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She worried her hands together. “I worried about that child every day. I feel like I failed him.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said, but I could tell my assurances weren’t enough.
During a break, I sneaked over to where Logan was pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee. The moment ! mentioned the nanny, I had his full attention.
I told him the full story, ending with, “She feels responsible…”
“She absolutely isn’t,” he said. “Where is she?”
I pointed her out. She was sitting now.
“Excuse me a moment,” Logan said. He set down his coffee and immediately started walking to her. When she saw him coming she pushed herself up to her feet. “You don’t have to…” he said, the last ! heard before his voice was swallowed by the other sounds in the crowded room.
Looking away, I finished pouring Logan’s coffee for him, and poured a different cup for myself. When I looked again, the pair was embracing, with the nanny openly sobbing against Logan’s chest, while patted her back
I
Listening, I heard him say, “You were the only person who made that place bearable.”
We worked late into the evening, taking everyone’s statements and contact information. By the end, when everyone but us and Mr. Hudgens had gone, we all collapsed onto the couches and chairs in the comer of the room.
I couldn’t speak for the others, but I wasn’t just physically exhausted. I was emotionally exhausted. Hearing so many stories of mistreatment wore down on my soul.
Mr. Hatfield Senior’s behavior may have escalated in the past few years, but he has been a right asshole for decades.
Yet, just as tired as I was by all of this, I was also uplifted. So many people were ready to come forward, finally ready to speak their truths.
It felt good to have so many different people rallied behind Logan and I.
“We should be celebrating.” Dylan said.
Logan hummed in agreement.
“1 was hoping you might say that,” Mr. Hudgens said. Standing, he hurried into a backroom that, from this angle, looked like it contained kitchen cabinets and a counter. A moment later, he returned with a chilled bottle of champagne and a sleeve of paper cups. “You don’t mind?”
Laughing, Logan leaned forward. “It’s perfect.”
Dylan rose to his feet and joining Mr. Hudgens, together they popped open the bottle. The filled cups were spread to each of us.
Mabel held her glass up first. “Here’s to hard work!”
“To bringing down that old bastard, Dylan chimed in.
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Chapter 0347
+25 BONUS
She worried her hands together. “I worried about that child every day. I feel like I falled him.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said, but I could tell my assurances weren’t enough.
During a break, I sneaked over to where Logan was pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee. The moment! mentioned the nanny, I had his full attention.
I told him the full story, ending with, “She feels responsible…”
“She absolutely isn’t,” he said. “Where is she?”
I pointed her out. She was sitting now.
“Excuse me a moment,” Logan said. He set down his coffee and immediately started walking to her. When she saw him coming she pushed herself up to her feet. “You don’t have to…” he said, the last! heard before his voice was swallowed by the other sounds in the crowded room.
Looking away, I finished pouring Logan’s coffee for him, and poured a different cup for myself. When I looked again, the pair was embracing, with the nanny openly sobbing against Logan’s chest, while Logan patted her back.
Listening, I heard him say, “You were the only person who made that place bearable.”
We worked late into the evening, taking everyone’s statements and contact information. By the end, when everyone but us and Mr. Hudgens had gone, we all collapsed onto the couches and chairs in the corner of the room
I couldn’t speak for the others, but I wasn’t just physically exhausted. I was emotionally exhausted. Hearing so many stories of mistreatment wore down on my soul.
Mr. Hatfield Senior’s behavior may have escalated in the past few years, but he has been a right asshole
for decades.
Yet, just as tired as I was by all of this, I was also uplifted. So many people were ready to come forward, finally ready to speak their truths.
It felt good to have so many different people rallied behind Logan and I.
“We should be celebrating,” Dylan said.
Logan hummed in agreement.
“I was hoping you might say that,” Mr. Hudgens said. Standing, he hurried into a backroom that, from this -angle, looked like it contained kitchen cabinets and a counter. A moment later, he returned with a chilled bottle of champagne and a sleeve of paper cups. “You don’t mind?”
Laughing, Logan leaned forward. “It’s perfect.”
Dylan rose to his feet and joining Mr. Hudgens, together they popped open the bottle. The filled paper cups were spread to each of us.
Mabel held her glass up first. “Here’s to hard work!”
“To bringing down that old bastard,” Dylan chimed in.
Chapter 0347
+25 BONUS
“To correcting the mistakes of the past.” Mr. Hudgens added.
“To bringing people together,” I said, thinking of Logan and his nanny, as well as the group of us, who might not have gotten closer as we have without this terrible man to rally against. At least, Mabel and Mr. Hudgens. Dylan and Logan were always going to be my friends.
Logan shifted on the couch to look more fully at me. “To true love,” he said.
The others smiled. “To true love,” they repeated and everyone drank. I sipped my own cup, my eyes locked with Logan as he drank from his own cup.
“Hazel,” he said, when we all lowered our cups again. I’ve been meaning to ask you something. I wanted to wait for the perfect time, but I don’t know when that will be. I’m already tired of waiting.”
“What is it?” I asked him.
He set his cup aside, then took one of my hands in his, Lacing our fingers together, he lightly played with the ring on my finger.
“When this is all resolved, and we can finally return to our lives…” He inhaled slowly, almost like he was stalling, nervous. “Will you marry me? Again?”
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