The Runaway Husband

Chapter 55

Hazel

The concert had been an emotional rollercoaster, and as we left the stage, the weight of our final performance settled over me. The roar of the crowd still echoed in my ears, a mix of cheers and tears that seemed to encapsulate everything we had been through.

Backstage, the atmosphere was a mixture of celebration and melancholy. Katherine, our label owner, approached us with a bright smile, trying to lift our spirits. "You guys were amazing tonight," she said, her voice warm. "We have an after-party planned to celebrate everything you've achieved. I hope you'll all come."

I hesitated, knowing that Evelyn would have strong feelings about this. I needed to tell her first, to make sure it was okay. As the others nodded and started talking about the party, I slipped away to find Evelyn.

She was waiting in the dressing room, her eyes narrowing slightly as she saw me approach. "What's going on?" she asked, her tone cautious.

"Katherine's throwing an after-party," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I wanted to ask if it's okay for me to go."

Evelyn's eyes softened for a moment before a possessive glint took over. "Of course, love," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll come with you. It'll be fun."

I forced a smile, relieved that she hadn't outright refused. Together, we made our way to the after-party, the anticipation of the night mingling with a sense of unease.

Third Person POV

As Hazel and Evelyn walked into the venue for the after-party, the room fell silent for a moment. Katherine, who was busy coordinating with the staff, turned and her eyes widened in shock. Seeing Evelyn with Hazel was the last thing she had expected.

Katherine's mind raced back to the accusations Evelyn had made against Hazel, accusing him of cheating and causing the rift that had nearly torn the band apart. Hazel had pleaded with her, insisted he was innocent, but she hadn't listened. She had believed Evelyn's lies.

Evelyn's presence here, her possessive grip on Hazel's arm, suddenly made everything clear to Katherine. She realized how wrong she had been, how she had let her mistrust and Evelyn's manipulations cloud her judgment.

Katherine approached them, her expression a mix of shock and regret. "Hazel, Evelyn," she said, her voice wavering slightly. "I didn't expect to see you here together."

Evelyn's smile was tight, her eyes flashing with something dangerous. "Why wouldn't we be? Hazel and I belong together."

Hazel looked uncomfortable, his eyes flicking between Katherine and Evelyn. "Katherine, I..."

Katherine held up a hand, her eyes softening as she looked at Hazel. "Hazel, I owe you an apology. I should have trusted you. I see now that I was wrong, and I'm so sorry."

Evelyn's grip tightened on Hazel's arm, her eyes narrowing. "There's no need for apologies, Katherine. Hazel is right where he belongs."

But Katherine wasn't looking at Evelyn anymore. She was focused entirely on Hazel, her eyes filled with remorse. "I should have believed you," she said quietly. "I'm sorry for everything."

Hazel felt a surge of emotions—relief, vindication, and a deep sadness for everything that had been lost. "Thank you, Katherine," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "That means a lot to me."

The atmosphere was tense, the unspoken truths hanging heavy in the air. As the party continued around them, it was clear that this moment would change everything. The after-party had been meant to celebrate the end of an era, but for Hazel, it was also the beginning of a new, uncertain chapter.