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GIVE Up 105

GIVE Up 105

102 Chapter 105 

102 Chapter 105 

Chapter 105 Confrontations and a HundredStep Promise 

I felt my body tense as Mr. Grayson Sr.’s eyes locked with mine. His oncecommanding presence now seemed diminished, his shoulders slightly hunched, his face marked with new worry lines. The last person I wanted to see at this hospital was anyone connected to Julian

Ms. Ashworth,” he called, taking a step toward me. Is it you? Are you here for Julian?” 

I instinctively moved closer to Mr. Vance, who looked confused by the sudden tension radiating from me

Mr. Grayson,” I acknowledged coldly. No, I’m not here for Julian. I’m here because my colleague needed medical attention.I gestured to Mr. Vance’s stitched forehead

Something like disappointment flashed across his face. I see. I thought perhapsnever mind.” 

I should have walked away. Every cell in my body was screaming at me to get in my car and drive off. But morbid curiosity got the better of me

Why would I be here for Julian?I asked

Mr. Grayson Sr. hesitated, running a hand over his thinning hair. He’s here. In the ICU. Alcohol poisoning.” 

The news should have affected me. Six months ago, it would have sent me running to Julian’s bedside, frantic with worry. Now I felt nothing but a detached sort of pity

I’m sorry to hear that,I said, not sure if I meant it. But it’s not my concern anymore.” 

Ms. Ashworth,” Mr. Vance interjected quietly, shall we go? You have that meeting in an hour.” 

I nodded, grateful for the excuse, but Mr. Grayson stepped forward again

Please, wait,he said. I need to speak with you about something else. About Giselle.” 

Giselle. Julian’s younger sister. The party girl who’d always treated me with thinly veiled contempt

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What about her?” 

That video,he said, lowering his voice. The one at your wedding venue. With herbehavior. It’s causing problems for her. She’s lost sponsorships, her modeling 

contracts… 

I almost laughed. The video of Giselle’s drunken tirade at what should have been my wedding reception had gone viral. She’d been caught on camera mocking me, calling me patheticfor dating Julian for six years and still getting dumped. All while downing champagne that I had paid for

And what exactly would you like me to do about that, Mr. Grayson?I crossed my 

arms

Take it down. Please. She made a mistake

I didn’t post that video,I replied truthfully. Some guest did. It’s beyond my control 

now.” 

His face hardened. But you could make a statement, ask for it to be removed. People 

would listen to you.” 

Why would I do that?I asked bluntly. Your family has never shown me an ounce of kindness. Your son used me for my blood for five years, then dumped me for my stepsister. Your daughter publicly mocked me at my own wedding venue hours after I was humiliated. Why should I help her?” 

Mr. Grayson’s face reddened. Because it’s the right thing to do. Because you’re better than this petty revenge.” 

This isn’t revenge,I said evenly. This is consequences. Something your family has never had to face.” 

Mr. Vance shifted uncomfortably beside me, but I kept my gaze steady on Julian’s 

father

Please,” his voice cracked slightly. I’m asking you, human to human. Giselle is suffering.” 

I took a deep breath. Fine. I’ll make a public statement asking for the video to be taken down. But I’m not doing it for Julian, and I’m not doing it for Giselle. I’m doing it because I’m tired of your family taking up space in my life.” 

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Relief washed over his features. Thank you. Thank you, Hazel

Ms. Ashworth, I corrected him. And one more thin forgiveness.” 

mistake this for 

He nodded, then hesitated. Would youwould you consider seeing Julian? Just once? The doctors aren’t sure if he’ll- 

No.My response was immediate and firm. Julian made his choice. I’ve made mine.” 

Without waiting for a response, I turned away, gesturing for Mr. Vance to follow me to 

on my back. the car. As we walked, I could feel Mr. Grayson’s eyes 

That was intense,Mr. Vance murmured as we reached my car

Welcome to my life,I sighed, unlocking the doors. Now let’s go deal with my stepmother.” 

Eleanor was still waiting when we returned to the office, her face a mask of practiced patience that couldn’t quite hide her desperation. I’d called ahead and gathered the staff in the main workspace

I’d also revised the contract

Eighty thousand,” I said, sliding the paper across the table to her

What? That’s not what we agreed to!Eleanor’s eyes widened in outrage

Fifty thousand for Ethan, thirty thousand for Mr. Vance’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and compensation for assault,I explained calmly. You’re lucky he’s not pressing charges.” 

Eleanor’s eyes darted to Mr. Vance, who stood beside me with his bandaged head, then back to the contract

I can’t possibly work off that much,she protested

You’ll work here three days a week, and at Mr. Vance’s photography studio two days a week,I said. At minimum wage, it will take you approximately two years.” 

The color drained from Eleanor’s face. Two years?” 

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Less if you work overtime,I said with a shrug. Your choice.” 

Her hands trembled as she stared at the contract. I knew what she was thinkingtwo years of humiliation versus her precious son going to jail

The contract also stipulates that you will not contact me outside of work hours, you will not discuss our personal history with anyone at the company

and you 

will maintain a professional demeanor at all times,I continued. One violation, and the full amount becomes due immediately.” 

Eleanor swallowed hard. And if I refuse?” 

Then Mr. Vance presses charges for assault, and you join Harrison in jail,” I said simply Oh, and Ethan faces his consequences alone.” 

After a long, tense silence, Eleanor picked up the pen and signed her name. I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until I felt it leave my lungs in a quiet sigh

Now,I said, you have an apology to make.” 

Leading her out to where my staff had gathered, I watched as Eleanor Ashworth, the woman who had made my adolescent years a living hell, stood before my employees with her head bowed

I’d like to apologize to Mr. Vance for my inexcusable behavior earlier today,she said, her voice barely above a whisper. I was upset and acted inappropriately. It won’t happen again.” 

Louder,1 instructed. So everyone can hear you.” 

The look she shot me was venomous, but she repeated her apology, voice raised

Apology accepted,Mr. Vance said graciously. I look forward to working with you, Mrs. Ashworth.” 

Eleanor’s face twitched at the irony

You start tomorrow,I told her. Six AM sharp. The cleaning supplies are in th storage closet.” 

You did WHAT?Victoria/exclaimed, nearly spilling her wine later that evening at her 

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apartment

I hired my stepmother as the company cleaner,” I repeated, taking a sip of my own wine. The day’s events had left me emotionally drained, but there was a certain satisfaction in recounting them

Clara shook her head in disbelief. That’s either the most brilliant or the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard.” 

Brilliant,” Victoria insisted. Absolutely brilliant. I would pay to see Eleanor Ashworth scrubbing toilets.” 

Well, feel free to stop by the office tomorrow morning,” I said with a small smirk

Oh, I will,Victoria promised. With a camera.” 

We all laughed, the tension of the day finally breaking. But as the evening wore on and I returned to my empty apartment, the weight of everything settled back onto my shoulders

I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto my couch, scrolling through my phone. There were several unread messages from Damien from earlier in the day

*Hope your day is going well. Thinking of you.

*Dinner tomorrow night? I know a place you’ll love.

*In a meeting that won’t end. Save me.

*That cloud looks like a rabbit. Or maybe I’ve been in meetings too long.

*They say it takes 99 steps to surrender. I’ve taken 98 for you, Hazel.

That last message, sent hours ago, made my heart flutter. I hadn’t responded to any of them, too consumed with the day’s drama

Damien Sterling. The man who’d turned my world upside down. The man who seemed too good to be true

I typed out a response 

before I could overthink it

*Is one step from me enough?

The moment I sent it, panic seized me. What was I doing? I quickly typed again

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*Sorry, ignore that. I’ve had a long day

Before I could hit send, my phone pinged with his response

*I can take 100 steps, as long as you don’t retreat.

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GIVE Up

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