The Windfalls of Love (Roxanne and Harrison) novel Chapter 151

Alexander had always been a man of action, he was never one to pussyfoot around. But when it came to matters of the heart, his decisive nature went missing.

Harrison knew that asking Alexander to cut Hazel out of his life was like asking him to stop breathing. But if things kept going the way they were, with Hazel unable to handle being alone and not genuinely caring for Alexander, she'd end up breaking his heart all over again.

Harrison figured he had to find a solution to this mess.

Better a short, sharp shock than endless agony. After one big hurt, even the deepest scars would slowly heal over time.

Harrison would rather see Alexander with a big, healed-over scar on his heart than continue to be tormented by Hazel.

The Dawson clan got wind of Hazel's dirty laundry pretty fast. When Hazel got back to the Dawson residence after leaving the hospital, her old man, Hamlin Dawson, smacked her so hard she lost two teeth. He knocked her onto the couch, and blood immediately started pouring from her mouth.

Hamlin's liver-spotted hand, the one that had hit Hazel, was shaking uncontrollably, and so was his voice. "How could I have a shameless daughter like you? You've thrown away all the Dawson family's dignity."

Her mom, Emily, was the person who loved her the most. But that day, after watching her husband knock out two of their daughter's teeth, Emily couldn't find a single reason to defend her.

All she could do was cry along and give Hazel an earful, "Hazel, did we raise you and pay for your fancy foreign education for nothing? Don't you know shame or decency? Alexander's such a good man; how could you bear to hurt him like this? If you don't love him, why did you marry him? There are so many good girls who like him; why do you have to hurt a man who loves you so much, who's so dutiful and so responsible?"

Emily was shaking with anger over her daughter's disgraceful behavior.

Nora, fearing their parents would get sick from the stress, tried to calm them down, "Dad, Mom, don't get too worked up; your blood pressure's gonna shoot up again."

"And you!" Hamlin glared at his younger daughter, looking stern, "You knew about your sister's antics all along! Why didn't you tell us? Why did you help her cover it up? Can actions like this be excused?”

Nora lowered her head, too ashamed to face her parents. "Dad, I know I was wrong; I shouldn't have kept it from you guys, I…" She just didn't want to see her sister and Alexander get divorced for real. Once upon a time, they looked like such a loving couple, so how did it come to this?

Nora had been in love with Harrison for over twenty years. She had liked him since she was a little girl. Even though Harrison married Roxanne and she was left out in the cold, she still believed in love. But after witnessing her sister's betrayal of Alexander, she started doubting if the pure love she longed for really existed in this world.

In this flashy, noisy society, could true love withstand temptation?

Hazel finally caught her breath, knelt down, and tearfully apologized to her parents.

Hamlin was about to give her another hard slap, but Emily stopped him. "Hazel's pregnant right now; don't hit her too hard."

Hamlin clenched his fist, "We're not even sure if the baby is Alexander's, I..."

He slapped himself in the face and continued, "I owe Alexander an apology. Hazel, you should know what to do. Divorce Alexander, and don't take any of his money after the divorce. Leave the position of his wife. There are many good women in the world, and Alexander can find a good woman after leaving you."

Hamlin was a man of honor.

His daughter had done such a thing, and the only thing he could do was try his best to make it up to Alexander.

That was the only solution.

However, Hazel cried and kicked up a fuss, refusing to get a divorce.

"Dad, Mom, Alexander is willing to give me another chance; I can change. Please don't push me."

Emily let out a long sigh, "Alexander has already done enough for our family."

After all, she was her daughter, and she was pregnant, so Emily pulled on Hamlin's hand.

"Since Alexander has given her a chance, let's trust her one more time. The baby in her belly can have a prenatal paternity test in a few weeks. If the baby is Alexander's, let her give birth to it. If not, make Hazel get an abortion without hesitation, let her correct her mistakes, and make it up to Alexander. What do you think?"

Hamlin couldn't make a decision.

After all, it was their family that had wronged Alexander, and the Dawson family's dignity was already gone.

He had to think carefully.

...

Alexander's stomach wound hadn't fully healed.

But a week later, he insisted on being discharged from the hospital.

On the day he was discharged, Harrison and Samuel went to the hospital to pick him up.

To express his apologies, Hamlin personally went to the hospital and knelt down in front of Alexander.

When he knelt down, Alexander felt a pang in his heart.

He tried to help Hamlin up, but Hamlin refused.

Alexander had no choice but to kneel down with Hamlin. "If you don't get up, I'll stay kneeling too. No matter what, I can't let you kneel before me.”

“Alexander, I am grateful that you are willing to give Hazel another chance. I have taught her a lesson; this is her only chance. If she still doesn’t cherish you, I will kick her out of the house and disown her as my daughter.”

Alexander was a bit choked up, and his eyes were moist.

Hamlin had only seen Alexander's eyes well up with tears twice.

Once, when he married Hazel, he was so happy that he teared up.

The other time was now.

Hamlin was heartbroken to see the once-spirited and good man now so worn out because of a woman.

"Alexander, thank you."

"Get up first." Alexander helped him up.

Only then did Hamlin slowly stand up.

The two men had a heart-to-heart talk in the hospital corridor.

Alexander listened and nodded from time to time.

He knew Hamlin was a great father-in-law.

Even if his marriage to Hazel was over, he would always respect Hamlin.

Nora glanced at Alexander.

In just two weeks, Alexander seemed to have lost a lot of weight.

Alexander's face, which used to be a bit chubby, had now slimmed down, making his facial features more prominent.

He had a buzz cut, which made his face look even thinner.

But Alexander really suited the short hair.

Few men could make short hair look so masculine.

It was just that Alexander now gave off a melancholic vibe.

Nora felt really guilty, "I'm sorry. I didn't intentionally hide the truth about my sister from you; I just didn't want you to be sad."

"I don't blame you." Alexander nodded, "I know everything."

Nora's sense of morality was truly admirable.

Alexander knew that very well.

At this point, Nora sneaked a glance at Harrison.

He seemed warmer than before.

The same old Harrison had the same handsome face, yet it gave off a feeling of warmth.

Maybe it was because after he got married, Roxanne changed him and made him warmer.

Nora sneaked a glance at him. But she didn't dare dwell on it. After all, he was already married. She better stop sneaking peeks at him.

After sending off the Dawson family, Alexander looked at Harrison, "Did you tell them?"

"Yes." Harrison answered frankly, "They would have found out sooner or later. The truth always comes out. I know you want to shoulder everything alone, but this isn't something you can handle on your own."

Samuel was opening the car door for them, "Alex, don't be mad at Harrison. He just wants you to face the truth head-on, and besides..."

Upon receiving a glare from Harrison, Samuel immediately shut his mouth.

He nearly let the cat out of the bag, which would have earned him another scolding from Alexander.

To Samuel's surprise, Alexander didn't scold Harrison.

He got in the car, "I just don't want the elders to get involved."

Hamlin's kneeling gesture earlier had really tugged at Alexander's heartstrings.

His inability to maintain his marriage and cause the elders to worry was a sign of his incompetence.

Harrison sat next to him, "Don't worry, I won't tell your parents."

Alexander didn't say anything more.