Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 70

Hazel blinked, staring at the perfectly pink shrimp on his fork, and instantly grasped the underlying message.

She offered a faint, silent smile. Marcus dropped the shrimp onto her plate. "Eat."

She picked it up and took a bite. The meat was tender, bursting with a fresh, sweet flavor. It really was delicious.

After dinner, Marcus drove her home. The Rolls-Royce glided to a stop outside Queenie's apartment building.

Hazel stepped out, standing on the sidewalk as she watched the sleek black car vanish around the corner.

Pulling her coat tighter against the chill, she turned to head upstairs. Suddenly, a hand shot out from the shadows, clamping down onto her wrist like a vice.

Before she could even scream, she was forcefully shoved into a car. The door slammed shut, and the automatic locks engaged with a sharp, terrifying click.

She snapped her head toward the driver's seat. It was Julian. His face was a mask of pure rage. His tie hung loosely around his neck, the top two buttons of his shirt torn open, radiating an explosive, suffocating aggression.

"What the hell are you doing?" Hazel yelled, yanking furiously at the door handle. It didn't budge.

Julian yanked at his tie, his fury boiling over. "I should be asking you that! What exactly is your game, Hazel? Are you trying to get back at me? Flaunting Marcus in my face? Are you that desperate to cheat on me? Should we just drive straight to the courthouse tomorrow?"

His voice escalated into a roar, his chest heaving wildly.

Hazel merely stared at him, her heart completely dead and silent.

There was no need for the courthouse. They were already in the mandatory waiting period. The divorce would be final soon enough.

But Julian didn't know that.

When she refused to answer, Julian sneered, the sound dripping with disgust. "When did you turn into this? Or was that perfect, submissive wife act all a lie? I don't think I ever actually knew you. Pulling these cheap, desperate stunts just to get my attention?"

Hazel frowned, genuinely bewildered. "What stunt exactly gave you the impression I want your attention?"

Hazel gasped, a chill rocketing down her spine. Before she could scream, Julian slammed his foot on the gas.

As the city streets blurred past the window, panic flared in her chest. "Julian, what are you doing? Let me out! Professor Finch is going to be terrified if I don't come home!"

Julian let out a dark sneer, pressing the pedal harder. "Why would she care? She's probably thrilled to be rid of you."

Hazel couldn't hold back anymore. "Are you out of your mind, Julian?!"

Julian didn't answer. His jaw was clenched so tight it looked like it might snap, and the air inside the car turned suffocatingly thick.

Hazel yanked at the handle a few more times, but it was useless. Defeated, she sank back into the seat, praying he would exhaust his psychotic rage.

The car finally screeched to a halt outside the Hayes estate. Julian leaped out, stormed around to the passenger side, tore the door open, and violently dragged Hazel out of the car.