✶𝐕𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐑✶

𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍: 𝐇𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥 [𝐩𝐭.𝐈𝐈]

[EDITED]

Hazel's violet eyes met your [e/c] ones.

She turned to your fiancé, who stood beside her, but he was focused on the sapphires that decorated your neck. They shined brightly in the chandelier light hanging overhead while you stepped in front of Hazel to nod in greeting and hand in your present.

You rushed to get her gift a couple of hours ago before you had to get ready. It was a gorgeous, tiny, diamond necklace, you felt as if that was the object that represented her, if not a 'for sale' sign.

As the platinum blonde opened the bag, she held up the shining stone to the light.

"[Name], you wore the pendant I gave you..." Caleb narrowed his striking blue eyes into the jewelry as if he could glare it out of existence because of the sadness in Hazel's eyes as she stared at them.

"I didn't want a misunderstanding being brought up! People seem to think that you'll end our engagement for her, and I wouldn't want you to hear the comments of noble ladies. They are incessantly cruel."

Your fiancée scoffed while he glanced at his brother as if saying, 'do you have anything to add?'
Roman smirked, shaking his head and silently began leading Hazel away from you two, but then you caught their attention.

"Well, it seems that my work is done here! I'll make my leave." You remembered in the novel that this ball was the start of [Name]'s bullying and jealousy, and you didn't want to possibly trigger the start of that since you didn't know how this world works in terms of following the storyline.

Hazel's violet eyes darkened before a sickeningly sweet smile crossed her face.

"Lady [Name]! Please don't leave! You live here just as much as I do, and I want you to feel welcomed. You leaving a party held in the premises doesn't truly represent inclusivity, now does it?" She sniffed, and gently took hold of your hand, yet you could feel her grip tightening as Roman sarcastically agreed with her by putting on a fake smile and placing a hand on your shoulder.

'God, is she jealous? Who is so dense that they can't tell that he doesn't like me at all?' You rolled your eyes and took a deep breath before rejecting her.

"I deeply feel your true intentions, Hazel, but I don't feel so well and only came here to show my appreciation for your invitation! I must take my leave, but I wish you an amazing happy birthday!"

Her expression became shocked when she understood that you refused her. Her gaze darkened even more as the Vaughn brothers focused solely on you, shocked at your answer.

They expected anger as you stepped into the ball with your frigid appearance colliding with Hazel's sunny desposition, but you've surprised them yet again.

You, on the other hand, were still thinking about Hazel's expression.
'Clearly she hasn't been refused enough.' You thought, annoyance crowding your gaze as you stepped toward the large ballroom doors, and promptly removed yourself from the situation.

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[i'm surprised that i did all this in basically one day bc like today was my first day of no work kinda so i wanted to get this out to make yall happy 😊]