131 Chapter 134
–
Chapter 134 – Unwanted Burdens and Unwavering Support
The courthouse’s marble hallway seemed to close in around me as Eleanor’s threat hung in the air. People stared openly at our confrontation, their curious eyes burning
into
my skin.
“You have no grounds to sue me,” I managed to say, proud that my voice didn’t betray the storm raging inside me. “And I suggest you leave before security escorts you out.” Eleanor’s face twisted into an ugly sneer. “You think you’re so high and mighty now with your fancy boyfriend? You’re still the same worthless girl your father never wanted.”
Damien’s arm tightened protectively around my waist. “I believe Hazel asked you to leave.”
“This doesn’t concern you,” Eleanor snapped at him before turning back to me. “You’ll regret this, Hazel. When your father dies in that prison hospital, his blood will be on your hands.”
With that final barb, she spun on her designer heels and stalked away, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.
I stood frozen, barely breathing until Damien gently guided me toward the exit. “Let’s get out of here,” he murmured.
The cool air outside did little to calm the churning in my stomach. My hands were still shaking as Damien helped me into his car.
“Are you okay?” he asked once we were settled in the backseat, his driver pulling smoothly away from the curb.
I wasn’t. Not even close. But I nodded anyway, staring out the window as the city blurred past. “I just need a minute.”
Instead of heading to my office or his home, Damien instructed his driver to take us to the riverside park. Twenty minutes later, we were walking along the quiet path beside the water, away from the courthouse drama and Eleanor’s venom.
How darow the can’t artaally que you for not caring for your father, Damien said after wird walled in glence for a while. There’s no legal requirement
know?” I sighed watching a family of ducks glide peacefully across the water. “But that does make her words hurt any res
We found a secluded benet overlooking the river and sat down. The gentle lapping of water against the shore had a calming effect, giving me space to gather my thoughts.
Tm sorry you had to witness that I finally said, embarrassend that Damien had seen the ugliness of my family station firsthand.
“Monit apologue for her behavior Damien replied firmly.
“it’s not just that.” I turned to face him, noting him to understand. “This is what my family as like, Damien, Toxic manipulativer, crud. Ewe tried so hard to distance myself from them, so buld something better but they always find a way back in.
bil eyes soffermat with understanding Tanity assures don’t scare me off, Flazet
Whey hey should” whisperent, woring the four that had been growing inside me since floor’s appearance What if I’m more like them than I want to admit? What if Ben’s something fundamentally freakcon in me fare?
Damien gently seeds Bath my hunds as is “Hazed, listen to me. You are nothing like your further as thomas The wory fact that was worry about it proves that
“Na what–ifs,” he interrupted softy. The seam who was are. You showed compassion to Gisele fatiny, a woman who has done nothing but try fee hurt was. That’s ant the action of sammane she’s Breakan.”
Blackand drawn of our intertwined hands, wanting desperately to belever han. Ever spent my whole liis coming from what they are. Sometimes I worry I’ll never outrun
“Wan diot have to outrun anything Damien said. “You’ve already proven who you de dieaugh gaur disces. Every day, you choose kindness and integrity over battemess and maupulasons. That’s what mainis“
his unwavering fath as we brought law to my ces. Tim muset to watroner sexing
131 Chapter 134
“You know she can’t actually sue you for not caring for your father,” Damien said after we’d walked in silence for a while. “There’s no legal requirement.”
“I know,” I sighed, watching a family of ducks glide peacefully across the water. “But that doesn’t make her words hurt any less.”
We found a secluded bench overlooking the river and sat down. The gentle lapping of water against the shore had a calming effect, giving me space to gather my thoughts.
“I’m sorry you had to witness that,” I finally said, embarrassed that Damien had seen the ugliness of my family situation firsthand.
“Don’t apologize for her behavior,” Damien replied firmly.
“It’s not just that.” I turned to face him, needing him to understand. “This is what my family is like, Damien. Toxic, manipulative, cruel. I’ve tried so hard to distance myself from them, to build something better, but they always find a way back in.”
His eyes softened with understanding. “Family issues don’t scare me off, Hazel.”
“Maybe they should,” I whispered, voicing the fear that had been growing inside me since Eleanor’s appearance. “What if I’m more like them than I want to admit? What if there’s something fundamentally broken in me too?”
Damien gently took both my hands in his. “Hazel, listen to me. You are nothing like
about it proves that.” your father or Eleanor. The very fact that you worry
“But what if-”
“No what–ifs,” he interrupted softly. “I’ve seen who you are. You showed compassion to Giselle today, a woman who has done nothing but try to hurt you. That’s not the action of someone who’s broken.”
‘ve
I looked down at our intertwined hands, wanting desperately to believe hin spent my whole life running from what they are. Sometimes I worry I’ll never outrun
it.”
who you are “You don’t have to outrun anything,” Damien said. “You’ve already proven through your choices. Every/day, you choose kindness and integrity over bitterness and manipulation. That’s what matters.”
His unwavering faith in me brought tears to my eyes. “I’m not used to someone seeing the best in me,” I admitted.
131 Chapter 134
“Then get used to it,” he replied with a small smile, reaching up to brush a tear from my cheek. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
I leaned into his touch, letting his steady presence anchor me. “I’m sorry I shut you out earlier. When I heard about my father’s illness, I just… I didn’t want to burden you with all this ugliness.”
“Hazel,” he said seriously, “loving someone means sharing their burdens. You’re not protecting me by keeping me at arm’s length. You’re just facing things alone when you don’t have to.”
His words hit home in a way I hadn’t expected. For so long, I’d equated independence with handling everything myself. I’d been so afraid of becoming a burden that I’d forgotten how to accept help.
“I’m not very good at letting people in,” I confessed. “Every time I have in the past, it’s ended badly.”
“I’m not Julian,” Damien said softly. “And I’m not your father. I don’t say things I don’t mean, and I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”
I looked into his eyes–those sincere, steady eyes that had never wavered since the day I met him—and felt something shift inside me. Maybe it was time to stop expecting the
worst.
“I know you’re not,” I whispered. “And I’m grateful for that every day.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the river flow past. When Damien finally spoke again, his voice was gentle but serious.
“What do you want to do about your father?”
I sighed, facing the question I’d been avoiding. “Honestly? Nothing. He made his choices. He never cared about me when I needed him. Why should I care about him
now?”
“You don’t have to,” Damien assured me. “I just want you to know that whatever you decide, I support you.”
I squeezed his hand, overwhelmed by gratitude for this man who understood my complicated feelings without judgment. “Thank you. Not just for saying that, but for bringing me here, for giving me space to breathe.”
131 Chapter 134
“Always,” he promised.
Back at my office later that afternoon, I consulted with my lawyer about Eleanor’s
threats.
“She has no legal grounds,” Mr. Bennett confirmed. “While some states have filial responsibility laws, they’re rarely enforced, and given your father’s documented history of abuse and his criminal conviction, no court would rule in their favor.”
I nodded, relieved but still unsettled. “What about his medical situation? Is there any truth to what she said about his condition?”
Mr. Bennett shuffled through some papers. “From what I understand, your father does have some health issues that might qualify him for medical parole. But the costs associated with his care would fall to his spouse or to him–not to you.”
“So Eleanor’s trying to manipulate me into paying for his treatment,” I concluded.
“It appears so,” he agreed. “But legally, you’re in the clear.”
I was still processing this information when my phone rang. Unknown number. I almost declined it, but some instinct made me answer.
“Hello?”
“Hazel? It’s your Aunt Hailing.”
My father’s younger sister. We hadn’t spoken in years.
“Aunt Hailing,” I acknowledged coolly. “What can I do for you?”
“I heard about your new relationship,” she said, her tone falsely cheerful. “The Sterling family, huh? You’ve done well for yourself.”
I rolled my eyes at her transparent attempt at flattery. “I doubt you called to discuss my love life.”
“No,” she admitted, dropping the pretense. “It’s about your father. He’s very ill, Hazel. The doctors say his condition is deteriorating rapidly.”
“So I’ve heard.”
131 Chapter 134
“Eleanor already borrowed money from me for his parole application,” she continued. “But his ongoing care will be expensive. As his daughter-”
“Stop right there,” I interrupted. “I’m not paying for his care.”
“He’s your father!” she exclaimed, echoing Eleanor’s earlier sentiment.
“He has a wife,” I pointed out. “And a son. Let them handle it.”
“Ethan’s still in college,” she countered. “And Eleanor’s resources are limited now that the company’s assets are frozen. You, on the other hand, are clearly doing well. With your new connections-”
“My business success has nothing to do with Damien,” I said sharply. “And I won’t be using my relationship to fund the man who destroyed my mother.”
She made a disapproving sound. “You’re so hard–hearted, Hazel. Whatever issues you had with Harrison, he’s still family. Blood matters.”
“Blood matters?” I repeated incredulously. “Where was that sentiment when he was stealing my mother’s family business? When he was physically and emotionally abusing her until she took her own life?”
“The past is the past,” Aunt Hailing dismissed. “He’s suffering now, and you
have the
means to help. If you don’t, how do you think it will look to your new boyfriend’s family? The Sterlings value filial piety, you know.”
The manipulation was so obvious it almost made me laugh. Almost.
“Aunt,” I said, my voice dangerously calm, “my father’s company is in your hands now. Since you are siblings, if you see your own brother in such a miserable state and don’t save him, I’m afraid it will affect your business luck.”
