On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 7

On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 7

  {•𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔•}

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓.

ʙʏ ʙᴀʀʙɪᴇʟʟᴇ 

  -ʟᴜᴄᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ɪʟʟᴜsɪᴏɴ-

♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

Bluey and Hades sat opposite each other at the round glass table, their eyes locked like two predators sizing each other up.

Around them, students gathered in a wide circle, their murmurs rising and falling like waves, everyone curious but careful not to stand too close.

 The rule was simple, no one interferes, no one cheats.

A student stepped forward, holding a sleek black deck of cards. He bowed slightly before shuffling them, his fingers moving fast and precise. 

The sound of the cards snapping together echoed through the hall. Then, he divided the deck into two equal piles and slid one half toward Bluey, the other to Hades.

Bluey leaned back, her arms crossed loosely, a small, nervous smile touching her lips. Hades mirrored her posture, only his smirk was arrogant, dangerous.

“This game is called Death Pair. Each player will draw a card per round. You may look at your cards, but only play one card per round. Once you place it face down, it cannot be changed.”

He paused, glancing at both of them.

 “The highest number wins the round. Both cards used are then cancelled, and a point goes to the winner. Player with the highest points after last drawn card wins the game.”

A murmur spread through the spectators.

“Let’s start,” Hades said quietly, his gaze locked on her like a hawk eyeing prey.

They both placed their first card faced down on the table.

Bluey’s fingers trembled slightly as she reached for her card. She flipped it.

7 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬.

Hades leaned back, a faint, taunting smile on his lips as he slowly turned his own card over.

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬.

A collective murmur ran through the hall.

💬 “He’s toying with her already…”

💬 “Bluey doesn’t stand a chance.”

Hades’ smile deepened, though there was no amusement in his eyes, only something darker.

“One point for me,” He murmured, his voice low, and cruel.

Bluey swallowed, forcing her trembling hand to steady as they went for the second round.

She flipped her next card.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬.

Hades’ eyes stayed fixed on her face, not the table, as he flipped his own card—slowly, deliberately.

𝐀𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛𝐬.

Her breath hitched.

“Two wins in a row,” Hades said softly, eyes burning into hers. “Looks like luck’s on my side.”

The crowd leaned closer, the air thick with silence and tension.

Bluey swallowed, her fingers trembling slightly as they both picked up their next cards.

“Did someone threaten you to stay away from me?” Hades’ voice came, his gaze didn’t leave her face.

 “No… I mean… it’s just the right thing to do.”

Bluey looked down, heart pounding.

“The right thing?” Hades leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. “But I don’t want to stay away from you. I seriously can’t. Let’s just stop this.”

“No. Please.” She shook her head, her voice quivering. “I’m doing this because…”

“Because your parents work for the Sinclairs,” Hades cut in coldly. “And automatically you think your loyalty lies with them?”

 “How do you know?”Her eyes widened.

“I know everything about you, Bluey,” Hades said, his voice a low growl that slid right beneath her skin. 

“Every. Single. Thing.”

The student dealer looked between them nervously. “Flip your cards.”

Bluey exhaled shakily and turned hers.

𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

Hades turned his — 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬

Another win for him.

The crowd murmured. Bluey’s hands clenched tighter around her remaining cards, trying not to let him see her falter.

Hades’ lips curled faintly. “You can keep pretending, Bluey. But every move you make tells me you still feel something for me. Deep down, you can’t stay away from me either.”

 “You’re wrong.”Her pulse spiked.

 “Am I?”He smirked.

They reached for their next cards.

Bluey flipped hers — 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬

Hades turned his — 𝐀𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

The audience gasped softly. Four straight wins.

He leaned back slowly, eyes fixed on her, voice barely above a whisper but heavy enough to drown her.

Minutes later, the tension had thickened like smoke.

 The scoreboard flickered on the holographic display: 25 : 25

A tie.

One card left each.

The crowd was restless, the air charged with nerves and excitement.

💬 “I’m so nervous.”

💬 “Who do you think will win?”

💬 “Someone’s about to get expelled…”

Hades’ grip on his final card tightened. His jaw flexed, his expression unreadable. Throughout this game, he just felt so irritated to be doing this shit with her and she kept pissing him off.

“I…” He began, his voice hoarse, strained. “I wish I never met you.”

Bluey’s chest clenched. She bit her lower lip hard, fighting back the sting in her throat.

“Flip,” The student dealer announced quietly.

Both their hands moved at once.

The cards hit the table.

Bluey — 3 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

Hades — 2 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬

Gasps rippled through the entire hall.

💬 “Hades actually lost?”

💬 “No way…”

💬 “Lucky f+king her!”

Hades’ body went rigid. His eyes dark and storming. Slowly, he stood, the scrape of his chair echoing through the dead silence.

The students immediately parted, forming a clear path for him to walk through.

The overhead voice echoed through the den:

🔊 Player 090 won the gambling against Player 001. 50 Sigils will be added to your points instead if 10 for beating an Ace level player.

Bluey’s breath trembled. She looked at him,  wanting to say something, anything… but Hades didn’t look back.

—–

Bluey sat quietly on the bench in the dim hallway, her hands clasped together, her heartbeat still uneven from what had just happened.

 Her hair fell over her face, strands sticking to her cheeks from the faint sheen of sweat and tears she wouldn’t admit to.

“Here.”

She looked up. Zayne stood in front of her, offering a cold bottle of water.

“Thanks,” She murmured, taking it softly.

He watched her for a moment before sitting beside her, elbows resting on his knees.

 “You should be happy,” He said finally. “Everything went your way.”

 “I know. But I feel… kind of sad.”Bluey twisted the bottle cap and took a sip, staring at the floor.

“’Cause you’re gonna miss him?”

She turned sharply. Nia was walking toward them with Loci and Natalie, each of them holding drinks from the vending machine.

“Miss him?” Bluey echoed, her voice small.

“It’s obvious,” Nia said, grinning as she sat across from her. “Girl, I still can’t believe he said that. ‘It’s going to kill me if I stay away from you.’ Ugh, I got chills.”

“Maybe…” Natalie began, leaning on the wall with her arms crossed. “Maybe Hades really likes her.”

 “It doesn’t matter anymore. I already decided to stay away from him.” Bluey shook her head quickly.

Loci tilted his head, sliding his hands into his pockets. 

“But are you serious right now? You actually bet your entire Sigils on him? What if you lost and got expelled?”

 “I knew he…. I knew I wouldn’t loose.”Bluey gave a small, bitter smile.

 “You’re so dramatic. You literally beat Hades , the untouchable ace of MIA  and you’re sitting here looking like you lost.” Nia said.

“Maybe I did,” Bluey whispered, more to herself than to them.

—-

★ 𝐀𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 ★

Hades, Hugo, and Hyce were approaching the Aces Training Arena.

Hades felt… empty. He didn’t know how to feel.

“Hades, seriously? Why’d you let her win?” Hyce asked, his tone half curious, half frustrated.

“Let her win? How’s that possible?” Hugo shot back, brows furrowing.

Hyce scoffed. “Didn’t you notice? He was deliberately playing out his highest cards first. He’s a pro at these things, and I’m sure he let her win on purpose.”

Hugo stopped walking and stood in front of him. “Hades, is that true?”

 “I couldn’t stand her leaving MIA. I was just going to ignore her even if I let her win, but now… I don’t know.”Hades looked away.

“But it’s a game of luck,” Hugo said. “How did you—”

“It’s not luck,” Hades interrupted. His voice was calm but sharp. 

 “Every card in a deck has a pattern, its edges, its feel, its order. Most people just see faces and numbers, but I see what’s missing. I know which cards have already been played, which ones are still in the deck. I’ve been doing this for years, you should know me by now. I could have beaten her if I wanted to.”

“Then why didn’t you?” Hugo asked.

 “Because she put everything on the line. Her sigils, her spot at MIA… everything. I saw the look in her eyes—she wasn’t bluffing. She was ready to lose everything just to prove she didn’t need me.”Hades gave a humorless smile.

He looked away, his tone darkening.

 “I didn’t want to crush that part of her. So I let her play it her way. Maybe I wanted her to win… maybe I wanted to see what she’d do once she didn’t have anything to do with me anymore.”

Hyce scoffed lightly, trying to hide his sympathy. “And now?”

Hades exhaled slowly. “Now it feels like I lost something I didn’t even realize I wanted to keep.”

She doesn’t know what will happen to her if she leaves here. Did she really think she was getting out here alive? Hades thought inwardly.

**

They walked into the Aces Training Arena, the air thick with the scent of sweat and metal. 

Morgan was already there, tying her hair into a sleek ponytail while Trevor leaned lazily against a punching bag, twirling a training stick between his fingers.

“Look who showed up,” Trevor smirked. “I heard you lost a game. You broke your own record.”

Hades’s eyes lifted to him, dark and empty. “I am not in the mood, so while I’m being nice—shut that fussy mouth of yours, Trevor.”

Trevor blinked but backed off instantly. Everyone in the room could feel it—the shift in Hades’s energy.

Morgan clapped her hands once to get everyone’s attention.

 “Alright, listen up. Before we begin, there’s a little update. Bluey is officially one of my lackeys, which means no one touches her, no one goes near her… except Trevor.”

“Wait—why does that piece of information matter?” Hugo asked, folding his arms.

 “Of course it matters. For a certain somebody here.”Morgan’s lips curved.

Her gaze flicked to Hades, who didn’t even look her way. Instead, he pulled off his shirt, revealing the tattoos across his shoulders.

“I’ll be back,” Hades muttered to the instructor, his voice steady but distant. “One of my glove is missing.”

And without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the inner room, leaving an uneasy silence behind him.

***

Hades stepped into the inner room, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud that echoed through the silence.

 The dim light flickered above him, casting shadows across the floor as he leaned against the wall, his jaw tight.

His reflection in the glass cabinet stared back at him—cold, lost, furious.

“How can you make me fall in love with you and break me like this?” He muttered under his breath, his voice rough, trembling with suppressed rage.

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing once before stopping mid-step. 

Every muscle in his body felt heavy, his chest burning with something that wasn’t just pain—it was longing and helplessness all tangled together.

He knew if he wanted to, if he truly decided to, no one could stop him from having her. Not the Aces, not MIA, not even Bluey herself. 

But the problem was… he didn’t want to force it on her. 

So instead, he crouched down slowly, his elbows resting on his knees, his head hanging low. His breath came out shaky, almost a laugh but not quite.

“I hate you, Bluey…” He whispered, his eyes stinging. “I hate you so much.”

But deep down, he knew that every word was a lie.

—-

 ★𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫- 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞★

“Good morning, Madam First Lady!” one of the staff greeted as Iris stepped into the marble-floored lobby, her heels clicking sharply against the surface.

“Madam Iris, welcome!” another said with a respectful bow.

💬 “Madam first lady, so elegant as always.”

💬 “Does she ever age?”

💬 “She’s getting younger every day.”

💬 “Her aura alone makes the whole place brighter.”

She smiled faintly but didn’t stop. Her security detail opened the double doors leading to the President’s office, and she entered without hesitation.

Behind the mahogany desk, Robert was focused on signing a few official documents, brows furrowed in concentration. 

The soft rustle of papers filled the silence until her voice cut through it.

“Darling.”

He looked up immediately. Iris was already walking toward him, elegance in every step.

 Before he could rise, she leaned in and sat on his thighs, pulling her closer as their lips met in a deep, familiar kiss that softened the edges of his day.

“Do you have somewhere to be?” Robert asked, setting his pen aside and leaning back in his chair.

“I’m going to the rural villa today to support the development program,” Iris replied, adjusting her purse strap. “I mean, it’s my program after all.”

“Anthony and Corazon will be there,” Robert reminded her, his tone carrying a hint of concern.

“Are you seriously worried about them?” She chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to pick a fight with anyone, unless they ask for it.”

He sighed, standing up and walking over to her. “Just be careful, darling. I don’t want anything to happen to you, okay?”

“Okay,” She said with a teasing smile. “You’re so sweet and overprotective.”

“Of course I am. I love you so much,” he murmured, brushing a hand down her arm before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“I’ll be leaving now. Just dropped by to see you,” Iris said, giving him one last smile before heading for the door.

—-

  ★ 𝐌𝐈𝐀 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞★

The Penalty Zone was a dark, concrete fortress buried deep beneath the main facility.

 The air was thick with dampness, and every sound carried, footsteps, whispers, even the faint drip of water echoing like a slow, cruel countdown.

In one of the narrow cells, Dawn sat curled on the floor. Her eyes were red and swollen, her throat raw from crying.

 She had been dragged here hours ago, screaming and begging, until her voice gave out. Now, she just sat, empty, shaking, her breath visible in the freezing air.

The temperature never rose above nine degrees. It was designed that way. To weaken, to punish. 

Her singlet and shorts clung to her skin, as she shook due to the colf. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her knees, but the chill sank deep, gnawing at her bones.

Then she heard it—the sound of boots on concrete. Slow. Heavy. Getting closer.

Her head shot up, eyes darting to the bars. The faint light from the corridor stretched across the floor as a tall shadow appeared.

Hugo.

He unlocked the cell door, the clang echoing down the hall. “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng” The moment she saw him, something desperate flared inside her.

 She stumbled to her feet and ran toward him, her voice breaking.

“Hugo please—”

The sound of the slap cracked through the silence before she could finish.

Her head snapped to the side, the force slamming her against the metal bars. Pain exploded across her cheek as she gasped, a choked cry slipping past her lips.

For a second everything spun. The cold bit harder.

Dawn’s cheek still burned from the slap, but she swallowed her pain, forcing herself to look up at him. Her lips trembled as she whispered.

 “I’m sorry.”

Hugo’s expression hardened.

 “Who gave you the right to think you can slap me, huh?” His voice cut through the cold air like a blade, sharp and dangerous.

Tears spilled down her face as she took a cautious step closer, her voice breaking.

 “I’m sorry,” she repeated, softer this time, trembling. “I love you so much, Hugo. I was angry and heartbroken when you dumped me. I didn’t know what to do.”

Her fingers twisted in the hem of her shorts, desperation written all over her.

 “Why, Hugo? Why can’t you love me back? Why do you only see me as a slut?”

Hugo grasped Dawn’s chin firmly, lifting her face to meet his eyes. 

 “Please, Hugo… love me back.”She pleaded with trembling lips, desperation clear in her voice.

He leaned in slowly and kissed her, his lips finally returning the affection she craved. For a moment, it felt like everything was right.

But then he pulled away, his eyes darkening with disgust as he stared at her.

“Do you want me to take you back?” Hugo asked coldly.

“Yes, Hugo,” Dawn whispered, her voice breaking.

“Face the wall,” Hugo commanded, pulling out his belt.

He gently slid down her training shorts and gave her ass a firm, deliberate spank. His fingers traced along thighs and he dipped it straight into her cunt, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.

“I’m about to punish you, and you’re getting wet?” Hugo said lowly.

A sharp smack from the belt landed on her as$, making her cry out, the sting quickly soothed by his palm as he tenderly rubbed the area.

Another lash followed.

“F+k, Hugo!” She gasped, a mix of pain and desire in her voice.

“You’re so n+ughty.” He said, spanking her a×s again with his palm.

He spanked her again, palming her cunt as two fingers slipped inside her, moving in and out roughly.

“Yessss!!”

In that moment, wave after wave of release overtook her, her body trembling as she gave in to the intense sensation washing over her.

Hugo leaned in close to her ear, his voice cold and cutting. 

“See my exact reason for not ever going to love you? You’re a cheap-a$s slu+, and I hate it.” With that, he straightened up and walked away, slipping on his belt.

“Go back to your dorm. I already told Hades to cancel your punishment,” He added over his shoulder before leaving the room.

Alone, Dawn whispered bitterly to herself, “Dawn, you’re so stupid.”

—-

★ 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝★

It was midday at the large compound, with the Spade and Hearts dorms facing each other.

 Trevor lounged back on the bench beside Morgan, Gomez, and Juniper, their relaxed postures masking the tension in the air.

Natasha, Aris, and Bryan walked up, each wearing that familiar smirk of arrogance.

“You sent for us, Morgan?” Natasha asked, folding her arms.

Morgan crossed one leg over the other, her gaze sharp. “Yes. I want you to find Bluey… and drag her here.”

Aris tilted her head slightly, her grin widening. “Just to be sure, you didn’t say bring, you said… drag, right?”

“Exactly,” Morgan replied smoothly. “That’s why I love you three.”

“Say less,” Bryan muttered with a cruel smile, pushing off the wall. “Let’s go.”

The three of them turned and left, their footsteps echoing across the quiet compound.

“So you’re now her new master? I thought Hades was all over her,” Juniper said with a teasing grin, tilting her head toward Morgan.

“All over her, my foot,” Morgan scoffed.

 “That stupid poor girl doesn’t know her place. To think she even got the opportunity to study at MIA because of my parents’ money and she has the audacity to talk to my mortal enemy? I’m just getting started with her.”

“So she told Hades to stay away from her, and he actually agreed? Just like that?” Gomez asked, leaning forward.

 “What’s Hades gonna do? You all give him too much credit. It’s not like he actually cares about her.”Trevor snorted.

“But a lot of people were saying he indirectly confessed his feelings for her during the gambling den this morning.” Juniper added, eyes glinting with curiosity. 

“Indirectly? Hades in love?” Morgan laughed coldly.

 “Oh, please. He was probably just playing her. And as expected, he’s already done with her. She really thought getting his attention would protect her from me?”

“So what are you going to do to her?” Gomez asked.

Morgan smirked, resting her chin on her palm. “Just wait and watch.”

Minutes later, Aris and Bryan came dragging Bluey across the courtyard floor—literally.

 Her knees scraped against the rough stone, her breath sharp as she struggled to pull free, but their grip was too strong. Natasha followed behind them, smirking with satisfaction.

Bluey had been on her way back to the dorm with Loci, Zayne, and Natalie when they  ambushed her. 

Her friends tried to intervene, but everyone knew the rule—no one interfered when the Aces were involved.

They stopped right in front of where Morgan, Trevor, Gomez, and Juniper were lounging. 

With one harsh shove, Bryan pushed Bluey forward, and she stumbled to her knees.

“Now that’s how you make an entrance,” Trevor said lazily, leaning back in his seat.

“Long time no see, Bluey,” Morgan cooed, crossing one leg over the other with a cruel smile.

“Morgan, what is all this? What did I do? I already stayed away from Hades like you asked me to,” Bluey stammered, her voice trembling.

“Awwn, is she crying already?” Morgan taunted, tilting her head mockingly.

 “I haven’t even started.” She turned to Trevor. “Baby, any suggestions? She looks so fragile right now, like anything could literally kill her.”

 “My ideas are way more brutal than yours.”

Trevor smirked.

“I’ve got an idea,” Gomez cut in, standing with a dark grin.

He reached for Bluey, fisting a handful of her hair and yanking her back roughly, forcing a cry from her lips. 

Then, as if bored, he released her and walked back to their table.

Two glass cups sat on a small stool between Morgan and Trevor. Gomez picked them up and, without a word, dropped them.

 The glass shattered loudly, shards scattering across the ground—right in the space between Bluey’s knees and where they sat.

“I like this, Gomez,” Morgan purred, grinning. “You’re a bad boy.”

Gomez smiled faintly and sat down again.

“Come here, Bluey…” Morgan said softly, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.

Bluey hesitated, slowly starting to rise…

“On your knees,” Trevor snapped coldly.

Her body froze. 

Students began spilling out of their dorms, leaning over the corridors of Spade and Hearts, their eyes glued to the scene below.

Is she going to walk with her knees on broken glass? Some whispered. Some laughed quietly. Others just stared, waiting.

Down in the middle of the compound, Bluey knelt on the harsh floor, trembling.

Hades and Hyce turned the corner into the dorm grounds, their voices fading the moment the sight hit them. 

The crowd instantly straightened. Every student around bowed their heads slightly in respect.

When they lifted their heads again, all eyes darted between Hades and Bluey.

Bluey’s heart stopped. She glanced up at him… just one word from him, one order, and it would all end.

But his face was dead ass cold.

“I thought I told you to do something,” Trevor’s sharp voice cut through the silence.

Bluey flinched and slowly began to move. On her knees, she started crawling forward, her body shaking as shards of glass bit into her knees. 

Blood streaks marked every inch she passed. Her palms pressed down for balance, and blood welled up from the cuts instantly.

“Please… please, stop,” She gasped, her voice breaking as tears fell.

💬 “She’s really doing it?”

💬 “Oh my God, her knees—”

💬 “Won’t Hades say something?”

💬 “Didn’t she tell him to stay away from her this morning?”

💬 “Yeah, she did. Guess he’s really listening to her.”

Bluey whimpered as she dragged herself forward, the sound of broken glass grinding beneath her echoing across the compound.

Hades’ expression hardened. Hyce glanced at him, his eyes dark with unease.

Still, Hades said nothing.

Without a word, he turned and started walking toward the entrance of Spades Dorm. Hyce followed silently behind him.

Every student standing there watched in tense silence as Bluey’s blood trailed behind her—while the one person who could have saved her walked away.

***

Hades pressed the passcode, the door slid open, and he stepped inside, silence filling the air. Hyce followed him in, slamming the door shut behind them.

“Seriously?!” Hyce’s voice cut through the quiet. “You’re just going to watch them bully her like that? What the hell was that, Hades?”

Hades didn’t answer. He tossed his jacket onto the couch, his expression unreadable as he walked toward the window.

“I thought you liked her,” Hyce continued, frustration rising. “You do, don’t you? Then why—why would you stand there and do nothing?”

Hades turned sharply, his tone cold but calm. “Because that’s what she wanted.”

Hyce blinked, stunned. 

“She told me to stay away. She made it clear she doesn’t want me near her,” Hades said, his voice low, edged with bitterness. 

“So I’m respecting that. If she wants to suffer, if she wants to fight her own battles, then she can go ahead.”

 “That’s bullshit, Hades. You know she didn’t mean it like that.”Hyce clenched his fists.

“Doesn’t matter what she meant,” Hades said flatly. “She said it and d I’m done being the one chasing after someone who doesn’t want me anymore.”

 “You don’t care anymore? Is that what you’re saying?”Hyce scoffed, taking a step closer.

“I care,” Hades snapped, his composure finally cracking. “I care too damn much and that’s exactly the problem.”

He dragged a hand through his hair, his voice breaking slightly. 

“If she needs help, she can ask for it. The same way she told me to stay away, she can use her own mouth to say ‘help me.’ Until then, I’m not moving a finger.”

The air went heavy.

Hyce exhaled slowly, his anger fading into quiet disappointment. 

 “And what if she doesn’t ask for help, Hades? What if she’s too scared?”

That was it. Something in Hades snapped.

He turned around, eyes burning with a mix of rage and pain, his chest heaving as he shouted, 

“I’M HEARTBROKEN, OKAY?!”

Hyce froze, silent.

“I’m f+king heartbroken,” Hades repeated, his voice cracking, anger bleeding into exhaustion. 

“You think I don’t want to go down there and rip them all apart for touching her? You think I don’t want to? I was ready to give that girl my damn heart, Hyce. Something I’ve never done for anyone!”

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing, his voice trembling with fury.

 “But she’s a coward. She’s a crybaby! She let people control her life, let fear eat her alive, and still has the audacity to tell me to stay away like I was the enemy.”

He slammed his hand against the wall.

 “Does she really think she’ll survive MIA being that weak?! Her worst mistake was spouting that nonsense to me publicly and having the guts to challenge me to a game.  All she had to do was tell me what the problem was, and she wouldn’t be suffering right now!”

He stopped pacing, his shoulders shaking, the anger in his voice fading to quiet defeat.

 “F+k…” He muttered, rubbing his face. “I’m tired, Hyce. Just leave me alone.”

Hyce stood still for a moment, watching Hades sink to the couch, his head buried in his hands.

—–

★𝐀 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 ★

The Rural Villa was a small, underdeveloped community located on the outskirts of the capital, surrounded by vast farmland and narrow dusty roads. 

For years, the people there had struggled with limited access to healthcare, relying on visiting doctors and mobile clinics for help.

 But now, thanks to the joint efforts of the First Lady’s office and the Senate’s Health Development Initiative, the construction of a new medical facility was already in progress.

For three days, the Villa Development Program was underway—a project spearheaded by First Lady Iris Villanova.

 Teams of doctors, nurses, and volunteers were stationed under large white tents, conducting free health checkups, distributing medication, and registering families for future healthcare benefits. 

The atmosphere buzzed with gratitude and excitement.

By mid-afternoon, the sound of applause echoed through the open field as Iris stepped onto the small stage set up near the construction site. 

Cameras flashed and residents cheered. She smiled warmly before beginning her speech.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Iris began, her voice clear and graceful. 

“It fills my heart with pride to stand here today not just as your First Lady, but as someone who genuinely cares about the well-being of every citizen in this country. For too long, many of our communities have struggled with basic health needs. No family deserves to suffer because they cannot afford medical care.”

Her words drew approving murmurs from the crowd. She continued, 

“This is not just a program; it’s a promise. A promise that every child, every mother, every elder in this community will have access to proper healthcare. I want to see families healthy, strong, and free from the fear of preventable illness. This hospital we are building will stand as a symbol of hope, progress, and compassion.”

The crowd erupted into applause, villagers standing to their feet, many calling out her name in gratitude.

 Iris smiled, her poise unshaken, waving gently as the cameras zoomed in on her.

Then,  Anthony took the stage beside her.

 “Thank you, Madam First Lady,” he said, glancing at Iris before turning to the residents.

 “As your Senator, I am proud to stand alongside this initiative. The medical facility you see being constructed behind us will soon become a fully functional hospital. By the end of this year, you will no longer need to travel hours just to receive proper medical attention. This community deserves care—and we are here to make sure you get it.”

The residents applauded again, some wiping tears, others shouting their thanks. Children waved handmade flags, and elders bowed their heads in appreciation.

Corazon and Anthony moved between the medical tents, helping nurses organize supplies and check patient lists. 

Corazon assisted an elderly woman to her seat while Anthony carried a tray of bottled water to the registration table. 

Just a few steps away, Iris stood near one of the newly pitched shade canopies, adjusting her scarf as she greeted a group of locals. 

That was when a little boy, no older than ten, approached her timidly.

“Madam First Lady,” He said, holding a small velvet box with both hands. “Someone asked me to give you this.”

Iris smiled faintly and took it. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

The boy nodded quickly and darted off into the crowd. Iris watched him disappear before glancing down at the box in her palm.

 It was elegantly tied with a thin silver ribbon.

Curious, she untied it and opened the lid.

Inside lay a single red rose, freshly cut, its petals flawless and deep crimson. Her brows furrowed.

“A rose?” she whispered, a hint of unease tightening her chest.

Before she could think further, her phone began to ring. An unknown number flashed across the screen.

 She hesitated for a second, then answered.

“Hello?”

The voice that replied was smooth, hauntingly familiar—deep with a smirk hidden behind every word.

“As expected,” The man said, “….your voice is just as beautiful and sweet to the ear as ever, my love.”

Her eyes widened, her grip on the phone tightening.

“Marco?” Iris breathed, her tone caught between disbelief and warning.

“You still recognize my voice. I like that,” Marco said, low and smug through the line.

“Why wouldn’t I recognize an arrogant voice like yours?” Iris replied, cool as always though her grip tightened on the phone.

“Still feisty as ever,” He purred. 

“What do you want from me, Marco?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Marco answered, the smile audible. “I’m still not over you after all these years.”

Iris let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Are you nuts? I am married and I have a son — in case your mentally unstable brain has forgotten.”

There was a quiet beat, then Marco’s tone slid colder.

 “I haven’t forgotten. I’ll be back for you soon enough. I can take you with me…or I can simply remove the threats in my way. Your son. Your darling husband.”

Iris’s jaw tightened. She set her shoulders and met his words with ice.

 “I would like to see you try, Marco.”

She ended the call without waiting for him to reply, the line cutting off with a polite chirp. 

The single rose in her hand suddenly felt heavier than it looked. 

She quickly threw the box in a near trashcan and tunred immediately, bumping into Corazon.

“I see Marco is still after you,” Corazon said with a smirk, swirling the wine in her glass.

 “Does your husband know that his ex–best friend, the one he stole you from is still communicating with his wife?”

“Corazon, I do not have your time,” Iris replied, her voice cool and dismissive.

“Why not? Isn’t this an interesting topic to talk about?” Corazon pressed, clearly enjoying herself.

“That’s rich coming from you,” Iris said, stepping closer with a composed smile.

 “Maybe I should bring up a more interesting topic to talk about.”

Corazon’s smirk faltered as Iris leaned in slightly.

“Does Gael know, that you’re having an affair with Anthony?” Iris continued softly.

Corazon’s hand tightened around her glass, knuckles white.

“Look,” Iris said, voice calm but sharp.

 “I honestly don’t give a damn about your sorry-ass family or the del Mundo mess. It’s not in my place to meddle but you keep pushing me, Corazon.”

“Shut up…” Corazon hissed.

“How about your husband finding out your biggest secret?” Iris leaned closer until her lips nearly brushed Corazon’s ear. 

“That Morgan isn’t his daughter—but Anthony’s.”

“You…” Corazon snapped, shoving Iris lightly, her face drained of color.

Iris chuckled, straightening her blazer. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell on you. Your family drama isn’t worth my time.”

Corazon stood there frozen, trembling with rage.

“Excuse me,” Iris said, glancing at her watch. “But this First Lady has people to attend to.”

She turned and walked out gracefully, heels clicking against the marble floor, leaving Corazon burning in silent fury.

“Ahh!! That woman!!”

𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 ✰

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