Her House, My Rules

Chapter 75

A wise man once told me 'What you don't know is bigger than yourself.' I didn't understand a word until today. Maybe he was selfish for not sharing the meaning behind that proverb but the ink of his words tainted my brain with obvious clues. It hit me like a goddamn bullet.

Hazel was the victim.

I didn't want to know that Max Lion, Hazel's ex, the man who disrespected my dead father was found dead an hour ago, in his home, overheated by drugs. I didn't want to believe it but it was all over the news.
Was I happy? No. After all, he was a human being. He was a coward but I didn't seek revenge. Not like this, at least.

Jack's voice interpreted the truth behind Max's death. Who was at fault? The drugs? Himself? Maybe Hazel's absence? The answer was floating in the ocean of darkness. Nobody really knew what actually happened behind Max's door but Jack was so sure that Hazel was the one to blame.
Obviously, Hazel didn't kill the man. Hazel was with me the whole time. Jack thought that she was the one who drove him crazy enough to take the drugs by coming back in my arms.

Loving someone can be beautiful but it can also drive you to your own funeral.

"Hazel? What did you do?" Jack stated. "Did you know that he was addicted to drugs?" His question sounded more like an accusation. "Why didn't you help him or tell someone?"

"Jack, I know what you're thinking but..." Hazel took a deep breath. "I didn't kill him, Jack." There was a pause at her end. "I didn't."

"I'm not saying that." Jack corrected. "Max needed help and you didn't do anything to save him."

"I can't control a man." She shouted. "How the hell was I supposed to stop him?"

"But you know how to control and manipulate Hawk?" He went too far. "Am I wrong?"

"Why are you talking like this?" Hazel's voice was wet with tears. "I broke up with Max because I started to have feelings for Hawk. He had his own life. I wanted him to be happy. If you're saying that he overdosed because of me then you're wrong. So please, stop blaming me for Max's death." Her words were harsh but honest. "Just leave me alone."

"Jack... Please..." I interfered. "Stop blaming her."

"Hawk, I'm not doing anything wrong." He replied, confidently. "I'm just asking questions."

"Well, obviously your questions are bothering her." His jaw dropped. "I'm not trying to be on her side but you're accusing her of something she doesn't know about."

"Of course, you'd be on her side," Jack yelled. "For your information, Hazel was with Max the whole time you were begging her to answer your goddamn calls." He glanced at Hazel. "Are you going to deny it? Go ahead, tell him it's not true. Tell him that I'm lying."

"Is it true, Hazel?"

Hazel looked down, ignoring my question. "Nothing happened."

"Jack? I can take it from here. Thank you." As soon as those words came out of my mouth. He closed the door after him.

You and I have a lot to talk about. Hazel Brown.

"Please... I can explain..." Hazel murmured, desperately. "I just needed a place to crash. I didn't know where else to go."

"Oh really?" My left brow arched. "So you decided 'Oh, let me just go fuck my ex-boyfriend and leave Hawk on his own, begging, crying for my love.'. This mansion has twenty bedrooms, eleven bathrooms, five kitchens, five living rooms, two swimming pools, and so on... but you didn't have a place to crash?"

"I needed space."

"Space? Huh?" I imitated. "Did you sleep with him, kiss him, or had any physical contact with him?" The jealousy was crawling under my breath.