Page 3 of Second Chance with the Enemy CEO
“Liam, you’re being irrational,” Logan says firmly, taking the glass from him. “Hazel is not like that, Liam. You have been together for five years. Don’t you think she deserves a chance to explain?”
Liam scoffs. “Explain what?” Taking a drink from a nearby bottle, he continues. “She played me,” his voice breaking. “Five years, Logan. Five years of my life wasted on someone who only cared about what I could give her.” He downs the rest of his drink. “Loving her was the biggest mistake that I have ever made. And honestly? I am not even sure I ever loved her. Maybe it was just… pity. After all, she is just a beautiful, poor girl.”
I stagger back, the words hitting me like a slap. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I have heard enough. More than enough. My chest feels like it has been ripped open, my heart shattered into pieces I’ll never find again.
I slip out the door into the damp and chilly air. My feet move on their own, one step after another until I am far enough away that the sounds of the bar fade into nothing.
“Hazel!”
I turn, startled, and see Ethan jogging toward me. His expression is pained, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he stops just a few feet away.
“Hey,” he says softly.
I wipe my face, trying to compose myself. “Hey.”
“Are you okay?” He asks, his voice soft, almost like he is afraid I’ll break if he says the wrong thing.
I shake my head. “Don’t. Don’t ask me that.”
“I…” He hesitates, running a hand through his hair. “Haze, what you heard back there…, it’s not…, I don’t think he meant…”
I cut him off, my voice sharp but trembling. “It is exactly what it is. He meant every word, Ethan. There is nothing more to explain.”
“Maybe if you just talk to him…”
“Talk to him?” I laugh bitterly. “What is the point? He has already judged me, sentenced me, and then threw me out without even asking for my side of the story. What good would talking do?”
Ethan looks like he wants to argue, but I shake my head. “I just… I need to go home. Please.”
He hesitates, then nods. “Alright. But Hazel…, you did not deserve this.”
“No, I do deserve this.”
He looks like he wants to argue, but I don’t give him the chance. “I just…, I just want to go home, Ethan. Please.”
He sighs, nodding. “Okay. But if you need someone to talk to…”
“I won’t.” I turn away, my voice breaking as I add, “Goodbye, Ethan.”
I don’t look back as I walk away; the waterworks have already opened.
By the time I reach my apartment, I can barely see through my swollen eyes. I am soaked to the bone again, but it doesn’t matter. Nothing does. I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall, Liam’s words echoing in my head.
Cheater. Gold digger. Mistake.
After what feels like hours, maybe two…, I lose track of time. My phone buzzes on the coffee table, but I don’t even look at it.
I stand and grab my suitcase.
By the time the suitcase is full, the first rays of dawn are breaking through the window. I look around one last time, my heart aching with every glance.
“Goodbye, Autumn Cove,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “Goodbye, Liam.”
With that, I close the door behind me and walk away, leaving behind the pieces of my broken heart.
Chapter one
Hazel
