Chapter 71


    Chapter 71


    HAZEL


    PRESENT TIME


    I was roused from my slumber by a gentle thud, and as I slowly blinked my eyes open, a yawn


    escaping me, I found David standing there, a cake in his hands. Beside him, Daisy’s face was a picture


    of delight, her grin infectious as she toddled unsteadily towards the bed. Her anticipation to see me was


    so palpable that I couldn’t help but break into a smile myself.


    “Happy birthday, Hazel,” David’s voice sang out as he set the cake down on the bed. “Make a wish and


    blow out the candle.”


    My gaze shifted from David to my precious Daisy, and in that moment, I fervently wished that when I


    eventually revealed. her existence to Ravel, she wouldn’t be taken away from me. With a steady


    exhale, I leaned over and extinguished the candle’s me, Daisy’s pping mingling with David’s


    encouragement.


    “Come here,” I beckoned, my arms reaching out. I scooped Daisy up and pulled her close, showering


    her face with kisses that elicited joyous giggles that seemed to fill the room.


    “Here,” David murmured, his voice gentle, “I brought you a gift.” With careful hands, he produced a


    small box from his pocket, unveiling a stunning bracelet as he opened it. “Give me your hand.” I


    extended my hand as he requested, watching as he delicately fastened the bracelet around my wrist.


    “It’s truly beautiful,” I cooed, my eyes fixed on the intricate design. “Thank you.” His smile was warm


    and genuine, a silent acknowledgement of his affection.


    As I continued to admire the bracelet, a glint caught my eye-my name was intricately engraved on the


    sp. My curiosity piqued, I inquired, “Did you have this customized?”


    David nodded, his eyes conveying a depth of sentiment. “I wanted to give you something that felt truly


    special for your birthday.” At that moment, Daisy stretched out her tiny hands towards him, her eyes


    seeking his attention. With practiced ease, he scooped her up and settled her on hisp, their bond


    evident in the way he held her.


    “I truly love this, David,” I admitted, my words infused with genuine appreciation. “It’s rare, unique, and


    undeniably beautiful. Thank you.”


    A glimmer of something crossed his eyes as he responded, “If you feel that way about it, then don’t


    ever take it off.” His words carried a weight that slightly furrowed my brows in confusion. “If you can’t


    hold onto my heart, at least hold onto


    that.”


    There was a twinge of guilt within me for not reciprocating his romantic feelings, but I knew it was better


    to be honest than to lead him on. “Alright,” I agreed, a note of sincerity in my voice. “I promise, I won’t


    take it off.” His smile was both understanding and appreciative, a silent recognition of my response.


    “Thank you, David,” I continued, a touch of emotion in my words. “I didn’t expect to have such a wide


    smile on my birthday today.”


    Curiosity etched his features as he questioned, “Why did you think today would be any different? Every


    year, I make sure to bring out your widest smile on your birthday.”


    “Hazel found out about Daisy yesterday,” I disclosed, and his eyes widened in surprise. “I didn’t even


    realize she was in Seattle, so I took Daisy out for ice cream. Coincidentally, she was there getting ice


    cream too, and she caught me.”


    His reaction was a mix of concern and tension. “This is not good,” he muttered, his voice tense. “What


    did Elenor say? Do you think she’ll inform her brother?”


    With a heavy sigh, I directed my gaze toward my daughter. “She’s giving me a chance to break the


    news to Ravel myself. But she made it clear that if I fail to do so, she’s prepared to tell him on her own.”


    Frustration danced across his features as he mused, “I’d really like to use a few choice words right


    now.” He gently cupped Daisy’s rosy cheeks, a tender gesture that elicited a chuckle from me. “But for


    Daisy’s sake, I’ll refrain.” I couldn’t help but


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    smile. “So, are you truly going to tell him?”


    “Yeah,” I acknowledged, my resolve solidifying. “I believe it’s time to tell him anyway. Perhaps the next


    time I see him, I’ll reveal everything about her.”


    A concerned frown creased his brow. “Do you want me to be there with you?”


    I appreciated his concern but shook my head, politely declining his offer. “I think I need to have this


    conversation alone with him.” I wanted to assure him that I wasn’t concerned about Ravel reacting


    violently.


    “Thank you for offering, though,” I added sincerely.


    David got to his feet, lifting Daisy into his arms. “We’ll give you some space so you can freshen up, get


    dressed, and join us for breakfast.” I nodded in agreement, watching as he moved towards the door.


    Just before leaving, he paused and turned back to face me. “Do you have any ns for the rest of the


    day?”


    “Yeah, I promised Elenor that I’d be having lunch with her today,” I exined, recalling her request from


    the previous day. She had earnestly asked me to join her for lunch, insisting on treating me to a


    birthday meal.


    David nodded thoughtfully. “Could you spare your dinner time for me, then?”


    A smile formed on my lips. “Of course,” I agreed. With that, he turned and left my room.


    True to her word, Elenor arrived promptly for lunch. She entered the restaurant just as gracefully as I


    had. We indulged in a bottle of wine before cing our lunch orders. Mid-conversation, she reached


    into her bag and retrieved a small box, sliding it towards me. “Happy birthday.”


    I felt a surge of gratitude. “Thank you.” Leaning forward, I carefully opened the box to find a delicate


    ne nestled within. “This is truly beautiful, Elenor. I appreciate it.”


    She offered a warm smile, her eyes naturally drawn to the bracelet adorning my wrist. “Nice bracelet,”


    sheplimented.


    My attention followed hers, and I couldn’t help but smile as I admired it once again. “It’s actually a gift


    from David,” I shared, my voice full of appreciation. “Isn’t it beautiful?” I looked back up at her.


    “Mhm, it really is,” she agreed. Our lunch arrived, and as we enjoyed our meal, our conversation


    meandered through various topics. I was relieved that she didn’t bring up the sensitive subjects of


    Ravel or Daisy. Despite my curiosity about what was happening with her and Raymond, I decided


    against asking.


    Mid-conversation, her phone buzzed on the table, and she picked it up, her expression shifting into a


    frown as she looked at the caller ID. She rose from her seat, ready to excuse herself. “I’m sorry, but I


    need to take this,” she exined.


    I quickly nodded in understanding as she prepared to take the call, but my concern intensified when


    she took an unsteady step, almost colliding with the table. Reacting instinctively, I shot up from my


    seat, narrowly avoiding toppling a wine ss in my haste to catch her. “Are you alright?” I asked


    urgently, worry evident in my voice.


    Her breath seemedbored as she struggled to respond. “I think it’s infected,” she finally managed to


    say, her difort palpable.


    Confusion and concern twisted my features. “Infected? What’s infected?” Gently guiding her back into


    her seat, I tried to make herfortable. “Elenor, please talk to me. Should I call an ambnce?”


    She winced, hissing through her teeth as the pain hit her. “My surgery wound,” she exined, her voice


    strained. “I’m afraid it might be infected. The pain has been intense since yesterday, but I foolishly


    brushed it off.”


    The gravity of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. “This is serious! I’m calling an ambnce,” I


    dered, reaching for my phone urgently.


    However, she grabbed my hand, her expression pleading. “I don’t want the media to find out,” she


    whispered, her desperation clear. “Calling an ambnce will inevitably draw unwanted attention.”


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    “Does it really matter?” I asked, my concern evident. “What should I do? Ignoring this could lead to


    serious consequences.


    You could even die…”


    In response, she cried out in pain, her anguish unmistakable. “Get me back to New York,” she


    implored, her voice strained.


    I blinked in surprise, taken aback by her request. “You can’t possibly travel in this condition,” I


    protested, worried about her well-being.


    With a mixture of vulnerability and determination, she revealed, “I flew here in Ravel’s private jet. We


    could use that to


    return.”


    My mind whirled, trying to process the situation. “We?” I echoed, my thoughts racing to catch up.


    She nodded, her eyes pleading. “Please, I can’t trust anyone else not to reveal my condition to the


    press. Just take me to my new apartment in New York, and you can be on your way.”


    The unexpected turn of events left me slightly disoriented. “Alright,” I conceded, realizing the urgency of


    the situation, “We need to contact the pilot first.” She pointed to her phone, and I handed it to her


    before stepping away to call David.


    I fibbed to him, exining that I’d be hometer than expected. I couldn’t divulge the true reason for my


    departure without revealing Elenor’s surgery.


    “The jet is ready,” she informed me as I returned.


    Nodding in acknowledgment, I gathered both our purses and gently assisted her into the car, making


    sure she was secure with her seatbelt. Taking the wheel, I navigated us to the airport. My thoughts


    raced as I considered the implications of this impromptu trip to New York.


    With a mix of worry, I drove, my fingers tightly gripping the steering wheel.


    I really hope she will be okay.


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