Hailey Tang didn't want to argue with him—not now. She just crossed her arms and said calmly, "So, why did you call me back here?"
Ethan Yu didn't bother answering. He walked straight over to the bed, picked up his phone, opened a message, and tossed it to her without a word.
Hailey frowned, stepped forward, and caught the phone before it bounced off the comforter. She glanced at the screen.
The message was from his mother.
Yuer, are you and Hailey fighting again? I'm coming over to stay for a few days. I'll be there by lunchtime to take care of you both. If everything's fine, join me for lunch, alright?
Hailey's eyes widened. "Your mom's coming? Today?"
Ethan's face was expressionless, but his voice was sharp as a blade. "She'll be here at noon. Don't mess this up for me—or you'll regret it."
Hailey hesitated, then asked softly, "So… she can't know we're divorcing?"
He turned to her slowly, his eyes cold with warning.
Message received.
She nodded. "Don't worry. I haven't told anyone."
No one would believe it anyway. Everyone knew how deeply she loved him. The idea that she would be the one pushing for a divorce? Unthinkable.
Still, she hesitated. "Can we just… sign the papers now? I'll still keep up the act. I promise."
Ethan's lip curled into a mocking smirk. "Do I look like someone who makes deals he can't control?"
If he signed, she'd be free. Free to do whatever she wanted. That was unacceptable.
Hailey's heart sank. "But… you said we'd sign today."
She'd been waiting for this moment since yesterday. Now he was changing the rules?
"We could do it quietly," she pressed. "No one has to know. I'll still help you keep up appearances for your family."
"Sign. Sign. Sign." Ethan's tone darkened, like the very word disgusted him.
She'd been chanting it non-stop, like a broken record, and now he couldn't stand hearing it one more time.
He snapped. "Hailey Tang, I will divorce you. But right now? Forget it."
Hailey clenched her fists. "Why not? What's stopping you?"
Instead of answering, he narrowed his eyes. "Didn't you just say you'd cooperate? Is this how you show it?"
Her shoulders dropped. "Fine. Then when, Ethan? You have to give me a timeline. I can't wait around forever."
She didn't trust herself to be patient indefinitely. Sooner or later, she might start hoping again. And that was the one thing she couldn't afford.
Ethan's jaw tightened. A vein pulsed at his temple, but he kept his temper—barely.
"Divorce isn't something I can do right this second. I need time. When I'm ready, it'll happen. And when it does, you won't have a say in it."
Hailey believed him. Deep down, she knew he probably wanted this divorce more than she did.
This marriage had been a mistake from the start—her mistake. The least she could do was see it through to the end on his terms.
"Alright," she said softly. "I'll cooperate. Do what you need to do."
"Don't forget what you said today."
"I won't," she promised. "And don't you forget what you said, either."
Ethan scoffed. "You think I'll back out? Don't make me laugh. Just make sure it's not you who changes her mind."
Hailey shook her head hard. "I won't. I swear."
That made his brow twitch, another pulse throbbing at his temple. "Get out. Don't bother me again."
Hailey didn't budge. "Where am I supposed to sleep now?"
Ethan narrowed his eyes like she'd just asked the most idiotic question in the universe. "You seriously need me to tell you that?"