"You..." Jason was so angry, he couldn't speak. If it weren't a public gathering, he would have taught this son of a bitch some lesson.

"It seems like Mr. Hart is a bit taken aback and does not recognize Hazel Smith," a calm but commanding voice called from behind.

All eyes followed the direction of the voice, and right at the corner, Mr. Locke stood, his figure tall and imposing. Dressed in a tailored suit that graced his long and slender legs, he exuded a powerful aura.

"Rowan?" When did he get back?

Hazel looked up at Jason, who was too busy glaring holes into Felix to even notice.

Rowan took slow and composed steps towards Felix, whose cheek was all red and swollen like that of a pig.

"Allow me to clarify. She is the young lady of the Smith family, heir to the Smith Group, and a renowned violinist. Now tell me, why would Mr. Smith stoop so low as to have an affair with his sister?" Although Rowan said it ever so gently, all could hear the sarcasm in his voice.

Felix Hart couldn't help but seethe. In the blink of an eye, he'd lost face completely. There were whispers and murmurs all around. He couldn't even walk away freely.

"Do you have something to say, Mr. Hart?"

Hazel raised a brow at him in return. As much as he hated every moment of it, he didn't dare offend Rowan Locke. Without a word, he turned around and left.

With Felix gone, Hazel looked away from Rowan, not wanting to meet his gaze.

"Trying to run away?" His words stopped her.

"Who said I'm trying to run away?" He took hold of her hand, totally ignoring her comment. "Jason, Hazel, and I would like to talk. Rest assured, she's safe with me." Jason didn't object, so he led her out of there.

Since Hazel left with Rowan, Jason decided to leave as well.

As they walked into the night, Rowan still had his hand clasped around hers. It was quiet and neither of them tried to break it. As they strolled further and further away, memories from their last encounter came rushing back.

When Hazel agreed to marry Felix, Rowan had advised her against it.

"He's only accepting because he's broke, he doesn't even love you!

But at that point in her life, she was blinded by her love for him.

"When did you get back?" she asked, starting a conversation since he didn't seem to be starting one anytime soon.

"Last month." Angry, Rowan had left the country at that time, claiming he couldn't watch her marry a scumbag. Thinking about it now, Hazel realized how right he was.

They settled on a bench, and Rowan pointed up at the sky.

"The stars are beautiful tonight. Remember how we used to stay up to watch them back then when we were kids? And then you end up falling asleep on my shoulder?"

"That was a long time ago."

"Mm. But we could remake those moments. Maybe into something more than just friendship?" His words were warm and gentle, like he was testing the waters.

But Hazel looked away.

"I... don't know. I just got out of a failed marriage, and I haven't even had the time to think or heal. I don't think I'm ready for a relationship yet."

"It's fine, and I'll wait. Take your time." With that, he pulled her into a hug.

"You're not mad?" she asked. She didn't listen when he warned her about Felix in the first place.

He released a hearty laugh, the sound velvety.

"When have I ever gotten mad? I've always been there, waiting for you to come out of it."

Hazel felt her chest tighten at his words. Had she been too blind not to see the signs all along?

***

At the Hart's mansion,

"Who do they think they are to hit you in such a manner?" Rachel's face was red from anger as she applied ice to Felix's swollen cheeks.

He gritted his teeth from time to time, the scene at the event kept repeating itself in his head.

"Just you wait and see. I'll make sure she regrets this action today!"

"She's not just anyone, Mom, she's Hazel Smith," It quieted down for a minute, the realization hitting harder than expected.

"She's Hazel Smith?" Even Stella, who was pacing around, stopped and stared.

A small gasp came from behind. Looking back, Lisa stood at the base of the stairs, a look of concern written all over her face.

"Felix? What happened to you?"Rachel put the ice down with a clink against the table.

"Don't you have something to do? This is a family matter!" She waved Lisa aside, her irritation spiking even more.

"I'm sorry, Mother, I didn't mean to interrupt," In a second, Lisa's eyes turned glassy. If it were before, Felix would have been moved, but it only made him angrier.

"Lisa, Mother said nothing wrong. You have to stop crying!" It took every ounce of willpower to not raise his voice even higher.

Lisa flinched from the harshness and turned around. She stopped some distance away and looked back at them, her fist clenched.

Now that things have turned out this way, would Felix go back to Hazel?

With a huff, she stomped her foot and left.

"Miss Smith, your ride is here,"

"I have to go now," Hazel said, bidding farewell to Rowan before leaving. He watched the car ride into the night.

Growing up, Rowan had been scared to confess his feelings to Hazel. She was always carefree, and he never thought she'd take him seriously, so he just loved her from afar. But not anymore.

"Mr. Locke," his subordinate called from behind. Rowan took one more look at the distance before leaving as well.

The next day,

The elevator dinged open, and a pair of slender legs stepped out.

Hazel Smith, with both charm and elegance, made her way into the meeting room. The reason was clear as daylight. She was back to finish off what she started. After a meeting with the board of directors, she made sure the termination letter was sent to the Hart's group.

While she was still a wife to Felix, Hazel not only gave him comfort but also brought his company back to life.

When Felix received the termination letter, he almost fainted out of anger. He was already having a hard time with the ongoing saga from the business event, and now this? He gritted his teeth and went to the Smith group.

As the door hissed open and Hazel stepped into the meeting room, Felix caught himself staring at those long legs.

"Mr. Hart," her words were cold, devoid of emotion. Felix forced himself to look up while narrowing his eyes at her.

"If you want to punish me, Hazel, please do. But don't bring the Hart group into this." Hazel let out a short laugh, the sound sharp yet pleasant to the ears.

"Punish you? You don't warrant my time, Felix. I'm just taking back all the favors I gave you." It quieted down for a moment, and Felix took a step forward, then wrapped his arms around her.

"You don't have to do this, let's forget about everything and start over." If it were before, Hazel would have been moved for sure, but not anymore. Not when his true colors are out in the open.

"Mr. Hart, please show some respect, we're not married anymore." Felix felt his chest tighten.

"Hazel, I made a mistake. Please reconsider." It seems that no matter what happens, Felix would never be genuine. He only cared about the state of his company, and there she was, thinking for a moment that he was truly sorry.

She blinked back her tears and looked away.

"Please leave, I've got a meeting to attend." Her biggest mistake was loving him, and even after all he had done, she couldn't help the pain she felt each time she saw him.

"Did you trick me into divorcing you because you have the power to bring me down?" Felix called from behind, his expression turned annoyed, a stark contrast to his once pitiful state. But Hazel didn't bother to grace him with a reply. She just left.

"Don't forget, Hazel, you might be all rich and beautiful, but you're still a woman. No man would want a second-hand wife!" Felix's voice echoed through the closed doors. Hazel couldn't stop herself from cursing under her breath. He's indeed a scumbag.

"Hazel?" Hearing the voice, she turned around. "Rowan?"

He took long, graceful strides towards her, and she didn't hesitate to lean into his warm embrace.

"What happened?" She shook her head, not wanting to answer. Only when she pulled away did she realize he had flowers with him.

"These are for you." At that moment, Felix stepped out of the meeting room. His fist clenched, and his eyes locked on the bouquet of flowers.

He watched Rowan whisper something to her ear, which made her cheeks flush pink.

What did he say to her? His gaze lingered on them for a moment too long. He couldn't explain the sudden ache in his chest. Rowan looked up early enough to see him leave.

There was no point crying about a failed marriage anymore. She'd prove him wrong in every way possible.

"Rowan..." Hazel whispered. "I'm ready for a relationship." The latter was slightly taken aback, his expression one of shock and fulfillment. He pulled her into a hug, his warm breath brushing against her skin.

"Then I promise you, I'll never let you go."

At the Hart's Group,

The only sound in the office was the tapping of Felix's finger against the table.

His mind kept drifting back to the flower scene. Thinking back, he couldn't stop wondering what Rowan had said to her at the lobby.

He undid the first few buttons of his shirt; the air suddenly turned stuffy.

All this while, Hazel had helped him in the dark; she helped him rise to fame. But all he did was mock her and treat her like she was nothing. A feeling of regret washed over him, one he didn't realize until now.

He has to find a way to get her back. She couldn't hate him that much, could she?

She's the same Hazel who wouldn't have breakfast until he'd had his first, the one who wouldn't sleep until he got home after work. The one who'd do anything possible to put a smile on his face.

She still loves him. She must love him.

His phone rang for the fourth time in a row. He reached for it, his eyes narrowing at the caller ID displayed on the screen. A feeling of mixed emotions surged within him, and his hand curled into a fist.

Before, Felix couldn't live a day without a call from Lisa, but now, as he stared at her name on his phone screen, his irritation spiked. All she ever did was ask for money. No help, just money.

He swiped green and put the call on loudspeaker, ready to give her a piece of his mind, but her words stopped him.

"I've been calling you, but you didn't pick up. I was feeling dizzy, so I ran a pregnancy test this morning, and it came back positive. We're expecting a baby." Felix didn't expect the turn of events. All the time he spent with Lisa, he never once thought about protection.

Now that he thought about it, he couldn't help but want to slam his head against a fucking wall!

He took a deep breath and said,

"Lisa, I'm willing to take responsibility for the child, but we have to go our separate ways!"

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.