"Sorry, Dan. Because of me, Hazel might've misunderstood you," Aurora said softly, her voice laced with innocent pity.
Dan didn't respond.
"Don't blame yourself," Iron interjected, her lips curling into a smirk. "Asher's the one at fault. He shouldn't have called Hazel. She's better off staying home where she belongs." Iron laughed, and a few others joined in mockingly.
Dan still said nothing.
"She's been gone a while," Asher said, glancing toward the hallway. "Maybe someone should check if she's alright?"
Dan leaned back casually. "She's not the type to do anything crazy. Besides, she loves me. Haven't you all seen how she acts? If I say 'stand,' she stands. If I say 'stay,' she stays." He chuckled, a smug grin forming on his face.
"That's true," Iron chimed in mockingly. "If Aurora hadn't left back then, that bumpkin would've never fit into our group. This world is beyond her reach."
The room burst into laughter again, as if mocking Hazel had become their evening entertainment.
A barely noticeable smile tugged at the corner of Aurora's lips. She'd always known about Dan's relationship with Hazel. But deep down, she could never stand watching something she once had in her grasp be loved by someone else. He was hers... he had always been.
Back then, she didn't know Dan was the heir to the Marcer Group. That's why she left.
And now that she was back… Dan had come running to her side like a moth to a flame.
Hiding her amusement, Aurora gave him a sorrowful look. "If I hadn't been sick at that time… I never would've left you, Dan. I just… couldn't bear seeing you hurt." Tears glistened in her eyes, slipping down her cheeks.
Dan reached for a tissue and gently wiped her tears. "You should've told me sooner," he whispered. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, he added, "Now that I know... I'll take care of you. You don't have to worry to be alone, anymore."
Those words stabbed Hazel straight through the heart.
She stood just outside the room, her hand on the doorknob. She had returned from the restroom, only to hear everything.
She stood still. Then, slowly, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Dan was still holding Aurora. Hazel stared at him, her eyes brimming with tears. Dan looked at her for only a second before turning away.
Aurora turned too, noticing Hazel's presence her fingers deliberately trailed up Dan's chest, claiming him in front of Hazel.
Hazel's throat burned. Her fists clenched.
Even though she knew Dan no longer had feelings for her, though she knew Aurora was his first love...it was unbearable to watch that woman touch her man in front of her like she was no one.
Something inside Hazel snapped. Without thinking, Hazel marched forward, grabbed Aurora's wrist and slapped her across the face.
Smack!
"Ahh!" Aurora gasped, clutching her cheek. "How dare you touch me, Hazel?!" she cried.
Dan rushed to her side, instantly inspecting her cheek. His eyes narrowed in anger.
Without warning, he shoved Hazel. She stumbled backward and nearly hit the edge of the table.
"Are you okay?" people rushed to Aurora, completely ignoring Hazel.
Aurora continued to sob. "Dan… I don't want to come between you and Hazel. Hazel… I'm sorry. Don't hurt me… please…" she whispered, her shoulders trembling.
"Shh. Don't talk nonsense," Dan said, softly silencing her. He gently swept her into his arms like she was something fragile. "I'm taking her home. She needs rest."
He turned toward Hazel one last time. His gaze was cold, detached.
"I don't want to see you again."
He turned and walked out- carrying Aurora in his arms, like she was the one who had been wronged.
Hazel stood frozen, legs shaking. Then… she laughed. A bitter, breathless sound. "Huh..." she whispered. "No wonder you never comforted me. I used to think you weren't good with words. Turns out… you just weren't good with me."
Tears slipped down her cheeks and fell onto the floor like shattered memories.
Everyone had left the room except for Asher. He stayed behind, watching her with a look of quiet regret.
He glanced back at her and let out a sigh. "Now that you've seen it yourself… maybe it's time to let him go. It was always Aurora, whom he loved."
Hazel's voice was barely a whisper. "Has he… never loved me? Not even once?"
Asher hesitated, then spoke gently. "During these five years, I occasionally asked him about you. He avoided the topic. Until recently… he told me he was waiting for Aurora. Why else do you think he kept delaying the marriage?"
Hazel didn't reply. Her lips trembled, chest tightened, and all the emotions she had bottled up came crashing down at once. She collapsed onto the couch and sobbed. Loud, helpless sobs. Tears poured freely.
Five years of memories… of love… trust… everything felt shattered.
Asher didn't speak. He just sat beside her in silence. He had no words. Even though he wanted his best friend to find happiness… it felt too cruel. Hazel didn't deserve this.
An hour passed.
Hazel's cries eventually faded into quiet gasps. The tears stopped, though the pain still carved deep into her.
Asher handed her a tissue. She wiped her face slowly, her hands trembling.
"Thank you," she murmured, standing on shaky legs.
Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen, burning like a bloodlusted vampire's. But her expression was different now. Empty and determined.
Asher stood as well. "I wish you the best," he said sincerely. "Don't look back. It'll be better for both you and Dan."
He paused, then added, "Dan and I grew up together. In high school, we met Aurora. Somehow… both of us fell for her. The whole room lit up whenever she smiled. But I kept my feelings hidden when I learned Dan was already in love with her.
"It was when we got to college, Dan was planning to propose. But… on the day he was going to confess, Aurora never showed up. She disappeared. No one heard from her."
"Then… two years ago, she reached out to me. When I told Dan, he completely lost it."
Hazel turned to look at him, her voice barely holding together. "So… Dan has been playing with me all along?"
Asher didn't reply. He simply looked at her, then turned toward the door.
"…Let's go."
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