Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 82

The next morning, Julian was blinded by the sunlight streaming into the room.

He frowned, instinctively raising an arm to shield his eyes. It felt like someone was taking a hammer to his skull, each pounding throb heavier and duller than the last.

He rolled over, and the moment his arm stretched out, it brushed against warm, soft skin. He froze, his eyes snapping open.

Evelyn was lying beside him. The blanket had slipped to her chest, revealing her bare collarbone and a few faint red marks on her shoulder.

Her eyes were closed, her long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks. Her breathing was steady; she was fast asleep.

Julian's mind buzzed with a deafening noise as fragments of last night crashed over him. First, the kiss by the river, then the amber light of the hotel room, the button she unfastened, and finally... the heat of her body pressing against his.

He gripped the edge of the blanket, his chest tightening as if the air had been sucked from the room.

What happened after that? He had completely blacked out. Did he really sleep with Evelyn? How could he do something so unforgivable to Hazel?

Evelyn stirred, roused by his sudden movement, and slowly opened her eyes.

Seeing Julian, she couldn't suppress the smile forming on her lips. She snuggled right into his arms, wrapping her hands around his waist and pressing her cheek to his chest.

Her voice was thick with the raspy intimacy of sleep. "Julian, why are you up so early? You were incredible last night."

She paused, gazing up at him with feigned shyness, tracing small circles on his chest. "Are you like this with Hazel too?"

Only Evelyn knew the truth: right at the critical moment last night, Julian had actually passed out cold! They hadn't done anything! But there was no way she was going to let an opportunity like this slip through her fingers.

Julian's mind was an absolute mess. He stared blankly at the ceiling, entirely at a loss for words.

A crushing wave of regret washed over him. He couldn't understand why he hadn't controlled himself. Alcohol wasn't an excuse, and he knew that better than anyone.

How was he supposed to look Hazel in the eye now? His fingers curled inward, his throat incredibly dry. How could he have done something like this?

But then, the image of Hazel standing next to Marcus Thornton flashed into his mind, and an unexpected sliver of reassurance took root. Hazel wasn't exactly loyal to their marriage either.

At that thought, he exhaled a quiet breath of relief. His tone unconsciously cooled, carrying the rough edge of a hangover. "I'll drop you off at work."

"I have some things to handle first. I need to swing by the law firm to push your divorce proceedings along."

Evelyn pouted and sat up. The blanket slipped further down, but she didn't bother pulling it up, choosing to just stare at him instead.

Julian had already turned his back to her and was pulling his clothes on. He moved frantically, as if something were chasing him. Evelyn wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her face against his back and holding him tight.

"Julian, you're not regretting this, are you? Because I don't."

Her voice dropped, laced with the hint of tears.

Julian paused.

A rare flash of irritation crossed his features. "Of course not. I really do have things to take care of. I'll take you to work."

She pocketed the phone and pushed the door open.

The elevator at the Apex Holdings building was packed. Hazel stood quietly in the corner, watching the floor numbers tick upward.

When the doors opened, she followed the crowd out and headed toward the laboratories.

She hadn't taken more than a few steps when her phone buzzed again. She pulled it out and was surprised to see a message from Marcus Thornton. Why was he texting her first thing in the morning?

"Bring me a coffee." It was brief, commanding, and perfectly in line with his usual arrogant style.

Hazel's mouth twitched as she stared at the screen. This wasn't her job. She was a researcher, not an errand girl.

But after a second of thought, she turned back toward the stairs. Whatever. It was better to just do it than deal with the headache of refusing him.

She bought a black coffee from the café downstairs and brought it back up.

The door to Marcus's office was closed. She knocked twice, and his deep voice drifted through. "Come in."

She pushed the door open and placed the coffee on his desk.

Marcus was sitting behind his desk, signing a document. He didn't even look up. Hazel turned to leave.

"Wait," he said, his tone unhurried.