MIRANDAI immediately pushed Collins away and moved back as I glared at him."Uncle Haze, you know Miranda?" I heard Collins ask Hazel who was still behind me and my eyes widened in shock.Uncle? Hazel was Collins's uncle? I suddenly recalled a conversation I once had with Collins. His family had traveled during the holidays and when he got back, I told him how much I missed him and complained that he enjoyed his holidays away from me.At the time, he told me that he had to go because his uncle had made the arrangements and he was the richest man in New York.It never occurred to me when I met Hazel that he was the one Collins had spoken about. Nevertheless, there was no reason to be worried. All I did was marry Hazel and at the time I didn't know that I was being forced to marry my ex's uncle."Yes, I know Miranda," I heard Hazel reply. "How do you know her?"Collins smiled as his gaze fell on me, "She's my girlfriend."The moment the words left his mouth, I charged at him and whacke
MIRANDA I extended my hand and slapped Collins again as I also yelled, "Who gave you the right to say my name? You think too highly of yourself. Who the hell are you that I will make a major decision in my life just for revenge against you? You are insignificant to me and there's nothing between us. Hazel is my husband and that is the only thing that matters to me."As I spoke, I moved back toward Hazel and covered one of his fisted hands with mine. However, he pulled his hand away and took a step away from me.My heart began to race. Was Hazel buying Collins' stories? A relationship I had clearly ended before I gave my heart to him, how could he doubt me because of that?A car suddenly drove in, diverting everyone's attention. Once the car came to a stop, the doors opened and Shayla and Princess came out."Daddy!" Princess exclaimed the moment she saw Hazel. As though he was all she could see, she excitedly ran to him and hugged his leg.Hazel lifted her and carried her in his arms
MIRANDAJust as I walked back into the house, one of the maids approached me and said, "Dinner has been served, Mrs. Duke, and everyone is waiting for you to eat."I thanked her and proceeded to the dining room as I believed that Hazel was also waiting for me there. When I got there, however, I saw everyone but Hazel. Most of them had begun eating and didn't even glance my way. I quickly left the dining room, in search of Hazel.When I went into our bedroom, I saw him standing by the window with his back to me. I didn't know what he was looking at but I wanted to hug him.After taking a few steps though, I hesitated as I recalled the cold treatment he had given me outside, not long ago.The words Shayla had said to me, played over in my mind and I shook my head, "No, I can't give room for me and Hazel to grow apart."I proceeded toward him and hugged him from the back, resting my face on his back.His body stiffened at first but relaxed before he turned. When he said nothing, I lifte
MIRANDA I left the room with my mother-in-law and we both went to the dining room. Seeing the different number of people eating in the dining, I felt uncomfortable and really had no desire to eat.However, I spotted Hazel sitting at the head of the table. By his right, Princess sat down while Shayla sat at his left. Meanwhile, there was no seat left for me as Hazel's mom took the last seat and ordered one of the maids to get a seat for me.I recalled what Shayla had said to me outside and scoffed. It was obvious she deliberately sat beside Hazel, where I ought to have sat. Was she planning to make the three of them look like a complete family? Well, not on my watch!Just as the maid came with another chair and placed it beside my mother-in-law, I walked toward Shayla and said to her, "Get up, you are sitting on my chair."Everyone's attention became focused on me, except Hazel and Shayla who pretended not to have heard me."What are you saying, Miranda?" Florence, Collins' mom blurt
MIRANDA Florence wiped her face and glared at me, "I knew there was a reason why I always hated you.""I've always hated you too," I shot back. "Or did you think I ever liked you? I am Mrs Hazel Duke; Hazel's wife and that will not change. This should sink into your head and that of any other delusional fool who is building castles in the air.""Miranda!" The oldest man with grey hairs exclaimed. "Even if we are in your house, you can't speak this way.Florence only spoke out of love and concern for her brother. Why are you so disrespectful? Do you realize we are all older than you? Is this what you were taught while growing up?"I scoffed, "Since you are so particular about respect, old man, teach your precious Florence some manners. She should know that disrespecting your host is foolish and uncultured behavior. Someone who claims to be an elder should know better.Enjoy your food."I got up at this point and decided to leave so they could all eat in peace.However, someone caught
HAZELI was angry and I felt betrayed.If Miranda did not take me for granted, why would she keep vital information such as the identity of her ex from me?Did she deliberately do it because she wanted an opportunity to see her first love again? Thanks to her, I was wasting my time overthinking.I was especially angry because I felt like I had to compete with the little loser who called himself my nephew.Thinking about how I had caught him hugging Miranda outside and speaking of how amazing their love was only made me want to punch him in the face but I was restraining myself.Miranda had put me in an annoyingly difficult position. I hated the sight of Collins and wanted to send him out of my house but what would everyone think of me if I did that?It would be more humiliating if I revealed that I felt threatened by my little nephew. How could Miranda not understand the impact of her actions on my fragile heart?I had just learned to trust a woman again and now this? If only she had
HAZEL Miranda squatted and hugged her tummy with both arms as she cried.Quickly, I went to her and held her arms by her shoulders, taking her to her feet."Are you in pain?" I asked anxiously as I wondered if she was having stomach cramps.Her face was wet with her tears and as she nodded, I felt my heart bleed."Where? Your tummy?" I asked.She shook her head and placed her hand on my chest as she sniffled, "My heart. Hazel, what do you want? Do you not love me anymore?"Her question was ridiculous. If I didn't love her, would I be upset by her past relationship with my nephew?"I feel so alone," she cried. "There are so many people against me. They want to separate us and it seems like they are going to succeed. What about all the promises we made to each other? Didn't you tell me that you want us to be together forever? Don't you want that anymore?Hazel, yes I made the mistake of keeping my past from you because I thought it was unnecessary but I regret it so much. If I could tu
MIRANDA I opened my eyes in the morning, stretched my arms, and smiled. Last night, I acted out a little drama and successfully got through to my husband.I was so happy that things were okay. Now, no matter what happened, I would not let any problems arise between us.Once the holidays were over and everyone had left, I would tell him the truth about Princess and help him get through Shayla's betrayal. As long as Hazel was happy, I would always be.But where was he? I got off the bed and was about to search for him when my phone began to ring.Before I could answer the call, it ended. It was a call from Melody and I was about to return it when I noticed that I had gotten a text message.I clicked it open and saw that it was from Hazel and it read, "Good morning, wifey.I'm sorry I was too zealous last night. I didn't want to wake you up because I knew you were still exhausted from our activities.I had to run to the office because something came up. If you need me to get anything fo