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Chapter 133 Trials of Compassion and a Stepmother’s Storm
“Moving in together is a big step,” I said, searching Damien’s face. His expression remained calm, but I could see the subtle tightening around his eyes as he awaited my
response.
“I understand your hesitation,” he replied, his hands still resting lightly on my waist. “I’m not trying to rush you, Hazel. I just thought you and Bruno might be more
comfortable here. Your apartment is…”
“Tiny?” I finished with a small laugh.
He smiled. “I was going to say cozy.”
I glanced around his beautiful home again, taking in the spacious living room, the floor–to–ceiling windows offering breathtaking lake views, and the overall sense of peace that permeated the place. It was tempting–incredibly tempting.
“Bruno would love the yard,” I admitted, thinking of my energetic dog cooped up in my small apartment all day while I worked.
“And there’s a dog door,” Damien added, a hint of eagerness in his voice. “He could come and go as he pleased during the day.”
I took a step back, creating a small space between us. “Damien, everything between us has been moving so fast. And it’s been wonderful, but…”
“But you need time,” he finished for me, his understanding tone making my heart
squeeze.
“Yes.” I nodded. “I’ve spent my whole life fighting for independence. I’m not sure I know how to share my life with someone else yet.”
Damien reached for my hand, his thumb stroking over my knuckles. “Your
independence is something I admire about you, Hazel. I’m not asking you to give that
up.”
“I know,” I said softly. “It’s not just that. I also have a debt to repay you.”
His face immediately closed off. “I told you, that money was a gift.”
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“And I told you I’d pay it back,” I countered firmly. “Damien, I can’t move into your home while owing you that much money. It would feel… unbalanced
He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “You’re stubborn, you know that?”
“Part of my charm,” I replied with a small smile. “I promise I’m not rejecting you. I just need to do things in my own way, at my own pace.”
Damien pulled me close again, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “I can be patient, he murmured. “The invitation stands. Whenever you’re ready.
The warmth in his voice wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. For the first time in my life, I felt truly safe with someone–not because they promised to protect me, but because they respected my choices.
“Thank you for understanding,” I whispered against his chest.
Two days later, I found myself entering the courtroom for Giselle Grayson’s hearing. Damien walked beside me, his presence steady and reassuring.
“You don’t have to be here,” I told him for the third time that morning. “I know meetings.”
“They can wait,” he replied simply. “This is more important.”
you
have
I squeezed his hand gratefully as we took our seats. My lawyer, Mr. Bennett, nodded to us from the front of the courtroom.
When the bailiff brought Giselle in, I barely recognized her. Gone was the polished socialite who’d looked down her nose at me for years. Her designer clothes had been replaced by a plain gray suit that hung loosely on her frame. Her perfectly coiffed hair now lay flat and dull around her pale face. The months of legal proceedings had clearly taken their toll.
As the judge entered and the proceedings began, I found myself feeling something unexpected: pity.
Julian’s mother had been cruel to me, yes. She’d undermined me at every turn, encouraged Julian to leave me for Ivy, and then tried to ruin my business. But seeing her now, diminished and alone (Julian was notably absent), I couldn’t he remember that she was also a grieving mother. She’d lost her son’s bride, then lost Ivy
ut
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who she’d championed, and now she was losing her freedom and reputation.
What would I have done in her position? Would I have fought just as fiercely, albeit differently, for someone I loved?
The thought nagged at me throughout the prosecutor’s statements detailing the evidence against her for business fraud, tax evasion, and her attempt to sabotage my
company.
When Mr. Bennett leaned over to ask if I wanted to push for the maximum sentence, something inside me shifted.
“Can I speak to her?” I whispered.
He looked surprised but nodded, requesting a brief recess from the judge.
Damien touched my arm as I stood to follow Mr. Bennett to a small conference room. “Are you sure about this?” he asked quietly.
“I’m not sure of anything” I admitted. “But I need to do it.”
Giselle was brought into the room, her eyes widening with surprise when she saw me. Up close, she looked even worse–deep lines around her mouth, dark circles under her
eyes.
“Mrs. Grayson,” I began, keeping my voice neutral. “I wanted to talk to you before the judge makes his decision.”
She stared at me warily. “What’s there to say? You’ve won, haven’t you? You’ve taken everything.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t take anything from you. Your actions led you here.”
“So you came to gloat?” she snapped, some of her old fire returning.
“No.” I took a deep breath. “I came to offer you a settlement.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What kind of settlement?”
“I’ll drop the civil charges if you make a public apology for your attempts to damage my business reputation. The criminal charges for tax fraud are separate, of course, but without my testimony, you might get a lighter sentence.”
“Why would you do that?” she asked suspiciously.
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I thought about it for a moment. “Because I’m happy now. Truly happy. And I don’t need your punishment to validate that anymore.”
Something flickered across her face–surprise, perhaps, or confusion. Then her expression hardened.
“You think your happiness will last?” she hissed, voice rising. “You think that man out there won’t eventually see through you like Julian did? You’re nothing but a gold–digger who caught another fish!”
I was taken aback by the venom in her voice. “Mrs. Grayson-”
“I don’t want your pity or your settlement!” she screamed, standing up so suddenly that the guard moved forward. “Julian lost everything because of you! My family is ruined! And Ivy–poor Ivy died heartbroken because of your selfishness!”
“That’s enough,” the guard warned, putting a hand on her shoulder.
But Giselle wasn’t finished. “This isn’t over! When I get out, I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done to my family! You’ll regret the day you ever met my son!”
As she was led away, still shouting threats, I stood frozen in place.
Mr. Bennett touched my arm gently. “Let’s get back to the courtroom.”
I nodded mutely, following him out. Damien was waiting in the hallway, his expression concerned as he took in shaken appearance.
my
“What happened?” he asked.
“She rejected my offer,” I said, my voice hollow. “Rather spectacularly.”
He wrapped an arm around me. “You tried to do the right thing. That’s what matters.” But as we returned to our seats and the judge called the court back to order, I couldn’t help feeling foolish. Had I really expected gratitude? Understanding? Some sort of cinematic moment of reconciliation?
Life wasn’t a movie. Some people didn’t want to be saved or forgiven. Some people would cling to their hatred until it destroyed them.
After the judge announced a recess to consider the evidence, Damien, Cherry, and I made our way out of the courtroom. My mind was still spinning from the encounter
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with Giselle when a familiar voice cut through the busy courthouse corridor.
“Hazel! Hazel Ashworth!”
I froze, my body tensing instinctively at that shrill tone. Turning slowly, I found myself face–to–face with Eleanor Ashworth, my stepmother. She looked as polished as ever in her designer suit, not a hair out of place as she marched toward us.
“Eleanor,” I acknowledged coldly. “What are you doing here?”
She ignored my question, her gaze latching onto Damien. “Mr. Sterling,” she said, her voice instantly transforming into a honeyed plea, “I need to speak with you about Harrison. He’s very ill.”
Damien’s expression remained impassive. “I believe you already approached Hazel about this matter.”
“Yes, but she refused to help her own father!” Eleanor’s eyes filled with calculated tears. “He needs specialized treatment the prison won’t provide. Without it, he could
die!”
“That’s not my concern,” I said firmly.
Eleanor’s facade cracked instantly. “How can you be so heartless? After everything he did for you!”
I laughed bitterly. “Everything he did for me? You mean neglecting me? Stealing my mother’s family business? Trying to frame me for his crimes?”
“He raised you!” Eleanor spat back. “He put a roof over your head!”
“The bare minimum required by law isn’t something to be proud of,” I replied, anger building inside me.
Eleanor stepped closer, her finger jabbing toward me. “Listen to me, you ungrateful little-”
“That’s enough,” Damien cut in, his voice low but commanding.
But Eleanor was beyond reason now. Her carefully constructed mask had completely slipped, revealing the bitter, desperate woman beneath.
“He’s dying!” she shrieked, drawing stares from everyone in the corrid
Your father
5/8
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is dying, and you stand there with your rich boyfriend, not caring! Is this how you treat family?”
“You and Harrison were never my family,” I said, my voice shaking with anger. “My mother was my family, and he destroyed her.”
Eleanor’s face contorted with rage. “He’s your father, he raised you, you must pay for his treatment and support him! Otherwise, I’ll sue you at court! Let’s see if the judge will favor you then!”
Her words echoed through the courthouse hallway as Damien’s bodyguard, who’d been standing discreetly behind us, stepped forward to intercept her. My hands were trembling, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as the full impact of her threat sank in.
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