Chapter 14
Hazel stared at the screen, stunned by Dominic’s confession.
For a moment, she couldn’t tell if he was joking or being sincere.
In truth, she and Dominic had never had any real conflict. They’d even been desk mates for two years in middle school, but she’d gradually distanced herself because of Roman.
Still, he had no reason to like her…
Dominic seemed to read her thoughts.
“Hazel, I’m not joking.”
He cleared his throat and explained earnestly, “I’ve liked you for a very long time. Back then, you were always with Roman. When I finally gathered the courage to try my luck, I discovered you’d already accepted his proposal. So I buried my feelings, thinking he would cherish you. But then he cheated with that lunatic…”
Before he could finish, Hazel burst out laughing. She waved dismissively at the screen. “Even if you’re confessing to me, I don’t have any more shares to sell you. Look, it’s getting dark here, and I need to find dinner. Let’s chat another time. Thanks for the entertainment-I owe you a meal sometime.”
After hanging up, she exhaled deeply.
Hazel realized Dominic hadn’t been joking at all. But having just emerged from a failed marriage, she lacked the energy to embark on another relationship.
More importantly, she now had money, time, and the freedom to travel wherever she pleased. Her life felt remarkably peaceful. She had no desire to disrupt her current situation.
Early the next morning, Hazel had barely stepped outside when she spotted a man crouching by her door, holding a rose.
She furrowed her brow in disbelief. “Dominic? How did you get here?”
Dominic turned around, flashing a brilliant smile.
“You offered to treat me to a meal, right? After such a gracious invitation, how could I refuse? So here I am!”
With that, he presented the rose to her.
“Remember yesterday when you said this was the most beautiful one in my garden. I thought you should have it!”
The thorns had been carefully removed, so Hazel took it without worry.
Yesterday, before Dominic had broadcast the “show” with Roman, he’d shown her his garden. She had casually complimented it, never expecting him to take her words so seriously.
With her “guest” having traveled so far, Hazel couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She took him to a nearby restaurant to sample local specialties.
That same day, Dominic rented the house next to hers, claiming he needed to “protect a beautiful woman’s safety.”
Over the next few days, he came to see her daily, inviting her for walks or to try new foods… Their relationship grew increasingly comfortable.
One day, Hazel was eating at a restaurant when she overheard several young women at a nearby table.
“Did you see that handsome guy outside with the flowers? He was gorgeous!”
“Yeah, and he was holding a ring box too. Must be planning to propose to his girlfriend. They’re so lucky!”
“Let’s hurry and eat-maybe we can catch the proposal!”
She instinctively glanced outside but could only see a crowd gathered by the entrance, so she returned to her meal.
Ten minutes later, Hazel approached the front counter to pay. She also ordered takeout for Dominic, thinking he might enjoy trying
the food.
Head down, replying to a message from her landlady, she looked up just in time to collide with someone.
Hazel raised her head, about to apologize, when she froze in place.
Roman stood before her, holding an enormous bouquet of roses and dropping to one knee.
“Hazel, I love you. Will you marry me?”
