Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 17

Hazel stood rooted to the spot, listening to Julian's roar, feeling nothing but a profound sense of irony.

He clearly knew that letting Evelyn live in their home crossed a massive line. He knew people would gossip, and he fully understood what "having no self-respect" meant. Yet, he did it anyway.

For his precious first love, he was willing to throw all decency out the window, erase every boundary, and treat his own wife like empty air. He openly flaunted their intimacy right in front of her, completely indifferent to the agonizing pain it caused her.

Hazel watched them with cold detachment, refusing to say a single word.

Evelyn walked over, her face painted with the perfect amount of victimized guilt. Her voice trembled softly. "Julian, please don't fight with Ms. Garrison. You two have a good marriage, don't ruin it over someone as irrelevant as me."

Julian's face instantly softened. He reached out and grasped Evelyn's hand, his voice shifting to a sickeningly sweet tone that felt like a different person entirely. "Don't say that. How could you ever be irrelevant?"

Hazel maintained her icy stare, silently thinking that she was the one who was truly irrelevant here.

Thank god the divorce papers were almost finalized. She wouldn't have to play a role in this pathetic soap opera for much longer.

Julian turned back to Hazel, instantly reverting to his entitled, arrogant demeanor. "Hazel, apologize to Evelyn and we'll drop this. You know she's in a sensitive spot right now as a divorced woman, living in someone else's house. Saying things like that will make her overthink. We can't be this aggressive. You need to understand we have to help those who need it."

Hazel looked up, her gaze freezing him in place. She almost snapped back, asking what exactly she had done that required an apology.

But she caught herself. Fighting would just lead to the exact same outcome. She could do it willingly, or be forced into doing it willingly.

It was completely pointless.

"Sorry," Hazel said, offering a flat, lifeless smile.

Julian smiled back, thoroughly satisfied. He reached out and rubbed her head. "That's a good girl. I see you haven't forgotten the lessons I've taught you. Society is incredibly cruel to women, especially divorced ones."

He affectionately pinched her cheek, his voice dropping into a loving murmur. "Don't worry, I will never divorce you."

Julian immediately went into a panic. He rushed over and caught her by the arms. "Why is your head hurting again? Did you push yourself too hard today?"

He carefully guided her to the couch, treating her like a piece of fragile, priceless glass.

Hazel stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching the display, a dull ache throbbing in her chest.

Once Evelyn was settled, Julian suddenly turned his head. His tone carried a casual, entitled bossiness that he didn't even notice, but it grated on the ears. "Hazel, come here."

Hazel's brow twitched faintly, but she didn't move.

Julian waved her over, smiling. "Honey, you're good at massages, right? Come over and press Evelyn's temples for her. She's in a lot of pain."

Hazel's breath hitched. She closed her eyes. She never expected Julian's demands to become this disgustingly brazen.