissed her to force her from continuing as she kissed him back and that made him know their relationship was not on the rocks. He pulled away while she sniffed.

  “What’s wrong?” He asked solemnly as her eyes reddened.

  “Haz… You need to tell me before I decide if it’s trouble. Even if it is, two people fighting it is better than you alone. I have told you, I will protect you at all cause…” He coaxed as he felt she began to slowly hold on to him tightly.

  “Is it the kids?” He tried prompting as she shook her head. “My family?” He asked doubtfully.

  “No! Definitely no!” She protested as he smiled finally getting her usual self back. “I thought I won’t hear you again this way…” He said gladly as he held her tightly.

  “It’s that man I don’t want to meet ever…” Her response did not surprise Ray but he knew he had to give this woman more security to trust him moving forward to share things like an open book. He coaxed her gently to tell him everything while being in his arms.

  “And you want to leave me because of that? And you want to leave all the goodness I am trying to give you because of this?! Do you know how wasteful is that?! Ugh, I am so angry now!” Ray pretended to flare as she sat up straight on his lap but he did not let go of his arms securing around her.

  She did not expect him to be this angry as he put on a good act that it became her turn to coax him.

  “I… I thought you would help without hesitation and I don’t want you to keep being bothered. You don’t know how persistent that man can be! I just… I just want my mother not to die in agony. Like Ivy always said, given a choice she wouldn’t want to sell me away. It was unavoidable and better than to let him keep ra…” As much as Ray wanted to tease her he did not let her finish the last part when he heard the slight crack in her voice.

  “I know…” He held her closer to him as she wrapped her arms around his neck and his familiar pine scent instantly sent comfort to her as she shuddered less recalling her traumatic pasts.

  “I understand. We will get Ivy’s welfare home to handle that man and we will take in your mother for medical care. We will ensure they both can never meet each other in that welfare home cause my sister had created a very well-diverse lesson to be taught to those ex-convicts who had still not learned their lessons well in jail.” Ray let her go to meet her gaze.

  “If you want to see your mother, you can… I will accompany you. But now, you must lure that man to bring your mother along by agreeing to give him the money. The longer you delay, the more critical your mother’s condition will be. I doubt he would be very smart. So, since he knows about you due to the annual dinner, get him to come to the welfare house to find you. I will handle it from there. Is that alright?” He asked while rubbing her cheeks as she gazed at him gratefully and was mesmerised by his plans.

  Never once did she expect this man to be this thoughtful. Seeing she was speechless, he concluded himself. “Never mind, let’s head home, I will send that text for you.” Ray wanted to stand when Hazel held his hand.

  “Thank you… Thank you very much…” She said as more tears fell to her cheeks while he sighed and hugged her.

  “Don’t ever do this again. Don’t ever take my love for granted…” He said furiously with his voice cracking as Hazel was touched and she regretted her actions which had hurt him. It was not her intention to hurt him at all but she still did.

  “I love you, Hazel. I don’t want to ever lose you this way.” Ray said solemnly as she kissed him.

  “I’m sorry… I'm so sorry… I don’t want to hurt you. I never did. You’re too precious” She apologised as he lifted her in his arms and headed to his car.

  That night, it was just them in the house and he made the long-awaited move as they entangled with each other in a passionate night of love, not suppressing and not wanting to let go of each other.

  The next morning, Ray woke to find Hazel soundly asleep by his side as he quickly texted Ivy to update her on his plans. Ivy was having her breakfast with Jonathan when she got the text and she knew trouble was brewing.

  “Mum, I have to head to the welfare home later for a little bit of work. Could you look after this guy for a bit and also baby Joseph? Jin and Cassie will send him over later…” Ivy asked as Daisy held her hand.

  “What is it that you have to work on the weekend? Bring some security guys with you…” Daisy said as Ivy smiled knowing Daisy understood the emergency and the nature of her welfare work which can be erratic or dangerous at times.

  “It’s just some new rebellious guy. Don’t worry, Mum.” Ivy comforted as Daisy continued to fuss with Jonathan over breakfast.

  Hazel then stirred awake by Ray’s side and when she realised Ray was awake, she lifted herself up to hug him tightly.

  “Morning…” He whispered and kissed her. “Morning…” She breathed in his scent once more and was comforted to know she was still secure and blessed.

  “I love you. I will always be here when you need me.” He told her as her gaze met with his and they intertwined in lingering kisses in bed.

  “I have told Ivy and she has made preparations. So, you can tell him to come over later.” Ray gently told her as he stroked her cheeks. She nodded before he lifted himself up and cleaned up a little especially the trace of protections they had used the night before to avoid awkward situations with his family. Hazel was blushing in bed as he chuckled. He climbed back to bed and scooped her into his arms.

  “There will be a time in the future when I will make you a proud mother… But for now, let’s focus on what we have on our plate first alright?” He said as she nodded. He noticed she was a little shy so he decided to tease her.

  “Why are you so shy? Do you want more of me to help you reduce the shyness?” He asked as she giggled and hid her face in his chest while shaking her head.

  He chuckled as he kissed her forehead. “Stay in bed and rest. Ivy will be looking after the kids this weekend.” She held on to his hand and shook her head.

  “I want to come with you and see them from afar. Is that alright? Will it be too troublesome?” She asked worriedly as he smiled and shook his head.

  “Come, let’s get dressed and head there then.” He urged as he lifted her to the washroom.