Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 127

He hurried over, his voice laced with an urgency Hazel hadn't heard in a very long time.

Hazel looked at him, her expression entirely unreadable. "It's nothing. I just took a fall."

Julian knelt down, gently lifting the edge of the bandage to inspect the wound, noting the angry red swelling surrounding the stitches.

He looked up, a violent storm of emotion swirling in his eyes, his brows knitted tightly together. "You needed stitches, and you're telling me you just took a fall? Did you get this when you jumped out the window?"

Before Hazel could even open her mouth, she was swept off her feet and cradled against his chest.

The moment she was lifted into the air, she instinctively tried to struggle, but Julian's arms tightened around her like a vice, as if terrified she would run away again.

He opened the rear door and carefully placed her in the backseat, his movements incredibly gentle.

Hazel leaned back against the leather seat, an inexplicable wave of melancholy washing over her. It felt like an eternity since he had treated her with such tenderness.

Ever since Evelyn came back into the picture, his gaze had rarely lingered on her, let alone holding her like this or inspecting her injuries with such careful concern.

But none of that mattered anymore.

"Evelyn is waiting for you at home, Hazel."

Julian started the engine, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "Both of you were victims in this mess. But Evelyn ultimately listened to Audrey's lies and invited you to that spa. She wants to formally apologize to you and hopes you can forgive her."

Hazel leaned her head against the window, watching the streetlamps blur past in the dark. A bitter laugh practically crawled up her throat.

Evelyn had orchestrated the entire nightmare, yet Julian believed a simple apology was enough to earn forgiveness.

What about her? Who was going to pay the price for the trauma she endured?

She was just about to speak when her phone screen lit up. It was a message from Professor Finch.

"Hazel, I just realized I sent a package to the wrong address. I sent it to the old house—the one you share with Julian. It's a letter Professor Quigley left for you. I only found it while cleaning out some boxes two days ago. I mailed it so you could read it. Please go pick it up when you have time. I'm so sorry for the mix-up."

The moment she saw Professor Quigley's name, Hazel's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She had no idea her late mentor had left a letter just for her.

Suddenly, returning to that house didn't seem so suffocating anymore.

Hazel stared down at her phone, her fingers hovering over the keyboard for a few seconds before she typed her reply.

"Okay, I understand, Professor. Please don't worry about me. I'm doing fine."

Julian's voice broke through the silence, carrying a hint of concern. "Who is it, Hazel?"

Hazel locked her screen, answering casually, "Professor Finch."

Julian let out a soft 'mhm,' his eyes scanning her through the rearview mirror as if weighing his next words. Finally, he asked, "How has the Professor's health been lately?"

Hazel forced a tight smile. "She's doing fine."

"Enough, Hazel. Stop twisting the knife into Evelyn. She's hurting just as much as you are. Let's go inside."

With that, he and Evelyn walked into the house side by side.

Hazel stood frozen in place, watching their retreating backs.

The warm porch light stretched their side-by-side shadows long across the pavement. She slowly followed them inside, feeling absolutely nothing in her heart.

Upon entering the house, Julian guided Evelyn to sit on the sofa, murmuring quietly to her. Hazel didn't linger in the living room.

She found Mrs. Gable tidying up the storage room. "Mrs. Gable."

Mrs. Gable turned around and quickly set down the boxes in her hands. "Ma'am? You're back."

Hazel nodded and asked, "Did we receive a letter yesterday? It should have come via courier, addressed to this house."

Mrs. Gable frowned, thinking hard for a moment before shaking her head.

"No, Ma'am. I didn't sign for any packages yesterday. Miss Vance was the one who collected the mail. You'll have to ask her."

Evelyn Vance.

Hearing that name made Hazel's heart drop to her stomach. Evelyn had taken her mail yesterday?