Chapter 2 Was there a fire?
When Hazel returned to the Astor Villa, Aiden, Cleo, and Bianca were sitting in the dining room having breakfast.
Aiden glanced at Hazel and said in a flat tone, "Where'd you go so early? Your mom and Bianca were waiting for you to have breakfast, but you were nowhere to be seen."
Hazel lowered her head and softly replied, "You don't have to wait for me anymore." She then turned to go upstairs.
Bianca suddenly walked over and grabbed Hazel.
Pretending to be concerned, she asked, "Hazel, I wanted to ask you about the school registration last night, but when I went to your room, you weren't there. Did you not come back last night?" Her voice grew smaller, as if she were timid, occasionally glancing at Aiden.
Hazel glared at Bianca. "You know exactly where I was last night. Didn't you call me to go over?"
Bianca pretended to be shocked, covering her mouth with her hand and widening her eyes. "But Hazel, I came back early last night. Dad picked me up. He said it wasn't safe for girls to be out late." Her eyes glanced nonchalantly at Hazel's lower body. "Hazel, you seemed a bit drunk last night. Didn't you go out with your friend afterward? That guy didn't look that great. Didn't he help you to your room to rest? So, were you with him last night?"
Hearing this, Aiden could no longer contain his anger. He slammed his utensils on the table. "Hazel! Do you have any shame? You're already going to hotels with men at this age? Even spending the night outside? If this gets out, what will happen to my reputation? Which family in Phoenix City will want to marry into the Astor family?"
Cleo quickly stood by Aiden, gently patting his back, pretending to console him, "Don't get angry, it's bad for your health. Hazel made a mistake, just educate her. Why get so mad?"
She then scolded Bianca, "Bianca, you really are inconsiderate, making your father angry in the morning. Go massage his shoulders."
Bianca obediently ran over.
Aiden held Bianca's hand on his shoulder, still looking very angry. "Why would I be mad at Bianca? Thank goodness I have such an obedient and sensible daughter." He glanced coldly at Hazel. "Otherwise, I'd be driven to my grave."
Hazel acted as if she didn't hear. After her mother died, Aiden was no longer her father. He had betrayed her mother and wasn't worth her concern.
Hazel held onto the stair railing and continued upstairs.
Although the effects of the aphrodisiac had worn off, the chaotic night left her dizzy and in desperate need of sleep. So she had to go back to her room and get some rest.
Aiden saw Hazel's indifferent look and lost it. He jumped up, yelling at her back, "Just 'cause you got into a good college, you think you're all that? You'll still need me for living expenses and tuition. What are you so proud of? Who are you giving that sour face to? You're just like your dead mother!"
A vase crashed down from above, shattering right in front of Aiden.
He jumped back, scared, and started cursing again.
The only response was the sound of a heavy door slamming upstairs.
Hazel shut her door, too tired to even wash up. She went straight to bed, pulling the covers over herself.
Ever since starting college, she felt exhausted every day. Her appetite was through the roof, and she was always sleepy.
When winter break finally came, she went to the hospital for a check-up before heading home.
The test results hit her like a ton of bricks.
The doctor told her she was already five months pregnant.
She stared at the report, unable to believe it, but she had to.
It must have been that night when she was drugged with an aphrodisiac.
She was at a loss and asked the doctor what to do.
Seeing she was still young, the doctor asked if she was still in school.
She was only a freshman and couldn't have a baby. Otherwise, her education would be over.
She begged the doctor to help her terminate the pregnancy.
The doctor regretfully told her that her uterine wall was particularly thin, and that a forced abortion would be dangerous.
Moreover, she might never have children again.
She ultimately decided to take a leave of absence and have the baby.
But when she went back to school to process the leave, she found out her out-of-wedlock pregnancy had already been posted online. And the kicker? No one knew who the father was.
Rumors spread like wildfire, saying Hazel had a chaotic private life. Not only did she get pregnant in high school, but she also had casual abortions and one-night stands with so many guys that she didn't even know who the father of her baby was. She seemed aloof and cold, but in private, she was so promiscuous.
All the comments were trashing Hazel.
For the sake of the school's reputation, they advised her to leave.
Having a student like her was a stain on the school.
So, the school expelled her. She left in a daze.
Finally, the due date arrived.
After going through the ordeal of childbirth, she finally delivered the baby.
But the midwife told her that because she had delayed too long on the way, the baby had been deprived of oxygen in the womb and was born without a heartbeat.
Lying on the delivery bed, she fainted upon hearing this.
When Aiden heard about it, he didn't care that she was still weak. He immediately completed the paperwork and sent her abroad. From then on, he never cared about her again.
It was as if Hazel had never been Aiden's daughter.
At that time, Hazel was alone in a foreign country, enduring immense physical and psychological pain.
After her body slightly recovered, she started doing various part-time jobs to support herself.
Until one day, she met a young man named Erik Murphy.
Seven years later, in the most luxurious hotel in Phoenix City, Hazel stood in the dressing room wearing a wedding dress and exquisite makeup.
She stood in front of a large dressing mirror, lifted her skirt, and turned lightly on her thin high heels.
In the mirror, Hazel saw a graceful figure, delicate features, and a genuine, radiant smile.
Today was her engagement day with Erik.
Because of what happened when she was eighteen, she got kicked out of Astor Villa, expelled from school, and her reputation was trashed.
Everyone called her a slut and looked at her with disdain.
But Erik was different. For three years, he stuck by Hazel's side, never leaving her.
Most importantly, he understood her past, felt sorry for her, and loved her.
Hazel's face lit up with a smile, filled with beautiful expectations for the future.
She adjusted her hair in the mirror, lifted her chin slightly, turned around, and walked towards the door in her wedding dress.
Suddenly, the smell of smoke made her cover her mouth and cough. Her eyes stung, almost tearing up.
She gently opened the door with her gloved hand, only to be surrounded by thick smoke. She stumbled back in fright.
What was going on? Was there a fire?