Chapter 4: You Bastard, Sebastian
Just as Hazel was about to leave the hospital, the front desk nurse recognized her and pulled her aside. “Still here to see Dr. Cole this late? It’s raining outside-go get him to bring you an umbrella.”
Hazel looked up at the steady drizzle soaking the window and murmured, almost dazed, “He wouldn’t anymore………
Sebastian had always been attentive and gentle. He knew she was forgetful, so whenever it rained, he’d always call to remind her to bring an umbrella. And if they only had one, he’d tilt it entirely toward her, without hesitation.
But now… not even a call. Not a word. He no longer remembered.
The nurse blinked. “Sorry, what did you say?”
Hazel shook her head.
The nurse leaned in again. “You know, all the women in this hospital are jealous of you.”
Hazel hesitated. “Jealous of me?”
The nurse nodded earnestly. “Of course! You know how messy things can be in the medical world, but Dr. Cole was always faithful to you. The way he looked at you-it was full of love.”
“Remember when he went viral after someone posted a photo of him?”
Of course Hazel remembered.
Three years ago, someone had snapped a picture of Sebastian in a white coat, consulting a patient. The soft daylight fell across his coat, and with his refined features and calm aura, he looked like something out of a drama.
The photo blew up instantly. People online speculated which show he was starring in-only to find out he was a real doctor. His appointment page was swamped.
Countless people lined up just to see him. Some even slipped him their hotel room numbers.
It had made Hazel deeply uncomfortable at the time, but she didn’t want to throw a fit and affect his career.
Then Sebastian did something unexpected. He taped a sign on his office door-two words: Married.
He even opened a social media account, despite usually avoiding that world, and posted:
“I’m married. I love my wife very, very much. I will never betray her in this lifetime. If you’re not here for real medical help, please don’t make an appointment.”
The post stirred a storm of envy online. Everyone envied the woman wrapped in his unwavering love.
Hazel remembered every single detail. Every little thing he’d done for her. And now, seeing how far he’d strayed, how that love had slowly shifted to someone else—that was what hurt most.
It wasn’t just that he slept with Vivian. It was that he did everything she thought he’d never do.
“You’re crying,” the nurse said, concerned.
Hazel touched her cheek and was surprised to find it wet.
She forced a smile. “Just remembering some things. I should head home.”
She walked home in the rain.
Tonight was the night of her divorce. She wanted the pain etched deep, unforgettable.
Martha gasped when she saw Hazel dripping wet. She rushed over with a dry towel and wrapped it around her. “Ma’am! Why didn’t you bring an umbrella? Where’s the mister? He didn’t come back with you?”
Hazel shook her head. “Martha, it’s late. You should go get some rest.”
Seeing she insisted, Martha nodded reluctantly. “At least take a hot shower soon. Should I make you some ginger tea?”
She headed off toward the kitchen.
Hazel walked into the bedroom and stared at the closet full of bags and jewelry-anniversary gifts, birthday gifts, Valentine’s Day surprises…. Sebastian had always loved planning surprises.
She packed them all up. She’d sell them online.
She looked down at the diamond ring on her finger. Gritting her teeth, she took it off and tossed it in.
She didn’t want any of it.
After finishing the ginger tea Martha brought, Hazel took a shower and went to bed.
In her dreams…
She was back on her eighteenth birthday. She had excitedly picked out an outfit, hoping her parents would surprise her with a gift.
But the whole day passed quietly. Nothing.
She remembered how, for Vivian’s birthday the year before, they had given her a protective charm, a full set of jewelry, and hosted a big dinner.
When she asked her mother if they had forgotten, her mom replied without a hint of guilt, “Didn’t we celebrate yours and your sister’s together last year? You know how tight money is-most of it went into your sister’s treatments. We can’t do this every year.”
She’d been so hurt and angry. Every year, her birthday meant piggybacking on Vivian’s. Even her eighteenth birthday had to be shared.
Would it have killed them to get her a cake of her own?
She fought with her family, even ran away from home. And then Sebastian showed up, like a knight in shining armor. He grabbed her hand tightly and told her parents, “If you don’t want her, I do.”
He danced with her under the fireworks. Because she once said she loved roses, he bought 1,314 of them and turned a room into a sea of flowers. He gave her the most unforgettable coming-of-age celebration.
That day, she saw herself reflected in his eyes-small and cherished. And she was so, so happy.
“Sweetheart,” came a man’s gentle voice.
Hazel’s eyelids felt like they weighed a ton. When she finally opened her eyes, she saw Sebastian’s handsome, tender face.
It overlapped with the dream. For a moment, she forgot his betrayal. Her voice was small and hurt. “Sebastian.”
“I’m here,” Sebastian said as he kissed her hand gently.
Hazel’s eyes turned red. Her voice was hoarse. “Do you know how awful you are?”
Sebastian lifted her hand and slapped it against his own cheek. “I know. It’s all my fault, sweetheart. I misunderstood you.”
“You should’ve told me sooner. I wouldn’t have panicked like I did that night.”
Hazel’s memory cleared. “That night?”
Sebastian touched her forehead. “Yeah. You had a fever and slept all day.”
He picked up the herbal medicine beside the bed.
C
“Come on, open up,” he said, sponning it into her mouth
Hazel winced. It was hitter. She forced it down and asked, lips pressed together, “You know?”
He knew about the leukemis?
Sebastian wiped her mouth with a time and looked at her with a gentle smile “Of course I do”
“No wonder you didn’t want to donate blood.” He held up a medicine bottle and shook it. “I can’t believe you got your hands on this targeted drug Why didn’t you tell me?”
Hazel’s eyes widened. She grabbed the bottle from him. It was empty.
Her breath caught. “Where’s the medicine?”
Sebastian replied casually, “I gave it to your sister. I knew you didn’t really hate her. You just didn’t want to show it
“Don’t worry. I told her you worked tirelessly to find it just for her.”
“This stuff really works. Where did you even get it?
Hazel’s face drained of all color. Her chest heaved violently the couldn’t take it anymore
She raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. “Sebastian, you bastard”
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