On Her Daddy's Bed (Adeline and Luciano) novel Chapter 78

Author’s POV

Hazel had just woken up a few hours after taking a nap. The soft warmth of the sheets still lingered on her skin, but the cold emptiness beside her made her chest tighten slightly. No one was beside her. Her lashes fluttered open slowly as she groaned softly, her body still heavy from sleep. She stretched herself out, taking a deep breath as her limbs loosened. With sluggish movements, she pulled herself out of bed, her bare feet brushing against the cool floor.

She slipped into his dress—still smelling faintly of Axel’s cologne—and made her way downstairs, her fingers trailing along the railing as if it grounded her. But then her legs came to an abrupt halt.

A voice. Sharp. Familiar.

“I am not here to see you, Axel… bring me my sister.”

Hazel’s heart skipped a beat. Her brother.

“You do not speak to our Lord like that,” one of the guards warned, but Axel cut him off with a silent raise of his hand—his composure unshaken, his face unreadable.

Hazel’s breath hitched. She stood still, staring at the tension hanging between the two men like a blade ready to fall. Her brother’s hatred for Axel ran deep, and for the life of her, she couldn’t understand why. Axel had always been calm, kind—generous even. Her father respected him, trusted him. And she loved him.

So why did Harey look at him like that? Like he saw something she couldn’t?

“Harey,” she called softly, her voice like wind through trees, hoping to calm the fire before it caught flame.

Both men turned to her instantly.

She saw the flicker of something in Harey’s eyes—relief, urgency, maybe even pain—as he stepped toward her. She moved to meet him halfway.

“Hazel,” he said, almost breathless. He pulled her into a tight hug, one that held more emotion than words ever could. He kissed her forehead gently, but the sight of it made Axel’s jaw clench.

The tension in the room was almost suffocating.

Axel looked away, his fingers curling into his pockets, his face a mask—but Hazel saw through it. He didn’t like this. He didn’t like her brother. And Harey? He barely hid his disdain for Axel.

Harey pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. His voice dropped to a low whisper.

“We need to talk, Hazel.”

Her heart thudded. “Really?” she asked, casting a quick glance at Axel, unsure.

He gave her a gentle nod, and she nodded back, sensing the weight in his words.

“Okay,” she said, her voice still soft. “I’ll ask the maids to bring your favorite wine, you should sit—”

“I need a private conversation, Hazel,” he interrupted, more serious now.

“Oh…” she murmured, uncertain. Her eyes flicked back to Axel, who met her gaze and gave her the smallest of nods, encouraging her to go.

“This way,” she said with a forced smile, leading Harey to the second living room.

The moment the door closed behind them, Harey spoke her name again—quietly, like it might break if said too loudly.

“Hazel…”

She heard everything in his tone. Worry. Frustration. Fear.

“Have a seat,” he said, and they sat side by side.

The silence was heavy. Hazel’s hands fidgeted in her lap as she waited, her eyes never leaving her brother. He was staring at the floor, like the answers he needed were written in the marble beneath his shoes.

Minutes passed.

Then finally, Harey lifted his head.

“The media is flying with the picture of you and Axel. Did you think your decision through?”

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