Hazel sat on a park bench, her eyes scanning the tranquil surroundings. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the grass, and the soft rustle of leaves provided a calming backdrop. She had come here to find some peace, a moment of solace away from the chaos Ace had brought into her life. But her mind was still restless, unable to shake off the fear and anger that his presence always invoked.
As she took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts, she heard the crunch of footsteps on the gravel path. Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively looked up. There he was—Ace, walking toward her with that same intense look in his eyes. She felt a mix of dread and resolve wash over her. This was it. She couldn’t keep running; she had to face him.
Ace’s presence seemed to command
