Ethan had never offered to take her out for dinner before.
Not in their previous life. Not once.
Now?
He leaned back in his seat and said casually, "Depends on my mood."
Hailey narrowed her eyes. "So… are you saying you're in a good mood today?"
Ethan didn't answer.
Because truthfully, he didn't know what kind of mood he was in. All he knew was that he had spent hours with her today—shopping, watching her try on clothes, listening to her chatter. He even brought her here, to one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city.
For what?
Hailey wasn't about to let him off that easy. She leaned in, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him. "Why did you invite me to dinner?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What, I need a reason?"
"You hate me," she said plainly. "You used to avoid me like the plague. So why the sudden change? What's with the reversal?"
His gaze darkened. "It's just dinner, Hailey. Stop overanalyzing everything."
But she wasn't overanalyzing. She remembered.
She remembered how many nights she'd waited for him to come home. How she used to cook his favorite meals, light candles, set the table—and end up eating alone every single time.
Even when they made plans, he'd cancel last minute with some excuse: a meeting, a delay, a business emergency. He never made the effort. Because to him, she was disposable.
He knew she loved him more. That's why he never had to try.
But now, he suddenly thought buying her food and fancy clothes would erase everything?
Hailey let out a soft, sarcastic laugh. Her heart twisted, not with longing, but with a bitter sense of irony.
So this was what he thought she deserved—crumbs of kindness tossed at her like she should be grateful.
As if this dinner were a gift.
Ethan didn't notice the change in her expression. He was busy cutting into his steak. "Eat up," he said. "I only have about thirty minutes. There's a board meeting after this."
There it was.
A time limit.
Of course, even his generosity came with conditions.
Hailey stared at her plate, then slowly placed her fork down. Her voice was cool. "Actually… I won't be staying."
Ethan looked up, confused. "What?"
"I just remembered I have something urgent to take care of," she said, rising from her seat. "You can eat without me."
His brow furrowed. "Are you serious?"
"I'm dead serious." She gave him a polite smile. "Enjoy your steak. Alone."
She turned and walked away without a second glance.
For a moment, Ethan sat there stunned. Did she just… walk out?
"Hailey Tang!" he called sharply. "Get back here!"
But she didn't stop.
Didn't turn around.
Didn't even flinch.
She walked out of the restaurant with her head held high, heels clicking against the marble floor like punctuation marks at the end of a long, final sentence.
Ethan sat frozen in his chair, gripping his knife and fork so tightly his knuckles turned white. A fire started to burn in his chest, spreading fast.
What the hell was that?
He had bought her clothes. Invited her to dinner. He had taken time out of his schedule—a rare move for him—and she just… walked away?
She was messing with him.
It had to be intentional.
This woman—
No one had ever walked out on him like that. Ever.
And worse—worse—he had actually tried to be nice to her.
He slammed the cutlery down on the table and stood up abruptly, ignoring the startled glances from nearby diners.
She didn't deserve any of it.
Not the dinner. Not the clothes. Not even his time.
Let her go.
Let her be ungrateful.
He wouldn't make the same mistake again.
Outside the restaurant, Hailey hailed a cab and slid into the backseat, exhaling slowly.
She knew exactly how Ethan would react. She knew he'd be furious.
But for once, she didn't care.
She had spent too much of her last life worrying about his feelings—tiptoeing around his moods, waiting for him to care.
Well, not anymore.
She didn't want his charity. Didn't need his kindness. And she certainly wasn't going to thank him for a dinner she never asked for.
Even if, by some miracle, he had fallen in love with her now… it was too late.
She didn't want it.
In her past life, her world had revolved around him. Everything—her hopes, her heartbreak, her time—had been about him.
But in this life?
She wanted a clean slate.
And that meant no Ethan Yu.
Not in her plans.
Not in her future.
Not even as a footnote.
Her phone buzzed as she stepped into her apartment. She glanced at the screen.
Grandpa.
"Hey, Grandpa," she said, trying to sound cheerful.
His voice came through warm and steady. "Hailey, I wanted to let you know—I'll be away for a while. One of my old army buddies… he doesn't have much time left. I'm going to spend a few weeks with him. Help him through the end."
Her heart softened instantly. "You're going to be gone long?"
"Ten days, maybe two weeks. Don't worry about me."
"I won't. Just take care of yourself."
"You too," he said, then paused. "And don't let anyone bully you, alright?"
Hailey smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Grandpa. I won't."
As she hung up, the apartment around her felt still and quiet—but it wasn't the kind of lonely that hurt.
No. This silence was freedom.
She curled up on the couch, pulled a blanket over her legs, and let the emptiness settle like a soft sigh.
No Ethan.
No drama.
Just peace.
And for the first time in a long, long time… that felt enough.