New Boss Is My One-Night Stand's Baby Daddy novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – Betrayal and a Masquerade Escape

Hazel’s POV

I stumbled through my front door, exhaustion weighing on my shoulders like a heavy blanket. My feet ached after standing for eight hours at the bookstore, followed by a three-hour evening class at the community college. All I wanted was a hot shower and my bed.

Instead, I found my parents waiting in the living room, their expressions grim.

“Hazel, we need to talk,” my father said, his voice unusually stern.

I dropped my bag by the door. “Can it wait until morning? I’m dead on my feet.”

“No, it can’t,” Mom replied, holding up a cream-colored envelope. “This arrived today.”

The fancy gold script made my stomach twist before I could even read it. I already knew what it was.

“Jessica’s wedding invitation,” she announced, as if it were a normal thing to discuss. As if Jessica hadn’t destroyed my life less than six months ago.

“That backstabbing witch is not my cousin,” I snapped, anger immediately replacing my exhaustion.

Dad’s face reddened. “Hazel Marie Vance! That’s enough of that language.”

“She slept with Ethan in my bed!” My voice cracked. “My boyfriend of four years. In my room, Dad.”

Mom sighed dramatically. “Ethan was at fault since he was your boyfriend. Jessica was just… confused. He manipulated her.”

I laughed bitterly. “Confused? Is that what we’re calling it? She knew exactly what she was doing.”

“This childish feud needs to end,” Mom continued, ignoring my pain. “Your aunt is heartbroken that you’ve been avoiding family gatherings.”

“I’m sorry my trauma is so inconvenient for everyone,” I muttered.

Dad stood up, towering over me. “You’re going to this wedding, Hazel. That’s final.”

“I’m what?” I stared at him in disbelief.

“You heard me. Your mother wants peace in the family, and you’re going to help make that happen.”

“By watching the man I thought I’d marry walk down the aisle with my cousin?” My eyes stung with tears. “Do you have any idea how humiliating that would be?”

Mom’s lips thinned into a disapproving line. “It’s been six months. You need to move on.”

“I have moved on! Moving on doesn’t mean I need to celebrate their relationship!”

“ENOUGH!” Dad’s shout made me flinch. “This isn’t a debate. You’re going to be there with a smile on your face, or you can find somewhere else to live.”

The ultimatum hung in the air between us. I turned and fled to my room, tears streaming down my face. I heard my mother call after me, but I slammed my door, muffling her voice.

I collapsed onto my bed, sobs wracking my body. After everything Ethan and Jessica had done, my parents were still taking their side. The betrayal cut deeper than I thought possible.

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