The evening sun cast long shadows across the living room as Hazel and Enzoriano sat facing each other, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air. Hazel had spent the day at the hospital, her thoughts a whirlwind of questions and doubts. Now, as she settled into her chair, she sensed that the moment of truth had finally arrived.
Enzoriano cleared his throat, his expression grave as he began to speak. "Hazel, there's something you need to know," he said, his voice low and serious. "When you took me in, you unknowingly put yourself in grave danger."
Hazel's heart quickened, a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Enzoriano leaned forward, his gaze intense. "My enemies were watching that night," he explained, his tone laced with urgency. "They saw you help me, and now they see you as my weakness. They believe that by hurting you, they can get to me."
Hazel's eyes widened in shock, her mind struggling to process the gravity of his words. "But… why? Why would they go to such lengths just to hurt you?"
Enzoriano sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because I'm not just an ordinary man," he confessed, his voice tinged with regret. "I'm Enzoriano Gold, the son of the head of the Italian mafia. In my world, power and loyalty are everything. They think if they can hurt you, they can break me."
The room fell Into a heavy silence, the enormity of Enzoriano's revelation settling over them like a shroud. Hazel's mind raced, her thoughts a chaotic jumble of fear, disbelief, and a fierce determination to protect herself and those she cared about.
"I can't believe this," she murmured, her voice trembling. "I never asked for any of this. I just wanted to help."
Enzoriano's gaze softened, his expression filled with remorse. "I know, Hazel. And I'm sorry for dragging you into this. But now, we have to be realistic. You need to relocate—find somewhere safe, where they can't reach you."
Hazel's hands trembled as she processed his words, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision before her. "But where would I go?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation. "This is my home. My life is here."
Enzoriano reached out, his hand covering hers in a gesture of comfort. "I have resources," he assured her. "I can help you find a new place, somewhere they won't be able to find you. But you need to leave soon—before they make their move."
Hazel looked into Enzoriano's eyes, seeing the earnestness and concern reflected there. She knew that he was right—that staying here would only put her in further danger. Yet, the thought of leaving everything behind, of uprooting her life, filled her with a deep sense of dread.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded slowly, her resolve hardening. "Okay," she said quietly. "I'll go. But you have to promise me something, Enzo."
"Anything," he replied, his voice firm.
"Promise me that you'll do everything in your power to keep me safe," Hazel implored, her eyes locking with his. "And that you'll find a way to end this—so that we can both live without fear."
Enzoriano's grip tightened around her hand, his gaze unwavering. "I promise, Hazel," he vowed. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect you. And I'll find a way to make this right."
Hazel stood up, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "I need to be alone for a while," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please text me what I need to do."
Enzoriano nodded, understanding the turmoil she was going through. "Of course," he said gently. "Take all the time you need."
Without another word, Hazel retreated to her bedroom, the door closing softly behind her. She crawled into her bed, clutching a teddy bear to her chest as tears streamed down her face. The weight of the situation crashed over her, and she cried silently, her sobs muffled by the embrace of the stuffed animal.
As she lay there, enveloped in the darkness and the warmth of her bed, Hazel allowed herself to grieve for the life she had known and the uncertainty of the future that now lay before her. And though the path ahead seemed fraught with danger and heartbreak, she knew that she would face it with the same resilience and determination that had guided her through every challenge before.