Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 80

Julian abandoned the confrontation and sprinted outside after her.

The lighting outside the club was terribly dim. Evelyn was practically flying in her heels, her dress fluttering wildly in the night breeze. She scrubbed at her tears, but they wouldn't stop falling.

Julian pushed his pace, catching her by the wrist right at the street corner, his desperate voice ringing out.

"Evelyn!"

Evelyn violently yanked her hand back and spun around. Her eyes were rimmed with red, her voice quivering with sobs, looking like a woman whose heart had been entirely shattered.

"I knew you were in love with Hazel! You should have just been honest with me. I'm not the type to cling to a man who doesn't want me! Julian, you never should have given me hope!"

Seeing her tear-streaked face, Julian felt an agonizing squeeze in his chest.

He honestly had no idea why he had blurted that out in front of all those people. He simply couldn't bring himself to say he didn't love Hazel, yet he couldn't bear the thought of letting Evelyn go either.

Especially since she had just gone through a brutal divorce, was being stalked by her ex-husband, and had absolutely no one else to rely on in the country. The sheer tragedy of her life made his heart ache immensely for her.

Evelyn turned to run again, but Julian lunged forward, ignoring her thrashing, and yanked her into a tight embrace, locking his arms around her so firmly she couldn't move an inch.

Evelyn pushed against his chest a few times before her struggles gradually weakened. Finally, she completely melted into his hold, burying her face into his chest and sobbing hysterically.

"Evelyn, don't do this." Julian rested his chin on the top of her head, his deep voice carrying a tone of absolute desperation.

Evelyn's tears soaked his shirt. "If you don't love me, just let me go! I refuse to be the pathetic woman begging for scraps!"

Julian fell silent for a few seconds. The breeze from the nearby river swept past them, carrying a damp, chilling mist.

He could feel the woman in his arms trembling uncontrollably, though he wasn't sure if it was from the cold or her violent sobs. He tightened his grip, his voice dropping to a tender whisper. "Stop saying that, Evelyn. You're in my heart."

Evelyn tilted her head up from his chest, gazing at him through glossy eyes, heavy tear drops clinging to her lashes. "Really?"

Julian reached up, gently tucking a stray lock of windblown hair behind her ear, his fingertips grazing her cheek with undeniable affection. "Of course. Don't overthink things. In that kind of situation, I had to say what I said. But my heart is with you."

Evelyn's hysterics slowly subsided. She leaned against his chest, clutching his shirt as she softly sniffled.

After a long while, she looked up, her soft voice laced with careful calculation. "Then... will you divorce Hazel?"

Julian went rigid, his brows drawing together.

Truthfully, he had never even entertained the thought. Hazel took impeccable care of their home, and he genuinely loved that stability.

She was a fantastic cook, the house was always spotless, and whenever he worked late, a light was always left on for him in the living room. He was utterly accustomed to these comforts and had never considered what his life would look like if they vanished.

For a fleeting second, Hazel's face flashed in his mind, but it was quickly drowned out by the alcohol.

The next second, Julian's arms snapped around Evelyn's waist, pulling her flush against him as he crushed his lips against hers.

Their intertwined silhouettes stood out starkly by the riverbank, looking like a scene straight out of a tragic romance.

At the entrance of the club, Hazel and Nellie had just walked out. Nellie was still utterly furious, shouting a string of curses while Hazel tried to hold her back. Nellie was about to yell something else when she looked up, the words dying in her throat.

Not far away, two figures were locked in a passionate kiss under the streetlamp. It was undeniably obvious who they were.

Hazel stood completely paralyzed, staring at the scene, unable to even identify the horrific emotion clawing at her chest.

She was remarkably calmer than Nellie, surprised by her own lack of reaction. Was her heart truly that dead and numb now?

Nellie's eyes dilated in pure fury. She looked like she had just been set on fire, ready to charge over and violently tear the two of them apart.

The second she took a step forward, Hazel grabbed her arm. Her voice was incredibly quiet, completely devoid of emotion.

"Don't go."

"What do you mean, don't go?!" Nellie snapped her head around to stare at her, vibrating with rage. "They're practically screwing in public, and you're still—"