Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 145

Opening the front door, Hazel immediately spotted someone sitting on the living room sofa.

Beatrice sat there in a vintage tailored jacket, her hair immaculately styled, blowing gently on a steaming cup of tea.

Hearing the door, she looked up, her face instantly breaking into a wide smile as she set her cup down and hurried toward the entryway.

"Hazel, you're home."

Hazel paused in surprise. "Beatrice, what brings you here?"

Beatrice walked over and took Hazel's hand, her warm, dry palms fully enveloping hers.

She looked Hazel up and down, her gaze briefly snagging on the bandage wrapped around her lower leg. She frowned slightly but smoothed her expression immediately, acting as if she hadn't noticed.

"I missed you both, so I came to visit." She patted the back of Hazel's hand. "Julian has been so busy with work lately and neglected you. I decided to move in for a little while. You don't mind, do you?"

Hazel offered a polite smile. "Of course not."

She knew exactly why Beatrice had moved in. Every time they met, the conversation inevitably circled back to having a baby, a relentless pressure that started at the dinner table and didn't end until they said goodbye at the door. Hazel had endured it so many times she could just let it go in one ear and out the other. She would smile and nod, while completely ignoring the actual words.

Julian's heart wasn't in this marriage anyway, and with the divorce papers due in a few days, enduring a little nagging didn't bother her. Besides, Julian likely had zero interest in having a child at this point either.

"I'm going upstairs to shower," Hazel said with a smile.

"Go right ahead."

Beatrice watched Hazel disappear around the staircase landing, her smile dimming slightly.

She sat back down on the sofa and looked up at Julian, who was standing nearby.

"Come here, Julian."

Julian walked over and sat beside her. Beatrice placed her teacup onto the glass coffee table with a sharp clink.

"You two have been married for so long. Why don't you have a child yet? When your father was your age, you were already running around the yard."

Mrs. Garrison's name flashed on the screen. Hazel stared at it for two full seconds, her brow furrowing.

Mrs. Garrison never called unless she wanted something. What disaster was it this time?

The moment the call connected, her mother's shrill voice blasted through the speaker. Bypassing any basic greeting, she fired off an immediate order.

"Where are you? Get to the hospital right now! Gideon fainted and he needs a blood transfusion!"

Hazel frowned.

Her mother's calls only ever brought bad news, and every single time, it revolved around Gideon. That was the only time she remembered she had a daughter.

"I don't have time," Hazel replied evenly, devoid of emotion. "Find him a donor match at the hospital."

Mrs. Garrison's voice escalated into a furious scream. "You heartless bitch! Your brother just saved your life a few days ago, do you think I don't know that? Every time something goes wrong, you're completely useless!"

Hazel stood by the window, letting her mother's toxic tirade pour from the receiver. Her expression remained completely blank. She found it almost amusing. She knew her mother thrived on emotional blackmail, so the words didn't affect her at all.