Chapter 52
Chapter 5
I looked up at Gabriel, backlit and indistinct.
A decade hadn’t touched him. His uniform was sharp, his Colonel’s eagle insignia gleaming. Authority had only refined his composure, adding a weight of gravitas.
For a moment, the image superimposed itself over another memory:
Behind the sanitarium’s visitation window, he stood with his hands behind his back, watching coldly as orderlies dragged me back to isolation. Shadow had masked most of his face then, but his disgust had cut right through the glass.
Now he stood before me, the same lighting blurring his expression, but this time it revealed only uncertainty.
Harley blinked. “You know Hazel p>
Gabriel’s eyes stayed locked on mine, his voice tight. ” The shell casing… it’s still in your hand p>
Harley’s jaw dropped. “You said they were just random customers p>
She glanced at the bracelet. “You even called it trash p>
Gabriel’s eyes darkened.
I closed the ledger. “If he wants it, give it back p>
Harley caught the tension and warily tossed the bracelet over.
Gabriel scrambled to catch it, his fingers trembling slightly.
“Hazel… how have you been all these years p>
I smiled politely. “Just fine. Is there something else, Colonel p>
The mille-feuille box in his grip was already crushed.
He lowered his head, silent for a long moment, before speaking in a hoarse voice.
“I’ve been craving Red Velvet p>
“Make it for me again? Just once p>
He’d noticed. The display case held everything except Red Velvet.
heat me to it, frowning. “Impossible! Hazel’s Red Velvet is made only for me p>
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Gabriel went rigid, his gaze locking on mine. “Hazel p>
I met his eyes evenly. “Apologies, we don’t serve Red Velvet here p>
“You can try elsewhere p>
Gabriel’s pupils contracted, his breathing suddenly ragged. “Don’t do this. I’d rather you still hated me like you
did then p>
Hate?
Of course I hated him.
Carrying him back from the snow at sixteen, covered in wounds.
Waited three years, walked him through hell.
Gave him everything I had, and everything I didn’t.
And got this in return. A life of torture, a reputation ruined by spit and curses.
Snow fell that night, the cold cutting deep. I lay in it, frozen until cracks ran through my body and soul.
Back then, I wasn’t ready to give up yet. I picked myself up from the snowdrift, found my way to The Base
housing.
I beat on the iron gate with frostbitten hands. Screamed Gabriel’s name. Clutched broken glass, wanting to
slash his face.
Make him taste what it felt like to be flayed by betrayal.
But all I got was Security tackling me.
They called me “Crazy bitch,” “Delusional stalker trying to marry up.
I don’t know how long passed before Gabriel emerged. With Violet tucked under his arm.
The once-timid girl was wrapped in a custom cashmere coat now, every hair in place. Her brows and eyes were lazy with the confidence of someone perfectly cherished.
She sighed lightly. “Hazel, why bother p>
Gabriel didn’t even glance at me. He just spoke to the guards, voice cold.
“If she causes another disturbance, treat her as a threat to Base security p>
“Next time, authorize lethal force p>
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