Life had become strangely peaceful for Hazel.
The days at Valentino Fashion House were busy, but fulfilling. Her designs were gaining recognition, and working alongside Luca had slowly become something she looked forward to.
For the first time in years, Hazel felt like things were finally falling into place.
One evening, she sat in her apartment holding her phone, smiling as she listened to the familiar voice on the other end.
"Abi! Finally," Hazel said. "You've been impossible to reach."
On the other side of the call, Abi laughed lightly.
"Cape Town has been crazy. Photoshoots, events… I barely get time to breathe."
Hazel leaned back on the couch.
"I missed talking to you."
Abi softened her tone.
"I missed you too. So… what's new?"
Hazel hesitated for a moment.
Then she said quietly,
"There's actually something I wanted to tell you."
Abi raised an eyebrow even though Hazel couldn't see her.
"Oh?"
"I'm seeing someone."
For a brief second, Abi's expression froze.
But her voice remained cheerful.
"That's amazing! Who is he?"
Hazel smiled shyly.
"His name is Luca."
There was silence.
Just for a moment.
Abi slowly sat up straighter.
"You mean… Luca Valentino?"
"Yes."
Hazel laughed nervously.
"It happened unexpectedly. At first I thought he was just being nice because I worked for his company, but he's actually been really patient with me."
Abi's eyes darkened slightly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
But her voice remained warm.
"I'm happy for you, Hazel. Really."
Hazel continued talking, unaware of the thoughts forming on the other side of the line.
"He even introduced me to his family."
Abi felt a sharp twist of jealousy.
The Valentino family.
Power.
Influence.
Wealth.
Everything she had been trying to climb toward.
And Hazel had stepped into that world so easily.
Abi slowly smiled to herself.
"Sounds like things are getting serious."
Hazel nodded softly.
"I think they might be."
After the call ended, Abi stood quietly in her hotel room.
Her mind raced with possibilities.
Hazel had always been the responsible one.
The hardworking one.
The one who sacrificed everything for their family.
But this time…
Abi didn't feel happy for her.
Instead, a dangerous thought slowly formed in her mind.
Why should Hazel have everything?
Abi walked to the balcony and looked out at the city lights.
"If Hazel can get close to Luca Valentino…"
She smiled slightly.
"Then so can I."
---
Meanwhile, across the city, another person had just received unexpected news.
Camilla Moretti sat in a luxury lounge, casually scrolling through her phone.
A message from a mutual acquaintance appeared.
Did you hear? Luca Valentino is seeing someone.
Camilla's eyes narrowed.
She opened the attached photo.
Luca stood beside Hazel outside a restaurant.
Camilla stared at the image for a long moment.
Then she slowly laughed.
"So…"
Her voice was soft but dangerous.
"You've finally moved on."
She placed her phone down calmly.
But inside her mind, a decision had already been made.
Luca Valentino had once belonged to her world.
And she wasn't ready to let someone else take that place.
Not yet.
---
At the Valentino estate, Valeria stood by a large window, looking out into the quiet night.
Her thoughts drifted back to the dinner when Hazel had visited.
The girl's face had stayed in her memory.
The same girl from that night years ago.
Valeria sighed softly.
Fate had a strange sense of humor.
Her brother had unknowingly found his way back to the same person connected to his past.
But Hazel clearly didn't remember.
And Luca certainly didn't.
Valeria crossed her arms thoughtfully.
For now…
She would simply watch.
Because sometimes the truth revealed itself better when people discovered it on their own.