Hailey Tang sat on the edge of the antique leather couch, her fingers gripping the hem of her dress as her grandfather's voice echoed in her ears like a gavel striking down a final verdict.
"There will be no divorce," Grandpa Hai had said, calm but resolute, his eyes glinting with that unshakable authority that once led soldiers into battle and businesses to victory. "You two just need time. That's all."
Time? Hailey nearly laughed out loud.
The man she married was a walking iceberg, who barely looked at her for the first year of their marriage. And now, out of nowhere, he gives her a diamond ring, refuses to sign the divorce papers, and insists that "love can grow"? What kind of twisted romantic drama had her life turned into?
But she couldn't argue back—not in front of Grandpa. His blood pressure had been erratic lately, and one burst of rage could send him back to the hospital. So instead of yelling, Hailey bit her tongue and decided to play the long game. She'd win this battle with logic and patience.
Then came the next bombshell.
"Since Ethan is finally back," Grandpa Hai announced as he rose from his seat, "you should return home with him. It's inappropriate for a married woman to live in her parents' house for so long. I've already had the staff pack up your things."
"What?" Hailey shot up, her eyes wide. "I—what do you mean, 'go home'?"
"I mean," he said with a chuckle, "go back to your husband. Your home is with him. You're still married, aren't you?"
And just like that, she was kicked out of her own family home.
Back in the car, silence reigned like a thick fog.
Hailey sat stiffly in the backseat, arms crossed, face turned toward the window as city lights flickered past like stars falling to the earth. She didn't so much as glance at the man beside her. If she pretended hard enough, maybe he'd just disappear.
But of course, Ethan wasn't the type to let things slide so easily.
"Hailey," his deep, low voice rolled through the silence like thunder, "we need to talk."
She didn't respond. Her gaze remained glued to the window.
"You're going to make me talk to the back of your head?" he asked, amusement curling in his tone.
With a frustrated sigh, Hailey turned her head to face him, her expression flat as a sheet of paper. "Fine. Talk. Why the sudden change of heart? You were ready to divorce me a week ago. What now?"
Ethan straightened in his seat, his midnight-black suit impeccable even after hours of wear. His eyes—sharp, unreadable—met hers.
"I told you before. Divorce between us isn't that simple."
Hailey snorted. "It's not rocket science. You agree, I agree, we sign the papers. Done."
"Your grandfather would never approve," he said smoothly.
"Don't twist this on him," she said, narrowing her eyes. "He only disagreed because you gave him hope. If you told him the truth—that you don't love me, that you've wanted out for years—he would've signed the papers himself."
Ethan gave her a slow, knowing look. "That's the thing, Hailey. I'm not sure I want out anymore."
Her heart skipped a beat—and then dropped like a stone. "Excuse me?"
He didn't blink. "I've changed my mind."
She laughed, bitter and disbelieving. "Oh, how convenient."
"I'm being practical," he said, leaning back, his fingers lazily unfastening the top button of his shirt. "Since our company went public in the States, our stock's multiplied over a hundredfold. I'm worth more now than I ever imagined. With that kind of wealth comes sharks—and a parade of women who want a piece of it."
She frowned. "What does that have to do with me?"
"You're the only woman I know who isn't after my money."
Hailey blinked. "Wait… what?"
"You just told me—swore, even—that you didn't want a cent of my fortune."
"I meant it."
"I know." He smiled, that maddening, confident smile that made her want to slap him and kiss him at the same time. "That's why you're the perfect wife."
Hailey recoiled like he'd slapped her. "Excuse me?!"
He leaned forward, his hand reaching to gently lift her chin, his thumb brushing the edge of her jaw. "You're already my wife, and you're not after my money. That combination is… rare. Irreplaceable, really."
Hailey slapped his hand away. "So you want me to just… what? Stay married to you so I can be your legally binding insurance policy? You think I'm going to play the role of your convenient little Mrs. Yu while you parade around with your business empire?"
"You'd be surprised," he said, calm as ever. "Most women would kill for the chance."
"Well, I'm not 'most women,'" she snapped. "And I'm definitely not doing this for free. If you think I'm going to be your obedient wife without love, respect, or even basic decency, you're insane."
Ethan chuckled, low and dangerous. "Hailey, I'm not asking you to be obedient. I'm asking you to stay. There's a difference."
She stared at him, speechless.
He continued, voice quieter now, almost intimate. "I know I wasn't a good husband. I know I hurt you. But things… are changing. I'm changing."
"You're only saying that because it's convenient for you," she muttered.
"Maybe," he admitted. "But maybe I also realized something important."
She crossed her arms. "And what's that?"
"That I don't want to lose you."
For a second—just a heartbeat—she saw something real flicker in his eyes. Vulnerability? Regret? It vanished almost as quickly as it appeared, buried beneath that perfect CEO mask he always wore.
"I don't believe you," she said, quieter now.
"I didn't expect you to." He tilted his head, studying her. "But I'll prove it. You want love? I'll give it to you. You want a real marriage? I'll try."
She laughed dryly. "You think it works like that? You think you can flip a switch and suddenly become the husband I always wanted?"
"No," he said simply. "But I'm willing to start somewhere."
"And what if I'm not?"
He smiled again, this time a little sad. "Then I'll wait. One year, right? That's what your grandfather said."
"One year," she repeated like a curse.
"Then let's make it interesting."
"Interesting?"
"If, after one year, you still want a divorce," he said, leaning close until his breath brushed her ear, "I'll sign the papers. No hesitation. No questions. And I'll walk away."
She turned to face him, eyes wide. "You're serious?"
He nodded. "Dead serious."
"And until then?"
"Until then," he said, pulling away with a grin that made her stomach flip, "I'm going to be the best damn husband you've ever seen."
She rolled her eyes. "You're crazy."
"Maybe," he said with a shrug. "But I'm still your husband."
As the car pulled into their private estate, Hailey's heart was thudding like a warning drum in her chest.
One year.
Could she really survive one year of Ethan pretending to be the perfect husband?
Or worse… what if it wasn't an act?
What if she fell for him all over again?
And what if, this time… he let her?