But Ethan Yu couldn't feel happy.
He stood there, watching Hailey Tang skip away like a child who had just won a prize, a mocking smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Ridiculous.
He must be out of his mind—because just a moment ago, there was a fleeting thought in his heart…
That maybe… maybe he didn't want to divorce her after all.
But how could that be?
He had to divorce her. That was the whole point. This was supposed to be his best chance to get rid of her for good.
The thought of staying with her—it was absurd. Dangerous. Stupid.
His eyes darkened.
This woman had been clinging to him like a shadow for years. And now, just when he was about to be free, some tiny part of him hesitated?
Unforgivable.
Ethan turned, face cold as frost, and strode out of the house without a word.
Upstairs, Hailey Tang practically twirled her way into the bedroom, humming a tune as if the whole world was made of sugar and sunshine.
Zhang Ma had just finished folding the laundry when she looked up, amused. "Miss, did something good happen? You look like you're floating."
Hailey spun gracefully on her toes and beamed. "Zhang Ma, what do you think about me going back to school?"
Zhang Ma was stunned. "School? But… haven't you always hated studying?"
Hailey paused, a little sheepish. "I used to. But now… I kind of want to give it a try."
Zhang Ma blinked, then smiled. "Well, it's good to want something. If Old Master hears, he'll be thrilled. So—what do you want to study?"
Hailey sat down at the edge of the bed, swinging her legs. "That's the problem. I don't know."
"What are you interested in?"
"I… don't know that either."
The words left a strange, empty echo in her chest.
No goals. No hobbies. No dreams.
She suddenly felt cold.
Was that all she was? Just someone who once chased a man like her life depended on it… and now had nothing left?
Hailey's voice trembled. "Zhang Ma… what if I really don't like anything? What if there's nothing I want to do?"
Zhang Ma chuckled softly. "That's not true. Miss, you do have one thing you love more than anything else."
Hailey blinked. "I do? What is it?"
Zhang Ma leaned in, voice teasing. "Young Master Ethan."
"…"
The room fell silent.
Zhang Ma laughed outright now. "I still remember what you told Old Master back in the day. You were so stubborn. You said your dream was to be Ethan Yu's wife. That was it. Your one and only dream."
Hailey froze. The memory came crashing back like a wave.
Years Ago.
"Xiaotang, if you don't study, what will you do in the future?"
"I'll marry Ethan Yu."
"You need goals, child! Anything else?"
"Yes. To chase Ethan Yu."
"I'm asking about your dreams!"
"My dream is to be Ethan Yu's wife."
"Besides him, do you have any hobbies?!"
"My hobby is Ethan Yu."
"Anything else?!"
"Ethan Yu again."
"You—! You'll be the death of me!"
"Grandpa, I'm serious. My biggest passion in life is him. I love him more than anything."
Present-day Hailey buried her face into a pillow and screamed into it.
Oh God.
Was she always this shameless?
This immature?
This… completely blinded by love?
She wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out again. That girl from back then—she didn't know her! Didn't want to know her!
At the Eastern Group headquarters, Ethan Yu sat alone in his office.
Two design drafts lay on the desk before him.
One was sharp and angular—clean lines, precision, restraint. The kind of design that mirrored his own cold, calculated personality.
The other was softer—flowing curves, delicate balance, and just a hint of naïve charm. Like a daydream someone forgot to wake up from.
Both pieces were Hailey Tang's work.
But how? They were so completely different. So distinct.
Ethan frowned.
The first one—he hadn't designed it. He was sure of that. But it was so close to his own aesthetic that he'd almost believed he had.
Was she… mimicking his style?
Had she been watching him that closely all this time?
His fingers tapped lightly on the paper.
Whether she'd copied it or created it with her own interpretation… it didn't matter.
Both were hers. And both were brilliant.
He leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling, heart suddenly heavy with something he couldn't name.
Maybe it had been a mistake, pushing her away so soon.
Maybe… just maybe, she had changed.