“How much suffering have you endured all these years?”

Hazel had always been the sensible one, the kind of daughter who never burdened anyone with her troubles. No matter the storm raging within her, she always wore a smile and brought good news. Her mother knew just how deeply Hazel loved Ambrose. Over the years, she had tried to bring Hazel home, but each time, Hazel hesitated, torn by the thought of leaving him. The matter remained unresolved. But if Gianna had known what Hazel had endured, even the risk of separating them would have seemed worthwhile. No mother would allow her child to suffer like that.

“Mom,” Hazel said gently, setting a bowl of preserved egg and creamy pork risotto before her. “We promised. No more thinking about the past.”

To Hazel, it wasn’t suffering. Love had a way of making everything feel necessary, even when painful. When she loved Ambrose, she often felt like she was giving everything, never considering whether he reciprocated equally. If she hadn’t seen how openly Ambrose adored Scarlett, she might have continued to love him blindly.

“Alright, we won’t talk about it,” her mother said, smiling and shaking her head. “My daughter is the best; let those who can’t appreciate her live with regret!”

After the meal, her mother eagerly gave Hazel the jewelry and accessories she had collected over the years. Slipping a large diamond ring onto her finger, Hazel admired it, realizing it was far more beautiful than the wedding ring she had once dreamed of. As she marveled at its sparkle, the doorbell rang.

Opening the door, she froze, completely surprised. She hadn’t expected Ambrose, much less so soon. Ambrose had always prioritized his career above all else. Hazel remembered a time when she had a high fever and needed him to take her to the hospital. But in his study, consumed by his work, he only called for help after finding her unconscious. He never stirred or spoke a word of concern.

Hazel found it almost impossible to believe that someone like Ambrose, so consumed by his business, would leave everything behind to find her.

“Come back home with me,” Ambrose said, his expression impassive, but his voice firm.

Hazel’s lips curled into a frown at the coldness in his words. “This is my home,” she replied.

His stoicism stung her. The coldness in her voice struck a chord with him, and he recalled her last look and the raw ache of loss that had followed. Only now, in this quiet moment, did he fully realize what he had lost.

It was the same sweet, childlike Hazel who had once chattered endlessly, always clinging to him. Now, as he stood before her, Ambrose felt a sharp, suffocating weight in his chest. The air felt thick, and he felt desperately grasping for something to hold onto.

“Hazel, stop messing around,” he said, his voice strained. “I know you saw the surveillance video. It wasn’t true… those were just impulsive words.”

For the first time, Ambrose lowered his head, his words dripping with sincerity as he apologized. “I’m sorry, Hazel. I’ve been caught up in everything lately and failed to see how it affected you. I promise it won’t happen again. Please believe me, no matter what, I truly love you. I never wanted to hurt you.”

A heavy silence fell. Ambrose stood frozen, struck by the weight of his own words. Before coming, he’d been consumed with anger, determined to make Hazel understand her place as his wife. But the moment he saw her, that fury evaporated. He couldn’t bring himself to speak another harsh word to her, not when she looked at him like that. Hazel’s smile was a bittersweet mix of indifference and mocking amusement.