Chapter 3 She is Hazel Smith

"You..." Jason was so angry, he couldn't speak. If it weren't a public gathering, he would have taught this son of a bitch some lesson.

"It seems like Mr. Hart is a bit taken aback and does not recognize Hazel Smith," a calm but commanding voice called from behind.

All eyes followed the direction of the voice, and right at the corner, Mr. Locke stood, his figure tall and imposing. Dressed in a tailored suit that graced his long and slender legs, he exuded a powerful aura.

"Rowan?" When did he get back?

Hazel looked up at Jason, who was too busy glaring holes into Felix to even notice.

Rowan took slow and composed steps towards Felix, whose cheek was all red and swollen like that of a pig.

"Allow me to clarify. She is the young lady of the Smith family, heir to the Smith Group, and a renowned violinist. Now tell me, why would Mr. Smith stoop so low as to have an affair with his sister?" Although Rowan said it ever so gently, all could hear the sarcasm in his voice.

Felix Hart couldn't help but seethe. In the blink of an eye, he'd lost face completely. There were whispers and murmurs all around. He couldn't even walk away freely.

"Do you have something to say, Mr. Hart?"

Hazel raised a brow at him in return. As much as he hated every moment of it, he didn't dare offend Rowan Locke. Without a word, he turned around and left.

With Felix gone, Hazel looked away from Rowan, not wanting to meet his gaze.

"Trying to run away?" His words stopped her.

"Who said I'm trying to run away?" He took hold of her hand, totally ignoring her comment. "Jason, Hazel, and I would like to talk. Rest assured, she's safe with me." Jason didn't object, so he led her out of there.

Since Hazel left with Rowan, Jason decided to leave as well.

As they walked into the night, Rowan still had his hand clasped around hers. It was quiet and neither of them tried to break it. As they strolled further and further away, memories from their last encounter came rushing back.

When Hazel agreed to marry Felix, Rowan had advised her against it.

"He's only accepting because he's broke, he doesn't even love you!

But at that point in her life, she was blinded by her love for him.

"When did you get back?" she asked, starting a conversation since he didn't seem to be starting one anytime soon.

"Last month." Angry, Rowan had left the country at that time, claiming he couldn't watch her marry a scumbag. Thinking about it now, Hazel realized how right he was.

They settled on a bench, and Rowan pointed up at the sky.

"The stars are beautiful tonight. Remember how we used to stay up to watch them back then when we were kids? And then you end up falling asleep on my shoulder?"

"That was a long time ago."

"Mm. But we could remake those moments. Maybe into something more than just friendship?" His words were warm and gentle, like he was testing the waters.

But Hazel looked away.

"I... don't know. I just got out of a failed marriage, and I haven't even had the time to think or heal. I don't think I'm ready for a relationship yet."

"It's fine, and I'll wait. Take your time." With that, he pulled her into a hug.

"You're not mad?" she asked. She didn't listen when he warned her about Felix in the first place.

He released a hearty laugh, the sound velvety.

"When have I ever gotten mad? I've always been there, waiting for you to come out of it."

Hazel felt her chest tighten at his words. Had she been too blind not to see the signs all along?

***

At the Hart's mansion,

"Who do they think they are to hit you in such a manner?" Rachel's face was red from anger as she applied ice to Felix's swollen cheeks.

He gritted his teeth from time to time, the scene at the event kept repeating itself in his head.

"Just you wait and see. I'll make sure she regrets this action today!"

"She's not just anyone, Mom, she's Hazel Smith," It quieted down for a minute, the realization hitting harder than expected.

"She's Hazel Smith?" Even Stella, who was pacing around, stopped and stared.

A small gasp came from behind. Looking back, Lisa stood at the base of the stairs, a look of concern written all over her face.

"Felix? What happened to you?"Rachel put the ice down with a clink against the table.

"Don't you have something to do? This is a family matter!" She waved Lisa aside, her irritation spiking even more.

"I'm sorry, Mother, I didn't mean to interrupt," In a second, Lisa's eyes turned glassy. If it were before, Felix would have been moved, but it only made him angrier.

"Lisa, Mother said nothing wrong. You have to stop crying!" It took every ounce of willpower to not raise his voice even higher.

Lisa flinched from the harshness and turned around. She stopped some distance away and looked back at them, her fist clenched.

Now that things have turned out this way, would Felix go back to Hazel?

With a huff, she stomped her foot and left.