Late afternoon sunlight spread across the busy street outside Aurelion Central Hospital.
Hazel stepped out of the main entrance quietly, holding a small paper bag of medicine the doctor had asked her to collect.
Ryan had gone inside earlier to check on Boyd Malone, who had recently suffered a stroke. Even though Boyd was Kyle's father, Ryan had agreed to help stabilize his condition after Hazel begged him.
Hazel stood near the hospital steps, breathing in the fresh air.
She felt calmer than the night before, but the pain from learning the truth still lingered somewhere deep inside her chest.
Just as she was about to walk toward the parking area, a familiar voice stopped her.
"Hazel?"
Hazel froze.
She slowly turned around.
Standing a few steps away was Mrs. Malone — Kyle's mother.
For a moment the older woman simply stared at her.
Shock was written all over her face.
Hazel looked completely different from the girl she remembered.
Her posture was straight.
Her face looked healthy and bright.
Her skin seemed to glow with life.
And most of all… she looked confident.
Not the timid girl who used to lower her head every time Mrs. Malone spoke harshly to her.
Mrs. Malone's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You… look different."
Hazel remained calm.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Malone."
The polite greeting only made Mrs. Malone feel even more uncomfortable.
She had expected Hazel to look miserable after leaving the Malone family.
Instead, Hazel looked… better.
Much better.
Before she could say anything else, the hospital doors opened again.
Ryan walked out.
His presence immediately drew attention from several people nearby.
Tall.
Handsome.
Powerful.
Even dressed simply, he carried an air that made others instinctively step aside.
When Mrs. Malone saw him, her expression changed.
Of course she knew who he was.
Ryan Smith.
One of the most powerful men in the city.
Ryan walked directly toward Hazel.
"Ready to go?" he asked calmly.
Hazel nodded.
"Yes."
Ryan's gaze briefly passed over Mrs. Malone.
He didn't greet her.
He didn't acknowledge her.
It was as if she didn't even exist.
The silent disregard stung Mrs. Malone more than an insult.
Hazel followed Ryan toward the parking area.
Parked near the entrance was a sleek black Mercedes GLE, its polished surface reflecting the sunlight.
Just as they approached the car, a small group of young women nearby suddenly noticed Ryan.
Their eyes widened instantly.
"Wow…"
"Is that Ryan Smith?"
"He's even more handsome in person!"
A few of them began whispering excitedly, their gazes fixed on him.
One girl even gathered the courage to step slightly closer.
"Mr. Smith—"
Before she could finish, Hazel felt something strange stir inside her chest.
An unfamiliar feeling.
Possessiveness.
Without thinking, the words slipped out.
"He's mine."
The moment the sentence left her lips, Hazel froze.
What did I just say?
Ryan stopped as well.
For a brief second, genuine surprise crossed his face.
The girls nearby also looked shocked.
Hazel's face flushed slightly.
"I… I didn't mean—"
Ryan suddenly leaned down.
Then he gently pecked her cheek.
The action was quick but unmistakably intimate.
The surrounding girls gasped.
Ryan straightened and looked calmly at them.
"She's right."
Then he opened the car door for Hazel.
Hazel stood there, completely stunned.
Ryan glanced at her with a faint smile.
"Well?"
Hazel quickly got into the car, her face still warm.
As the car drove away, Mrs. Malone remained standing outside the hospital, watching everything with disbelief.
Her mind struggled to process what she had just seen.
The girl she once treated like nothing…
Was now standing beside Ryan Smith.
And judging by the way he looked at her…
Hazel was no longer someone the Malone family could control.