Hazel's Redemption

LET'S LIVE TOGETHER IN HARMONY

"You… what are you doing?"

Ivy and Ethan weren’t doing anything overtly wrong, but in Hazel’s eyes, it was far worse than it seemed. Holding hands, laughing, sharing subtle intimacies—it was all a betrayal. Her father probably thought the same. Hazel didn’t want to alarm him and risk his health, but she couldn’t keep this secret forever. If today was the day he had to know the truth, then so be it.

“F… Father, what are you doing here?” Ivy stammered, clearly nervous, immediately withdrawing her hand from Ethan’s.

Ivy had never truly considered Hazel family, yet for some reason, Mr. Edgard’s presence intimidated her. Perhaps it was respect, or fear of losing her tenuous claim to the family legacy. As an illegitimate daughter, her standing was fragile—but Ethan’s support usually ensured her comfort. Or maybe there was more behind her fear than met the eye.

“I asked you a question,” Mr. Edgard pressed, his patience thinning. Ivy panicked, scrambling for a lie.

“Mr. Edgard… Ivy and I—” Ethan began, but Ivy’s sharp gesture stopped him. Ethan didn’t mind letting his father-in-law know the truth; he wanted to marry Ivy openly. But Ivy’s reluctance made him pause, slightly puzzled.

'Damn it, why now?' Ivy thought, shooting Hazel a pleading look, hoping for intervention. But Hazel didn’t even glance her way. Her indifference made Ivy grit her teeth—she longed to tear Hazel down, but she couldn’t. She had to maintain composure beside Ethan.

“Sister, you…” Ivy tried, but Hazel cut her off with a cold glare.

“Dad asked you a question. You’re grown enough to answer. Why are you scared?”

“No… that’s…”

“Unless you did something wrong?”

'Hazel, you—!' Ivy cursed inwardly. Mr. Edgard was still waiting, and Hazel wouldn’t help her. Ethan, too, was silent.

“Dad…” Hazel said softly.

Before Ivy could intervene, Emily appeared, wrapping Ivy in a friendly hug.

“I’ve been looking for you! I told you to ask your brother-in-law for help, but you took so long, I was worried. Did he give you the advice you needed?”

“I… yes. He helped me a lot, and his advice inspired me so much I lost track of time. Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“No problem… oh, and Mr. Edgard is here too.”

Hazel wasn’t surprised—Emily, Ivy’s pawn, had orchestrated the distraction perfectly. It was sad that Emily was so naive, unaware she was just a tool.

“I came to visit my eldest daughter,” Mr. Edgard said, “but I didn’t know Mrs. Emily had called my youngest daughter for help.”

“Ivy had urgent matters,” Emily explained. “I invited her so as not to bother Hazel.”

“I see… I suppose I worried too much,” Mr. Edgard sighed.

“Come with me, Father. Let’s relax in the garden,” Hazel suggested, finally turning her attention away from the tense scene. But she caught Ivy’s smug, victorious smile—an old, familiar irritation.

“Have a seat, Dad,” Hazel said, helping him settle comfortably. She sat beside him.

“How have you been, Father? Taking your medicine on time?”

“You don’t need to worry. Your younger sister still keeps an eye on me.”

Hazel’s expression was calm, though unease lingered. Ivy’s manners toward her father seemed harmless, but Hazel couldn’t shake the feeling of something wrong.

“Are you mad at me?” Mr. Edgard suddenly asked.

“No, Dad. Why would you think so?”

“You should be. I destroyed our happy family the day I let Tara bring Ivy into our lives. I can’t blame her—she was just the product of my carelessness that night.”

That night had changed everything. Hazel barely remembered the details, but Ivy’s existence had been the result of that careless moment. Tara had likely planned it, and her father’s indulgence had allowed it to happen. Ivy had been born, neglected, used as a tool, and yet Hazel had always tried to care for her.

Hazel’s mother had struggled to ignore the pain, but eventually, she had left when Hazel was twelve. Though she had wanted to take Hazel with her, Hazel couldn’t leave her father, even after his mistakes.

Years passed. Hazel loved and cared for Ivy as if she were her first priority. And yet, the one she nurtured so dearly continued to wound her heart. Hazel often wondered, *Was it wrong to love her?*

“Hazel,” Mr. Edgard said, shaking her from her thoughts, worry etched across his face.

“It’s fine, Daddy. It isn’t your fault…”

*It’s our fault for having weak hearts,* Hazel thought silently, shielding her pain from him.

“I still owe you and your mother so much,” Mr. Edgard continued, guilt heavy in his voice.

“You don’t need to worry, Dad. I’m sure Mum doesn’t blame you.”

“Do you think so?”

“I’m sure.”

“Well, my daughter has grown so much. I don’t need to worry about you anymore. You have a husband now, and soon, children of your own.”

His words sounded beautiful but carried a bitter irony Hazel couldn’t ignore.

“I’ll be traveling for business,” he said. “I only came to say farewell.”

“Dad, really?” Hazel asked.

“Yes, I have a business trip to H country. Perhaps a month.”

Ivy appeared with a tray of drinks, instantly slipping into her act of the pitiful, loving daughter.

“Oh, I’ll be so lonely without you, Dad. I’ll miss you terribly.”

Hazel’s stomach churned. She could see through the pretense—clearly, Ivy was pleased her father would be gone, likely scheming something.

“How can you be lonely with Hazel here?” Hazel asked coldly.

“But Hazel has her own life. I can’t demand her to stay with me, isn’t that right, brother-in-law?”

Hypocrisy dripped from her words. Hazel clenched her fists, silent.

“That… well… how about…” Mr. Edgard hesitated, likely aware of Ivy’s manipulations. Hazel understood, but there was nothing she could do except endure.

“I understand, Dad,” Hazel said quietly.

“Well, then it’s settled. Ivy will stay with you until I return. I hope you can live together in harmony.”

“Yes, sis! Let’s live together in harmony!” Ivy said, her victorious smile unmistakable. Two victories in one day, and Hazel could do nothing. It felt like standing in goal, trying to block every shot, yet the ball slipped past again and again.

*Peace…* Hazel thought bitterly. *Peace is impossible while Ivy is around.*