Merging Hearts (Smitten Hearts #1)

Chapter Forty-five

Rain and Hazel

‘ Rain Dacosta and Hazel Wilmer; A true love story uncovered. ’

That’s the cheesy headline Vogue released the next morning. It’s no shocker Hazel and I have successfully won thousands of people on our side, as romantic pictures and videos circulate around the internet. Some of which we didn’t even know when they were taken.

Other than her understandable reluctance to go out in public, she’s now back to waiting up for me and, for the most part, has returned to her normal self.

Tia announces Renzo’s arrival, and I scoff. Five days have passed since I caught him and Dad in the study room, and I’ve refused to talk to either of them. I’ve ignored Renzo’s calls and dismissed his apology in the groupchat with Knox and Anton.

He bursts in, slamming the door open, and throws me a glare. “How long are you going to sulk?”

“Close my door.”

He shuts it and approaches me. “I already apologized, Rain. Stop being childish.”

“Childish? You and Dad manipulated me into a marriage to prove a point— your point, by the way—all because I had a short moment with someone.”

“And wasn’t I right? You’ve fallen hard for the ‘someone’, haven’t you?” Renzo asks, his words hitting too close to home. I have fallen for her, but it still doesn’t justify their actions. Things could have gone terribly wrong or if I’d married someone else or if Hazel turned out to be an unlikeable woman?

I glare at Renzo, my anger simmering below the surface. “That’s not the point. You and Dad had no right to interfere with my life like that. I trusted you, Renzo. If not anyone else, I know you know how much everything with Sara affected me.”

“It’s been five years since—”

“That’s it!” I slam my fist on the table. “You don’t get to tell me when to stop grieving. By manipulating me into a marriage with Hazel, you told me to pack up my pain.”

Renzo sighs, his expression softening. “We didn’t mean it like that. We wanted you to be happy, that’s it. I thought you might get over it if you have someone to talk to. Trust me, Rain, Dad and I didn’t make you marry Hazel because we liked or approved of her. No offense, but I didn’t give two cares about her. We did it solely because we wanted you happy. And because we needed Sara out of your head. But you’re right. We were wrong. We didn’t respect your boundaries, and I’m sorry.”

I scour his face for the sincerity behind his voice, and when I find it, I hesitate, unsure of how to respond. Even before his detailed explanation, I knew they had my best interests at heart. The room falls silent, and we linger in it for a moment before I speak.

“Maybe I’m mad because I was caught off guard. And you’re right too. I can’t be a hypocrite if I did fall for Hazel.”

“Right?” Renzo throws his hands up in exasperation, clearing his throat when I throw him a glare. “I mean, right. Don’t be a hypocrite. So you’re off my back?”

“For the most part.”

He chuckles, and waves his hand nonchalantly. “You’ll be fine.” As he realizes we’re good, I notice his tense posture ease. He picks up my table clock, fidgeting with it. “What do you plan to do about your feelings?” he asks. “I get that you both like each other, but you’re admitting to love her. Does she feel the same way?”

I remain silent, unsure of how to respond. Partly because I don’t know if Hazel feels the same, and partly because I’m hesitant to reveal the depth of my emotions to him. He mustn’t know how desperate I hope she catches me. It’s either that or I fall on my face and blame myself for rushing in too fast again.

“Rain?”

“I don’t know if she feels the same way.”

“But you plan to tell her so you can know where you stand, right?” At the look on my face, Renzo sighs. “Don’t drag this out, man. Tell her and get it over with.”

“Why? So you can start looking for ways to manipulate me into another marriage?”

“Rain! You said we were good.”

“I said for the most part . For now, I enjoy making you feel guilty about it.”

He throws his head back with a groan. A nanosecond later, a devilish smile highlights his face and I narrow my eyes. “Then I’ll be sure to let your wife know how ‘manipulated’ you feel in the marriage.”

“You know what? I’ve forgiven you. Can you leave now?”

“Nah! Let’s plan on getting your girl first.”

“I’ll sort myself out.”

His eyes sparkle with curiosity. “Ooh, and how do you plan to do that? Tell me.”

I shoot him a dark stare, my brows furrowing in a warning frown. “None of your business.”

Hazel

RAIN: Date night. Joe picks you up in an hour. Dress comfortably.

I rush off my bed with an alarming velocity like a kid on a christmas morning, flutters dancing in my chest from excitement. I’ve spent the entire afternoon chanting to myself that I need to go outside. Three weeks of locking myself up is enough. I’m lucky to have people handling things for me, but I need to reconnect with the world. I crave the warmth of sunlight and the sound of nature.

When Su-mi’s text about the restaurant filling my position came in, I wasn’t shocked. Who wants an employee who can’t handle problems in logical ways?

I’m ready to call Ysabelle and my plan is to do that with Rain—preferably on a video call, but now it’ll have to wait until we get back from our date night.

I spend the next forty minutes getting ready, then I go downstairs to wait for Joe who arrives right on time. I itch to ask him what the plan is, but I decide to surprise myself.

Thirty minutes later, the car slows down in front of a building. Joe opens my door, and I step onto the walkway. Tears prick my eyes at the realization of what Rain has planned.

He booked a Kitchen Rental for us.

I walk alone into the building, my eyes admiring every piece of wood, utensils, and appliances in it. The air is thick with the scent of herbs and sauces, different recipes going through my head.

Following the signs, I push open the door to the main kitchen, spotting Rain already in a white apron with sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he rests his back on the kitchen counter with arms folded. A seductive smile spreads across his face when I catch his attention, and I feel my pulse quicken in response. There’s something sexy about a man comfortable in the kitchen, and my husband is no exception.

“Hey,” I say, making my way closer to him.

“Hey. Welcome to our kitchen for the night,” he responds, his voice husky and intoxicating.

“She’s beautiful.” My eyes tour the kitchen one more time.

Rain wraps an arm around me and pulls me close. “I’m so proud of you for being here,” he whispers, his lips tickling against my ear. He selects an apron from the corner rack and gently wraps it around my waist, his fingers intentionally brushing against my body as he turns me to tie the ropes behind my back.

“Okay, Chef.” Playfulness peeping in his voice. “What are we making tonight? I made sure they have everything a kitchen should have.” I laugh at his puckered forehead as he scans the kitchen for nothing. He definitely doesn’t know everything a kitchen should have.

“Firstly, what’s the endgame of the date?”

“Hmm,” he pretends to think. “I want to get to know you better.”

I raise a brow and he narrows his eyes, fully aware I’m about to blurt out my usual tease. “You don’t already know me? I mean you—”

“I stalked you, didn’t I?” I nod innocently and he chuckles. “That is surface-level information, Principessa . I want to dig deeper. I want to know what makes you … you . I want to know what you love and what you hate.” Butterflies rumble in my belly at his words. No one has ever asked me that, at least not with the genuine sincerity and interest thick in his voice.

“Okay,” I say with a smile. “I’ll play along. But you’ll have to answer my questions too. And I’m not talking about surface-level information like ‘what’s your favorite color?’ because I already know it’s brown. Right?”

He grins. “Well it sure as hell is now.” I blush. Of course Rain doesn’t know brown is his favorite color, despite how evident it is. “And fine, deal!”

We stay silent for a moment, while I arrange ingredients on the counter, my mind still fighting to pick a recipe. “What’s your interest?”

“Web developing.”

I give him a look. “I mean casual interest.”

“That has to be coding.”

“Don’t you like to do anything else other than work?”

“ Principessa , I started my business training at ten years old. I basically grew up following my Dad to the office because I have to take over. At twenty four, I was already Acting CEO. No time to explore other things.”

My face falls, and he shakes his head. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I love what I do. It’s what I do best. Business and negotiations are my thing.”

“But it doesn’t have to be,” I argue. “There’s more to life than suits, a grumpy face, and a twenty-four hour job.” he doesn’t give a reply, so I ramble on. “Now I feel bad for our child. I don’t want to rob them of their childhood by letting them take on adult responsibilities.”

I realize I said ‘our child’, and refuse to meet Rain’s eyes, hoping he doesn’t catch that. He leans closer and holds my face. “I won’t ever force our children to do anything they don’t want to do. I’ll retire at 100 if I have to.”

If eyes can realistically hold a heart in them, I know I have a big one in mine for how sweet and different he is. I smile and nod. “I know you will.”

“Good. Now, what’s your interest?”

“Cooking used to be my interest, but since I’m turning it into a career soon, I need another hobby. I’d say decorating cakes. I used to do that with Ysabelle a lot. Did you know, when you went on your business trip, Su-mi, Reina and I had a competition? Angela was the judge, and I won.”

“I’m sure you did. Have you decided on what we need to cook, Chef?”

“I’m finding it. There’s thousands of recipes to make with chicken.” I lay the chicken thighs on the table, before I select a knife to sharpen. “Next question. What’s your dream or goal?”

“Apart from getting Dacosta Technology to top twenty on the charts?”

I puff out a scoff-like breath. “Yes, Rain. apart from anything that has to do with Dacosta Technology.”

“Then my next dream is having you by my side while I do everything that has to do with Dacosta Technology.”

Embarrassment sends a flush through my cheeks, and I laugh nervously into my hands. “I can’t even be mad at you. You’re ridiculously sweet.”

“I am, aren’t I?” I nod, and he chuckles. “If you tell that to people, they won’t believe you. This side of me is yours only.”

My heart skips a beat. “I like the sound of that.”

“Now what’s your dream?”

“You’ve made my dreams come true.” I lock my eyes with his. There’s no more point in playing unknown, and he knows it too.

“Then find a new one, and I’ll make it come true again. I’ll be your Aladdin.”

I erupt into laughter, holding my sides as I struggle to catch my breath. “I think you’ve got the plot backwards,” I manage to say, still chuckling. “But hmm … I do have one more dream.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a dream for the future, after I finish my training with Henri Leclair, and settle in my cooking career. I’d love to organize a cooking show drama where contestants compete to win their own restaurant, anywhere in the world. Wouldn’t that be so cool?”

“It would.”

“I’m moving to the deep questions now. Can I?” he nods, and I bite my lip, silently having a relief countdown. “What happened with your ex-girlfriend?” I ask, and Rain’s posture shifts from comfortable to stiff.

“I’m not prying, I just—” I start to defend myself, but Rain interrupts.

“You’re my wife. That’s not prying.”

I remain silent, waiting for him to open up.

“Her name was Sara,” he begins. “It’s a family tradition to have arranged marriages, so when my Mom introduced us, I didn’t object. Sara was the daughter of one of the members of my Mom’s Women’s Wing club. She was… likable, I suppose. Or maybe I tried to make it work since we were supposed to spend our lives together.”

Rain’s expression turns bitter. “My friends never liked her, not even Renzo. They claimed she was using me, and we argued about it constantly. I’m a billionaire, after all. If I can’t spoil my woman, do I eat my money? I hated that they couldn’t see how perfect we were for each other.”

His voice cracks, but he forces a shrug with a dry chuckle. “I hate to admit, but they were right.”

“What did she do to you?” I ask carefully. “On August 12.”

“It was supposed to be our third anniversary, but it turned into a nightmare. I’d called her repeatedly that day, but she wasn’t answering. I went to the house I’d bought for her, but she wasn’t there either. That’s when I decided to visit one of her friends, which was where I discovered the truth.”

“What truth?” I pressed.

“I’ll never forget the scathing words from her friend. Sara had been pregnant twice, and aborted both babies without telling me.”

My hand flies to my mouth in shock. “Oh my God!”

“I didn’t believe her friend at first,” Rain continues, his voice laced with pain that breaks me. “I thought she must have misunderstood. So, I had her call Sara, who picked up, and I tracked down her location. I confronted her and the whole time, she just kept saying it’s her body. And it is… but I had no idea. I know I would have done anything she wanted, but she never communicated with me, never even hinted at it. Not about the pregnancies, nor the choice around it. I was manipulated into thinking everything was okay, when in reality, she was hiding a secret life from me.”

“But I don’t understand,” I say, shaking my head as I try to process the whole thing. “Why did she do that if you both were engaged?”

“She never planned to marry me. She had someone else, a whole new life. They had some kind of arrangement, a ‘deal’ where he allowed her to be with me for the benefits, and the luxury I provided. Meanwhile, they were building a life together behind my back. I felt like such a fool. I went to a bar and just drank, trying to numb the pain. That’s all I remembered before waking up in Renzo’s house with no idea how I got there.”

I reach forward to hold his hand, and he grabs it tighter. “You also think I was a fool for not noticing?”

“What? Of course not. You’re not a doctor to diagnose a few months’ pregnancy. It might be even a few weeks. Plus, there’s nothing foolish about being in love, or in your case, wanting to make things work when you have no other choice.”

“Yeah?” He says silently.

“Yeah. You have to let the past go and take a new chance in life now. There’s still so much to feel. Don’t keep it all bottled in because someone who isn’t worth it tried to break you.”

“You’re right,” he responds with a small smile. “And I think I’m ready to take a new chance like you said.”

“I’m proud of you.”

“Plus,” Rain says and pauses, stepping in front of me and holding both my hands. “There’s this woman who came into my life when I least expected it, and she hasn’t left me a choice over my feelings ever since.”

My eyes widen at Rain’s insinuation. Is this it? Is this the part where he confesses his love? Oh Lord! I still my breath to avoid making any sound that might scare him, while he drops one of my hands, holding the side of my face instead.

“Hazel, I—”

“I’m in love with you,” I blurt out shamelessly, watching as Rain’s expression turns into shock.

“W-what?”

Realization of what I’ve done hits me, and I try moving away from Rain to quench my burning embarrassment, but he refuses to let go.

“I mean—” I start my poor attempt at explaining. “You were going to confess your love for me, weren’t you?” If he says no, I’m rushing home to kill myself. I’ve rescheduled quite enough, it’s finally time.

“I umm—” Rain chuckles, his shoulders shaking. “Yes, I was going to do that. Why did you say it then, if you knew?”

“Because I fell in love before you did. I think it’s unfair if you confess first. That’s called stealing the spotlight.”

“Oh is it?” I nod with a pout. “Well now I’m glad you said it first. I wouldn’t dare steal your spotlight.”

A full smile highlights my face at the relief that my pride is still intact.

Also that your life is safe?

Yes, that too.

“Then don’t let me interrupt you from what you have to say.”

Rain’s expression turns serious, and I stifle a laugh when he clears his throat. “Hazel, when you came into my life, I was so sure, so sure , you’d leave me as the same stone-cold alpha male most feared CEO you met me,” I giggle when he mocks the magazine headlines about him. I may need to have a word with them. My husband is not that bad. “But you called me out on my bullshit, intentionally did things I didn’t want, looked me in the eye, and pulled me out of my comfort zone. It was so easy falling in love with you, because if it was hard, I would have never tried. That was how desperate I was to not feel anything for anyone again. But your eyes,” he lays two unexpected kisses on my eyes. “Your nose.” Another one on the tip of my nose. “And your sharp mouth.” Another kiss. “Everything about you is so lovable.” Tears well up my eyes at his words, and I feel my heart expanding in my chest. “What I’m saying in short is—”

“Is?”

“I’m in love with you, Hazel Wilmer. And I want to do everything with you. Resta con me per sempre . It means stay with me forever, because that’s what I want you to do.”

I open my mouth to speak, but emotion clogs my throat. Rain notices and wraps his muscle around me, one hand guiding my head on his chest.

“Don’t cry.”

I fist his shirt, burying my face further into his chest like I’m on a mission to cuddle with his heart. “I love you too. Thank you for being with me.”

“Thank you for being with me.” There’s only a few minutes of silence between us just holding each other, before Rain speaks again. “Should we have a real wedding?”

“We should,” I agree without thinking, nodding against his chest. But then I remember something, or rather someone important. “I mean no.” I tear apart from Rain. His eyes furrow in confusion mixed with whatever that is, and I quickly explain myself. “I don’t mean that I don’t want to marry you, I mean I can’t get married without my sister again. She’s going to kill me. I still haven’t called her after everything that’s happened. I only sent a little text that I’d call when I’m in the right headspace. I’m just scared that I’ve disappointed her badly. It’s easy to hide from her because we’re in different countries, but I can’t get married without her again. I’ll—”

“Breathe.” I listen to him and exhale. He continues, “We won’t get married without her. Why don’t you call her tomorrow? Get her to forgive you, then we can travel to meet her in Jamaica, or we can bring her over.”

“Can we really bring her over? With her husband and kids? I’d love for them to be present too.”

“ Principessa , I’ll bring the whole of Jamaica down to Florida if you want me to.”

I let out a giggle, knowing damn well he would try if I asked him.

“I know you will.” A beat passes between us. Unfiltered lust takes over the color of Rain’s grey eyes as he joins his lips with mine in a soft passionate kiss that conveys every emotion he’s just confessed with words. I sigh into his mouth. It’s all I’ve wanted to do since I walked into the kitchen.

He edges us towards the wall and lifts me, wrapping my legs around him. I’m just as hot and in need as he is, but I refuse to do that in someone else’s sacred kitchen.

“It has come to me now,” I whisper against his lips. Rain rests his forehead on mine as he gently drops me on my feet.

“What has come to you?”

I tiptoe and brush my lips against his before moving to his ears. “A recipe I can make with this chicken.” I burst into laughter at the annoyed expression on his face, moving away to take my position back by the counter. “Come on now, assistant chef. We have a meal to prepare.”

“I don’t think I like this idea anymore.”

“You set it up. You can’t complain.”

“Fine!” he grumbles. “What’s this recipe powerful enough to invade our private time?”

“It’s called Marry Me Chicken. I saw the recipe on the internet the other day. It’s the perfect time to try it.”

“I think perfect time has a different meaning to my wife.”

I ignore his whines, pointing at the fridge instead. “Bring out some butter.”