Nicolas took a step toward her.
"Hazel—"
She didn't even turn.
"Nicolas." Jenna's voice was cold and hard. Nothing like the warm woman who had welcomed him into their home. "Walk away."
He looked at her. At Kevin's stony face. At Leo's murderous eyes. At Dominique.
"She's mine," he said quietly. "I made a mistake, but she's mine."
No one answered.
And finally, Nicolas left.
He walked out with his head low, his parents trailing behind him like shadows. Valeria's face was icy. Richard's was simply… empty.
Jenna moved first.
She crossed the space in seconds, her heels clicking against the stone floor, and wrapped her arms around Hazel so tightly it looked like she was afraid her daughter might disappear. Her face pressed into Hazel's hair, and her shoulders started shaking.
Hazel stood still for a moment. Then slowly, carefully, she lifted her arms and hugged her mother back.
"It's okay, Mom." Her voice was soft. Calm. "I'm not that sad."
