Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 24

Hazel dragged her suitcase behind her, walking out of the sprawling villa without a single backward glance.

Julian stood there holding the velvet box, a deep crease forming between his brows. Something felt profoundly wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

It felt like something vital was slipping right through his fingers.

He brushed the thought away. She was probably just throwing a tantrum. At the end of the day, Hazel could never really leave him. She would cool off in a few days and come right back, probably asking for the gift he had just offered.

Tucking the box away without another thought, he turned and headed upstairs.

...

Queenie's apartment was tucked away in a quiet, older residential district. Though it was barely nine hundred square feet, it was spotless and radiated warmth.

When Hazel walked in, Queenie had already prepped the guest room. The bed had fresh sheets, and a glass of warm water sat on the nightstand next to a fresh tube of ointment.

"Sit down and take a load off," Queenie said, guiding her to the edge of the bed. "Are you hungry? Let me whip up some noodles for you."

Hazel shook her head. "I'm not hungry, Queenie."

Queenie stared at the nasty purple bruise blooming across Hazel's cheek. She picked up the ointment and began applying it with feather-light touches.

"That bastard Julian..."

She gritted her teeth. "He is going to regret this one day."

Hazel gave a bitter half-smile. He never truly saw her to begin with—how could he possibly regret losing her?

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Queenie blinked in surprise. "Who on earth is visiting at this hour?"

She got up to answer it. The moment she pulled the door open, a booming, jovial laugh echoed through the hall. "Queenie! I heard Hazel was back in town!"

Walter's face flushed beet red.

"Shut your trap!"

Cedric rolled his eyes. "I just distinctly remember someone crying and refusing to let go of me."

Walter sputtered indignantly, glaring daggers at his rival.

Marion sighed, rubbing her temples, and stepped past them to take Hazel's hands. "Ignore them. They've been at each other's throats the second they meet for decades. They'll never change."

Hazel couldn't help but laugh.

Queenie quickly ushered them all inside. "Come in, come in! You're in luck, I actually bought a ton of groceries tonight. We're having a feast!"

The elders didn't stand on ceremony, happily making their way into the living room. Hazel went to follow them into the kitchen to help, but Queenie pushed her back into her seat.