103 Chapter 106
Chapter 106 Confessions, Celebrations, and a Critical Call
I stared at Damien’s message, my heart pounding in my chest. What had I done? In at moment of exhaustion and vulnerability, I’d practically confessed my feelings to him. And now his response was making my skin tingle.
*I can take 100 steps, as long as you don’t retreat.*
My finger hovered over the screen, unsure how to respond. Before I could decide, my phone started ringing–Damien’s name flashing on the screen.
Oh god. I wasn’t prepared for this conversation.
With trembling fingers, I answered. “Hello?”
“Hazel,” his deep voice came through, sending a shiver down my spine. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, I… I’m just at home,” I stammered, sitting up straighter as if he could see me. “I’m sorry about that message. I didn’t mean to-”
“Don’t apologize,” he cut in, his tone warm. “I liked it. Very much.”
I bit my lip, heat rising to my cheeks. “I’m not usually so forward.”
“That’s what makes it special,” he replied. I could hear the smile in his voice. “So, about that one step from you… does that mean what I think it means?”
My heart skipped. “I–I don’t know. Maybe.”
He chuckled, the sound rich and intoxicating even through the phone. “I’ll take ‘maybe” over ‘no‘ any day.”
“Damien,” I began hesitantly, “I still have the appeal period to get through. I don’t want to start something when my life is still so… complicated.”
“Is that why you’ve been keeping me at arm’s length?” His voice was gentle, not accusatory. “Because of the appeal period?”
I sighed, sinking back into my couch cushions. “Partly. And partly because… well,
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you’re you. Damien Sterling. And I’m just trying to rebuild my life after it fell apart so spectacularly.”
“Just Hazel Ashworth,” he said, mimicking my tone with playful mockery. “The woman who brought a city’s clite to their knees with firecrackers and determination.”
Despite myself, I laughed. “When you put it that
way…
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night,” he said suddenly. “Not as a date if you’re not ready for that. Just dinner. Two people who enjoy each other’s company.”
I hesitated. “I don’t know…
“I promise not to take any more
we are. For now.”
s toward you,” he teased. “We’ll stay exactly where
The way he said “for now” sent another wave of heat through me..
“Okay, I found myself saying. “Dinner. As… friends.”
“Friends,” he repeated, though his tone suggested he didn’t believe that any more than I did. “I’ll text you the details tomorrow.”
After we hung up, I pressed my phone against my racing heart. What was I doing? I couldn’t start anything with Damien right now, not with the appeal hanging over my head. If the court reversed the decisi
I’d be financially and emotionally devastated
again. But the way he made me feel…
With a groan, I flopped back on the couch. Tomorrow, I would set clear boundaries. For both our sakes.
The next morning, I was reviewing fabric samples when my phone pinged with a notification. Opening it, I gasped.
It was a video of Chloe Chase performing on stage in Vienna, wearing my horse–faced skirt design. The camera panned over the audience as she played her violin, then zoomed in on the flowing fabric that moved like liquid silver with each graceful t she took.
I quickly scrolled through the comments:
10:42
2:7
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*OMG what is she wearing?? I need it!*
*That skirt is EVERYTHING*
*Who designed this masterpiece??*
*Chloe Chase always serves looks but this is NEXT LEVEL*
Another notification popped up–a direct message from Chloe herself.
*Hope you don’t mind I wore your design! People are going CRAZY over it. Check your inbox. I’ve been forwarding inquiries all morning.*
I switched to my email and nearly dropped my phone. Dozens of messages from fashion bloggers, stylists, and even a few celebrities asking about the “silver horse–face skirt” worn by Chloe Chase.
I couldn’t believe it. One video had done what months of hard work hadn’t been able to accomplish–it had put my design in front of thousands of potential customers overnight.
Without thinking, I called Damien.
“This is unexpected,” he answered on the second ring, his voice a mixture of surprise and pleasure.
“Chloe wore my design!” The words burst out of me. “She performed in Vienna wearing the horse–faced skirt I made, and it’s going viral! People are actually reaching out to order it!”
“I saw,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “Chloe has been texting me non–stop about how many compliments she received.”
“Did you know she was going to do this?” I asked, suddenly suspicious.
“No,” he said firmly. “This was all Chloe. And your talent, of course.”
I paced my office, unable to contain my excitement. “I need to start productio
coming in, but I don’t have the inventory. I’ll need to
immediately. I’ve gonal staff-‘
contact suppliers,
“Breathe, Hazel,” Damien advised, his voice calming. “This is good news, not an emergency. Take a moment to celebrate before you start planning.”
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He was right. I was immediately jumping into problem–solving mode instead of simply enjoying this victory.
“You’re right,” I admitted. “I just can’t believe this is happening”
“I can,” he said simply. “I’ve always believed in your talent.
His unwavering faith in me made my heart swell. “Thank you, Damien. For everything
“Don’t thank me for stating facts,” he replied. “Now, about dinner tonight-”
My phone beeped with another call coming in. I checked the screen–my aunt’s number.
“Damien, I have to take this call. It’s my aunt. Can I call you back?”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
I quickly switched calls. “Aunt Rose? Is everything okay?”
The moment I heard her voice, I knew something was terribly wrong.
“Hazel, it’s your grandmother,” she said, her voice shaking. “She collapsed this morning. We’re in the ambulance now, heading to Memorial Hospital.”
My blood ran cold. “What happened? Is she-”
“The paramedics think it might be her heart. She was complaining about pain in her arm and chest before she passed out.” Aunt Rose’s voice cracked. “She was asking for you just before…”
“I’m on my way,” I said, already grabbing my purse and keys. “Tell her I’m coming. Tell her to hold on.”
I ended the call and ran for the door, shouting instructions to my assistant as I passed. “Cancel all my appointments! Family emergency!”
Twenty minutes later, I was rushing through the hospital entrance, franti
asking
for information at the reception desk. They directed me to the cardiac unit, where I found Aunt Rose pacing the waiting room, her face pale and drawn.
“They’ve taken her for tests,” she explained, clutching my hands. “The doctor thinks it might have been a heart attack.”
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My grandmother–my rock, my strength, the woman who had stood by me through everything–was fighting for her life just when things were finally looking up for me.
“What can I do?” I asked, feeling helpless.
“Just wait with me,” Aunt Rose said, her voice small. “They’ll let us know once they have
more information.”
We sat together in tense silence for almost an hour before a doctor approached us. His expression was serious but not grim.
“Mrs. Chen did suffer a mild heart attack,” he confirmed. “We’ve stabilized her condition, but we’ll need to keep her for observation and possibly perform additional
tests.”
“Can we see her?” I asked immediately.
“She’s resting now, but yes, briefly.” He gestured for us to follow him down the corridor.
Grandmother looked so small in the hospital bed, hooked up to monitors that beeped steadily. Her eyes fluttered open as we entered, and she attempted a weak smile when
she saw me.
“Hazel,” she whispered, reaching out a frail hand. “You came.”
I took her hand gently, fighting back tears. “Of course I came. How are you feeling?”
“Like an elephant sat on my chest,” she replied with typical dry humor, then winced. ‘But I’m still here.”
“And you’ll stay here,” I insisted. “You’re not going anywhere.”
The doctor stepped in to explain the treatment plan, mentioning possible cardiac -procedures they might need to perform depending on the test results. My head swam with medical terminology, but I forced myself to focus, asking questions and taking mental notes.
“We need to make some decisions soon,” the doctor concluded, looking between my aunt and me.
I nodded, strength returning to my voice. “I’ll handle it. Whatever she needs.”
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Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I ignored it, focusing on the doctor’s instructions about medication and care. When it vibrated again, I briefly checked the
screen–Damien.
I silenced it without answering. Right now, my grandmother needed all my attention.
After the doctor left, Aunt Rose went to fill out paperwork, leaving me alone with Grandmother.
“You look worried, she said, her voice tired but her eyes as perceptive as ever.
“I’m terrified,” I admitted. “You gave us quite a scare.”
She squeezed my hand weakly. “It will take more than this to get rid of me.”
“It better,” I said firmly. “I need you. You’re all I-”
My phone vibrated again. Damien was calling for the third time.
“Someone important? my grandmother asked, nodding toward my pocket.
“Just… a friend,” I said, hesitating over the word. “It can wait.”
“You know,” she said slowly, “you always put everyone else first. Your grandmother, your work, your obligations. Maybe it’s time you put yourself first occasionally.”
Before I could respond, a nurse entered to check Grandmother’s vitals, and the moment was broken.
1 stepped out into the hallway to give them privacy and finally checked my messages from Damien:
Hope everything is okay with your aunt.*
Let me know if you need anything.
*[Missed call]*
*[Missed call]*
“Are we still on for tonight?”
As I was reading, my phone rang again–Damien calling for the fourth time. With a deep breath, I answered.
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“Hazel,” he said immediately, concern evident in his voice. “Is everything alright? You didn’t call back.”
“No,” I said, my voice catching. “My grandmother had a heart attack. I’m at Memorial Hospital now.”
“I’m so sorry,” he said, his tone shifting instantly. “Is there anything I can do?”
Before I could respond, he continued, completely changing the subject: “Are you off work? I’ve booked a restaurant. Should I come pick you up?”
The disconnect between my situation and his question left me momentarily speechless. Had he not registered what I’d just told him about my grandmother?
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104 Chapter 107
