No Second Chances: her sweet counterattack

The sitting room was exactly how she remembered it. Her brother, Jason, was seated in a man-spread position, flipping through a magazine while taking sips from the cup of coffee before him.

She didn't make her presence known, not until he looked up from the magazine. His eyes went wide, and the cup slipped from his grip.

"Hazel?" he called, his tone laced with disbelief. He stood up and took slow steps towards her.

"Am I dreaming?" She didn't reply to his question; instead, she wrapped her arms around him.

"I missed you, big brother." He released a hearty laugh, then ruffled her hair like he always did.

"You came back."

"Where is Mom?" Jason looked towards the stairs, and that was enough for Hazel to understand.

She left Jason in the sitting room and went up the stairs to the master's bedroom. She took a moment to stare at her mom's sleeping figure before placing a kiss on her forehead.

Mrs. Smith stirred from her sleep, and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips when she saw Hazel.

"Changed your mind already?" she asked, her tone sarcastic. The Smiths had been against her marriage to Felix, but she had married him against their wishes.

"Hm," Mrs. Smith went back to sleep with a smile on her face, while Hazel retired to her bedroom. It was like she never left. The curtains were up, and the sweet scent of lavender still lingered in the air. After a warm bath, Hazel got into bed.

The next day,

The family is settled in the dining room, and Hazel's return was still a thing of surprise and shock.

"Did he raise his hands on you?" Jason asked, his grip already tightening around his fork. Hazel is the darling of the Smiths, and telling them what Felix has done to her would only worsen things. Whatever happens to Felix must come from her alone.

With a shake of her head, she took a sip from her glass of water and said, "Not really, but I want to divorce him."

"I'll arrange for the divorce papers and have them sent to him as well. You don't have to worry about that," Jason quickly said. He was afraid she'd change her mind any second.

"Since you've finally gotten back to your senses, what are your plans for the future?" Mrs. Smith spoke for the first time that morning.

"I plan to take over the family's business." Mrs. Smith released a sigh of relief. Two years ago, this crazy daughter of hers had left all her achievements to pursue the man she loved, leaving the company under the care of her power-hungry uncle.

Jason, on the other hand, focused on his breakfast. Running the family's business was never his dream. He was glad Hazel was there to keep up the legacy.

The rest of the day was spent catching up on what she had missed in two years.

When Felix got the divorce papers, he couldn't help but scoff.  He must have been too easy on Hazel that she dared bring a lawyer to him. Without a second thought, he put down his signature and sent her a note as well. She wanted a divorce? Fine, he'd give her one.

"Don't come running to me when you realize what grave mistake you've made."

Hazel read the note over and over again.

"It seems Mr. Hart is so full of himself," Jason said from his place on the couch. Hazel didn't say a word. She just tore the paper into shreds.

"What do you think about the business event coming up next week?" Hazel took a moment to respond as a smile curled up on her lips.

"Great."

The rest of the week passed like a blur. Seated at her vanity table, Hazel did the finishing touches on her makeup. Her dress was simple yet elegant, a black belted maxi dress that graced her figure perfectly. She threw on a blazer before leaving.

By the time they arrived, the event was already in full swing. As she walked in with Jason, her hand gently wrapped around his, heads turned, and people began to whisper.

Who would have known that the lady from the Smith family would suddenly show her face at the event?

The young bachelors smoothed their suits, each trying to make a good impression.

Standing a short distance away, Felix's eyes narrowed at Hazel, who was suddenly surrounded by men. 

His gaze lingered on Jason Smith, the man Hazel had her hand clasped around.

For a moment, when the lawyer brought the divorce papers, Felix had thought that he had never really known her. But it turns out she just got herself another man. He secretly took a picture and sent it to his mom.

"Ms. Smith is indeed a rare beauty," Felix spun around to see a couple of businessmen talking to themselves, their eyes locked on her.

He couldn't deny it either. She looked... different. But he balled his fist as the feeling of disgust washed over him.

Not wanting to dwell on them, he returned his gaze to Hazel, who was now the center of attention. Seeing men flung around her made something in him snap. He put down his glass and walked over.

The moment their gazes met, Felix's smile turned menacing. "It seems like you found a new man, Hazel."

"What are you trying to say, Mr. Hart?" The Hazel he knew would never talk back to him. She received everything without a word. If not for the striking resemblance, Felix would have thought this wasn't Hazel at all.

He let out a mocking laugh and pointed a finger at her.

"You think clinging onto another man gives you the right to speak to me in such a manner? You shameless little slut!

"I advise Mr. Smith to be careful of the woman beside him; she wants nothing but his money!" Felix didn't expect what came next: The slap hit like lightning; he could have sworn he saw stars.