Chapter 3

Hazel Coleman

Next morning

My heart felt heavy with regret as I carefully arranged my things in my suitcase.

It hurt that the marriage I had so much hope in, had to end this way, but as much as it hurt, I refused to be here like a pathetic woman.

I had just done packing when Liam walked in, but paused once he saw me.

“What are you doing?”

I lifted my gaze, and there he was, his eyes locked on me with confusion.

Can't he tell? I'm leaving him.

“I'll send the divorce papers over to you once it's ready.” And without another word, I walked past him in a bid to leave the room, but he held my hand, bringing me to an abrupt halt.

“You are divorcing me?” He scoffed, his grip tightening on my arm.

“Let go of me!” I yanked his hand off and took a step back as he blocked my way.

He dragged his fingers through his hair in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

Silence.

“Come on, Hazel. Why are you overreacting? Is it because of what happened last night? That I spent the night with Emilia instead of you?”

I tightened my jaw.

“It was just a night! Just a night! Are you seriously going to divorce me just because of that?” He chuckled.

“It's not just about that, Liam! You disrespected me before her… before your friends!” I screamed in my head, but just stared at him silently.

There was no point. I was leaving anyway.

“Get out of my way, Liam.” I said coldly.

He scoffed as he stood motionless, his hands tucked in his pants. “Do you think you can survive without me?”

I raised a brow.

“You don't even have anything, Hazel. You have never worked in the three years of our marriage... I've been the provider in this marriage… You can't even boast of a thousand dollars…” he closed the distance between us, his eyes locked on me, a smile curled her lips.

“Do you think you can handle ending up on the street after living this luxurious life for years?”

“The luxurious life that I fucking gave you!” I tightened my jaw as I screamed in my head.

He blinked, his parted as he scoffed. “Wait! Don't tell me you are waiting to get an alimony from me after the divorce?”

“Fuck your alimony, Liam! I don't need your money!” I spat, and without another word, I pushed him out of my way and forced my way outside.

“Hazel… Why don't you stop being overly dramatic?” Liam said without remorse as he followed me, but I didn't stop to spare him a glance.

I paused once I reached the living room. Mrs Dutton sat on the couch with Emilia beside her, both smiling and talking indistinctly.

Emilia shot to her feet as she glanced at my suitcase and back to my face. “What happened? Did you send Hazel packing?

I could see the excitement in her eyes… the anxiousness of hearing the answer.

I scoffed.

“Hazel wants to file for a divorce because of what happened last night… I think she is angry because I spent the night with you.”

Emilia gasped, her brows furrowed. “Are you really divorcing Liam because of that, Hazel? Nothing happened between Liam and I. He was only worried because I was sick.”

“Aww… That's sad. You must've wanted something to happen so badly. Didn't he find you attractive enough?”

She tightened her jaw, her eyes flared up, but she managed to smile at me.

“That's rude, Hazel!” Liam said defensively.

“You can't speak to Emilia in that manner!” Mrs Dutton chipped in. “She helped Liam get a contract… She has been there for him. The least you can do is to be nice to her!”

I huffed, turning to Emilia. How the hell was she able to convince them to believe these lies from the pit of hell?

‘It doesn't take much to manipulate people like Liam and his mom’.

“Pathetic! You are just a loser who depends on my son. You don't even have anywhere to go. How dare you say you want to divorce my son?”

Emilia looked at me and smiled, as if saying ‘see? I have everyone on my side. I told you that you have no place here’.

My fingers tightened on my suitcase, but I remained calm.

I turned to Liam and said, “I'll send the divorce papers to you.”

Then I turned to leave, but Emilia rushed to hold me, bringing me to an abrupt halt.

My skin crawled in disgust.

“You don't have to leave, Hazel. If anyone has to leave, then that's me. This is your matrimonial home. You shouldn't…”

I yanked her hand off, and she crashed to the floor, a sharp cry tore through her throat.

“Emilia!” Liam shrieked, going to gather her in his arms. “Are you okay?”

I scoffed. She barely hit the ground, and now she's putting up an act to make me look bad? I underestimated her.

“What do you think you are doing?” Liam's sharp voice tore through the air, his eyes burning with fury.

“Don't be mad at her, Liam. I understand her pain. Any woman would feel the same way.” She said as Liam helped her to her feet.

“Hazel…” she said softly, her eyes locked on me, a smug smirk tugging at her lips as she said, “You don't have to be insecure about Liam. I won't take him away from you.”

I scoffed. She won't take him away from me?

“You can have him. He's yours now.” And without another word, I stepped out of the house.

A few minutes later, I stood along the curb to get a cab. First, I needed to lodge in a hotel for a few days and clear my head before going home to my dad.

My abdomen suddenly twisted.

It started with a dull and bearable ache, but the next few seconds, the pain grew intense and unbearable.

My breath hitched, legs trembled beneath me, beads of sweat formed on my forehead as I muffled a scream.

I felt a thick liquid substance dripping down my legs, and I froze once I checked what it was.

Blood!

My body trembled. My baby… Is he okay?

My legs weakened in a way that I couldn't move them… I just stood rooted to the spot, groaning in pain as tears blurred my vision.

I should call for help.

I reached for my phone and called Liam since he was the closest to where I was. I needed to get to the hospital fast to save our baby.

He picked on the first ring.

“Did you change your mind about the divorce because you have nowhere to go?”

“Help me, Liam… Please help.” My grip tightened on my stomach, my voice cracked as tears streamed down my cheeks.

“Hazel? Are you alright? Where are you? Did something happ…” He paused, and the next second, I heard him gasp as he called out to Emilia.

“Emilia? Are you okay?”

“She fainted! Let's take her to the hospital.” I heard Mrs Dutton in the background.

“Liam… Liam… Please save our baby.” I whispered on the phone.

“I need to go, Hazel. Emilia is in danger. You'll be fine.” Then the call ended with a beep.

My chest tightened. Even in this moment, he chose her over saving our baby?

My gaze dropped to the stained floor. I had already lost too much blood from bleeding… My body had grown weaker, and my vision had started to go blur.

My hand trembled as I managed to dial 911, and they picked up right away.

“Pl…please save me… Save my baby…” Those were the last words I remembered muttering before slipping into darkness…