39 Chapter 41
Chapter 41 – A Queen’s Turbulent Celebration and a Mysterious Arrival
The door swung open, and my heart plummeted. Standing there, with that familiar self–righteous expression I’d grown to despise, was Julian.
“What the hell?” I hissed, shooting Victoria a betrayed look.
Victoria held up her hands defensively. “Before you get mad, this wasn’t meant as a nice surprise. I thought you deserved to show off how amazing your life is now–right
to his face.”
Julian stepped into the room, his eyes sweeping over the extravagant party before landing on me. The “Birthday Queen” sash suddenly felt ridiculous rather than fun.
“Seriously, Hazel?” he said, his voice dripping with judgment. “This is what you’re doing while Ivy’s in the ICU?”
The room fell silent. I placed the cake knife down carefully, willing my hands not to
shake.
“Nice to see you too, Julian,” I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. “Interesting that you’re here instead of at her bedside. How devoted of you.”
He flinched, and I felt a small flash of satisfaction.
Victoria stepped between us, her protective instincts in full force. “You weren’t invited to stay, Julian. You were invited to witness. Mission accomplished. Now you can leave.”
Julian ignored her, keeping his eyes fixed on me. “She’s getting worse. The doctors say
“I don’t care what the doctors say,” I cut him off, surprising even myself with my
coldness. “You made your choice six months ago. You don’t get to guilt me about how I spend my birthday.”
Robert moved beside me, a solid presence of support. “I think you should go,
man.”
Julian’s face hardened. “You’ve changed, Hazel.”
“Thank God for that,” I retorted.
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room was so tense you could cut it with the cake knife still sitting untouched on the table. Everyone was watching, waiting to see what would happen next.
“She didn’t ask to be in pain. She’s dying, Hazel, Julian pressed.
Something inside me snapped. Six years of donating blood, of sacrificing my health for him, of planning our life together–all thrown away for a girl who’d tormented me since childhood.
“And you’re standing here instead of holding her hand, I pointed out. “What does that say about your priorities, Julian? Or are you just here to make yourself feel better by trying to make me feel worse?”
A flush crept up his neck. I’d hit a nerve.
“You know what?” Sarah chimed in, lifting a hefty slice of my birthday cake. “I think Julian needs to sweeten up.” Without warning, she smashed the cake directly into his chest, smearing chocolate frosting across his undoubtedly expensive shirt.
His mouth fell open in shock. Before he could recover, Lisa followed suit with another slice, this one landing squarely on his shoulder.
“Oops,” she said innocently. “My hand slipped.”
Julian’s face turned purple with rage. “You’re all insane!”
“No,” I said, picking up a glass of champagne and taking a deliberate sip. “We’re celebrating my birthday. You should probably go change your shirt.”
The humiliation was too much for him. With a final glare, Julian stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
For a beat, the room was silent. Then everyone erupted into cheers and laughter.
“That,” Victoria declared, “was worth every penny I spent on this cake.”
The tension broken, I laughed until my stomach hurt. My friends crowded around, offering high–fives and refilling my glass.
“To Hazel,” Robert toasted. “Who finally told that asshole exactly where to shove it!”
I clinked glasses with everyone, feeling lighter than I had in months. The champagne bubbles tickled my nose as I drank deeply, letting the alcohol wash away the last traces
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Julian’s presence.
As the night progressed, I drank more than I probably should have. But for once, I didn’t want to be responsible. I wanted to forget everything–Julian, Ivy, my struggling business, even my complicated feelings for Damien Sterling.
“You okay?” Chloe asked, finding me at the bar ordering another drink.
“Never better,” I insisted, feeling wonderfully reckless. “I’m free, Chloe. Really free.”
She smiled, though concern flickered in her eyes. “I’m glad. Oh, I should mention–my brother’s picking me up later. He might stop by.”
I nodded absently, not really processing her words as I accepted another cocktail from the bartender.
Hours later, as the party began to wind down, I found myself comfortably numb, sprawled across a plush lounge chair. My friends were arranging their rides home, their voices seeming to come from very far away.
“Robert’s taking us home,” Victoria informed me, her own words slightly slurred. “You coming?”
I waved her off. “I’ll get a cab. Just need a minute.”
Chloe’s phone rang, and she stepped away to answer it. I thought I heard a familiar deep male voice on the other end of the line, but in my alcohol–soaked state, I couldn’t
place it.
“That’s my brother,” she said after hanging up. “He’ll be here soon. Need a ride?”
I shook my head, the movement making the room spin pleasantly. “I’m good, Go ahead.”
One by one, my friends departed, leaving me alone in the VIP section with just a few lingering partygoers in the main area of the club.
I must have dozed off because I was startled awake by someone sitting down beside
- me.
“Miss Ashworth?”
I blinked, trying to focus on the young man beside me. He looked vaguely familiar–one of the bartenders, maybe?
39 Chapter 41
ve been wanting to talk to you all night,” he continued, leaning closer than was comfortable. “I think you’re incredible.”
In my drunken state, I couldn’t remember if I knew him or not. “That’s nice, I mumbled, trying to sit up straight.
“I’ve admired your work for so long,” he pressed on, his hand finding my knee. “And you’re even more beautiful in person.”
Warning bells rang dimly in my foggy mind as his hand began to slide upward. “I should go,” I slurred, trying to stand but finding the room tilting dangerously.
“Let me help you,” he offered, his arm snaking around my waist. His face was suddenly very close to mine. “You know, I think we could be amazing together.”
Before I could process what was happening, he leaned in for a kiss. I turned my head, but his grip tightened.
“Please don’t-” I began.
Suddenly, the young man was yanked backward with such force that he stumbled several feet away. A tall figure now stood between us, radiating cold fury.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” the newcomer demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
Through my alcohol haze, I squinted at the imposing silhouette. Something about the broad shoulders and commanding presence seemed achingly familiar.
The young man held up his hands defensively. “We were just talking, man. Chill.”
“Leave. Now.” The two words carried such authority that the young man immediately backed away, nearly tripping over himself in his haste to depart.
The tall figure turned to me, his features coming partially into focus. Dark hair. Sharp jawline. Penetrating eyes that seemed to see right through me.
“Damien?” I whispered, though I wasn’t entirely sure if it was really him or my wishful thinking.
He sat beside me, his expression a mixture of concern and something that looked oddly like disappointment. “What are you doing to yourself, Hazel?”
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tbl d slowly, trying to make the world stop spinning. “Celebrating,” I answered, my tongue feeling thick. “It’s my birthday.”
“I can see that,” he replied dryly, eyeing the disheveled “Birthday Queen” sash still hanging from my shoulder.
Heaned forward, poking his chest with my finger. “You’re always showing up. Why do you keep showing up?”
His jaw tightened. “Someone needs to look out for you.”
“I don’t need looking after,” I protested, though the effect was somewhat ruined when I hiccupped. “I’m a strong, independent queen.” I gestured sloppily to my tiara, which was now askew.
A hint of amusement softened his stern expression. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely,” I nodded vigorously, immediately regretting it as the room spun. “You know what? There’s this man–this amazing, incredible man who makes me feel like I could conquer the world.”
His eyebrows rose slightly. “Oh?”
“He’s not like other men,” I continued earnestly, too drunk to filter my thoughts. “He’s strong but gentle. Powerful but kind. When he looks at me, I feel…seen. Really seen, you know?”
The stern expression was completely gone now, replaced by something much softer. He leaned closer, his voice gentler than I’d ever heard it. “Tell me more about this
man.”
“He saved me,” I whispered, my eyes growing heavy. “When everything was falling apart, he was there. Not asking for anything. Just…helping. Who does that?”
“Someone who cares about you, perhaps,” he suggested quietly.
I shook my head, then swayed slightly from the movement. “No, it’s more than that. He’s like…like a storm. Powerful and overwhelming and a little bit scary. But also exciting. Makes me feel alive again.”
He was watching me intently now, his expression unreadable. “Sounds like quite the
man.”
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“The est I’ve ever known,” I admitted, my drunk honesty bypassing all my usual defe…es. “But I can’t tell him that. It would complicate everything.”
“Would that be so terrible?” he asked, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
I sighed dramatically, slumping back against the cushions. “Probably. I mess everything up.”
“I doubt that’s true.”
I peered at him through half–closed eyes, suddenly struck by how handsome he looked in the dim light. “You look like him, you know. Same… intensity”
His smile widened ever so slightly as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. “Oh? What’s his name?”
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