Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 4

"Come in."

The door opened, and Julian's magnetic voice sounded from behind her. "Packing?"-

He wrapped his arms around her from behind. His embrace was just as warm as always, but now it carried the faint scent of women's perfume.

The smell made Hazel frown in disgust. She didn't respond, simply continuing to fold the clothes in her hands and place them into the suitcase.

Julian stepped closer, stopping two paces behind her, his tone laced with a smile.

"I was actually just coming to talk to you. I thought it over, and it's probably best to let Evelyn take the master bedroom. It has huge windows and great lighting. She's been really depressed lately, so staying somewhere comfortable might help her mood. I didn't expect you to already be packing."

He paused, his smile widening as he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Honey, we really are on the same wavelength."

A bitter taste flooded Hazel's mouth as she stood perfectly still, letting him hold her.

The moment Julian finished his sentence, a sudden gasp echoed from downstairs.

He released his grip on Hazel instantly, whirling around and sprinting out the door.

Julian's panicked voice drifted up from the living room. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

Evelyn looked pale. "I'm fine. I just wanted to look at this painting, and it suddenly..."

Julian sighed in relief. "If it's broken, it's broken. As long as you aren't hurt, it doesn't matter."

Hearing this, a jolt of pure panic shot through Hazel. She rushed downstairs.

In the living room, Evelyn stood in front of the framed painting, looking frightened.

Julian stood right beside her, carefully examining her hands as if she were made of fragile glass.

The painting lay ruined on the floor, shattered glass scattered everywhere, and a massive tear right through the canvas.

All the color instantly drained from Hazel's face.

That painting was the final parting gift her late mentor had given her before he passed. She cherished it more than anything. She glared at Evelyn, her eyes turning into shards of ice.

"What did you do?"

Evelyn's face was a picture of perfect guilt.

"I am so sorry, Hazel. I just wanted to admire the painting, but I noticed the glass was loose. I tried to fix it for you, but my hand slipped, and it just..."

"Who told you to touch it?!" Hazel's voice spiked, sharp and furious.

Evelyn flinched, her apologetic expression faltering before her eyes quickly brimmed with tears.

Julian had already pulled out his phone, tapping away at the screen.

A second later, Hazel's phone buzzed.

"I just transferred you a hundred thousand dollars. Let's just drop this. You need to learn how to be forgiving."

With that, he turned and placed a comforting arm around Evelyn's shoulders.

"Come on, let me show you your room. Don't take it personally; she's just been in a bad mood lately."

Evelyn looked up, her eyes red, and whispered, "I really didn't do it on purpose..."

Hazel stood frozen, her heart plummeting into the absolute depths of despair. She wiped her tears away, knelt down, and picked up the painting, ignoring the shards of glass that sliced into her hands, carefully rolling it up.

How was she going to explain this to Professor Finch?

Her phone rang suddenly. Looking down, she saw it was Queenie. Hazel answered it, and hearing the older woman's gentle voice made a lump form instantly in her throat.

"Hazel, how have you been? Have you thought any more about restarting the project?"

Hazel sniffled, her resolve hardening into steel. "I'm on my way, Professor Finch."

Clutching the painting to her chest, Hazel walked out the door.