THE HEIRESS' REVENGE

Hazel Freeman stood before her parents, the weight of their condemnation palpable in the air. The king-sized bed, adorned with lush silk sheets in a rich gemstone tone, seemed to shrink under the intensity of their gaze. Plump pillows with intricate embroidery adorned the headboard, a stark contrast to the discomfort that filled the room. Paintings of ancestors who had passed on seemed to close in around her, suffocating her with their silent judgment. "I love him, and I'm going to marry him, no matter what!" Hazel declared, her voice trembling with defiance. She spun around and rushed out of the room, leaving her parents in stunned silence. Mr. Freeman's face turned red with rage as he chased after her. "Hazel, come back here! You'll do as we say, or you'll face the consequences!" Mrs. Freeman trailed behind, her voice laced with a mix of horror and desperation. "Charles, please! Hazel, stop! This is madness!" Hazel halted in the middle of the hallway, her eyes blazing with determination. "You want what's best for me, but it seems you don't realize that you're not in a position to dictate who I love or marry. I'm not your puppet, Father." Mr. Freeman's expression darkened. "You're my daughter, and you'll obey me. I won't tolerate your insolence!" Hazel's laughter was laced with scorn. "You sound ridiculous, Father. Who are you to control my choices? I'll marry him, with or without your approval." Mrs. Freeman's face contorted in anguish. "Hazel, apologize to your father at once!" Hazel's response was a defiant middle finger, and her mother's cry of dismay echoed through the hallway. Mr. Freeman's hand shot out, slapping Hazel's cheek with a resounding crack. The room fell silent, the only sound being Mrs. Freeman's stunned gasp. Hazel's face remained impassive, her eyes locked on her father's, as she spoke with a conviction that sent shivers down her parents' spines. "I'm no longer your daughter, nor your puppet heiress. I'm leaving this family, and I'll make my own choices." Laura Freeman's tears flowed like a river as she grasped Hazel's hand. "Please, Hazel, don't say that. We want what's best for you. You can't just leave us." Hazel's voice was barely above a whisper. "I choose him, Mother. And if that means I'm no longer welcome here, so be it. I denounce my title as your daughter." With a resolute smile, Hazel turned and walked away, leaving her parents in a state of shock and grief. As she packed her belongings, Hazel's thoughts raced with memories of happier times: laughter-filled family meals, summer days spent exploring the gardens, and whispered secrets in the dead of night. But the pain of abandonment and the weight of her parents' disapproval threatened to consume her. She picked up her phone and texted her lover, Liam, to meet her at the bus stop, stating it was an emergency. Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang. Liam's voice was laced with concern. "Hazel, what's wrong? You're scaring me." Hazel's voice cracked as she spoke. "Liam...I need to leave. Can you pick me up at the bus stop?" Liam's confusion was palpable. "Leave? Where are we going, Hazel? Please talk to me." Hazel's tears flowed freely as she whispered, "Just come, Liam. Please." As she waited for Liam to arrive, Hazel's thoughts swirled with uncertainty. Was she making a mistake by defying her parents and following her heart? She wasn't certain, but she knew she had to try. Hazel waited anxiously at the bus stop, her luggage by her side and her heart racing with anticipation. She had never felt so alive, so free. The sound of screeching tires and a car door opening broke the silence. "Liam!" Hazel exclaimed, relief washing over her as she threw herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face. "What's going on, Hazel? You're shaking like a leaf," Liam said, concern etched on his face. Hazel took a deep breath, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I had a fight with my parents. They don't approve of us, and I told them I'm leaving. I'm done with their rules and their expectations." "But why? What went wrong?" Liam's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly composed himself. Hazel hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "They never expressed their disapproval...but I know they'll never accept you." Liam's expression softened. "Well, you're not alone anymore," Liam reassured her, leading her to his car. "We'll face this together." As they drove away from the Freeman estate, Hazel felt a weight lifting off her shoulders. She was finally taking control of her life. But little did she know, her father had other plans. "Charles, we need to act fast," Mrs. Freeman urged, her voice trembling with worry. "Hazel's gone, and we can't let her ruin our family's reputation. I can't just let her leave! She's our only daughter." Mr. Freeman's face darkened. "I'll take care of it. No one crosses me and gets away with it." Meanwhile, Hazel and Liam were enjoying their newfound freedom, laughing and joking as they sped down the highway. But their joy was short-lived. A car suddenly swerved into their lane, forcing Liam to swerve off the road. "What the...?" Liam muttered, as a black SUV blocked their path. Hazel's heart sank as her father stepped out, his eyes blazing with fury. "You think you can just leave me, Hazel? You think you can defy me and get away with it?" Mr. Freeman sneered, his voice dripping with venom. Hazel stood tall, her voice firm. "I'm not afraid of you, Father. I'm not your puppet anymore." Mr. Freeman snarled, his hand reaching into his pocket. "We'll see about that." And with that, he pulled out a gun, pointing it directly at Hazel. Liam reacted instinctively, pushing Hazel to the ground as a shot rang out. But it wasn't Liam who had been hit - it was Mr. Freeman, falling to the ground with a cry of pain. Hazel's eyes widened in horror as she realized the truth: her mother had shot her father to protect her. "Mom...why?" Hazel whispered, shock and confusion etched on her face. Mrs. Freeman's eyes were filled with tears. "I couldn't let him hurt you, Hazel. I couldn't let him harm my daughter." As the police arrived and took Mr. Freeman away, Hazel felt her world spinning out of control. She had never intended for this to happen. But as she looked at Liam, she knew she had made the right choice. She had chosen freedom, and she had chosen love. And now, she had to face the consequences.