MIRANDA Seeing the surprised look on my face, Hazel chuckled, "What do you think? I will burn down the kitchen? I learned how to cook when I was young because back then, I didn't want to rely on anyone."I wanted to ask him what the situation was like back then, but I was too hungry to form the words. I stared at him as he put the pot on fire and began to cook the noodles.Seeing that his attention was no longer on me, I took advantage of the opportunity and walked closer to the pack of noodles. I knew I couldn't wait for him to finish cooking.Picking up a pack of noodles, I quickly hid it under the shirt of my pajamas.He suddenly turned to stare at me and I gulped. My face which had turned red, contorted in pain and my heart rate increased.Hazel noticed my condition and walked up to me, "Are you okay? Are you in any pain?"I regretted not telling him the truth from the beginning. I didn't want to seem like a liar so I nodded, "Yes, I am fine. I think I need to use the restroom. I'
MIRANDA The man posing as Hazel got up with a strange look in his eyes.As he approached me slowly, I took a few steps back, warning, "Don't come any closer, otherwise I will stab you with this fork.""This doesn't seem like a joke," were the words he said before he turned around and walked away. I noticed he was heading toward the kitchen and ran back to the bedroom, locking the door.Recalling that I had just eaten the food he made, my heart raced even more. I didn't know what to do. In a city where I knew no one else, how could I find out what was going on?I wondered when exactly Hazel was switched and what had happened to him."Who was the man I gave myself to?" It was most likely the impostor because the Hazel I knew wanted our relationship to be different. He had clearly stated it in the contract he made me sign."Miranda, this isn't funny anymore. Open up, I'm worried about you," Hazel's voice followed by a series of knocks on the door, made me take a few more steps away from
MIRANDAI gasped and the scissors fell off my hand."What are you trying to do?" Hazel asked again.I gulped at first, then smiled, "Your hair looked so good but a part was sticking out. I just wanted to trim it."He eyed me suspiciously, "That is the job of my hair barber. When did you become one? Moreover, if any part of my hair is sticking out, you should inform me about it and not try to cut it off. What if you ruined my hairstyle?""I guess I didn't think of all that," I replied before taking the seat opposite him and trying not to make eye contact.He kept staring at me and did not dare to sleep anymore.My heart which had been racing terribly began to slow down until I felt better."Come here," he eventually said to me.Like a robot obeying commands, I got up and walked to him, wondering what he wanted to do.Once I stood in front of him, he circled his arms around my waist, with his face on my belly. We both remained in that position for almost ten minutes. Fortunately, the pi
MIRANDAI bit my lips as I felt torn. I wanted to send Hazel away until I knew who he truly was, however, how could I let go of such a golden opportunity?"Okay, come in," I finally told him with a smile as I made way for him to get in.Seeing all the pillows on the bed, he stared at the pillow in his hand and smiled awkwardly, "I didn't realize you had so many pillows. I would not have brought one if I did."I looked at the eight pillows on my bed and smiled, "It's okay, I guess we can find a place for it."Taking the pillow from him, I placed it atop one of the pillows and lay on the bed, he followed right after. Since I wasn't comfortable around him anymore, I turned, showing him my back. He moved closer to me until there was no space left between us. His hand snaked around my waist as he hugged me from behind, his breath fanning my neck.I remained in the same position, and closed my eyes, not wanting to react to anything he was doing, in hopes that he would give up and fall asle
MIRANDAI got dressed about one hour later but didn't leave my room. I kept watching through the window until I saw Hazel drive out and leave for work.I heaved a sigh of relief and finally came out. After having breakfast alone, I called Mel and learned that she was waiting in the car for me.I quickly got into the car and smiled at her, "Hi, Mel. Sorry about yesterday, I was so exhausted and my mood wasn't really good."She smiled back, "Good morning, Miranda. I completely understand. I'm happy to see the smile on your face. According to your timetable, you have missed your first class today.I had thought you would come out early, that's why I waited in here for you."I sighed, "You're so sweet, Mel. You have no idea how much I missed you.""You were gone for almost two days," she reminded me. "That isn't such a long time. Besides, you were with your beloved husband."I rolled my eyes, "I am not going to school today. I have a few things to take care of so, I'll resume tomorrow.""T
MIRANDA Mel and I arrived at Princess' school and informed her teachers of my desire to see her."We need to seek her mom or dad's permission first," her class teacher told me.I wanted to suggest that they call Shayla because I wanted to keep everything from Hazel. However, the teacher dialed his number before I could speak and he immediately gave his consent.I heaved a sigh of relief, especially since he did not call me afterward to find out why I wanted to see his daughter. When Princess came out, she was very excited to see me."Miranda!" She exclaimed and ran into my arms while I went on my knees and hugged her. Just as we had planned, Mel took out a pair of scissors from her bag at this point, went behind Princess, and secretly cut off some strands of her black hair."I missed you so much and that's why I came to see you," I told her."I missed you too," she replied. "My daddy bought a new house for me and my mummy. It's bigger than the old one and my mummy bought me more toy
MIRANDA Mel also read the conclusion, took the result from me, and gave it back to the doctor."We'll be right back, doctor," she told him before getting to her feet. She held my hand and began to lead me out of the hospital.My feet felt heavy and my eyes brimmed with tears but I tried to control my emotions. I wondered where Hazel truly was and what they had done to him.Mel did not say anything until we got to the car. Seeing how weak I had become, she held my shoulders and said, "Listen to me, Miranda. Do not conclude from this result that Hazel is an impostor because there is another explanation for it.""The truth is as clear as day," I replied. "What other explanation could there be, Mel?""Let's do another test to confirm," she told me."What other test? I asked her. "The truth is right in front of us, Mel. We should be thinking of a way forward."She sighed, "You trust me, don't you?""Isn't that obvious?" I asked her."Then come with me," she responded.I got into the car a
MIRANDA"You have to tell him, Miranda," Mel told me."Tell who what?" I asked."Your husband," She replied. "You need to tell him that Princess is not his daughter."I recalled all the times I saw Hazel display his affection for Princess and how he had cried when he found out she had been molested.I shook my head, "No, Mel, I can't do that. I feel sorry for Princess who loves Hazel so much. Exposing the truth might leave that innocent girl without a father and break her fragile heart.""What about your husband who has been deceived by his ex-wife, Shayla?" She questioned.I sighed. I never thought Shayla could be so heartless. Wasn't it bad enough that she cheated on Hazel? She even deceived him into becoming a father to a child that wasn't his."But why does Princess look so much like Hazel?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it."It might just be a coincidence," Mel rationalized. "Princess grew up as Hazel's daughter so maybe she looks like him because they've been clos