Chapter 5 She's Mine Now

Before Lisa could get a word out, the call was disconnected. She glared at the screen like it offended her, resisting the urge to throw it across the room.

"Hazel, you wench!" She cursed, her voice echoed through the walls.

Back at the Hart's group, Felix tossed his phone aside on the table. He took a deep breath, not wanting to bother himself with Lisa; instead, he tried to think about what Hazel liked best.

They've been married for two years, yet he never cared about her preference. It's true when they say: you never know the value of what you have until you lose it.

An idea popped, and he put a call across to his assistant. A few rings later, his voice came through.

"Mr. Hart,"

"I need you to organize the media, and also, order a grand cascade bouquet of flowers."

"Right away, Mr. Hart," he hung up, feeling content. He's ready to propose his love for Hazel in a manner that she would find irresistible. A smile found its way to his lips, and he sent a text to his mom,

FELIX: Won't be coming home tonight, take care.

Now all he had to do was wait for tomorrow.

The Next Day, [SMITH'S MANSION]

"You're up early," Mrs. Smith called from the dining room.

"Morning, Mom," Hazel pressed a kiss to her mom's cheek before pulling up a seat. She checked the time again, not wanting to be late for work.

"What's the noise all about?" she asked. Mrs. Smith avoided her gaze as she dished out a large portion of porridge.

"Nothing, focus on your breakfast."

The door hissed open, and a scoffing Jason stepped in.

"The b*tch hasn't learnt his lesson."

"Is Felix here?" Jason replied with a small nod, and Hazel pushed back her seat.

"Hazel..." Mrs. Smith tried to stop her, but she was already walking out the door, her steps deliberately slow.

The moment she stepped out of the gates, camera flashes came from every angle, and petals fell like rain from the sky.

Right in the middle, Felix stood, his left hand tucked in his pocket, while the other held a bouquet. He grinned and walked over. He went on one knee when he got to her.

"Hazel, I know I messed up big time, but I realized my mistakes. Let's forget the past and move on like we used to be." One would think this is a husband deeply in love with his wife, and not a facade. But Hazel wasn't so dumb anymore, she dusted off the petals from her dress, and took a step back.

"Mr. Hart, we're already divorced." In case he forgot, she was ready to remind him.

"Let's make up." Hazel couldn't help but scoff at his words.

"Doesn't Mr. Hart have someone he really likes? How come he suddenly wants a change?" The flashlights kept coming, and a sly smile tugged at the corner of Hazel's lips.

Caught off guard, Felix was at a loss for words. He didn't expect Hazel to bring up such a topic at such a moment. He thought she'd be swept off her feet by his romantic gesture; she just let out a sigh like the whole thing just bore her.

"Hazel?" Hearing the voice, Hazel looked up to meet Rowan's gaze. Dressed in a three-piece black suit in full glory, he stole the spotlight in the blink of an eye. Cameras turned, and people whispered.

What's going on?

Amidst the ongoing whispers, Rowan pulled Hazel close, his hands firm around her waist.

"Sorry, Mr. Felix, but she's mine now." Heat crawled up to Hazel's face. She'd never expected such a comeback.

Felix looked like he'd just been slapped, his face flushed, his fist clenched around the bouquet as Rowan led Hazel out. He watched as Rowan held open the car door, and she got in. Slowly, the car pulled out of the driveway.

When they arrived at the company, Rowan accompanied Hazel in. "I'll pick you up later," he whispered into her ear. His little actions made her heart flutter. Then he leaned in and kissed her. Hazel's hand traveled up his neck, deepening the kiss.

The moment was short-lived when a staff member walked in.

Hazel pulled back quickly, fumbling with her seat while Rowan let out a soft chuckle.

***

As Rowan stepped out the gates, his phone dinged.

RASCAL: Hey brother, could you come pick me up at the airport?

He drove to the airport and picked Dean up.

"When are you going back?" He asked.

"I just got back and you already want me to leave? Do you hate me that much?" Rowan didn't bother to grace him with a response, as he pulled up at the driveway.

Dean got out with a jump, while he got out like a reasonable person would.

"Why didn't you tell me you arrived, huh? You little snitch," as much as Rowan wanted to ignore Axel's voice, he couldn't help but intervene when he raised his hand on Dean's head.

"Leave him alone," he said, turning to face him after taking out the last piece of luggage. "Who are you to interrupt?" Axel glared as he took slow steps towards him.

"Dean?" Mrs. Locke's voice came from behind. Dressed to perfection in all elegance, she exuded an air of nobility.

"Mom, do something," Dean walked over to her, his eyes constantly shifting between the two men.

"Mind your business, you just got home after a long drive," Rowan clenched his fist, and Axel smirked at his actions. No matter how hard he tried, they never really saw it.

"You wanna fight? Come on then," saying that, he threw a punch at Rowan's jaw; the impact caused his lips to bleed.

"You should know your place by now. You son of a... "

Axel didn't see it coming-the punch that made him lose his footing. He landed on his butt, his eyes widening in surprise. Even Mrs. Locke wasn't left out. She pushed Dean aside and raised her voice.

"Williams, your son is causing trouble again!"

Five minutes later, the whole family was present at Mr. Williams Locke's study. The old man let out a sigh for the hundredth time.

"I've said it a thousand times already, you're brothers, be united! One more ill behavior from any of you, I'll make sure I give both of you a good beating. Do you understand?" He dismissed them with a wave of his hand and went back to sipping on his coffee.

As Rowan left the study, Mrs. Locke walked up to him, her expression stoic.

"Hit my son again, and I promise I'll send you back to the streets," she walked away, but Rowan stayed standing, her words hitting harder than expected. It shouldn't hurt anymore; he'd heard it countless times. But he was wrong.

Just then, a chuckle came from behind.

"No matter how much I hear it, it always sounds new. Just a reminder, little brother, everything you've ever known and worked for belongs to me. The biological son, not an adopted boy from the dumpster." He burst into a laugh, leaving Rowan to clench his jaw.

" Raise your fist on me again, and I won't hesitate to let your girlfriend in on our little secret." And that was all it took to have Rowan fixed in that position.

And then he heard it, that word that kept tormenting him.