Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 9

Hearing him demand that she apologize to Evelyn, Hazel felt like she was living in a bizarre nightmare. The man she had shared a life with for five years was now a complete stranger.

In an instant, all the emotion drained from her eyes. Without saying a single word, she gave him one last look, turned around, and walked out the door.

Faintly, she could hear Julian's voice from inside, gently comforting Evelyn. "I'm sorry, Evelyn, I didn't mean to upset you. Hazel isn't usually like this. She's normally very easygoing. She must just be stressed out about something."

Hazel's footsteps paused for a fraction of a second, a mocking smile pulling at her lips as she lowered her eyes to hide the self-deprecating sorrow.

Right. She was always so easygoing. That was why he felt perfectly justified giving her things away and trampling all over her boundaries over and over again.

Since that was the case, she was more than happy to give him away, too.

Evelyn's soft voice drifted out. "It's okay, Julian. I understand. You work so hard every day. At least Hazel takes good care of you, right?"

Julian's tone was full of regret. "If only she were as understanding as you are."

Evelyn stepped forward and gently, politely wrapped her arms around his shoulders, resting her head lightly against him. "Julian, you work too hard."

Julian stiffened slightly, but he didn't push her away.

After Hazel drove away, she made it two blocks before she finally remembered what she was supposed to be doing.

She desperately needed an evening gown. Instinctively reaching for her phone, she suddenly remembered Julian telling her he had ordered a custom dress for her at a high-end boutique—a surprise gift, he had said.

He told her it was waiting at the store and she could pick it up whenever she wanted.

At the time, Hazel had been so incredibly moved. Looking back on it now, he had probably just ordered so many dresses for Evelyn that he casually tossed one in for her as an afterthought.

So he had come and picked up the dress this afternoon, yet he hadn't said a word about it. He had even stood right in front of her with his arm around Evelyn, defending her right to wear Hazel's anniversary gown.

If Evelyn already had the brand-new dress Julian picked up for her, then why did she need to wear Hazel's old one? He was just playing cruel games with her.

Hazel suddenly felt like a complete clown. It was painfully laughable.

Noticing how pale she looked, the associate asked tentatively, "Miss, are you alright?"

Hazel snapped back to reality and forced a smile. "I'm fine. Thank you."

She turned and walked out of the boutique. The night breeze hit her face, carrying the crisp chill of early autumn. Standing on the sidewalk watching the endless stream of traffic, Hazel's head began to spin violently.

She crouched down on the pavement and wrapped her arms around her knees. A suffocating wave of despair crashed over her from every direction, as if an invisible hand were crushing her throat.