HAZEL STYLES POV
I've been in a relationship with my boyfriend Liam for a while now. Today, he invited me to dinner out of the blue. When I shared this with my friend Lena, she said that Liam must be trying to ask me to marry him, because it was so out of character.
I couldn't help but believe her suspicions, so I went to the appointment with great anticipation.
But now...
"This is not working."
I glanced up from my food, my eyes widening a bit as my gaze met those of Liam.
"What are you talking about? Don't you like the food pairing?" I asked, my hands trembling a bit as I pointed to the food on the table. I knew he hated whatever I liked, but I was starving and also a bit anxious, so I'd ordered most of my comfort food.
"What do you think? Did you have to get all these dishes? You're always ordering like you're trying to add more fat to those you already have."
My brows furrowed. "I just saw my therapist yesterday and he told me I was underweight... That's why I ordered..."
"How could I forget," he said, cutting me off with a roll of his eyes, "the baggage you have is endless. Aside from being an artist who doesn't have a career, you also have unresolved childhood trauma. Oh, your brother is also out to get you." He let out an exasperated sigh. "Do you know how exhausting you are?"
His words hurt, but I was already used to them; besides, he didn't really mean them. Whenever he was stressed out, he tended to say hurtful things. It was just the way he was wired.
I forced a smile to my lips as I dropped the fork. "I'm sorry. Next time, I won't..."
He let out an exhausted sigh, then held my gaze. "There won't be a next time, Hazel."
His words hit me like a freight train, and I froze. "What... What are you talking about?"
He sighed, then dragged his hand through his hair. There was a block of ice lodged in my throat, and it intensified the longer I waited for him to say something.
Liam let out a rough exhale, then leaned forward. "Are you really that dumb... I mean, everyone says it, but I thought they were just exaggerating."
My hands trembled, and I squeezed them into fists. "What? Why are you..." I stuttered, and he scoffed as he cut me off.
"God, I don't even know how I put up with you. Three years of my life freaking wasted. Do you know that every little thing you do annoys me to death? Are you really that oblivious?"
My stomach churned, making it difficult to breathe. I felt both hot and cold. "Is this some sort of a prank... If you're trying to scare me before you propose..."
"Propose," he got out, his tone incredulous. "You thought I was going to propose to you?" He said, then scoffed. "Do you think you're worth it? I am Liam Hex, heir to the Hex family fortune. Did you seriously think that I was going to settle for a nobody like you?"
My eyes felt hot. I glanced around, noticing the gaze of the other diner that was now on us.
"Liam," I got out as the heat in my heart bubbled over. It burned so hotly that it was difficult to breathe. I clenched my fist harder and then took a deep breath to calm myself. The tears that had filled up my vision threatened to fall. "Can we talk outside, at least?"
He smirked, then leaned toward me. "We have nothing to talk about. This relationship is over," he got out curtly, his eyes emotionless. "I brought you here to break up with you. Aren't I just the gentleman, huh?"
"What?" My vision swirled as the heat in my chest churned. It was so painful, I could barely speak. "What do you mean we're breaking up? You said you loved me. You promised that you were going to stay by my side and that nothing would ever come between us."
He stared straight into my eyes, the cocky look on his face as he laughed intensifying the pain in my chest.
"All empty promises that anyone with sense would have seen through. I thought I could get something out of you since Julian Styles is your brother, but turns out he doesn't even give a shit about you. I should have known all these years that you were useless, but I guess I was hoping for a change... I've accepted it now, though. I don't think Julian will be giving a shit about you anytime soon."