On the day of the wedding, Hazel and Rafael kept things quiet and personal, inviting only a few close friends. Among them were Ken, Peter, Robert, and their juniors, Adam and Freddie.
They had also invited Sheriff Alex, though his work kept him from attending.
As the time approached, the small gathering buzzed with a gentle excitement. Inside a quiet room, Hazel sat dressed in her wedding gown, her fingers wrapped around her phone. She was on a video call with her parents.
Though she smiled, her eyes betrayed the ache of distance.
"Mom, I wish you guys could have been here," Hazel said softly.
Her mother smiled warmly.
"I know, my daughter. We wanted to be there, but your father had unexpected pressure from work."
Hazel took a slow breath.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I made the decision suddenly."
"Don't worry, love," her mother replied with a gentle tone. "We'll see you in a week, and then we'll have a big party."
"Where is Rafael?"
"I think he's busy, Mom. Actually…" Hazel hesitated, a small smile tugging at her lips, "I didn't let him invite many people. I did it all in secret."
Her mother raised her eyebrows.
"Love, are you hiding something from me?"
Hazel's smile deepened.
"No, Mom. Just take care of yourself and Dad. Come soon... I miss you both."
Just then, a knock echoed at the door. Hazel looked toward it, then back at the screen.
"They've come to call me, Mom."
"Bless both of you, my child," her mother said. "We'll talk soon."
Hazel ended the call and stood up, smoothing down her dress with a quiet breath. She opened the door to find Ken waiting.
"It's time to go, Hazel," he said.
Hazel nodded, nerves and excitement swirling in her chest.
Together, they walked into the church.
In the quiet church, Hazel kept her gaze low, her nerves showing in the way her fingers gripped the edge of her dress.
'Even if he knows about my wedding, I don't think he could guess we'd choose this old church.'
They had picked this tucked-away, timeworn chapel for a reason. Hidden from the city, from the press... and most of all, from Francisco.
Hazel slowly lifted her eyes. At the altar stood Rafael in a crisp white coat, his smile steady and full of warmth. Her nerves eased the moment their eyes met. A soft smile broke across her face as she walked down the aisle, each step closing the distance to the man who had stood by her through everything.
When she reached him, they shared a quiet look.
The priest began the vows, his voice calm and clear, filling the stillness of the church with sacred meaning.
Then...
A sharp crack tore through the silence.
A gunshot.
The priest stopped mid-sentence, his expression frozen in shock. Gasps filled the room as everyone turned toward the sound.
A second shot rang out... louder, closer... slamming into the church doors with a heavy, echoing thud.
Hazel's eyes widened in horror as time seemed to slow. The wedding... once filled with joy... had turned into a nightmare.
Her white dress was no longer pure. A dark red stain spread across it... blood.
A heavy stillness fell over the church, broken only by Hazel's scream.
"Rafael!"
He stood before her, his white coat now soaked in red.
Everything blurred.
Hazel's world spun as the reality crashed down... what was meant to be the happiest day of her life had turned into something unthinkable.
"Ra... fael!"
Hazel dropped to her knees beside him, her hands pressing against his chest, now warm and wet with blood. Her fingers trembled. Her breath caught in her throat.
She looked around.
The priest.
The guests.
All were down.
Lifeless.
The church had become a massacre.
Her once-beautiful wedding gown now clung to her in bloody folds.
Hazel grabbed Rafael's hand, shaking it, pleading through tears.
"Rafael, open your eyes!"
"Rafael, please!"
Her voice broke with every word, but he didn't move.
Suddenly, masked men stormed forward. Hazel flinched as they grabbed her by the shoulders. Confusion and rage twisted across her face.
"What?"
"What the fu*k did you guys do?"
She struggled, kicking, her voice breaking.
"I will kill you... leave me!"
Her screams echoed through the blood-soaked church. But the men didn't stop. Cold and silent, they bound her eyes, gagged her mouth, tied her hands.
"Rafael!"
The sound came out muffled. Hazel squirmed in their grip, her screams trapped behind the gag.
Tears streamed down her face as she thrashed, her heart shattering.
No... No, it can't be. He can't leave me.
Inside her mind, denial screamed louder than reality.
In just minutes, everything she dreamed of... her love, her future... had been stolen. All that remained was silence and blood.
Meanwhile, at one of Francisco's remote resorts... far from the chaos that had recently unfolded... a striking contrast played out.
Francisco, the man behind it all, was enjoying a lavish party. Business partners and powerful politicians surrounded him, indifferent to the tragedy echoing in the distance.
"I will accompany you, sir. Please come," Max said.
After dropping Lilith home, Francisco returned to the mansion. Some of the guests had already left.
He rejoined the few who remained, sharing quiet moments and casual laughter.
Eventually, they too departed, leaving the grand house steeped in stillness.
The silence that followed felt heavy, unnatural... like the house itself was waiting for something to break it.
Francisco stood alone now, his gaze fixed on the long corridor. His posture straightened slightly, his brow furrowed... not from worry, but thought.
Max stood nearby, still and watchful. He sensed it too... that quiet pull in the atmosphere, like the calm before a storm.
"Should I leave now?"
Francisco's penetrating gaze fixated on the corridor.
Without saying a word, Max gave a slight nod, acknowledging the silent order. He turned and quietly left, leaving Francisco alone in the mansion.
In the stillness, Francisco moved with purpose. His footsteps echoed through the empty halls as he walked toward the far end of the corridor.
He stopped at the final door.
Sliding his hand from his pocket, Francisco gripped the doorknob and turned it. The door creaked open, its sound cutting through the silence. Faint light spilled into the shadowed room, slowly revealing the figure inside.
And then his cold blue eyes met Hazel's.