Chapter 0198
Logan immediately stepped in to intercept, but by now, the damage had been done. My beautiful dress. ruined, because of this spiteful women and her lofty ideas of self–worth.
“Victoria, that was majorly uncalled for,” Logan scolded.
She only continued to smirk. “Coming to your assistant’s rescue again, Logan? You sure have a soft spot, don’t you?”
Logan’s eyes went wide. He suddenly stammered, “It’s n–not like that…”
I couldn’t bear to see it. My heart cracked right down the middle.
I knew Logan cared for me, but to see him flounder like this. He couldn’t defend his assistant like he could defend his wife.
Bitter tears welled in my eyes. We had agreed on this distance. We had predetermined rules to make sure we would not be improperly perceived. But God, it still hurt. Everything hurt.
Not wanting anyone here to see my tears, I swiveled on my heel and rushed away.
“You hurt the poor thing’s feelings,” said one of the CEO’s, and the group laughed.
“Hazel, wait,” Dylan called. His voice stayed close, even as I hurried away. Was he following me?
I didn’t want to talk to him either. I didn’t want to talk to anyone! Why couldn’t he understand that? He defended me, sure, but he was still at this party, rubbing elbows and drinking wine. If I hadn’t stood up for that waitress, he wouldn’t have said anything either.
“He would have just enjoyed the part and gone about his day.
Dylan and Logan both.
To avoid him, I scurried into the ladies‘ room. No one else was in there when I rushed to the sink. This was a fancy place, with cloth towels over paper ones. I snatched one, soaked it in cold water, and then blotted the wine stain, hoping to dilute it.
The stain was too big, too set. I added cold water and cold water until I was practically drenched in it, but it did not take away the stain.
Now, in addition to having a ruined dress, I was also wet.
Tears slipped out. I covered my eyes with a hand to stop them.
I never should have come here.
Logan hadn’t wanted me to come. I should have listened. He knew the people were going to be like this. He had tried to warn me and protect me. Yet, to support him, I had insisted.
Would they have treated me different if they’d known I was Logan’s wife? Or would they make the same remarks and be surprised I didn’t agree with them?
I wanted to go home.
“Hazel,” Dylan said, somehow beside me.
#25 BONUS
Chapter 0199
I startled. “Dylan? This is the women’s room!”
“So I was just supposed to stand outside while you were upset?”
“Uh… yes?”
Truthfully, it was a very sweet gesture for Dylan to have followed me here, to check on me. But it was one that I wished Logan had made, not him,
I lowered my head. “I’m sorry, Dylan, I’m not –”
“Interested. I know. I’m not here because I want in your pants, Hazel,” Dylan said.
“I looked up at him in surprise.
“Once upon a time, we were friends,” Dylan said. “I’d like to be that again. Friends don’t let friends cry alone in the bathroom.” He glanced behind him. “At least until another woman comes in. I’d rather not be here for that.”
Shaking my head, I smiled a little, feeling marginally better if only for a moment. It didn’t last, before the hurt and dread returned tenfold.
Listen, Hazel. I won’t pretend to know what Logan has been thinking lately. If he was any kind of man, he’d stand up and tell everyone what you are to each other. A husband should treat his wife better than what he has shown tonight.”
“I can’t talk about this right now…”
“I won’t press you. But, God, you want a divorce a real one- all you have to do is call me, I’ll make it happen for real this time.”
