112 Chapter 112 Unwelcome Interruptions
112 Chapter 112 – Unwelcome Interruptions
I nodded, grabbing my purse and following her to the elevator. Mitchell was waiting for us on the street level, and he hailed a taxi while keeping a watchful eye on Clairemont, who lurked nearby like a vulture. True to his word, Mitchell was protecting me from harassment I wasn’t strong enough to handle right now.
“Good morning, Damian.”
“Step away from the lady, sir. You’ve been explicitly warned to stay away from her. Mitchell’s voice carried quiet authority as he escorted me toward the building
entrance.
“I’m devastated, Damian. But life doesn’t stop for heartbreak.” I attempted a smile that felt more like a grimace. “Shall we discuss how we’ll work together? I hope you won’t miss Owen too much.”
“You will always be my only love. My perfect love. I can’t accept losing you.”
“Ready to go?”
A stunning bouquet of red tulips sat on the small table near the armchairs, their vibrant color a stark contrast to the gray mood that had settled over my life. The card tucked between the stems made my hands tremble as I read:
“No need to thank me, miss. It’s what I’m paid to do.” Mitchell’s expression softened slightly. “But even if it wasn’t my job, I can’t stand that man or the way he treats you. That’s no way to handle a lady.” He paused, studying my face. “I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance every morning from now on, and I’ll walk you out every evening. He won’t get near you again.”
“Yes, he’s waiting for you. He said to come in whenever you’re ready, no need to knock.” Stella’s smile was encouraging, but I could see the worry in her eyes.
“There isn’t, Stella.” The words tasted bitter. “She’ll never let us be happy. She’ll use that child as a weapon for the rest of our lives.” I wiped my eyes, forcing myself to focus on practical matters. “Is my new boss here yet?”
“What the hell are you still doing here, you little whore?” His voice cut through the morning air like a blade. He planted himself directly in front of me, making it
112 Chapter 112- Unwelcome Interruptions
impossible to pass. When I tried to step around him, his fingers dug into my arm like claws. “I’m talking to you, you pathetic tramp.”
I was just responding to Stella’s plans when an unpleasantly familiar voice cut through our conversation like nails on a chalkboard.
Thursday arrived with the same relentless schedule. Damian kept me buried in work, and I was grateful for the distraction. Owen wouldn’t be joining us for lunch since he was in an off–site meeting with Liam, so it would just be Stella and me.
The executive floor felt different somehow, charged with an energy I couldn’t quite identify. Stella rushed toward me the moment the elevator doors opened, wrapping me in a warm embrace before guiding me toward what would be my new workspace. She’d worked miracles over the weekend, transforming the space and even moving my familiar furniture from the old office to make the transition easier.
The afternoon flew by as quickly as the morning, and when I finally shut down my computer, Stella appeared in my doorway.
His kindness nearly broke me. I managed a grateful smile, overwhelmed by this unexpected protection when I felt so vulnerable.
The tears came without warning, and Stella held me as I fell apart.
“Thank you, Mitchell.” My voice was barely above a whisper as we stepped into the elevator together.
The weekend crawled by in a haze of well–meaning friends and endless conversations. Everyone tried their best to lift my spirits, bombarding me with reasons why I should fight for Liam, why I should stay. But they couldn’t understand the impossible position I was in. I refused to be the wedge driven between a father and his child. Penelope would turn my existence into a living nightmare, and I knew I wasn’t strong enough to survive that kind of warfare.
Chapter 112 Unwelcome Interruptions
“Hazel, I understand why you think you have to do this. But he’s destroying himself.” Her voice was gentle but urgent. “Adrian told me Liam refused to marry Penelope. His lawyer is working on establishing custody arrangements for the child.” Sh to look at me directly. “Maybe there’s still hope.”
ulled back
Three days passed in this carefully constructed routine. I still hadn’t seen Liam, but
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every afternoon brought another slice of chocolate cake to my desk. It was his was reminding me he was still there, still fighting for us, even when I couldn’t see him.
“Go right ahead.” I turned my back on him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing how his words affected me.
Monday morning arrived like a death sentence. I steeled myself for another day of pretending to function normally when everything inside me felt shattered. As I approached the office building, a familiar figure blocked my path. Clairemont stood there like a predator waiting to pounce.
“Hazel, my dear, good morning.” Damian’s warm greeting was like sunshine breaking through storm clouds. “Please, sit down. How are you holding up?”
We settled into our usual restaurant and placed our orders. Stella was excitedly telling me about Evelyn’s upcoming visit the following week, and for the first time in days, I felt genuinely happy about something. Evelyn had been my lifeline during video calls, offering advice and support, but I missed her physical presence desperately.
Clairemont lunged forward to grab me again, but Mitchell, the security guard, materialized between us like a guardian angel.
Lunch with Owen and Stella was a carefully orchestrated affair. Stella had been strategically helping me avoid any encounters with Liam, and I was grateful for her protection. When we returned from the restaurant, I found a slice of chocolate cake waiting on my desk. My heart clenched painfully. Even when I couldn’t see him, Liam made sure I knew he was thinking of me.
“Not for long, you don’t.” His eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction. “I’m going straight to Liam to demand he throws you out on the street where you belong.”
I thanked her for everything she’d done to make this transition possible, then gathered my tablet and headed toward Damian’s office, leaving my broken heart behind as best I my tablet and headed toward Damian’s office, lea
could.
The morning disappeared in a blur of meetings and planning sessions. Damian had an incredible gift for making people feel comfortable, and he used it to full advantage with me. He filled my mind focus away from Liam, and buried me under enough work to keep my thoughts occupied for weeks.
with new information, shifted:
“Get your hands off me. Iyanked my arm free, my skin burning where he’d grabbed
112 Chapter 112 Unwelcome Interruptions
- me. I have every right to be here. I work in this building
“Miss Owen? Not a chance. You’re much casler on the eyes.” Damian’s charming grin was infectious, and I found myself smiling genuinely for the first time in days. Let me have Fiona bring us some coffee.”
Hazel’s POV
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