A Childhood Promise, A Cold Comeback Chapter 07

A Childhood Promise, A Cold Comeback Chapter 07

Our company’s headquarters was in the city, so I drove straight home to retrieve some files.

Mom had bought this small villa with a garden years ago to make sure I lived comfortably.

I pushed open the front gate, but froze mid-way through entering the passcode—someone was sitting in the hallway by the door.

He turned, and I was met with bloodshot eyes.

I frowned. “Lucas? How did you get in here?”

Then my gaze dropped to his knees, bruised and mottled purple. “You climbed the gate? What do you want?”

The man who’d been silent this whole time stared at me intensely before speaking abruptly, “Haze, you’ve lost weight.”

I had no patience for his bizarre small talk, so I turned to leave.

But he suddenly lunged forward and grabbed me, his grip so tight it felt like he’d crush my arm.

Luckily, the self-defense training I’d had wasn’t for show. I wrenched free and wiped my arm in disgust, “Lucas, have some self-respect.”

He laughed bitterly. “You’re telling me to have self-respect?”

“Hazel Bennett, you and Silas did god-knows-what overseas. Don’t you dare preach to me.”

He seemed to snap, practically shouting, “How could you do this to me? I’ve been going crazy looking for you back home!”

My hand shot out, striking his cheek with a sharp crack. “Watch your mouth.”

Seeing him still refusing to let go, I took a breath and spoke calmly, “Wasn’t sending me away exactly what you wanted?”

“You faked being a victim. You let me take the blows. What’s wrong? Not satisfied even after you got your wish?”

All the color drained from Lucas’s face in an instant.

His eyes widened, and his pale lips trembled uncontrollably, “You… you knew everything…”

“Haze, I can explain—I…”

I shrugged. “I’m not interested.”

I stepped closer, a hint of malice in my voice as I stared past him at Coco Mitchell, who’d suddenly appeared outside the gate. My words were quiet, but loud enough for both of them to hear, “You posted that blood-stained bed sheet photo online—how dare you come here and harass me?”

“Lucas, you’re pathetic.”

I turned and walked into the house, calling the bodyguard who lived nearby to escort them away.

Passing a window, I caught Lucas’s furious roar. “You stupid bitch! You’ve humiliated me!”

A sharp slap echoed even through the thick soundproof glass.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Coco clutch her cheek and start crying.

I drew the curtains, closing off the scene. Then I picked up my phone and typed my daily update to Silas. “Tied up with something. Thinking of you.”