"If it is not the thing, then leave me or kill me," Hazel snapped, her voice tight with anger and desperation.
"I know you won't leave me, so why don't you kill me?"
"Then no one will be alive to say you killed us."
Francisco didn't even flinch. He continued changing his clothes, unmoved by her outburst...
Hazel moved forward on the bed, fists clenched.
"Shameless!" she hissed, her voice sharp as a blade.
"How could you be so disrespectful to your girlfriend?" she spat, disgust clear in every word.
"Do you even love her? Do you have a heart?"
"Also, whom am I saying all this to? A criminal who's killed people, doing all kinds of illegal stuff."
Her jaw tightened as her fury grew.
"I don't understand why girls go crazy just to catch a glimpse of you."
"When the truth is... you don't even know how to respect a woman. You do human trafficking."
Francisco chuckled.
That laugh hit Hazel like a slap. She shot up from the bed, her body rigid with rage, ready to confront him head-on. But before she could take a step, he reached her first.
"If you know everything about me," he said, pausing at the edge of the bed, "then how could you say whether I have a heart or not?"
He touched her cheek... light, almost gentle.
His voice dropped to a husky tone.
"Everyone doesn't deserve my heart, Hazel."
"I don't want everybody in my life."
Hazel searched his eyes, confused by the sudden softness. But the questions burning inside her refused to stay silent.
"For what reason did you not kill me?" she asked, voice shaking with pain.
"Are you not satisfied after killing my lover?"
"Are you not satisfied after raping me?"
"If you need to torture me, then why are you not torturing me?"
Francisco's reaction was instant. His jaw clenched as his hand shot up, gripping Hazel's face with force. The mention of her lover's name lit a fuse.
"Hazel, I warn you for the last time... don't dare take that bastard's name in front of me," he growled.
"Or else I will send your parents' body parts one by one to you."
"And you know I can do it."
He leaned in closer.
"If you try anything suspicious, or attempt suicide again, then your parents will suffer," he added, his words sharp as steel.
Hazel's chest rose and fell quickly, her breath shaky. But defiance flared in her eyes. She pushed his arms away... lightly, but firmly.
Francisco didn't let go. Instead, he grabbed her waist, yanking her closer. Their eyes locked, charged with anger and pain.
"Are you trying to use me in your crime?" Hazel demanded, voice fierce, eyes narrowing.
"Do you think I am that weak that I need your help?"
Francisco's voice was calm but biting.
"Then am I your bed warmer? Is this how you are going to take your revenge?"
He touched her cheek gently, a twisted tenderness in the motion. His face hovered near hers, his cheek brushing against her skin. Hazel froze as his breath swept across her earlobe.
He whispered, voice husky and possessive, "You are more than a bed warmer."
"You are more than my girlfriends."
"You are more than everyone."
"I take you as my possession. So be prepared yourself as mine."
His words fell heavy, leaving a chill in the room. Yet his touch lingered... fingers brushing her shoulder, warm breath still near her skin. He tilted his head, his gaze dropping to her lips, then rising again to meet her eyes.
"If you think it's my revenge, then it's revenge. I won't spare anyone who looks at my possession."
"I am not anyone's possession, especially a criminal's," Hazel shot back.
Francisco sighed, his eyes darkening. "I'm going to Texas tomorrow, and you're coming with me."
Hazel raised her brows defiantly. "No."
In a swift motion, Francisco leaned over her, pressing her down onto the bed. Soon, they lay side by side. He rested his head against her chest, his voice a low murmur.
"Be prepared for me. Only me."
Hazel stared at the ceiling, her heart pounding beneath his weight. Her eyes slowly shut, not from peace, but surrender. The helplessness gripped her chest like a vice.
If I want to protect my parents... I have to play along, she thought, burying her pride.
Then I'll take my revenge for killing Rafael.
Meanwhile, at the hospital...
Machines beeped softly as Rafael blinked against the harsh overhead lights. His body felt heavy, and a fog clung to his thoughts. He struggled to form words, his memory patchy and weak.
Across from him, Freddie sat peeling an apple, watching over him with quiet care.
"Sir," Freddie said gently, "you need to be fit again."
Rafael's lips parted slightly. He inhaled and exhaled slowly. In a raspy whisper, he said, "When I start to recall what happened to me, my head starts hurting too much."
"Take it easy," Freddie said, his voice calm but encouraging.
"The doctor said you'll recall everything."
Rafael gave a faint nod, his eyes drifting to the TV mounted on the wall. The screen flickered with a show, but he wasn't watching. His mind wandered, lost somewhere between the past he couldn't reach and the future that waited in silence.