Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 96

Zachary didn't say a word, simply pushing off the wall to stand straight. The two walked out shoulder to shoulder.

The harsh fluorescent lights in the precinct corridor stung their eyes, their footsteps echoing through the sterile space.

The moment they stepped through the front doors, the cool night air washed over them. Hazel took a deep breath and was about to descend the steps when she suddenly froze.

A black Maybach was parked by the curb. Julian stepped out, with Evelyn trailing right behind him.

Both looked awful. Julian's brow was locked in a tight frown, while Evelyn's eyes were red, as if she had been crying nonstop.

The moment Julian looked up and spotted Hazel, his entire expression shifted. He rushed forward, pulling her into a suffocating embrace, as if trying to crush her into his very bones.

His breathing was erratic, his chest heaving wildly. He rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice trembling with what sounded like genuine terror.

"Where have you been? You terrified me. Let me look at you—are you hurt?"

Trapped in his arms, Hazel caught the familiar scent of his cologne heavily masked by the lingering smell of tobacco.

She didn't move, just stood there numbly. It all felt completely laughable.

She had no idea how much of his panic was real and how much was an act, nor did she care to figure it out anymore.

Evelyn scurried over, hovering just behind Julian. A brief flash of panic crossed her face when she saw Hazel, but she quickly masked it.

She stepped forward, her tone dripping with manufactured anxiety.

"Hazel, are you okay? Julian and I have been looking everywhere for you. I was so scared something awful happened. Did Sean do anything to you? Where did he go?"

The rapid-fire questions hit like a barrage. Hazel stared at Evelyn's face—so seemingly fraught with concern—and suddenly let out a laugh.

Evelyn's heart gave a violent lurch. Her fingers twisted into her shirt, her knuckles turning bone-white.

Had Sean actually turned on her? He was on the run now—had he struck some sort of deal with Hazel?

Her complexion turned a sickly shade of pale. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words withered in her throat.

Standing nearby, Julian caught the dramatic shift in Evelyn's expression. He wasn't stupid.

Something was seriously off. He stared at Evelyn, his voice dropping into a frigid register.

"Evelyn, did you have something to do with this?"

Evelyn snapped out of her daze. Tears instantly pooled in her eyes, threatening to spill over. "Julian, I swear I have no idea what she's talking about. How could I ever team up with a monster like Sean? Wouldn't that just be throwing Hazel to the wolves? We've known each other for so long... Don't you know the kind of person I am?"