C3 ANGER AND FRUSTRATION

The feminine voice quivered with an intensity that hung in the air, leaving everyone suspended. The sudden confession from his wife left everyone in the hall stunned. All waiting for their boss's reaction

Carl's gaze shifted, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto Hazel's tear-streaked face.

"You?" Carl's voice, usually commanding, wavered with a mix of disbelief and anger. His eyes bore into Hazel. Why, Hazel?" Carl's voice softened, a mixture of bewilderment and hurt.

"I couldn't bear it, Carl. I couldn't watch them suffer anymore." Her voice, soft and broken, carried the weight of guilt. "I needed to do something about it, i wanted to protect them."

"Protect them? He asked bewildered. From who? Me? All they had to do was pay what they owe. Is not like am taking from them you fool!" He concluded with disgust

Douglas, Marshal, and Oliver exchanged bewildered glances, caught in the crossfire of loyalty and survival.

Carl stood, his features contorted with conflicting emotions—betrayal, anger, his face becoming red

Carl's fingers tightened around the rifle, his gaze flickering between Hazel and his loyal trio. Torn between the loyalty he demanded and the loyalty he never expected to question.

.

.

Seeing the hurt and angry expression on Carl's beautiful yet ruthless face, Hazel felt a pang of regret deep within her. She never meant to hurt him at all.

.

.

Carl shoved the gun into his pants, as he moved swiftly towards Hazel, grabbing her shoulders aggressively. His ruthless grip tight, as he shook her.

"You don't know the loss you've caused me, Hazel!" he bellowed. His eyes, cold and piercing, bore into her, demanding answers.

"I'm sorry, Carl. I didn't know it would be like that," she apologized, her voice almost breaking as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Damn", he cursed as his grip tightened, fingers almost digging into her flesh.

"Carl, you're hurting me," Hazel pleaded, tears streaming down her face, as regret washed over her, not knowing her husband would take it like this. How she hated herself for betraying her husband.

"Fuck! I don't know what I'll tell the big boss now, because you... you've ruined everything!" Carl's voice echoed, the force of his words was matched by the slap that he landed on her cheek. She crumpled on the floor. Her heart aching with both physical and emotional pain, tears and sobs breaking free.

"Aww, don't cry," Carl's callousness cut deep. "You've caused me even more. I should be the one bawling" his words a cruel mockery.

"I said I'm sorry," she assured, honesty laced with desperation to make him calm. "I'll do anything to make it right," she swore, her plea hanging in the air.

Smiling slyly, Carl retorted, "Anything?"

Nodding stiffly she agreed. Carl chuckled as he grabbed her hair aggressively, her face aching in pain as he began pulling her back towards the mansion.

.

.

..

As Hazel was forcefully dragged back to the mansion, the echoes of her sobs resonated as he kept pulling her

"Anything?" Carl's sneer deepened as he continued his grip on her hair.

"Yes, anything," Hazel repeated, her voice quivering with a mix of fear and determination to win his love back.

Carl's grin widened, relishing the newfound power over her.

"Good. You're going to fix this mess you've made. And you'll do it exactly as I say," Carl declared, his voice cold and calculated.

As they approached what seemed like Carl's private sanctum, her heart pounded louder.

Carl released his grip on Hazel's hair, shoving her into the room. And banging the door fiercely behind them.

"Now, listen carefully," Carl's tone gave no room for argument. Hazel stood, a fragile figure, yet a quiet strength flickered in her eyes.

"I don't want to know how you do it, but you're going to salvage this situation, Hazel," he continued, pacing in front of her. You'll find a way to bring those villagers back. And if you fail, I promise you, you'll face consequences far worse than anything you've experienced so far."

Hazel, torn between the guilt of her actions and the fear of the unknown, nodded silently.

"Remember, what you've caused me to loose is much more than you could pay back, so I can do to you whatever I please. Carl's voice dropped to a chilling whisper, from now on, your every move will be under scrutiny. Fail me, and the consequences will be severe."

With that, he dismissed her. Hazel stepped out of the room, beginning another round of sobs. Her headache became intense, the weight of the responsibility heavy on her shoulders. Her intention was only to help Gregs's family, she didn't know Greg would circulate the news and the entire community would flee.

And now Carl hates her for it. She never knew living with Carl would be this difficult. When Carl was in one of his moods, she's usually afraid to go to sleep, afraid that if she did, she'll wake up and find him gone. Exhaustion drained her.

She had always thought of leaving him, but where would she go? She can't possibly go back home, all the girls in their neighbourhood would mock her. But she still didn't want to leave, cause she was still convinced that, despite everything, Carl still loved her. And that was why he married her.

So she must try her best to please him.

As she navigated the corridors of the mansion, her mind began racing on numerous ways to, undo the consequences of her own actions.

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.

.

Carl hissed and banged the door shut, with annoyance still etched on his face. Still sulking over the losses, he sauntered to the dining area, to seek solace from his only ever loyal companion, and to drown his sorrows and clear his mind.

Upon reaching the liquor cabinet, he discovered it empty. Anger, fueled by the recent events, transformed into a rage. Carl roared the butler's name.

"Sammy! Sammy!" he bellowed in annoyance.

The middle-aged man promptly rushed to his side. "Yes, sir," Sammy responded, bracing himself for whatever Carl was about to unleash.

"Why? Why, Sammy? Why should we be out of this!" Carl yelled, flinging a bottle at his feet. The shattered glass resonated violently, sending shards scattering across the floor, startling the older man.

"I'm so sorry, sir," Sammy apologized, his voice trembling. "I didn't know we exhausted it, I'll go get some right now." He moved to adjust his butler's attire in readiness.

"Sammy, you take me as a joke! None of those damn vendors are around," Carl chuckled with a touch of madness. "Where are you gonna get it, huh?" His thunderous tone intensified, his expression now deadly serious.

"No... none of them? Sammy's eyes widened. I'll try my best, sir. I could go to the neighboring towns and ask sombody there."

"Oh, shut the hell up! Carl's impatience flared. Come here." He beckoned to the man.

"Me?" Sammy pointed to his own face.

"Of course, you. Who else would I be talking to?" Carl retorted, a half-laugh playing on his face.

"Okay, sir," Sammy approached nervously, only to find himself yanked by the collar. Carl lifted him with a fierce grip.

His grip on the man's throat tightened, choking the man in the process

"I promise you, next time something like this repeats itself, i won't be so friendly," Carl warned, throwing him down violently, his skin dangerously close to the shattered glass.

~~~~~~~~

In another part of the mansion, Hazel sat on the bed, dried tears still staining her face. She contemplated how she would mend things with Carl. Suddenly, the shattering of glass jolted her, the echoes of Carl's frustration reaching her ears. Startled, she sat up. Hurrying through the hallways, she followed the sound, her steps quick in sense of urgency. Upon reaching the scene, she saw Carl towering a fragile figure. The remnants of a broken bottle at his feet.

"Carl?" Hazel's voice trembled as she cautiously entered the room.

He turned, his eyes a tempest of anger, and frustration.The room seemed to shrink under the weight of his presence.

"What do you want?" Carl's voice was a low growl, his gaze piercing through Hazel.

"I heard the noise. Are you okay?" Hazel cautiously stepped closer, her concern overshadowing the fear.

"Okay? Does it look like I'm okay?" Carl's retort was sharp, laced with the remnants of his recent outburst.

"I'm sorry," Hazel whispered, her eyes avoiding the broken glass

Carl scoffed, a bitter laughter escaping him. "Sorry won't fix this mess."

"I want to help Carl, I truly want to" Hazel said, her voice soft. I agree it was all my fault, I promise, I'll fix everything, Carl, give me sometime"

He stared at her, the internal struggle evident in his eyes. For a moment, it seemed like he might relent, but then a hardness returned

"You can't help," Carl stated, his tone final. "Just leave me alone."

Hazel hesitated, torn between retreating and standing her ground. The room hung in silence. In the tension of everything, Sammy quietly retreated to the living room.

"You can't help," Carl dismissed her, his words cutting through the air with finality. "Just leave me alone," he concluded, turning his back to leave.

"Where are you going?" Hazel's voice trailed after him, concern weaving through her words.

"None of your damn business!" Carl shot back. Hazel hesitated for a moment before rushing to block him. She grabbed his arm, pulling him back to face her, desperation etched on her face.

"Carl, I know I've failed you. I'm so sorry about all that," she pleaded, gazing into his beautiful yet troubled face. But please don't leave me all by myself. I'll be lost without you"

Carl looked at her as if she'd unleashed an unfamiliar side of herself. He had only witnessed this wild intensity in Hazel when she first moved in. "Are you alright?" he asked, still taken aback by her unexpected words, which pierced him.

"Carl, she continued, her voice a mix of desperation and sincerity. Please come back to me. I miss you! I miss the old you." Worry painted her expression, and Carl couldn't help but feel a twinge of conflict within himself.

Staring down at her, he wrestled with the despise that threatened to consume him. He tried to control it, but beneath the surface, a storm raged.

"I'll be going out."

"Out? Now?" Hazel inquired, her concern evident in her eyes.

Ignoring her, Carl picked up his coat and flung it over his shoulder. "Carl,she ran after him, grabbing his hands. Where exactly are you—"

"Get the hell off me, damn!" Carl yanked his hand away with force, causing her to stumble and injure her hand on a bottle.

"Ouch," she uttered, calling out to him half-expecting him to show some concern.

But, shockingly, he didn't flinch "Ahem, later..."he cleared his throat, turned his back on her, and headed out.

"Carl... Carl," Hazel, wide eyes couldn't believe his behavior.

"Ma'am, let me help out," Sammy rushed to her.

"Don't worry, I can manage," she replied, bowing her head to the ground, tears welled up in her eyes.