Chapter 29
Hazel panicked. She ran to and fro as she tried to beg for help and block the news, but no one was willing to give her even an ounce of mercy.
At the height of her most hopeless moment, she remembered Ken. The same man,she once believed, she could win back with just a pout or a little whining.
Barely holding herself together,she rushed to Ken’s office,tears streaming down her face.”Ken,car you please help me?My mom…she’s really not that bad. She only did what she did because she was scared I’d have no one to rely on. She did it for me!”
Ken looked at her coldly and snapped shut the folder in his hands. His voice was even colder than the papers he held. “You should be ashamed of your mother’s actions,not using them as an excuse to gain sympathy.”
“I’m not…I just…“Hazel choked up,reaching out to tug at his sleeve.
“Don’t touch me.” He ducked away and stood up,“I’ve been fooled by you long enough, isn’t it a little late for me to try and play pathetic?”
Hazel stiffened,her lips trembled.“Are you really this heartless?”
“Heartless?“Ken let out a cold laugh. His eyes were full of mockery.“After everything you’ve done,now that karma’s caught up to you,you want my sympathy? You don’t deserve it.”
“You…you said before that you’d protect me.”
“I was blind back then. “He didn’t even bother to look at her again and returned to his desk. “You brought this on yourself.”
Hazel collapsed to the floor,eyes empty,like her soul had been ripped out.
Meanwhile,I was sitting in my office when a news alert popped up on my computer,Diana Takes Over Easton Group; Original Wife’s Wrongful Death Case Reopened.
I stared at that familiar name,the corners of my lips slowly curling into a smile. Just then,my phone rang.It was from an unfamiliar number.
I picked it up.“Hello?”
“It’s me,Diana.“The voice on the other end was calm and composed.
“Diana?“I paused for a second,then suddenly remembered the girl who used to live next door when we were kids.
She continued, “You once told me,if anyone ever bullies you,l should know about it.I know it took me years to find out you were being bullied,but at least this time,I handled a little something for you. No need to thank me.”
I chuckled softly,my eyes drifting back to the headline on my screen.
“I still want to thank you. How about…I treat you to a meal as a thank–you?”
There was a brief silence from the other end before Diana let out a quiet laugh.“Sure.”
One month later,Charles and I registered our marriage.
The sun was shining brightly that day.
There was a long line at the entrance to the City Hall and the spring breeze blew the new leaves
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4:39 am D
on the branches gently swaying.
I was wearing a long beige dress,my hair was simply pulled up and only a pearl hairpin was clipped to my ear.
Charles stood beside me in a dark gray shirt,layered under a light tan trench coat,making him look even taller and refined.
He didn’t say anything,only handed me a cup of hot milk as I stood in line.He was as thoughtful
and considerate as usual.
I took it with a smile,but inside,l felt oddly nervous.
He noticed my unease and asked softly,” Do you regret it?”
I froze and raised my eyes to meet his warm gaze.
He stood straight,but at that moment,I felt that he was actually carefully waiting for my
response.
I shook my head.“No regrets.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Only then did he smile,as if finally relieved.“Good.”
In front of us stood an elderly couple with silver hair. Behind us was a stylish,passionate young pair. Charles and I stood somewhere in the middle,between two extremes, yet somehow,perfectly
matched.
