“You’re finally awake.” Tristan had his gaze fixed on me, enough to brighten my morning with those beautiful electric blue eyes. 

I nodded, stretching my arms out. The bright ray of light that shone through the window made it obvious that I had slept for a really long time. Good thing I wasn’t going to work today. I sat up straight, stretching my arms and yawning. 

“I'm sorry for not returning home early last night.” He sighed, shifting closer to me. “I hope you’re fine now and you didn't miss me too much?”

“Yes, I’m fine. To be sincere, I didn’t realize you weren’t at home.” I added, smirking at him. 

“Really?” he gruffed, “and I was so distracted by missing you. Guess I won't be wasting my energy missing you next time.” 

I laughed, settling on his lap with my legs by his side. “I’m sorry; I was just too tired and went straight to bed. Now that I think of it, I guess I missed you so bad.” I nibbled on my lower lip, tracing my fingers on his face to his lips. 

“That’s an obvious lie. I’ve been so eager for you to wake up, only for you to crush my morning joy.” 

“What joy?” I didn’t know where this hunger came from this morning but he felt like a big slice of pizza ready to be devoured by me. 

He wore a playful frown and kept his hands on my waist. 

“Do you know what?” I stared down at his lips then pressed my lips to the skin below his earlobe, giving it a gentle bite. 

“Hazel,” he moaned, beginning to caress my thighs. 

“I’m very hungry this morning.”

“Really? I guess I am too. I think Sherri already arranged breakfast. I was waiting to—”

“Oh, Tristan. Not that breakfast.” I pulled my nightdress over my head, throwing it across the bed. “You’re the breakfast.” 

His eyes widened in understanding till a smirk formed on his lips. “Are you certain you’re completely healthy for me?”

“Nothing's wrong with me.” I rolled my eyes, wrapping my arms around his neck. 

“Well if you’re sure, you'd better be prepared for me, because I think you've only received an introduction at the hotel.” 

“Fine. I'm up for the advanced.” I matched his smirk, smacking my lips to his. 

*** 

Imogen had arrived here and had Tristan's attention all to herself, leaving me alone while I tried to create new recipes in my recipe books. 

“Uhm… hello?” Nikita called, knocking on the door. 

I lifted an eyebrow at her, questioning her presence. 

“Can I come in?” She asked, her tone surprisingly very calm. 

“Uh… sure?”

“Great!” She walked in and walked up to me, taking a seat beside me on the couch. “So…” she cleared her throat, placing her palms on her knees, “my brother told me about… uh… your attack…” she cleared her throat again, averting her gaze to the floor, “it sounded really bad and I was wondering if… uh… I want to know if you’re… if it’s… if you’re...” she trailed off. 

“If I'm fine?” 

“Uh… yes.” She lifted her gaze to me. “Are you?”

“Yes, I am. Thank you?” This was really awkward. Did she seem nice or was I imagining things? 

“Great! So… are you hungry? Mom made lunch today.”

“Really?” I grinned. “I love her cooking! I've been dying to eat her food again. I even had a dream about eating a meal she made.” I dropped my phone and book on the table. “Why didn’t anyone inform me sooner?”

“I informed you.” She shrugged. 

I jumped off the bed and scurried downstairs with Nikita shuffling behind me. When I arrived at the living room, Imogen pulled me into a hug the moment she saw me. 

“Hi.” I smiled, returning the hug before she pulled away. 

“Tristan told me about what happened. Gosh, it must’ve been so traumatizing. I hope you’re fine now, dear.” The worry in her tristan-like eyes wasn't hidden a bit. 

“Yes, I’m fine.” I smiled, feeling appreciative that she cared. 

“Great! I made lunch.” She led me to the dining area and helped me sit. 

"Thank you?" I wondered why she was being extra caring. I mean, I could sit on my own.

Tristan sat beside me while Nikita and Imogen sat on the opposite side. 

“That’s how Mom acts whenever someone's kinda sick. She’d definitely pamper you even more if you dare to cough or just anything sick-like,” Tristan whispered in my ear, chuckling. 

“Oh.”

We had our meal in silence while Imogen and Nikita kept glancing at me like I was going to pass out anytime soon. Was it really that bad? Did Tristan describe my attack in a crazy way or was it actually crazy and I didn’t realize it?

After the table was cleared, though it was unplanned, we all found our ways to the living room sofas. 

“So…” Imogen started, staring around, “Indy isn’t living with both of you anymore, right?” she asked and my eyes bugged out. 

“Definitely not. That woman is nuts. You won’t believe she told Hazel she wants me back. What am I? A fucking object?!” Tristan scoffed. 

“What’s wrong with her?” Nikita lifted her brow at me. 

“Oh my gosh! Do I have dementia now?” 

“What?”

“Indy.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Imogen asked with a raised eyebrow. 

“She–she was at the restaurant yesterday, then she threatened me about wanting Tristan back. Oh my gosh Tristan, you won't imagine how terrible that woman is. She confessed that she's the reason for your past relationships' destruction. She claimed that she either framed your previous girlfriends or turned them against you.”

“What the heck?” Imogen frowned. “What is wrong with that child?” 

I noticed Nikita started fiddling with her shirt, staring around like she had just stolen something and didn't want anyone to notice her. 

“Indy just keeps getting crazier everyday. Well… since it's my past relationships, I don't mind. At least it made me meet you.” Tristan shrugged. 

“Are you being serious? Did you not hear anything I said? She’s definitely desperate. She threatened to separate us as well.”

“And you believed her?” he laughed mockingly, shaking his head. “That’s not even possible.”

“Uh…” Nikita mummurred, scratching the back of her neck. 

Tristan's nonchalant attitude was pissing me off. “Are you even paying attention or thinking about it? If she made sure to ruin your relationships in the past, even your relationship with Lucy, what makes you think she wouldn't want to do the same to ours? She threatened to eliminate me if I continue being stubborn!”

“What the heck?” His face became stern, his eyes instantly filling with fury. 

“Oh my gosh. Indy needs help.” Imogen ran her hand through her blonde hair, turning to Nikita and probably also noticed her uneasiness. 

“Eliminate you, how?” Tristan asked, clenching his fists.

“As far as I know, eliminating someone means to kill them. She didn't seem like she was joking. She claimed to have external support that could help her get what she wants back.”

“What she wants? Does anyone realize I'm not an item? Is Indy fucking crazy? Would she expect me to change my mind and magically accept her back with open arms? That explains why she was always there whenever my relationships broke.” 

"Oh. So now you realize that?"

“Uhm…” Nikita curled her fingers, staring around suspiciously again. 

“Okay Faith, if you’ve got anything to say, just spill it and stop beating around the bush.” Imogen snapped, causing us to turn out heads to Nikita. 

Nikita stared at the three of us. For the first time, her brown eyes didn’t express her bitchy gaze but were pervaded with fear. “Fine.” She sighed. “I knew all along about Indy ruining your past relationships and have helped her out.”

“What?!” Imogen's frown hardened.

“Well… Mom, it’s not… I just really liked her and I've been a child my whole life, so I supported her. Plus, she tricked me with things neither of you would let me do or give to me.”

“Things like what?” Imogen asked, her jaw clenching. 

“M-mom, it’s really nothing.” She tried to shrug it off. 

“Things like what?” Imogen repeated, demanding authority. 

“Like movies you won't let me watch when I was younger and many more things I thought I needed but you didn't feel the need to give me.” She shrugged nervously. 

“Nikita! What are you? How could you? Didn't you stop to think of how happy I was? Couldn't you have considered my happiness over your greedy desires?” Tristan's face was a deep red. 

“I know, I was a child. I'm sorry.” 

“A child? So now that you’re working with Indy against Hazel, are you still a child?”

“Tristan, it’s not… Hazel’s appearance in your life was the least pleasant. I still wanted Indy to be married to you when Indy returned. Hazel hasn't been the sweetest sister-in-law to me either. Indy and I were working together to separate your marriage.”

“Nikita, I've put up with your nonsense all through your life because I considered you to be childish and still learning, but you’re simply being terrible. Why would you want to be so evil towards me? Haven’t I been the best brother to you? Is this how you'll repay me? By ruining my happiness?” he yelled at the top of his voice. 

“No Tristan, I—”

“No. Don't justify anything. Don't you realize how much my life has been happier, less arrogant and less depressive since Hazel came into it? Why would you want to be so evil to me?”

“Tristan, calm down.” Imogen held his shoulder but he gently brushed it off and stormed to a widened-eye Nikita. 

“What were your plans with Indy?” He asked, his figure towering over her intimidated one. 

“Uh… I…. I…” her hands began to quiver and she stared at anything else but Tristan. 

“Look at me and speak up!” He demanded. 

“Fine. We were supposed to by all means destroy your relationship with Hazel with the help of her grandfather, Luke and her Uncle, Kevin. She bribed me, as always, and always mentioned how terrible Hazel is and how she’s causing a distance between me and you. She always recited how Hazel is poor and wants nothing but to swindle you as well. She also made me believe that Hazel was a slut when they were together in college. I was really pissed off to figure that out so whenever Hazel was with Mike or any other male, it increased my hatred towards her. 

“Indy and I planned to create misunderstandings between both of you through different misunderstandings.”

“And you didn't stop to think for once that 'oh, I’m being so foolish'?” Imogen wondered. 

“I didn’t, but when my suspicions started to arise was when she brought up the topic of killing Hazel and was very convinced that it was a great idea…” her voice became less audible at her last words.

“Why, Nikita, why? Why do you hate me so much? Hating Hazel is as equal as hating me. Why would you even think of killing her? So both of you were behind poisoning her?” The veins in his neck rose up and his fists tightened. 

“No, no. Wait. When? No way. No. I promise. I was really furious from an encounter with Hazel then out of anger, I yelled that I wished she was gone which made Indy mention killing her, but when I returned to my senses, I realized it was going to be stupid. I don’t like Hazel and don't want her for you, so it felt like the best thing for her to just leave, but I promise I don't have any—”

“Nikita!” he hollered, his face even redder. “The day you ever or even attempt to harm mine and Hazel’s marriage, I assure you with every bit of me that I’ll forget you’re my sister. If you don’t end this madness all in the name of being childish and stupid, and if you don’t stop this plots against Hazel, my wife, I promise you that I’ll disown you as my sister and you'll see the worst of me.” 

“Whoa, Tristan. Stop speaking now and stop saying nonsense.”

“Nonsense? Mom, I’ll die without Hazel. I love Hazel and if Nikita will be the reason for ruining my happiness, then she’ll face the consequences. I think it'll be best to talk some senses into your daughter’s head. You’re her mother; make her end these silly acts before it leads to something even worse. This pampering needs to end today.” He turned away then stormed up the stairs. 

Imogen and I turned to Nikita whose eyes were tear-filled. She lowered her head and started sobbing.

“Hazel, please go to Tristan and calm him down.” She instructed and I nodded, turning around to leave. “Now, Faith. What has gotten into you? Do you really…”

Her voice faded as I walked up the stairs but I heard Nikita burst into tears. 

I hurried to our bedroom where I assumed Tristan was, glad he was in. 

He was pacing around, picking one thing on the other in his way and tossing them elsewhere. 

“Tristan,” I called and shut the door behind him. 

He didn't pay attention to me but walked to the table, grabbing his keys from it. 

I walked up to the sofa in front of the table and plopped myself on it, folding my hands across as I watched him mutter rage-filled words to himself. 

“Seriously? You’ll just ignore me like that?” I clicked my tongue, shaking my head. He fixed his gaze on me, not saying a word. “Tristan, you can always speak to me when you're mad over anything rather than burst out of the house angrily. That’s why I’m your wife. Come here.” I extended my hands to him. 

He lowered his head with a sigh and crouched in front of me, holding my hands. “Hazel, you know how much I’m scared of how our marriage is going too great?”

“Our marriage isn’t perfect, you know that right?” I smiled. 

“I know, but it feels perfect to me. I love you way more than anything and anyone else in this world. My heart feels like it's swelling with love for you every single day. I’m scared of losing you. I know I'll die without you. It feels like so many things can break our marriage. There’s my insecurities, there’s Indy, and I’m way too pissed off and broken to know Nikita is also a bigger problem than I thought.” 

“Tristan honey, nothing is going to separate us. Stop being such a child worried about losing his candy.” 

“Do you even understand how I feel right now?” He frowned. 

“I definitely understand you, but the only thing I can think of is that you're so cute when you’re angry.” I admitted, bursting into laughter. 

“Must you always be so unserious?” He playfully rolled his eyes. 

“You're always so serious. I can assure you we’re stuck together, forever.” I placed my hands on his shoulders, biting my lower lip. His hands naturally landed on my thighs and I squeaked from the sharp pain I felt. 

“What’s wrong?” He asked, his eyebrows curling upward in worry. 

“It’s nothing.”

“Nothing?” he frowned again and raised my gown to expose the clear red bumps on my thighs. “This. Was this from when you hurt yourself, at the hotel?” He asked and I nodded. “Gosh. This is another reason to make me worry.”

“You shouldn't be worried about it. It’s nothing, at least it's not as bad as in the past.”

“Your past attacks were worse than this?” he asked and I reluctantly nodded. “Hazel, I really hope you're fine?”

“Yes, I am.” I smiled at him. 

He rose up and sat beside me, pulling me into a hug. “I wouldn’t lie to you, Hazel. I’m scared of so many things. I try to be strong on the outside, but I have my internal fears.”

“Because of me?”

“In many ways, yes. We’ll call Katie tomorrow to examine you or whatever she needs to do. Hazel, please be okay. I can't bear it if you're hurt by anyone or by yourself.”

“Yes, I'll be okay. You too, please be fine.” I chuckled. “I love you.”

“Thank you for that. I love you even more.” He buried his head in my neck. 

A/N: Sorry if this chapter was long. There’ll be more details in the next chapters.