Chapter 3 I never hurt what's mine.

The man's fist connected with Orion's jaw, sending him stumbling backward. Their eyes locked in a fierce stare as the man growled, "Who gives you the right to stop your cousin's wedding and take his wife, huh?" His voice was high and intimidating, echoing through the silent venue.

Orion's expression remained calm, his voice low and confident. "Dad, I don't want to be disrespectful, so just don't get yourself involved in my shit." The air was thick with tension as Thane, Orion's father, stepped forward. Thane, the notorious leader of the "Black Vipers" mafia, was a man feared by all. His reputation for ruthlessness and power was unmatched.

Thane's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with authority. "Why did you stop the wedding? Are you in love with her?" Orion's response was measured, his words dripping with conviction. "He's not good for her. I've warned him several times that he should not hurt her, but he still wants to use her. He doesn't love her; he's just using her for his own gain, ever since college."

Hazel's eyes welled up with tears as she listened to Orion's words. She felt like her world was crumbling around her. "Why are you doing this?" she whispered, her voice cracking softly as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm happy with him. He's loved me since college, and I know he loves me."

As she turned to Nathaniel, hoping he would defend himself, she saw the truth in his eyes. He didn't love her; he was using her. Hazel's heart shattered into a million pieces as she fell to the floor, overcome with grief. "Please say something!" she shouted, her voice laced with pain.

Nathaniel's eyes flashed with hatred as he glared at Orion, but he remained silent, turning instead to walk out of the venue. Hazel's mother rushed to her side, trying to calm her down as she wept uncontrollably. The scene was chaotic, with the guests murmuring among themselves, unsure of what to do next.

Orion signaled his men to release the guests, as the guests fled in terror, Hazel's mother wrapped her arms around her, trying to comfort her. "It's okay, Hazel, you're fine, everything will be fine," she whispered, her voice trembling with worry.

Orion's eyes remained fixed on Hazel, his expression unreadable. His father, Thane, cast him a disgusted glance before turning to leave the venue with his security men. The hall, once filled with laughter and music, was now empty and silent, except for the sound of Hazel's quiet sobs.

Hazel's father, his face etched with concern, approached Orion. "I don't know if I should thank you or curse you," he said, his voice laced with emotion. "But I should appreciate that you didn't let my daughter marry Nathaniel. I've always had a feeling about him." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "But I don't think I can trust you with her either. But please, don't hurt her."

Orion's expression remained neutral, his voice low and even. "I never hurt what's mine," he said, his words sending a shiver down Hazel's spine.

Hazel's father looked at him warily, but Orion's gaze had already shifted to Hazel. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to take my wife with me," he said, his voice firm but polite.

Hazel's eyes flashed with anger as she turned to face Orion. "Who do you think you are?" she spat, her voice venomous. "Why did you marry me? Why didn't you just end the marriage and go your own way? What was the need for threatening me to marry you?" Her face twisted in hatred. "I fucking hate you, Orion."

Orion's jaw clenched, his eyes glinting with anger. "You're mine now, and you're going home with me," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Hazel's parents exchanged a worried glance, their faces pale with fear. "You should go with him, Hazel," her father said, his voice heavy with resignation. "You're now married to him. I'm sorry, but we can't do anything about it."

Hazel felt a cold dread creeping up her spine as she realized she was trapped. She was married to a man she do not love, a man who scared her to death. She looked at her parents, her eyes pleading for help, but they seemed powerless. With a heavy heart, Hazel knew she had no choice but to follow Orion, to leave her old life behind and start a new one with a man who seemed determined to control her.

As Hazel told her parents goodbye as tears flows from her eyes, their worried expressions reflected the helplessness they felt. They were just a middle-class family, powerless against the mighty Orion, the mafia leader.

Orion opened the car door for Hazel. As they drove away, the car was filled with an awkward silence, the only sound that was heard was the sound of Orion lighting a cigarette.

Hazel sat lost in thought, her mind reeling with the events of the day. Orion's sudden offer of a cigarette break the silence, his sharp voice cutting through the air. "Do you smoke?" he asked, his eyes fixed on her.

Hazel shook her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "No, I don't smoke." Orion's expression was unreadable, but his voice dripped with approval. "Great, I don't like women who smoke anyway."

Hazel's eyes narrowed in disgust, her anger was boiling. "Why did you offer me one, then?" she asked, her voice tight with annoyance. Orion took a long drag on his cigarette, blowing the smoke out the window without so much as a glance in her direction.

The silence that followed was oppressive, with Hazel seething with frustration. She couldn't help but ask the question that had been burning in her mind since the ceremony. "Why did you marry me?" she demanded, her voice laced with emotion.

Orion's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, his expression inscrutable. That's when his thought drifted to the first day he saw Hazel in college. There she was, walking through the hallway, her beautiful smile, her eyes fixed on her phone.