55 Chapter 57
Chapter 57 – Rising Star, Fallen Rival, and a Husband’s Delusion
After Mrs. Sterling’s birthday party, my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing with appointment requests. In just one night, I’d gained fifteen new VIP clients–all society ladies who had previously treated me like I was invisible. My design studio was
suddenly booked solid for the next three months.
“Ms. Ashworth, there’s another call from Mrs. Vanderbilt,” my assistant informed me. “She’s asking if you could possibly squeeze her in for a consultation this week?”
I couldn’t help but smile. Two weeks ago, Caroline Vanderbilt had snubbed me at a charity function. Now she was practically begging for my time.
“Tell her I can see her next Thursday at 2 PM. That’s my first available slot,” I replied, knowing exactly how valuable my time had suddenly become.
Victoria called me during my lunch break, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Have you seen the society pages? You’re being called ‘the designer to watch‘ after that Sterling bash! Girl, you’ve officially arrived!”
“It feels surreal,” I admitted, looking at the pile of fabric swatches on my desk. “Last month I was worried about keeping the lights on. Now I’m turning clients away.”
“That’s what happens when you have Damien Sterling in your corner,” Victoria said matter–of–factly. “Speaking of which, how are things with your knight in shining
armor?”
My mind drifted back to our conversation on the terrace. The revelation that I’d saved his life all those years ago still felt dreamlike.
“We’re… friends,” I said carefully, ignoring the little flutter in my chest. “He’s been incredibly supportive.”
Victoria snorted. “Friends? Please. The man looks at you like you hung the moon and stars. If that’s friendship, I need better friends.”
“It’s complicated,” I sighed. “He feels indebted to me because of what happened when we were kids. That’s all.
$13:01
1/6
55 Chapter 57
“Indebted?” Victoria’s voice dripped with skepticism. “So arranging a citywide drone show that spelled out your name was just… what? A thank–you note?”
I felt my checks burn. “He’s just being kind.”
“No man goes to those lengths over a childhood debt, Hazel. Wake up and smell the designer perfume. He’s crazy about you.”
I desperately wanted to believe her, but something inside me refused to hope. Hope had led me to spend six years with Julian, only to be humiliated. Hope was dangerous.
“Even if he were interested–and I’m not saying he is–I’m still legally married to Julian,” I reminded her, my mood souring at the mention of my soon–to–be ex–husband.
“How’s the divorce coming along?” Victoria asked.
“The lawyers say it should be finalized in about a month. Julian hasn’t been contesting anything, thankfully.”
“Well, that’s something at least,” Victoria said. “The sooner you’re free of that snake,
the better.
After we hung up, I found myself thinking about Damien more than I wanted to admit. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. How he always seemed to anticipate what I needed before I knew myself. The electric feeling whenever our hands accidentally touched.
Stop it, I chided myself. He’s being nice because he feels he owes you. Don’t read more
into it.
Yet, I couldn’t help replaying our last goodbye at the Sterling mansion. He’d walked me to my car, hand lightly touching the small of my back.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” he’d said, his voice low, just for me. “My mother hasn’t stopped talking about you.”
“I should be thanking you, I’d replied. “Your mother’s approval seems to have opened at lot of doors.”
He’d smiled, that rare genuine smile that transformed his face. “You opened those doors yourself, Hazel. Your talent is undeniable. My family just helped others see what I already knew.”
13:01 G
55 Chapter 57
Before I could respond, he’d leaned in and placed the softest kiss on my cheek. “Goodnight, Hazel.”
The memory of that moment sent warmth rushing through me even now. But I refused to indulge these feelings. After Julian’s betrayal, I’d promised myself I wouldn’t be vulnerable again. Besides, someone like Damien Sterling–wealthy, powerful, from an elite bloodline–would never truly be interested in someone like me beyond feeling obligation.
My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. Julian’s name flashed on the screen. I frowned, tempted to ignore it, but curiosity won out.
“What do you want, Julian?” I answered coldly.
“Hazel.” His voice sounded rough, broken. “It’s Ivy. She’s gone.”
My breath caught in my throat. Despite everything, the news hit me with unexpected
force.
“When?” I managed to ask.
“This morning. The treatments stopped working a week ago.” He paused, his breathing uneven. “I know you two weren’t… close. But I thought you should know.”
I didn’t know how to feel. Ivy had tormented me for years, stolen my fiancé, my wedding–and yet, she was still the little girl who’d come into my home at age five, clutching a teddy bear with a broken ear.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” I said finally, the words automatic but sincere.
“Can you come to the hospital?” he asked suddenly. “I need to see you.”
Every instinct warned me against it. “Julian, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
“Please, Hazel. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. His voice cracked. “Room 405 at St. Vincent’s. Just for a few minutes.”
Against my better judgment, I agreed. Two hours later, I found myself walking down the sterile hallway of St. Vincent’s Hospital, my heels clicking against the linoleum floor.
Room 405 was quiet when I entered. Julian sat alone beside an empty bed, head in hist hands. When he looked up, his eyes were red–rimmed, his usually impeccable
13:01
3/6
55 Chapter 57
appearance disheveled.
“You came,” he said, standing up. “Thank you.”
I stayed near the doorway, maintaining my distance. “I’m sorry about Ivy.”
He nodded, running a hand through his hair. “The doctors said it was peaceful. She just… stopped breathing.”
An awkward silence fell between us. What could I say to the man who had left me for my dying stepsister?
“Why did you want to see me, Julian?” I asked finally.
He approached slowly, as if afraid I might flee. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking these past few weeks. About us. About everything.”
My guard instantly went up. “There is no ‘us‘ anymore.”
“I know I hurt you,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “I made the biggest mistake of
life when I let you go.
my
I stared at him in disbelief. “Let me go? You left me at the altar to marry my stepsister.”
“I was confused,” he said, reaching for my hand, which I quickly withdrew. “Ivy was dying. She begged me. I thought I was doing the right thing”
“The right thing?” I repeated incredulously. “How was humiliating me in front of everyone we know the right thing?”
Julian had the audacity to look wounded. “I never meant to hurt you, Hazel. I was trying to fulfill a dying woman’s last wish.”
“A wish that conveniently involved stealing my wedding,” I pointed out sharply.
He sighed heavily. “Look, what’s done is done. But Ivy’s gone now, and I’ve realized something important.” He took a deep breath. “I still love you, Hazel. I never stopped.”
I actually laughed out loud. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am,” he insisted, stepping closer. “We were together for six years. That doesn’t just disappear.
“It disappeared the moment you chose her over me, I shot back.
55 Chapter 57
Julian shook his head. “I’m not divorcing you, Hazel?
The words hit me like a bucket of lee water. “What?”
“With Ivy gone, there’s nothing standing in our way. We can rebuild. I’ll spend the rest. of my life making it up to you.”
I felt sick, realizing I’d walked straight into his trap. This wasn’t about paying respects to Ivy–this was about him trying to worm his way back into my life.
“You’re delusional,” I said, backing toward the door. “The divorce is happening whether you like it or not.”
“I was there for you for six years, he countered, his voice hardening. “I stood by you through everything. One mistake and you’re ready to throw it all away?”
“One mistake?” I was practically shouting now. “You married my stepsister! After I gave you my blood for five years to keep you alive!”
“I did that for lvy!” he defended. “She was dying, Hazel. What was I supposed to do?”
“Not marry her on the day you were supposed to marry me!” I snapped.
Julian’s expression shifted, becoming almost smug. “You know, I never loved Ivy at all. I just treated her as a sister… I don’t think there’s anything wrong made you angry, I still don’t regret this choice.”
With that. Even if it
I stared at him, speechless. In those few sentences, Julian had revealed his true character more clearly than in all our years together. He had destroyed our relationship, humiliated me publicly, all for someone he claimed not to love romantically–and he felt justified.
The realization hit me with sudden clarity: Julian Grayson had never truly loved me. Love didn’t do what he had done. Love didn’t manipulate and justify and refuse to grant freedom.
And as I stood there facing his self–righteous delusion, I knew with absolute certainty that the battle for my divorce had just become much, much harder.
56 Chapter 58
56 Chapter 58
