The Game Of Redemption (#2)

Chapter-5 It's been six years (contd)

"It's been six years," He whispered. "Is it not enough to forgive me?" Hazel stared at him and he could see tears in her eyes as she shot him a filthy look. 

"No amount of time is enough to forgive you, Damien," She answered. "I hate you so much that one lifetime isn't enough to make up for it," Damien was speechless. He had no idea how to react to the pain he felt. The pain that hit him harder than a f*****g sword. Never in his wildest dream did he ever imagine those words coming out of her mouth. It sounded tragic. Like someone just announced that a person has died or something. 

"I am sorry," He whispered, folding his hands in front of him as he flopped down on his knees in front of her. "I am so sorry...for everything. Please, Hazel...please, just one chance...that's all I need. Just one chance," He gazed up at her and she stared down at him, eyes red, she was taking long deep breath like it was a struggle. 

"I need you to leave," She said, forcing the words out. He was baffled to see her in so much pain just at the sight of him. She was physically hurting as she clutched at her chest. 

"I know Summer is our daughter," He answered softly and her eyes widened in surprise. "I know everything. I know she is my daughter," 

"She is your nothing," Hazel snapped. "You cannot barge into our lives and start claiming her to be your daughter," 

"I am not claiming anything. I know she is mine daughter and I want her in my life," Damien said, trying to sound as calm as he could. She was in a delicate place, he could see that and he knew he was going to hate himself for a f*****g long time for ever doing this to her. 

"And you too..." He added softly and Hazel scoffed, tears streaming down her eyes. 

"You didn't change a bit," She answered. "You are still that arrogant, self-obsessed person I knew. You want? And do you think I give a s**t about what you want?" Damien cringed, every word like daggers piercing into his heart. 

"I maybe arrogant and self-obsessed but remember..."He took a cautious step towards her. "He was the same person you fell in love with. Remember what you said? I will love you Damien...in all your darkness and light," Hazel stared at him and clenched her jaw looking away. 

"You are the biggest mistake of my life, Damien Hamilton. A mistake I am going to pay for the rest of my life," She hissed, dark eyes burning into his. He shook his head. 

"I won't let that happen," He whispered, reaching out to wipe her eyes, she moved away immediately. 

"I said don't touch me," Hazel growled and he nodded his head in understanding. 

"I know what I did was wrong. I know you can't forgive me just like that," He said and he tried to talk to her like he would talk to Summer because right she was almost in as delicate a headspace as a child would. At least as far as it concerned him. "But please, think about Summer. Please, Hazel...don't push me away from her. She desperately wants her father...you saw how happy she was right? For her sake, Hazel...don't push me away," 

"Summer managed just fine all these years and she will continue to do so..." Hazel hissed but stopped as just at the moment Summer scampered back, her eyes studying both of them curiously. Damien backed away and gave her a smile but Hazel turned her eyes away, her face red. 

"Mommy...are you sick again?" She asked, eyes wide as she gazed at Hazel. Again? Damien was right. She was not well either. What was wrong with her? He was even more adamant now to take both of them back home. He just needed a very strong plan for that. Something that even Hazel can't fight. 

"No, sweetie," Hazel magic a smile on her face and Damien was amazed at how she managed to do that. 

"Mommy is too happy now that Daddy will be coming home tomorrow," Damien answered and turned to Hazel. "Aren't you, Mommy?" Hazel couldn't glare even though Damien was pretty sure she wanted to strangle him to death. But he could sense that she was very cautious around Summer. Maybe, she could be the one to bring them together? 

"Mommy are you happy?" Summer asked and Hazel nodded her head. 

"Yeah...I am," She muttered through gritted teeth and Summer clapped her hands, smiling brightly. Damien can't believe she was so eager to see him and despite all the hurt he felt inside of him, the fear that he might have ended up losing Hazel for good, he felt an inexplicable joy too. He patted Summer's head before turning to Hazel. 

"You know how badly she wants her father," He said softly as Summer was distracted by something she spotted on the floor. "Whatever it is...it's between us and we will deal with it like adults. But she is my daughter too. I missed six years with her Hazel and I am not blaming you. Not even once. But now that I know...I am sorry but I can't stay away. I will be back tomorrow morning because it's my daughter's birthday. And she will meet her daddy tomorrow...as promised," 

Hazel glared at him but he gave her a soft smile as he slowly reached out and traced his thumb on her cheek. It has been an eternity since he touched her. She gazed at him, eyes brimming with tears and hatred, face inches away from his. Damien gazed at her and he knew somewhere inside her, was the girl he left behind that day. And no matter what it takes, how much time it takes, he will bring her back. He leaned in a little, his mouth near her ears and whispered...

"I love you. Just like before. Nothing has changed," Hazel glared at him and he smiled and leaning in placed a kiss on her forehead. He knew she can't react with Summer nearby and maybe this way she will remember that what it was between them...that was not a lie. The passion they shared, the moments they shared and even the love they shared, though short-lived was not a lie. 

"Bye, sweetie!" Damien turned to Summer and she waved her little hand, god knows staring at what so intently. He didn't want to leave. Neither her nor her mother for the matter. But there were things he needed to look at. He turned to Hazel and she looked away. Damien sighed and gingerly walked out, jumping as Hazel slammed the door shut. He felt exhausted as he dragged himself to his car and pressed his forehead on the steering. 

She hates him so much and it was justified by every means. Damien can see the mess he made, the damage he did to her. She was still in pain even though six years have gone by and it explained the intensity of her feelings for him. If only he would have told her the truth, they wouldn't be going through this. But he also knew that love doesn't die like that. Somewhere inside her, there must me some love still left for him. Had he not mattered to her, she would have never reacted that way. She still loved him and he knew that. All he needed was to remind her and show her that he was not a mistake. That he has changed. That he was a better person and he will try to improve even more for her and Summer. Damien was willing to go to any lengths for both of them and even if it takes years before he finds his Hazel back, he will wait. 

Mommy misses daddy too.

"Mommy eats chocolate when she misses daddy and cries," 

 "Daddy will come home mommy...you don't need to be sad anymore. You don't need to eat chocolates too,"

Summer said that too. It means she has seen or felt something. If she can sense he was sad, she can sense the same for her mother too. And she was just a child. Children don't lie, do they? Maybe he can ask her more tomorrow? She will tell him anything he asks. He can feel it. She was going to be daddy's daughter. He grinned despite the sadness he felt inside him. Hazel seemed like the strict no nonsense type mother which means he gets to spoil her. Everything he has was hers now. And he wanted to give her more. 

Summer deserves the best of everything. She was Damien Hamilton's daughter after all. He was sure Hazel tried her very best to give her everything she wants but she doesn't need to. He can easily cater to both their needs. He wanted to. He wanted to lay the world at their feet but he knew this was going to be an uphill task so he needed a strong foundation. Something she can't say no to. He was going to take them home. By hook or by crook. With a renewed purpose fueling him, Damien pulled out his phone and dialed his lawyer. This was a dirty move but this was the only way he could take Hazel and Summer with him. Otherwise she will never ever agree to it. Ever. 

"Hello, Mr. Lautner," Damien mumbled, starting the ignition.  "I need you to look into some matters. Yeah...and can you fly to Stowe by day after tomorrow? I will send my jet for you...yeah. It's pretty important," 

Richard was pacing to and fro in his room as Damien walked in and he stared expectantly at him, his eyes wide. Damien flopped down on the couch and sighed deeply. He felt exhausted and of course shitty as hell but somewhere inside him was a sense of relief and respite. Finally, he found her back and now there was something he can work with. He was going to fight his ass off to get her back and even though he knew he was in for hell, it was better than just endlessly waiting for her to come, one day melting into another. 

"What happened?" Richard inquired, finally his patience giving up. "Did you see her? How is she? What did she say?" 

"She is not good," Damien answered, staring blankly at the floor. "I destroyed her, Richard. I completely destroyed her. She is a broken mess, I could feel it and of course I saw it. Hazel hates me so much that I can't explain in words. It was like the same woman and yet not," 

"Well, you never expect it to be easy...did you?" Richard said softly. "At least you have her back again...and added to it, your little daughter. I am dying to meet her. It's all good," Damien shook his head. Good was definitely not the word he will use. 

"I will never have her back until I can bring back the woman I destroyed," Damien whispered. "And it's going to take everything I have in me to do that," 

"I know you can do that," Richard assured. "Because your love is true regardless of everything. Do you have a plan? What are you going to do next?" 

"I am going to take them back home," Damien said, his voice brimming with determination. "My daughter deserves the best of everything and I am not demeaning Hazel and how she brought her up. I am in awe of her. I can't ever give Summer what Hazel can, the sacrifices she made for her. But I will give what I can. A comfortable life and a father's unconditional love," 

"Do you think she will agree?" Richard asked and Damien shook her head. 

"No, she won't," He replied. "That's why I have to take the twisted path. But I will worry about all that day after tomorrow. It's my daughter's birthday tomorrow after all. It's a big day. Hazel have no option but to introduce her to me as her father. I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight. And I need to buy gifts for her. What do I give her? I can't buy dresses and stuff for her...I don't know her size. What do I give her?" Richard stared at him and smiled brightly at his enthusiasm. 

"I have no idea...maybe Lisa can help?" Richard said and Damien's smile fell. 

Shit...Lisa. 

Now how the hell was he going to deal with this hiccup? 

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A/N: Good morning readers! Here we are with the next update :) Finally Hazel and Damien meet. I wanted to make it more intense but then it's just a few minutes of conversation and there's more to come so spared it. But I do hope you like the story so far :) I am overwhelmed by your response to this book. Like literally. Thank you so much for all your support guys. You have no idea how much one small recommendation from you guys in the official group helps given both the books are not signed yet and hence no promotion and no place on the app. Still TGOL managed to get 7.5k reads and it's yet to be 2 months yet which means a lot to me. I am glad to see you guys enjoy TGOR and I hope I can continue like this until the end. Thank you so much once again. 

I hope you enjoy today's update :)