No Second Chances: her sweet counterattack

It was already ten o'clock at night when Felix stumbled into the sitting room, his arm wrapped around a brunette's waist.

Hazel recognized the girl. Her name was Lisa, the girl her husband was deeply in love with, even after they got married. "Felix," she called.

Felix looked up at Hazel, his eyes suddenly lacking warmth. His jaw clenched, and he pulled Lisa even closer.

"Don't you have something to do?" he asked. Of course, that is what she was to him: a maid. One that cleans the house and cooks the food while he spends a all day in the company, trying to get back with his first love. He never cared about what she went through at the hands of his mom and sister.

In their eyes, Hazel was nothing but a gold digger, one who came into his life for the money. But they forgot that Felix had nothing when she agreed to marry him.

"What is she doing here?" Snapping herself out of her string of thoughts, Hazel's eyes traveled up to Lisa's face. The lady who had left him when he needed her the most.

All of a sudden, Lisa flinched like she had been struck. She held onto Felix's shirt like it was some life support.

"I told you this is a bad idea. I don't want you getting into a fight with your wife." Her eyes turned glassy, and tears ran down her cheeks.

"Don't say nonsense. You're not going anywhere." Felix had spent a lot of time trying to get back with Lisa. He couldn't let Hazel ruin it. He turned her, his voice cold and commanding.

"Lisa is here to stay. If you're not okay with it, then you're more than welcome to leave." He knew Hazel was nothing but a poor orphan trying to get into the laps of rich men for money. If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have let her into his life.

He pulled Lisa even closer; her warm skin did magic to his head. He couldn't wait to have her again. With one more disgusting look, he spat at Hazel.

"Sleep in the guest room; Lisa and I will use the master's bedroom."

Hazel felt her chest tighten, like a heavy weight was pressed against it.

"I am your wife. If anyone is using the guest room, then it should be her!" She struggled to say those words. She could endure every punishment and maltreatment, but not this.

Felix stopped mid-walk, eyes blazing.

"Just because we got married doesn't give you the right here. You stay in the guest room, or leave!" Bringing Hazel into his family was enough favor, and now she's trying to tell him what to do?

"Felix, don't fight for my sake. I'll sleep in the guest room," Lisa whispered, loud enough for Hazel to hear. Hazel couldn't help but applaud her acting skills. She's such a good actress, she thought to herself. After saying that, Lisa went up the stairs, leaving a fuming Felix and Hazel.

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked, taking slow steps towards her. Hazel didn't bother to grace him with a response; instead, she wrapped her hands around his neck, staring into his green eyes.

It's true when they say people change. When Lisa had left Felix, Hazel came into his life. She had always loved him, so she was determined to be his comfort. At that point in his life, he didn't seem to be offended. But when the company began to pick up, even a rag held much more value than Hazel had before him.

Hazel's eyes locked onto Felix's, her heart hammering in her chest. "I won't sit and watch you break our wedding vows," she said, her voice firm.

Felix sneered. "You think you're too good for me, don't you, Hazel? You think you can tell me what to do?"

Hazel shook her head, her eyes stinging with tears.

"Let's end this, Felix, let's get a divorce."

Felix's smile was slow and deliberate, like he had the power to decide her fate. "You're nothing without me, Hazel."

"I'm serious, Felix." Hazel's tone was firmer now, and for a moment, Felix thought he saw another side of her: cold and commanding. But then, he scoffed.

"Mind the way you talk to me. You don't realize how much I've helped you, do you? You're nothing but a poor, orphan girl who got lucky. Always remember that."

Saying that, he shoved her hands off of him and went upstairs to find Lisa.

Hazel watched him leave, her eyes glassy with tesrs, her fists clenched. She didn't stop until he was out of sight. Then she got up, wiped her tears, and left the house.

It was quite late, but she was able to find a taxi. As she sat in the back seat, she let her tears fall, while she sobbed uncontrollably.

It's not easy watching the home you tried to build for two years crumble because of one person.

"We're here, Ms," The taxi driver's voice made Hazel look up. A luxurious mansion stood a short distance away, tall and elegant.

She got down and paid the driver his fare. While he rode away, Hazel returned her attention to the Smiths' mansion, and a feeling of familiarity washed over her the longer she stared.

This is a home she grew up in. But to marry Felix, Hazel had hidden her identity as the Heiress of the Smith Group, pretending to be a homeless orphan. But not anymore. She will no longer be the homeless girl he knew. Without a word, she lifted her leg and went in.

The sitting room was exactly how she remembered it. Her brother, Jason, was seated in a man-spread position, flipping through a magazine while taking sips from the cup of coffee before him.

She didn't make her presence known, not until he looked up from the magazine. His eyes went wide, and the cup slipped from his grip.

"Hazel?" he called, his tone laced with disbelief. He stood up and took slow steps towards her.

"Am I dreaming?" She didn't reply to his question; instead, she wrapped her arms around him.

"I missed you, big brother." He released a hearty laugh, then ruffled her hair like he always did.

"You came back."

"Where is Mom?" Jason looked towards the stairs, and that was enough for Hazel to understand.

She left Jason in the sitting room and went up the stairs to the master's bedroom. She took a moment to stare at her mom's sleeping figure before placing a kiss on her forehead.

Mrs. Smith stirred from her sleep, and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips when she saw Hazel.

"Changed your mind already?" she asked, her tone sarcastic. The Smiths had been against her marriage to Felix, but she had married him against their wishes.

"Hm," Mrs. Smith went back to sleep with a smile on her face, while Hazel retired to her bedroom. It was like she never left. The curtains were up, and the sweet scent of lavender still lingered in the air. After a warm bath, Hazel got into bed.

The next day,

The family is settled in the dining room, and Hazel's return was still a thing of surprise and shock.

"Did he raise his hands on you?" Jason asked, his grip already tightening around his fork. Hazel is the darling of the Smiths, and telling them what Felix has done to her would only worsen things. Whatever happens to Felix must come from her alone.

With a shake of her head, she took a sip from her glass of water and said, "Not really, but I want to divorce him."

"I'll arrange for the divorce papers and have them sent to him as well. You don't have to worry about that," Jason quickly said. He was afraid she'd change her mind any second.

"Since you've finally gotten back to your senses, what are your plans for the future?" Mrs. Smith spoke for the first time that morning.

"I plan to take over the family's business." Mrs. Smith released a sigh of relief. Two years ago, this crazy daughter of hers had left all her achievements to pursue the man she loved, leaving the company under the care of her power-hungry uncle.

Jason, on the other hand, focused on his breakfast. Running the family's business was never his dream. He was glad Hazel was there to keep up the legacy.

The rest of the day was spent catching up on what she had missed in two years.

When Felix got the divorce papers, he couldn't help but scoff. He must have been too easy on Hazel that she dared bring a lawyer to him. Without a second thought, he put down his signature and sent her a note as well. She wanted a divorce? Fine, he'd give her one.

"Don't come running to me when you realize what grave mistake you've made."

Hazel read the note over and over again.

"It seems Mr. Hart is so full of himself," Jason said from his place on the couch. Hazel didn't say a word. She just tore the paper into shreds.

"What do you think about the business event coming up next week?" Hazel took a moment to respond as a smile curled up on her lips.

"Great."

The rest of the week passed like a blur. Seated at her vanity table, Hazel did the finishing touches on her makeup. Her dress was simple yet elegant, a black belted maxi dress that graced her figure perfectly. She threw on a blazer before leaving.

By the time they arrived, the event was already in full swing. As she walked in with Jason, her hand gently wrapped around his, heads turned, and people began to whisper.

Who would have known that the lady from the Smith family would suddenly show her face at the event?

The young bachelors smoothed their suits, each trying to make a good impression.

Standing a short distance away, Felix's eyes narrowed at Hazel, who was suddenly surrounded by men.

His gaze lingered on Jason Smith, the man Hazel had her hand clasped around.

For a moment, when the lawyer brought the divorce papers, Felix had thought that he had never really known her. But it turns out she just got herself another man. He secretly took a picture and sent it to his mom.

"Ms. Smith is indeed a rare beauty," Felix spun around to see a couple of businessmen talking to themselves, their eyes locked on her.

He couldn't deny it either. She looked... different. But he balled his fist as the feeling of disgust washed over him.

Not wanting to dwell on them, he returned his gaze to Hazel, who was now the center of attention. Seeing men flung around her made something in him snap. He put down his glass and walked over.

The moment their gazes met, Felix's smile turned menacing. "It seems like you found a new man, Hazel."

"What are you trying to say, Mr. Hart?" The Hazel he knew would never talk back to him. She received everything without a word. If not for the striking resemblance, Felix would have thought this wasn't Hazel at all.

He let out a mocking laugh and pointed a finger at her.

"You think clinging onto another man gives you the right to speak to me in such a manner? You shameless little slut!

"I advise Mr. Smith to be careful of the woman beside him; she wants nothing but his money!" Felix didn't expect what came next: The slap hit like lightning; he could have sworn he saw stars.

"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.