Chapter 5

Hazel Coleman

By morning, Sean texted me that he was on his way to pick me up, so I waited for him outside the hospital, my suitcase beside me.

My heart fluttered at the thought of Sean… Somehow, I felt nervous about seeing him soon… Maybe because it's been ten years already since I last saw him physically.

I rolled my eyes as a familiar car pulled up at the parking lot, then Liam and his mom along with Emilia stepped out of the car.

I stood.

“How dare you do this to Emilia?” Mrs Dutton snapped, and before I could react, her hand swung over my cheek, leaving a burning feeling there.

“Did you know…”

SLAPS! Her words were swallowed by the loud sound of my palm smacking her cheek.

Colours drained from her face, her eyes widened, and she held her cheek.

“Hazel! Did you just slap my mom?” Liam gritted out.

I glanced down at my hand, a soft smile playing on my lips. “Did I? My hand probably slipped…”

“What?” He blinked.

“She started it though…” I shrugged. “You should tell your mom to stop putting her hand on people if she doesn't want to get beaten.”

I've endured this witch talking down on me for years, treating me like a piece of trash, all because I loved her son… I won't allow any of them to walk over me again. Never!

“Have you always been this vile? I can't believe I married you!” Liam gritted out as he tightened his fists beside him.

Emilia quickly stepped forward and held him. “It's okay, Liam. Hazel must still be angry about last night…” she paused and turned to me. “You should apologise to mom, Hazel. That was rude.”

I raised a brow, a smirk curled my lips. “Should I?”

She stepped back as I took a step closer to her.

“You should apologise, Hazel. I might forgive and take you back if you apologise to my mom.” Liam chipped in.

“You are shameless and heartless, Hazel. You killed my grandchild, and you're not even remorseful about it. You hurt Emilia for telling you the truth, and now you slapped me? You are crazy!” Mrs Dutton spat.

Crazy? Well, I've not shown them my crazy side. They might end up on the hospital bed if I should unleash the craziness in me.

“Go to hell, Liam… All of you.”

Colours drained from his face.

“Hazel!” Emilia gritted out.

“You are just an ordinary secretary, Emilia. Know your place.”

Colours drained from her face.

“You don't have to try too hard, darling. It's annoying. Liam will be yours now anyway.”

And without another word, I hauled my suitcase past them.

My phone pinged with a text from Sean.

‘I'm sorry, sis. Something urgent came up, but I sent my assistant to come get you. I'll meet you in two hours’.

Sighs. I was anxious for nothing. I really wanted to see him right away.

Right… Sean is a busy man. He is currently the wealthiest and most famous business tycoon in the States. Of course, he would be busy most times.

My eyes were still glued to my phone when a black Mercedes car pulled up at the parking lot, and a tall young man in black suit approached me.

“Forgive me for keeping you waiting, Ms. Coleman.”

“My name is Mathew. I'm Mr. Wade's assistant.”

“It's fine since you're here now… And oh, it's nice to meet you.”

He picked up my suitcase, and just as he turned to leave, Liam came out of nowhere and held his hand.

“What do you think you are doing?”

Mathew paused, his brows knitted together. “Excuse me? Who are you?”

Liam turned to me, his eyes dripping with disdain as he said. “Is it because of him? Are you divorcing me because of him?”

I scoffed. Acting like he's jealous now? Pathetic!

“That's not your business!” I yanked his hand off my suitcase, shooting him a glare.

“I knew you were this worse. Divorcing my son because you found another man? I guess I underestimated you.”

“Watch your tongues! Do you have any idea who you are talking to?” Mathew chipped in as he faced Liam and his mom, but I held his hand and shook my head.

“I'll handle this.”

He hesitated, then stepped away.

“Is it because of money? How much did he give you to do this to us?” Liam snapped.

“Us? Ridiculous! There was never ‘us’!”

His jaw dropped.

“Expect the divorce papers.”

Then I turned on my heel and headed to the car.

“Hazel…”

“Don't go after her. She's useless anyway.” I heard Mrs Dutton say as Liam called after me, but I didn't pause to spare him as little as a glance.

Mathew joined me in the car and drove out of the hospital.

*****

“Mr. Wade will join you shortly, ma'am.” Mathew said as he led me into the penthouse on the tallest building in the city.

“Alright. That's fine.”

“Let me know if you need anything.” He said, then bowed before leaving.

A weak smile stretched around my lips as I approached the large glass window where I could see the entire city.

This was the life I left just to please that bastard… and what did I get in return? Betrayal.

I will never forgive them.

My phone rang, and just as I reached for it, someone walked into the room.

“Yeah, Mathew… Can you get me a glass of wat…”

My voice trailed off and I froze as I straightened up.

“Sean?”

“Hey, pumpkin!” He winked, a soft cheerful smile lingering around his lips.

Everything went still for a moment, except for the pounding in my heart, the excitement inside me.

It's really my stepbrother, Sean.

My eyes swept over him, and my jaw dropped. He'd grown into a man… a handsome man… Tall enough to almost make me feel short before him. Built perfectly as though he'd done nothing over the years but go to the gym daily.

Sean's mom and my dad dated twelve years ago, and even almost got married before she tragically passed away in a car crash, and ever since, Sean and I had still lived as stepsiblings.

Dad practically raised him these past twelve years after his mom passed away.

“What are you waiting for? Come here.” He chuckled as he spread his arms.

Without another second, I ran into his arms, jumping on him, my arms and legs wrapped tightly around him as if I'd never let go.

Everything stilled, but my body felt strange. My heart raced, not with excitement this time, but a reminder of our past.

This strange feeling felt familiar. It was the same way I'd feel each time I hugged him back then ever since he moved into our home.

What's this?