Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 79

She thought for a moment, asked for the address, and hailed a cab.

The club was tucked away in an alley in the West End. It looked entirely unassuming from the outside, but pushing the doors open revealed a massive, sprawling interior.

The lighting was dim, the bass was thumping so loud it rattled her eardrums, the dance floor was packed with swaying bodies, and the bar was shoulder-to-shoulder.

Hazel wove through the crowd and found Nellie in a corner booth.

Nellie was surrounded by several men, all toweringly tall and insanely attractive, wearing matching black button-downs like a lineup of models.

Hazel's footsteps hitched. Nellie spotted her immediately and waved wildly.

"Hazel! Over here!"

Hazel walked over. Nellie immediately shoved two of the guys toward her, tilting her chin up. "Have some fun, babe! If Julian gets to screw around while you sit at home, why shouldn't you? I ordered eight hot guys for you tonight. Knock yourself out."

Hazel looked at her and burst out laughing. She knew Nellie was just trying to distract her, using her own chaotic way to remind Hazel that she deserved to be treated well.

The moment she sat down, one of the guys slid in next to her. He smelled of a faint, high-end cologne and flashed a dazzling, sunny smile. His voice was incredibly soft—the exact polar opposite of Julian.

"Don't be sad, gorgeous. No man is worth your tears."

Hazel shifted away, putting some distance between them. "I'm good, thanks."

Nellie frowned, sliding a glass of liquor right in front of her. "If he gets to mess around, why shouldn't you?"

Hazel was coaxed into taking a few gulps. The fiery liquid burned a trail down her throat and settled hot in her stomach.

She coughed and grimaced, but after a few more sips, her muscles began to relax, and the suffocating tension in her chest finally eased a bit.

She leaned back against the sofa, watching the chaotic blur of the dance floor, suddenly feeling like things weren't quite so apocalyptic after all.

Just then, a loud commotion broke out nearby. Hazel turned her head and saw a crowd forming at the edge of the dance floor. Two groups were violently shoving each other, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

In the center of the chaos, a man was shielding a woman behind him. His broad, straight back was clad in a dark gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his lean forearms.

Hazel's heart skipped a beat. She recognized that silhouette instantly.

Julian was fiercely protecting Evelyn, extending one arm to block her while pointing furiously at the man opposite him, his face completely murderous.

Evelyn cowered behind him, clutching the hem of his shirt, trembling like a frightened leaf.

The guy across from them was flushed with alcohol, cursing aggressively and pointing a finger at Evelyn, hurling filthy insults her way.

Julian's voice was sharp enough to draw blood, gritting out every single word. "You're going to pay for every word you just said."

Onlookers were whispering, and a few had pulled out their phones to record the drama.

Watching from afar, Hazel was suddenly reminded of an incident from their past.

"Is this your newest fling? Does your wife know? Does she know you've picked up another side piece?"

The crowd immediately erupted in scandalized whispers.

The drunk guy sneered violently. "So you're just a mistress? No wonder you're throwing yourself at him. And this guy acting like a knight in shining armor? You're both trash, parading around like you own the place."

Julian's face turned lethal. He whipped his head toward Nellie, his gaze cutting like a knife. "I will make you pay legally for every single word you just said."

Nellie scoffed, completely unfazed by his threat. "Did I say something incorrect? Julian, you're a lawyer. Are you too stupid to grasp the facts?"

She stepped forward, her voice radiating an oppressive, freezing intensity. "You're going to regret this one day. If you don't love Hazel, why won't you just let her go?"

Julian fired back instinctively. "I do love her. Who said I don't?"

Hearing that, the color instantly drained from Evelyn's face.

Her hand slipped off Julian's arm, her entire posture collapsing as if her soul had been crushed.

The crowd went dead silent. Even Julian seemed shocked by his own words.

Evelyn's eyes pooled with tears, and she immediately turned and sprinted toward the exit.

Julian's eyes darkened. He turned to chase after her, but not before issuing a vicious warning to Nellie. "Watch your damn mouth, or I will destroy you, regardless of your friendship with Hazel."