Hazel stepped into the apartment- her and Dan's home for over five years.
Everything looked the same. Every piece of decoration, every corner, every picture frame, every little item on the shelf spoke of the life they had built together. Yet, none of it felt familiar anymore. The warmth was gone. Replaced by a strange emptiness that made her chest ache.
Her eyes landed on the kitchen counter.
They used to dance there. Laughing, spinning around while cooking dinner, singing along to Taylor Swift's song 'Love Story' like two carefree teens in love.
A lump rose in her throat. Tears threatened to fall again. She glanced at her phone, maybe, just maybe, Dan would call or text a simple sorry. Maybe even a cruel joke. "It was just a prank, Hazel."
But the blurred empty screen stared back at her in silence. She placed the phone down.
The food she had prepared earlier still sat untouched and cold on the counter. She sat down and ate it slowly. Strangely, it didn't taste bad. In fact, it tasted better than it had in a long time. Maybe because, for once, she was eating it for herself.
Afterward, she took a long, hot shower, hoping it would wash away the ache wrapped around her chest. But even under the water, her mind kept spinning with the echoes of that evening.
When she finally got into bed alone, her phone buzzed. She jolted, hope flickering for a moment… only to see the screen flash "Mom."
"Hello… Ma?" Hazel answered, her voice soft.
"How are you, sweetheart?" her mother asked gently, and just hearing that familiar warmth undid her completely. She wanted nothing more than to cry in her mother's arms.
"Maa…" she choked, her voice trembling. "I miss you and Dad."
There was a pause... Then she heard the rustle of the phone being passed before her father's familiar voice came on: "Hi, pumpkin. Still mad at your old man?"
"Dad… Mom…" Hazel couldn't hold it anymore, her voice breaking. "Can I come back home? Dan and I… we broke up."
The words felt like shrapnel leaving her chest.
"What?" her father's voice hardened. "That damn boy! He dared to play with my daughter's heart? He took you from us and didn't even cherish you? Tell me a word, Pumpkin and I'll crush the Marcer business if I have to!"
Despite the pain in her chest, Hazel let out a teary laugh. Her father's outrage, oddly, made her feel safe.
"No, Dad… Even though I was foolishly in love, I haven't lost my self-respect. If someone stops loving me… what's the point of forcing them to stay? I'd rather set him free."
"That's my girl," he said proudly.
Then her mother's soft voice returned. "Sweetheart, when are you coming? Let me book your flight."
"No," her father interrupted. "I'll go myself and bring my precious little girl back. She has suffered enough."
Hazel giggled. "Dad, Mom… don't worry. I'll book the ticket once I wrap things up here. Thank you for always being there."
"Of course, sweetheart. We just want you to be okay," her mother said gently. "You must be tired. Get some rest, darling. Call us anytime, okay?"
"I will. I love you both. Good night see you soon."
"Goodnight, Pumpkin.
Click. The call ended, but the warmth lingered.
---
Meanwhile, in the luxurious apartment Dan had arranged for Aurora:
Dan gently pressed an ice cube to Aurora's cheek where Hazel had slapped her.
"Ahh!" Aurora winced, though the sound came out more like a whispering moan than pain.
"Does it hurt?" Dan asked, guilt tugging at him. "I'm sorry. You got hurt because of me. But Hazel's not like that, usually. She's kind… I don't know what happened tonight."
"Dan…!" Aurora said softly, her tone laced with both affection and accusation. "Why are making excuses for her? Don't tell me you've actually started falling for her?"
Dan blinked. "No way!" he said quickly. "I never loved her. It's always been you, Aurora…" But he couldn't quite say it loud enough. Maybe because a part of him wasn't sure anymore.
He glanced at his phone. No messages and calls. Normally, Hazel would've texted him by now. Called him ten times if he was late. Tonight… nothing.
Did I go too far? The question crept in.
Aurora noticed the way he stared at his phone. Her heart tightened.
"If you're so worried about Hazel," she said, "then go back to her. Don't stay here just for me. I'm used to being alone anyway."
"Don't overthink," Dan replied with a faint smile. He looked at the clock: half past midnight. What's Hazel doing now? Did she even make it home safely?
"I should head back," tensed, he finally said.
"Then go," Aurora replied. But as he stood, she added, "It's late… Why don't you stay the night?"
Dan hesitated. "No… I..." A strange uneasiness gnawed at his chest.
Just as he reached for the door-
Thud!
"Ahhh!" Aurora screamed.
Dan turned, startled. She had collapsed on the floor, clutching her ankle. "I… I think I twisted it," she whimpered. "I'm sorry. Please… go. Don't worry about me."
Dan rushed over. "You're still so clumsy," he muttered, scooping her into his arms and settling her back on the couch. He grabbed his phone and called the family doctor.
Twenty minutes later, the doctor arrived.
"Hmm… Nothing serious," the doctor said after examining her. "Just a minor twist. Bed rest for a few days and she'll be fine." He handed Dan a prescription for painkillers and left.
Dan sighed, glancing at the time again. With a tired sigh, he slumped onto the sofa beside Aurora.
He stared at the door in silence. "Looks like I have to stay here tonight. I can't leave her injured like this," he told himself. Hazel will understand… She'll forgive me. I'll just buy her a gift or two.
But even as he said that- for the first time… the thought didn't sit quite right.
And far away, in a quiet, dimly lit apartment, Hazel had already started packing the pieces of her heart.
---