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Chapter 3
At the mall. Hazel browsed the winter clothing section, selecting several thick sweaters and coats.
Julian noticed and pointed out: “Stanford is in our city with its mild climate. You won’t need those heavy clothes.
Stanford?
That wasn’t where she was going.
She didn’t explain, casually deflecting: “I know, but these look nice. I might wear them when traveling.”
Julian frowned slightly, parting his lips as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
On their way back, Rose hesitantly tugged at Julian and Maverick’s sleeves.
“Julian, Maverick… is it okay if I don’t go home tonight?” she asked, biting her lip with a vulnerable look in her eyes. “The neighborhood where I live is super sketchy right now. Every time I head back there, I’m totally freaked out, looking over my shoulder the whole time.”
As she spoke, she looked up at Maverick and Julian with pleading eyes.
“Absolutely! Come–stay at my place!” Maverick instantly offered, his heart softening with generosity. “My house has tons of rooms–just take your pick!”
Julian gave a soft “Mmm” of agreement. “You can stay at my place for a while too. It’s safe there.”
Rose’s face immediately brightened with a wide smile as she repeatedly thanked them, sneaking a glance at Hazel.
“Thank you both so much! You’re always so good to me! I’ve never stayed in such nice houses before!”
Hazel leaned against the car window, deliberately tuning them out, her gaze fixed vacantly on the distance.
After all, where Rose stayed didn’t matter to her anymore.
The next morning, Hazel received a call from her parents
“Hazel, are you sure you don’t want to go to Stanford? Harvard is excellent, of course, but didn’t you promise Julian and Maverick you’d all attend the same school? Those boys have been attached to you since childhood–they panic if you disappear for even an hour. If they find out you switched schools, won’t they go crazy?”
Hazel let out a humorless laugh. “That’s their problem, not mine. Yes, I originally wanted Stanford because of our promise, but Harvard offers the program I really want. This is my life, and I should make my own choices.”
Hearing this, her parents didn’t push further, only adding concernedly: “Well, take care of yourself at home then. Once we finish this business trip, we’ll come back to be with you.”
“Oh, and we got you a college gift–it should be delivered today, so keep an eye out!”
“Thanks, Mom and Dad,” Hazel said with a genuine smile before hanging up.
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Then she checked her phone and found a delivery notification from ten minutes earlier.
Your package has been delivered to your door. Please sign for it.)
She hurried to open the door but found nothing outside.
Confused and about to call the delivery service, she saw Rose emerging from Julian’s house, waving something in her hand.
“Hazel, are you looking for this?” Rose asked, dangling a beautiful violin case.
“I saw a package at your door and opened it for you. Is this from your parents? It’s such a gorgeous violin! I wish I had one like it–could you give it to me?”
As she spoke, she caressed the violin with gleaming eyes, reluctant to let go.
Hazel had never met someone with such poor boundaries, momentarily wondering if she’d misheard.
“Has no one taught you not to open other people’s packages? If you like it so much, why not buy your own?”
At these words, Rose’s eyes instantly welled with tears.
“You… you know I can’t afford something like this. Why would you humiliate me like that?”
Hazel had no patience for Rose’s performance and didn’t bother engaging further–she simply reached for the violin.
Yet Rose clutched the violin possessively, acting as though she adored it, refusing to let go.
In their struggle, neither quite knew who let go first, but the beautiful violin crashed to the floor with a sickening thud.
The perfect body of the instrument split with an ugly crack that was impossible to miss!
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