Chapter Three

Hazel's POV

Declan came over the next morning.

My father wanted Declan to visit on his own. That way neither of my sisters could interfere.

He walked into my sitting room, spotted the white gown on the rack, and frowned.

“Are you still sulking over that?”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Juliet.”

He repeated what she’d told him, speaking slowly. “She says you don’t dislike me. You just think the Don plays favorites and gives all the good things to her and Sloane.”

“She asked me to be a little more patient with you.”

I gripped the fabric of my skirt and kept my voice low. “What else did she tell you?”

“That you need to be humored. There’s no point trying to reason with you.”

Declan’s tone stayed even. “I’m not good at reassuring people. But once we’re married, I’ll take care of you. If you ask for something and I can do it, I will.”

My face was reflected in his eyes. His gaze was steady. But his heart had belonged to someone else for a long time.

“Why bother? I know you don’t love me.”

A moment passed before he replied.

“My feelings for someone else don’t change what I owe you. I’ll do right by you, and I won’t cheat on you.”

In my first life, he hadn’t cheated on me. But he’d never put me first, either.

When I didn’t answer, his frown deepened.

“Hazel, the Don cares about you. Juliet and Sloane are thinking about your future, too. You can’t just think about yourself. You should at least listen to them.”

“Can’t you give in just this once, for their sake?”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I remembered every detail of my first life. What had I gotten out of putting them first every single time?

This time, I was living for myself.

“Declan, you can leave.”

“Think carefully. Once I walk out that door, I’m not coming back. How are you going to explain that to the Don, Juliet, and Sloane?”

“Why do I owe them an explanation?” I asked.

“You’re only putting on this act because Juliet’s right outside the door.”

“Take her with you. Don’t come back.”

His expression hardened.

“I’ve talked myself into taking this marriage seriously. I’m willing to see if I can develop feelings for you. And all you want is to get rid of me.”

“Juliet had you figured out. You think no one’s good enough for you. No one can put up with that attitude.”

He smiled at Juliet as soon as he opened the door and saw her there.

“Come along, Juliet. That takes care of everything you wanted me to do.”

She gave me an uneasy look but said nothing.

I waved them off.

Once the two of them were gone, a notice appeared on my phone. It came from the Sinclair family’s fashion company.

Sinclair Fashion is hiring designers. Applicants must bring original design sketches for evaluation. Successful applicants will receive generous pay, housing, and security support.

I stared at the screen and read every word, excitement building inside me. The Sinclair family was powerful in this region, and many smaller families depended on them.

I spent the next two days in my room working through one sketch after another. I wanted those designs to get me through the evaluation.

My father and the rest of the family were too busy with Sloane’s wedding to knock on my door.

When I was satisfied the sketches were ready, I sent them in for review.

The reply came soon afterward. I’d passed. They asked when I could meet in person.

I wrote back, “Tomorrow morning. I’ll contact you when I get there.”

“That works for me. I’ll see you then.”

The wedding preparations were finally finished before dinner that evening. Sloane’s wedding was two days away.

My father sat at the head of the table. Smiling, he raised his glass to celebrate Sloane’s upcoming wedding.

He glanced over at me in confusion. “Hazel, what’s been keeping you in your room for two whole days? I haven’t seen you except at meals.”

He paused and sighed. “I’ll be counting on you to keep me company. Once Sloane’s married, she and Juliet will have even less time for me.”

“But you need to find a time to apologize to Declan. Of course he was embarrassed when you turned him down in front of everyone. Talk things through with him. He’ll forgive you.”

“What’s going to become of you otherwise?”

My father looked genuinely worried.

A nod was all I gave him. If he knew I was applying for a job at Sinclair Fashion, he’d have me watched closely. Getting away wouldn’t be so easy then.

Late that night, I packed a bag. With so few belongings to take, I was ready in minutes. I slipped out through the back door of the kitchen.

I glanced back as the iron gate slowly closed. After a few seconds I faced forward and headed out into the heavy snow. The car I’d arranged was waiting for me.

As the car pulled away, snow kept hitting the window.

I looked down. Flecks of white covered my cuffs and the front of my clothes. For the first time, I could imagine how it felt to wear clothes covered in gems.

The house grew smaller behind me. I kept looking ahead.