The Divorced Heiress Is Entering a New Marriage

“I would like to remind the audience that Logan was once engaged to me,” Natalie said, her voice loud on

the speaker.

I physically winced.

Susan seemed confused. “Who are you, caller? How can you make such a claim?”

“I’m Natalie Whitaker, Hazel’s fairer sister.”

Of course she needed to get that dig in.

Susan’s eyes went a bit wide with interest. “Is this true?” She looked at Logan and me.

“He should have stuck with me,” Natalie continued, not giving either Logan or I a chance to explain. “I was the best thing that ever happened to him.”

“That’s not true – Logan started.

Natalie cut him off. “Instead, he goes and chases after my ugly sister. She’s never been as good as me. Mom and Dad knew it, that’s why they always treated her like garbage. I’m the only one in our family who éver deserved anything.”

Logan glanced at me and shut his mouth. I could see what he was thinking

Natalie had called to try to make a mockery of me, but all she was doing, with her massive hubris, was making herself look like an arrogant terrible sister. She was even doing me the favor of revealing how mistreated I had been by my family growing up.

“Let her talk, was the wordless consensus Logan and I decided upon with looks and micro expressions.

“She couldn’t even hold onto her boyfriend,” Natalie said. “That Vegas trip, where she and Logan met? She thought her boyfriend might propose.” Natalie laughed “Little did she know that he was actually in love with me! I was the one he proposed to, and my sister didn’t even have the decency to be happy for me.”

It hurt, having my humiliation brought forward once again. Logan by my side helped ease the sting, however. He was a much better husband than Chance would ever hope to be.

“Hazel is a try–hard, trying to please everyone. She doesn’t seem to understand that she is a failure on a fundamental level. I have no idea why Logan would choose her over me

“That’s enough,” Logan said suddenly, cutting her off with a measure of authority in his voice. I’ve listened to you besmirch my wife for long enough”

-Mabel started forward.

“You are making a mistake, Logan. Give up my brat of a sister and come back

Mabel accidentally dropped her hand onto the table where the phone was, abruptly ending the call.

“Oops,” she said.

No one seemed particularly annoyed by the interruption. In fact, Susan seemed pleased to have regained control over the situation.

+35 BONUS

“We seem to be having some technical issues with Natalie, Susan said for the cameras. “Just as well, i believe we are out of time for today.” Turning to Logan and I, she added, “Thank you so much for sharing. your story with us today. I feel as if this interview has truly opened the eyes and hearts of many of our

viewers.”

“Thank you,” I said.

Thanks, Susan,” Logan said. “We are happy to share our love.”

“I’m glad,” Susan replied. Returning her gaze to the cameras, she said, “Back to you in the studio.”

We all froze in place until the little red light on the camera went out.

“We’re in the clear,” the producer said.

Susan immediately let out a loud exhale.

Mabel came closer.

Susan glanced up at her. “You owe me one.”

“I know,” Mabel said. “Congratulations on maintaining your journalistic integrity.”

Susan sighed again. “There’s going to be hell to pay when I get back into the studio.”

“Maybe not. I think you’ll find more people tuned in for this than the executives expected,” Mabel said. ” They might have gained more from this interview than Mr. Hatfield Senior was originally offering. You could end up being praised.”

Susan rolled her eyes. “Don’t blow smoke at me, Mabe, Just gloat like I know you want to.”

Mabel grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Susan pushed herself up out of her chair with a grunt and went to talk to her anxious–looking producer.

Mabel moved closer to Logan and me. “Congratulations to you both, as well. I had no idea you had a love confession up your sleeve, but it was the best possible thing that could have happened.”

“That wasn’t an act,” Logan said. “Those were my true feelings.”

“Mine too.” I added.

“I’m not suggesting it wasn’t genuine,” Mabel said, her sharp smile softening. “In fact, we benefited from just how genuine it was. You both keep being you, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Logan

relaxed slightly and smiled at me. “I think we can do that.” Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“We definitely can,” I replied.

I was nervous about the consequences this interview might bring, particularly if Mr. Hatfield tried to counter any of our words. Many people seemed thrilled with the revelation of our love, but not everyone

would be.

There was no telling what could happen tomorrow.

But right now, I can push all those thoughts to the back of my mind, because I was still riding the high of the love confession.

-

With how hard Logan and I had been fighting to stay together, I didn’t doubt his affections for me were strong. Yet the difference between believing he loved me and then actually hearing the words said aloud was the difference between craving chocolate cake and actually having it in front of you, ready to eat.

Logan returned my gaze with his own fond expression Leaning closer, he whispered in my ear, “1 can’t wait to get you alone and show you how much I love you…”

Just like that, my body came alive, thrilled by the implications of this promise, and pleasures it foretold.

However, as much as I wanted to jump him right there on our couch, we had to patiently wait for the camera crew to pack up their supplies. Mabel, Susan, and the producer talked a bit more.

Then, glancing back at Logan and me, Mabel seemed to see the spark between us.

“Hey, let’s get out of the lovebirds‘ hair, yeah?” Mabel said. “Undoubtedly, they have many things they want to… talk about.”

That hint seemed to be enough for the rest. Susan immediately walked out. Mabel told us goodbye and then followed. The producer stayed with the camera crew as they finished packing and then they all left. together.

Logan and I stayed on the couch as the others filed out. The second the door was closed behind him, both pounced at once. Colliding, Logan’s strength and weight won out, and he pushed me back onto the couch. Our mouths pressed together, our tongues tangled.

After we came up for air, Logan kissed his way across my face to my ear. There, he breathed again and again, “I love you. I love you, Hazel.”

I clawed at Logan’s back, wishing his shirt out of the way so I could feel his bare skin under my hands.

“I love you,” I whispered back, turning my face toward his hair as he lowered his mouth to suck in a mark on my neck. “I love you so much it hurts.”

Logan’s hand sought out my mine and he held on tightly. I held on too.

“Don’t let go,” I told him.

He replied, “Never.”

Somewhere, distantly, I hear my phone ringing.