Ken sucked in a sharp breath and slumped back on the sofa,his eyes fixed on the table in front of him. Everything he had done for Hazel these past few days turned out to be just a joke.
He let out a lot. His eyes were bloodshot red.
Just then,the doorbell rang. He did not make a stir.He acted as if he did not hear it.
However,the doorbell sounded again.It was more urgent and insistent than before. Perhaps the
person outside had decided that he or she had to enter.
Ken furrowed his brows a bit, but he eventually got up and opened the door.
The person standing outside the door was Hazel.
She had different attire. She was wearing a white sweater and jeans without her usual high heels. Her hair hung loosely on her head and she looked a bit flustered. With reddened eyes,she
ooked at him and asked,” Ken…can I come in?”
Ken stood there silently. He simply glanced at her indifferently and turned around,then walked back into the living room.
Hazel followed him and gently closed the door behind her.“Why did you leave so suddenly today?”
‘You really have the nerve to ask,huh?“Ken scoffed coldly and then turned around to face her.“Hazel,do you know how badly you embarrassed me today?”
‘I didn’t mean to…“she said weakly and stepped closer.“I didn’t know Diana would suddenly come and make a scene.”
‘You lied to me,Hazel.“His eyes turned ice–cold. “You told me you were the Easton Family’s neiress,but never mentioned you were just a stepdaughter.”
‘I didn’t mean to deceive you…” Panicking,tears streamed down her face and her shoulders shook.Hazel sobbed, “I was just afraid that if you knew the truth,you wouldn’t want to be near me.I had nothing growing up.It wasn’t until my mom married into the Easton Family that I could even dream of being close to you.”
She bit her lip and looked up at him.“Do you remember?Back when we were in our senior year in high school,you picked up my book in the library. That was the first time I ever stood so close to you. You didn’t even notice me,but I couldn’t sleep all night.”
I used to secretly take pictures of your back when you were playing basketball.I watched every single one of your games. You were always standing in the spotlight,full of energy…and I could only sit in the corner.”
She laughed through her tears.“I wished so badly that I were a real heiress,so I could walk up to you confidently.”
‘That’s why I worked so hard.I started wearing makeup,networking, studying investing…I had earned all of those just so I could stand beside you one day without being looked down on.” ‘Ken,I really love you. I’ve loved you since high school… “Her words were riddled with tears and her eyes filled with sadness.
Her words did not move Ken the slightest.He slowly took half a step back,as if he was putting
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distance between himself and her that could never be crossed again.
“Hazell don’t need your love,” he said coldly. “Let me be blunt…I only got close to you because wanted the Easton Family’s investment How that you’re no longer useful to me…“His eyes were so calm,cruel even.
Hazel looked like she’d been struck by lightning.“You mean…you never liked me?Hot even a little However, you clearly…”
“From beginning to end,I only ever loved Emily“Ken cut in firmly.“You’re not her. You never will be.” Hazel’s eyes slowly dimmed and finally,without saying anything,she turned and walked away,
The door clicked shut behind her.
Ken stood there,surrounded by a deafening silence. He tilted his head and gulped down the rest of his drink. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as the bitterness spread,
Several bottles lay empty beside him. He didn’t even know how many times he’d poured and drained his glass.
Although he finally calmed down,it was not the kind that gives a sense of relief. It was the kind of suffocating calmness that was born of regrets.
Seven years,
He and I had been in love for seven years.
From the campus to the workplace,from sneaking around to habitual dependence, he had long taken me as part of his life,as part of his future. However, he never realized it.
4:36 am
Chapter 23
