01 well .
On the eve of her wedding .
Hazel Bell called her mother , who was thousands of miles away overseas .
Her mother paused , stunned for a moment , but didnt press her with questions ; she knew her daughter all too With a calm and reassuring tone , she readily agreed , Alright .
Im getting older anyway , and this business will end up in your hands sooner or later .
The sooner you come , the sooner you can adjust .
Hazel responded with a light laugh , masking the ache in her chest .
But her eyes betrayed her , drifting toward the bridal suite .
Through the dim light filtering from the window , she could make out the shadows of two entwined figures ; one was her fiancé , and the other , her stepsister .
She fought desperately to keep her composure , but her voice betrayed her , trembling with the faint trace of a sob .
Her mother sighed softly , a weight of shared pain in her words , I thought he was different .
I didnt expect him to walk the same path as your father and me .
Its alright , Hazel .
Youre still young .
Ill be here waiting for you .
After a few quiet words , they ended the call .
Hazel crumbled onto the side of the road as the silence wrapped around her like a heavy blanket .
The dam she had held back burst , and her sobs spilled into the quiet night .
The moonlight poured over her , its cold brilliance amplifying the ache in her heart .
Before tonight , she had clung to the belief that Ambrose was different .
They had grown up side by side , their bond unshaken , and their relationship officially sealed when they turned eighteen .
Ambrose Wright , born into a distinguished family of scholars , carried himself with effortless grace , his charm and refinement setting him apart .
As the heir to the Wright legacy , he exuded a maturity that set him apart from his peers .
In their ten years together , not once had they quarreled .
Ambrose treated Hazel with tenderness and indulgence that bordered on devotion , as though he were the steady , protective older brother she could always rely on .
He showered her with gestures that spoke louder than words , lavish bouquets that filled entire car trunks , glittering jewels piled in velvet cases , and an unwavering willingness to grant her every wish .
To everyone who knew them , Ambroses quiet acts of devotion were proof of a love so profound it required no grand declarations .
They were the golden couple of their circle , envied and admired equally .
But that night , at what should have been the pinnacle of her happiness , Hazels ten year dream came cras down at their engagement party .
Ambrose had invited Hazels stepsister , Scarlett Jones , the one person she wished to banish from her life forever .
The moment Scarlett appeared , memories Hazel had buried deep came rushing back like a relentless tide .
She remembered how Scarlett and her mother had tormented her endlessly , their cruel words and actions driving Hazels mother to the edge of despair .
She recalled the years of torment and humiliation she had suffered , the scars they left behind still aching like 12:22 PM c Running Away from Marriage , Lewing Deception Biehnd fresh wounds .
core .
For once , Hazel , who was always calm and composed , let her emotions take over .
Her usually soft voice now carried a sharp edge as she demanded Scarlett leave .
But Scarlett , ever calculating , refused to back down .
She invoked her mothers name , a taunt that cut Hazel to the Their heated exchange spiraled out of control , turning the engagement party into an utter spectacle of chaos .
Hazel instinctively turned to Ambrose for support , but his hand struck her cheek with a resounding slap before she could utter a word .
Go home and sober up if youre drunk .
Stop making a scene ! Look at yourself , how could you ever expect to be the future mistress of the family ? His cold words stung far worse than the slap , but the pain didnt end there .
Her father , instead of defending her , added fuel to the fire .
Your sister just returned , and this is how you treat her ? Wheres your dignity as the elder sister ? If your Aunt Althea takes offense at this , I wont forgive you ! The crowd stood silently , their eyes fixed on Hazel as the two men berated her mercilessly .

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Every word felt like a dagger , stripping away the last shred of her composure .
Then , as if to twist the knife deeper , Ambrose turned his back on her , escorting Scarlett away without a glance in her direction .
Left alone to endure the whispers and scorn of the onlookers , Hazel felt the humiliation seep into her very bones .
Her face burned crimson , though whether from the alcohol or the unbearable shame , she couldnt tell .
Without a word , she fled the engagement party , her footsteps echoing like a desperate escape into the night .
It was nearly impossible to hail a cab at this hour .
After wandering through the deserted streets for over three hours , the cold wind gnawed at her skin and left her head pounding .
Eventually , she stumbled her way back to Belmont Villa .