09: Chapter 60 – Morning Alter Etegrati
69 Chapter 69 Morning After Regrets
Chloe, this place is insane!” Stella jumped up to hug us, her eyes wide as she took in the opulent surroundings.
“I know, right? And it’s ours whenever we need it. I’m thinking this should be our official Lulu Guild headquarters.” Chloe’s grin was infectious.
“Come on, the girls are waiting. And I’m starving heartbreak always makes me hungry”
I shook my head, not trusting my voice. How could I explain that I had just given my heart to a man who had shattered it beyond repair? That no matter how perfectly our bodies fit together, some wounds cut too deep to heal?
I pressed my face against the cool window, watching the city blur past through my tears. The goodbye note I left on his pillow felt like a knife I had twisted in my own heart. One last time, I had told myself. One final night to memorize the feel of his hands on my skin before I walked away forever.
The taxi pulled away from Liam’s building as I slumped against the worn leather seats, my body still humming from our night together. Every nerve ending remembered his touch, the way he held me like I was something precious he was afraid to lose. But the ache in my chest reminded me why I had to leave.
“Well, my lawyer boy was the one who ended up restrained, Chloe added with mock innocence. “Copper silk ties work wonders.”
“The Community Guild. Dad got us membership when we moved here – perks of being partners with the right people. Chloe’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “It’s basically a playground for rich people. Gardens, restaurants, bars, golf course, the works. Twenty–four hour access to whatever we need to forget our troubles.”
The driver kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror, his weathered face creased with concern. “Miss, you okay back there? You need me to stop somewhere?”
I had to laugh despite everything. “Rich people really do live in a different world.” “Go, minha filha. Your heart needs healing, and friends are the best medicine.”
I took a shaky breath and told them about waking up in Liam’s arms, about the
69 Chapter 60: Morning Alter Tregrets
tenderness in his touch and the pain in his eyes, I told them about the note I left, about walking away from the only man who had ever made me feel truly alive.
By the time I reached home, Leo was curled up on the couch with Miranda, cartoon characters dancing across the screen. I kissed his forehead, breathing in that sweet little boy scent that always centered me. At least I still had him. At least I had done something right.
“I thought I was saying goodbye to close that chapter,” I whispered. “But now I’m wondering if I just made the biggest mistake of my life.”
“So tell us everything,” Chloe said gently. “What happened?”
“What is this place?” I stared up at the imposing building before us, all gleaming glass and old money elegance.
Through my tears, I fumbled for my phone and called Chloe. Her voice was like a lifeline pulling me back from drowning.
“Thea!” Stella gasped, but she was laughing.
Hazel’s POV
The thought struck me suddenly how different this was from Crestwood. There, Chloe and I had been outcasts, too poor for the rich girls, too proud for pity. We had only each other through high school, through night classes in college where everyone was too exhausted and focused to form friendships. But here, in this impossible city, we had somehow found our tribe.
“Exactly! And family means we eat, drink, and thoroughly trash–talk whatever gorgeous idiot broke your heart,” Scarlett declared, raising her water glass in a mock
toast.
The mansion’s interior took my breath away. Crystal chandeliers cast rainbow across marble floors, and everywhere I looked, beautiful people in expensive clothes
patterns
moved with the casual confidence of those who had never worried about money. The receptionist, polished and professional, guided us to the brunch hall where familiar faces waited.
Chloe arrived like a whirlwind of determination, already armed with plans and that fierce loyalty that had carried us through everything since we were kids.
60 Chapter 00 – Memning After Roigrats
“What? I’m just saying the man has talented hands. Thea winked shamelessly.
The mimosas arrived just as we returned from the buffet, our plates loaded with delicate pastries and fresh fruit arranged like art. The first sip of champagne and orange juice made everything feel slightly less catastrophic.
“You’re all terrible, Stella groaned. “I sent Adrian home after one perfect kiss and now I’m wondering if I’m completely insane.”
“Speaking of eye candy,” Stella turned to me with knowing eyes, “the chemistry between you and Liam could power this entire building. There’s definitely something
real there”
“At least you got a kiss,” Scarlett pouted dramatically. “I didn’t even get to sample my eye candy before everything went sideways.”
“Thank you for coming,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Thea’s eyes lit up with wicked delight. “Oh honey, let’s just say my gorgeous surgeon knows his way around more than just the operating room. He had me tied up in silk scarves when Chl called – I thought he might actually cry from frustration.”
“Hey, that’s what friends are for, Thea reached across the table to squeeze my hand. “We’re family now.”
The hot shower washed away Liam’s cologne from my skin, but not the memory of how he whispered my name against my throat. Miranda took one look at my red–rimmed eyes when I emerged and shooed me toward the door.
“Gather the girls,” I managed to whisper. “I need you.”
Chapter 69 – Morning After Regrets
Thea nodded seriously. “I’ve known Liam for years, Hazel. I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. Like you’re the only person in the room.”
“Before I fall apart completely, distract me,” I pleaded. “Tell me how your nights ended My heart clenched. “That’s the problem. He makes me feel like I’m the center of his universe when we’re alone, but then reality crashes in and reminds me of all the ways
he’s hurt me.”
70 Chapter 70 – Friends Planning Perfect Revenge
