A surge of oppressive air pressure swept across the room as Ethan Yu stormed toward her like a thunderclap.
Hailey Tang froze.
Her body refused to move—even her breath caught in her throat. His overwhelming presence wrapped around her like a stormcloud ready to burst.
He stopped mere inches from her, towering over her with that icy, smoldering glare. "Well done, Hailey," he hissed, voice low and deadly. "Really… well done."
She blinked, stunned. What was this? Why was he so angry?
Wasn't he the one who agreed to the divorce?
"What?" she asked cautiously. "You… don't want the divorce now?"
Ethan's lips curled into a dark smile, more terrifying than if he'd screamed. "Want it? I never even wanted to marry you."
That hit her like a slap. She barely managed to keep her voice steady. "I know. That's why I'm trying to end this mistake now."
"Oh, so now you admit it's a mistake?" His voice twisted, each word sharper than the last.
He grabbed her chin roughly, forcing her to meet his eyes. His grip wasn't painful, but it was intense—unyielding. "You're the only mistake I've ever made in my life, Hailey."
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
"I've never failed at anything. Never. And yet here you are, my failure. My biggest regret."
Hailey's eyes stung, but she forced herself not to flinch.
It was her fault, wasn't it?
She had chased him relentlessly, ignored all the warning signs, and married him even though she knew he didn't love her. She had barged into his world, never asking if he wanted her there.
"Ethan… I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" he scoffed, letting out a cruel laugh. "You think sorry fixes this? God, I hate you, Hailey Tang."
Her throat tightened. Her legs felt like they'd give out at any moment.
He leaned in, cold breath brushing her cheek. "I despise you."
That one cut deeper than anything else he'd said.
She had always wondered—was he indifferent? Was she simply invisible to him?
But no. It was worse.
He noticed her. He remembered her.
And he hated her.
She drew in a shaky breath. "I can't undo what's been done… but I can let you go. I won't hold you back anymore."
He released her with a shove, as if touching her had contaminated him.
"Then get out," he snapped. "Get out of my sight, and don't ever show your face again."
Her heart skipped a beat, but she managed a small nod.
"Okay," she whispered.
"Now, Hailey," he growled. "Go."
She turned without another word.
No sobbing. No drama.
Just quiet acceptance.
She walked out.
But that calm—that was what infuriated him the most.
She left so easily. As if everything they went through, everything she put him through, meant nothing.
Ethan's fists clenched. His jaw tightened. His fury had nowhere to go.
Why did she always get to decide how the story went?
Why was it always on her terms?
He let out a harsh breath, then spun and kicked the edge of the bed.
The massive, handcrafted frame screeched against the floor, sliding several feet.
But it didn't help.
Nothing helped.
Downstairs, Hailey descended the staircase with a pale face and stiff shoulders.
Zhang Ma was waiting by the front door. The older woman's brows furrowed when she saw her. "Miss Hailey, are you alright?"
Hailey managed a smile. "We're leaving. Let's go."
"But you and Master Yu—"
"I'm fine," she cut in gently. "Truly. Let's go."
Zhang Ma hesitated, but said nothing. She had seen enough of this marriage to know words wouldn't change anything.
The staff loaded Hailey's luggage into the car. She stood by the door one last time, glancing back at the villa.
So big.
So beautiful.
So… empty.
She should've felt something. Regret. Nostalgia. Grief.
But there was only silence in her heart.
No more fantasies. No more pain.
The man inside had never truly belonged to her. And now, she didn't belong to him either.
Let that be the end of it.
He would go back to being Ethan Yu—untouchable, successful, admired.
And she would go back to being Hailey Tang—the foolish girl who got exactly what she asked for, and realized too late it wasn't what she needed.
This bitter chapter?
She would write it off as a lesson.
A painful one, yes—but hers to bear.
The car door shut with a soft click, and they drove away from the villa without looking back.
In the car, Zhang Ma stole a glance at her. "Miss Hailey… are you really alright?"
Hailey stared out the window. Her hands were folded tightly in her lap, but her voice was calm.
"I'll be fine."
That was all she said.
But her eyes stayed dry.
She was done crying over Ethan Yu.
To Be Continued…