He Thought I’d Stack One More Stone, I Threw the Last One Away Chapter 03

He Thought I’d Stack One More Stone, I Threw the Last One Away Chapter 03

Julian froze for half a second, then his expression darkened. “Here we go again. Are you done?”

“Eleven years, and how many times have you thrown that line at me?”

“You say it at night and take it all back by morning, every single time. What’s the point?”

“Hazel, you’re not a kid anymore. Could you at least try acting like it?”

I watched him stand there, seething, and something in me went quiet. All the years I’d poured into him had been wasted. Every last one.

He wasn’t trying to win me back. He just needed something to rage at.

I used to tell myself the anger meant something, that underneath it, he couldn’t bear to lose me. That it was love.

Now that I was outside it, I could see it plainly. He was just angry.

Angry that I’d slipped his leash. Angry that I had a mind of my own.

“It’s late,” I said, getting up to open the door. “Chloe’s probably scared by now.”

Julian laughed in my face. “So you’re jealous. That’s all this is.”

“I already promised I’d marry you, and you’re still pulling this stunt…”

Before he could finish, Chloe’s voice drifted in from the yard.

“Julian, are you in there? I had a nightmare.”

I nodded at the door again. “Go.”

Julian shot me a cold look and got to his feet. “I’ll let you have your little fit tonight.”

“My mom gets in at ten tomorrow. You’re coming with me to meet her.”

The next morning, I went out to the town line anyway.

Not for any real reason. I just figured showing up was the decent thing to do.

But Chloe had beaten me there.

She flung herself into Julian’s mom’s arms. “Mom, you’re finally here! I missed you so much.”

Julian’s mom hugged her tight, beaming. “Look at you. It’s been one day, and you’re already acting like you haven’t seen me in years.”

“Let me look at you. Did someone give you trouble?”

Her eyes landed on me as she said it.

I caught the old disgust and disapproval there, but I didn’t run to Julian about it the way I used to.

I just walked over and gave a small nod. “Hello, Ms. Sterling.”

Julian’s mom sniffed. “Don’t you ‘Ms. Sterling’ me.”

“You’re already tormenting Chloe, and you’re not even married into this family yet. God knows what you’d do once you were.”

“You want me to calm down? Then apologize to Chloe. Right now.”

Julian rushed over, his hand at the small of my back, nudging me one step forward. “Just smooth things over with her. One apology. It’s not a big deal.”

“My mom’s just soft on Chloe. Don’t take it personally.”

I slipped out from under his hand, calm and steady. “I did nothing wrong. I’m not apologizing.”

Julian’s hand went still, and he shot me a warning look. “Hazel, cut it out.”

“You really want to do this with everyone watching? Do you even want me to marry you anymore?”

Chloe let out a small whimper. “Hazel, you’re still angry with me, aren’t you?”

“All I want is to honor my parents’ last wish. I’m not trying to take anything from you…”

“If you can’t stand me, I’ll go. I’ll leave this family, I’ll leave Julian, all of it!”

“Nobody ever wanted me anyway. I had no business reaching for the warmth this family gave me…”

Julian’s mom pulled her in close, aching for her. “Don’t talk like that. You’re the one I feel for most.”

“Until you’re ready, nobody is marrying into this family. Now stop crying. You’re breaking my heart.”

Chloe sobbed, shaking her head like she might come apart. “Mom, Hazel won’t forgive me. What do I do?”

“I feel sick. I can’t even breathe…”

Julian finally snapped. “Hazel, what are you waiting for? Apologize. Now!”

“If you don’t, the wedding’s off. I’ll hand every last one of these gifts to Chloe right now!”

He stared me down, certain those words alone would break me.

He wanted me to fold like always. Grovel, take the blame, smooth things over with Chloe.

I didn’t.

I nodded. “Fine. Give her everything.”

“I don’t want any of it.”

Then I turned and walked off, each step lighter and quicker than the last.

Behind me, Julian’s voice climbed, ragged. “Fine! Every last piece goes to Chloe!”

“Hazel, I’ll be right here waiting for you to crawl back and beg me to marry you!”

When I reached my own front door, the whole courtyard was packed wall to wall with gift boxes.

Mom stood there smiling, working her way down the gift list.

“Hazel, look. Every one of these is a wedding gift he sent over. Aren’t they something?”