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Chapter 27
When Maverick awoke, he refused to see Hazel.
“Dad, let her go. What happened wasn’t her fault—it was Rose. And now, I’m not worthy of her anymore…”
The ence–proud Stone heir had never been so humbled.
He couldn’t bear for her to see him with a lame leg. Though it would eventually heal, he wasn’t convinced.
What if it never fully recovered?
Would he have to limp in front of her forever?
Maverick silently vowed: Once he recovered, then he would seek her out!
Mr. and Mrs. Stone sighed repeatedly but couldn’t force the issue.
Just then, Maverick suddenly remembered Julian and asked:
“Dad, Mom, why haven’t I seen Julian? Which room is he in? How badly is he hurt?”
The Stones remained silent for a long time before finally answering.
Julian had regained consciousness, but there were complications with his brain. Whenever he tried to concentrate on anything, his head would throb with intense pain.
Lying in his hospital bed, Julian remained silent for a long time, also refusing Hazel’s visit.
“Hazel Montgomery? Who’s that? I don’t know her. Don’t want to see her.”
Julian stated coldly.
Outside the room, Hazel heard this and quietly departed.
She felt somewhat guilty, as Rose had intended to hit her but accidentally struck Julian and Maverick instead.
But she hadn’t done anything wrong. So Hazel left compensation and then left.
After she departed, Julian silently wept in his hospital room.
Apparently, he had been pretending.
He hadn’t lost his memory, but his current condition wasn’t much different from amnesia.
For someone who had always prided himself on his intellect, forced to live as someone who couldn’t engage in complex thought–what torment could be worse?
Even if Rose were thrown in prison with her head bashed in, it couldn’t compensate for the injury he had suffered.
How could he compete with Aiden Westbrook in this state? Especially after all the mistakes he had made.
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Chapter 27
Julian’s eyes lowered, his entire being radiating suffering.
If he had only sustained minor injuries, perhaps he could have
used them to evoke sympathy and win Hazel back
But now, he was just a worthless shell of himself.
Julian wallowed in self–deprecation.
Soon after, Maverick was wheeled in.
Both shared the same desolation in their eyes.
If not for Rose, they wouldn’t be in this situation. Any other outcome would have been better than this.
They exchanged glances, each seeing the hatred in the other’s eyes.
So under pressure from the Blackwell and Stone families, Rose suffered unimaginably in prison, living a half–life worse than
death.
Julian and Maverick made the same decision–to hide the truth and avoid seeing her.
Because this way, at least they could retain Hazel’s sympathy.
Perhaps years later, after they recovered, they could use that sympathy for one more attempt.
However, due to their injuries and rehabilitation, both missed the next year’s SATS.
When they finally took the exams the following year, Maverick was admitted to Harvard, while Julian only managed to get into another university in Cambridge.
This was the best Julian could achieve despite his tremendous efforts.
The brain injury might improve one day, might improve tomorrow, or might never fully heal.
On the first day of classes, Maverick again prepared a surprise at Harvard.
However, that day, many students were heading toward the main quad, mentioning some excitement–apparently someone was holding a wedding.
“Excuse me, could you help me find Hazel Montgomery?” Maverick asked a female student standing near the dormitory.
The girl, who had been shy moments before, suddenly looked uncomfortable.
“Um… you must be a new student. Hazel Montgomery is getting married today. Didn’t you know?”
Mentioning Hazel seemed to unleash an endless stream of gossip from the girl.
“Hazel is as brilliant as Aiden. She skipped several grades and is already a graduate student. She might even become a professor here someday.”
“They’re always together, perfectly matched. They confessed and got engaged this time last year–it was so romantic everyone was jealous. Now they’re getting married! They sure moved quickly!”
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Chapter 27
“If you go to the quad now, you can probably still catch their ceremony!”
Hearing this, Maverick froze in place, unable to move.
He didn’t know how he eventually made it to the quad.
In a corner, Julian appeared beside him.
They watched the distant figure in a pristine white wedding dress, their eyes filled with unfulfilled longing,
But they all knew it was too late,
“Now, will the bride and groom exchange rings!”
Hazel and Aiden exchanged rings, and in the next moment, they kissed.
The crowd cheered as Aiden swept Hazel into his arms and carried her away.
“Are you happy marrying me?” he asked.
“Yes, very,” Hazel replied with a smile.
They might not have been deeply in love yet, but they understood each other perfectly.
Two distinctly different souls that, upon meeting, recognized they were right for each other.
At some point, Julian and Maverick quietly left, heading in opposite directions.
The three once–inseparable friends had finally gone their separate ways.
Though they remained in the same city, Julian and Maverick often heard news about the couple but never saw them again.
They heard that Hazel received an international award after completing her graduate studies.
They heard that Aiden expanded the Westbrook empire, maintaining a harmonious and happy marriage with Hazel.
They heard many things…
Until one day, Julian and Maverick saw a news story about the couple on television.
People all envied their love, admired their talents, and respected their trust and understanding of each other.
Only then did they realize that Hazel had reached heights they could never attain.
And they had no chance with her anymore.
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