"Hailey said you were still on a business trip," Grandpa Hai said, visibly surprised and pleased. "When did you get back? And how did you even know we were flying in today? She must've told you, right?"
Ethan Yu's lips curved into a slow, deliberate smirk as he shot Hailey a look—half amusement, half challenge. He didn't hesitate to throw her under the bus.
"Grandpa, I never went on that trip. I checked your flight itinerary and came to pick you up."
Hailey froze. Her brain lagged for a second. He seriously just said that out loud?
She turned to glare at him, but Ethan kept his expression cool, even smug, like exposing her was the most natural thing in the world.
Of course Grandpa Hai caught on instantly. His eyes twitched slightly, but he said nothing.
She'd lied. Obviously. Probably to avoid Ethan—or maybe just to spend more time with him in B City. Either way, her little fib had just blown up in her face.
But Grandpa didn't scold her. The man was seasoned, sharp, and kind. He didn't even blink as he gave Ethan an approving nod and said, "Well, it's rare for you to be so thoughtful. Since you're here, let's head home together."
Hailey felt the heat rise to her face, not from embarrassment but pure irritation. She helped Grandpa into the car without saying a word to Ethan.
Ethan, of course, opened the door for them with gentlemanly grace. Very proper. Very polite. Very… annoying.
As she got in, Hailey turned her head and shot him a look—a very pointed what's-your-problem glare.
Seriously? Was outing her in front of Grandpa really necessary?
He didn't respond. Just raised an eyebrow like he was daring her to make a scene.
Hailey huffed quietly and looked away. Thankfully, Grandpa hadn't pressed the issue. She knew he'd always been her silent supporter, and right now, that meant the world.
As Ethan slid into the driver's seat, that familiar smirk returned to his lips. He didn't say anything, but Hailey could practically hear what he was thinking.
This woman… still asking for trouble.
The drive home was mostly filled with Grandpa's warm chatter and Ethan's polite responses. Hailey leaned against the window, eyes half-lidded, pretending to be too tired to talk.
She wasn't tired. Not even close. She was just trying to avoid the storm she knew was brewing in the front seat.
But then Grandpa said something that made her sit up straighter—inside, at least.
"This trip would've been much harder without Hailey," he said fondly. "She took such good care of me. Every step of the way. And not just me—my old comrade, too. She stayed up late, helped with arrangements, comforted the family. Even fetched medicine on a rainy night…"
Hailey's cheeks tingled. She wasn't expecting him to say all that out loud.
Ethan went quiet. She could feel his eyes flick toward the rearview mirror.
What, surprised?
Grandpa wasn't done. "You know, I think she finally grew up while we were in B City. She's more thoughtful now. Stronger. I lost an old friend… but gained a granddaughter who truly understands me. That's something, isn't it?"
There was a moment of silence.
Ethan glanced at her again. He didn't say a word, but Hailey knew what he was thinking.
She really changed that much?
Of course, the part of her that still enjoyed being petty wanted to add: Yeah. Sorry you missed it.
But instead, she leaned back and kept her face blank.
If he was shocked, let him stew in it.
After dropping Grandpa off at his house, Ethan drove Hailey back to their place.
The car felt heavier without Grandpa's presence—quieter, tenser.
Hailey stared out the window, pretending she didn't notice the sideways glances Ethan kept throwing at her. His hand shifted on the steering wheel, like he was debating whether to speak.
Eventually, he caved.
"You ran off for over two weeks without a single word," he said, his tone cool but clipped. "Now that you're back, you really have nothing to say?"
Hailey didn't even turn her head. "Say what? I don't think I owe you anything."
His jaw tightened. "Not even an explanation?"
"Not even a greeting."
She could feel his irritation mounting like a boiling kettle. Still, she stayed perfectly calm.
"Let me guess," she added. "You went to the airport just so you could interrogate me?"
He paused. For a second, his expression flickered with something she couldn't quite read. Regret? Guilt? Annoyance?
"I don't know," he admitted. "Maybe I just wanted to settle the score."
He turned the steering wheel a little harder than necessary.
"Hailey, you left without telling anyone. You didn't answer your phone. I was going to teach you a lesson for it. But for Grandpa's sake, I'll let it go this time."
She let out a soft, incredulous laugh.
"Teach me a lesson? That's cute."
He gave her a sideways glare. "Do you think this is funny?"
"I think you're funny. Ethan, you treat me like a complete stranger most days, and now you want to discipline me? That's rich."
He didn't respond immediately. His knuckles tightened on the wheel.
"I don't remember giving you permission to leave the city for that long."
"Permission?" Hailey turned to him fully, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Wait—are you actually trying to control me right now?"
"You think just because we're still technically married, you have authority over me?"
"You're seriously unbelievable."
Ethan's voice dropped an octave, cold and sharp. "You can think whatever you want. But as long as we're married, I do have the right to care about what you do."
Hailey stared at him, stunned for half a second—then laughed again, louder this time.
"Wow. You really said that with a straight face."
She shook her head, half amused, half exasperated.
"You're the one who put a wall between us. You never treated me like a wife. You never even looked at me properly, Ethan. So now you want to play the role of the righteous husband? Give me a break."
"I never stopped treating you like my wife," he snapped.
"You stopped treating me like a person."
His hands gripped the steering wheel like it was the only thing keeping him from exploding.
"I don't need your permission to exist," Hailey added. "And I sure as hell don't need your approval to live my life."
They fell into a tense silence. The kind that lingered even as the car pulled into the driveway.
And even though Ethan didn't say another word, Hailey could feel the storm in his chest—ready to break loose.
But this time, she wasn't afraid of it.
She had her own weather now.