Every time he saw it, something inside him twisted uncomfortably.
Hailey Tang spotted Ethan Yu's car pulling up beside her.
She quickly stepped on the accelerator, managing to take the turn before him. But Ethan's car was superior—sleek, powerful—and in a blink, he was right alongside her again.
He deliberately didn't overtake her, keeping pace at her side, close enough to match her speed.
Hailey shot him a sharp glance.
Ethan caught her eye through the open windows. His keen vision immediately noticed something off—her eyes were red, as if she had been crying.
His thick brows furrowed with concern.
Why was Hailey crying? Was it because she couldn't study abroad like she wanted?
Earlier that day, he had spoken with the old man—the family patriarch—and knew why Hailey had gone back to the old mansion. But she'd left a long time ago. This sadness clearly wasn't about that.
Ethan slipped on his Bluetooth headset and dialed her number.
Hailey saw it was him and immediately hung up.
But Ethan didn't give up. He called again—and again—relentlessly.
Hailey was still upset with him for what had happened last night, and even more frustrated that he refused to divorce her.
Coldly, she hung up once more, then seized the moment to slam down hard on the gas pedal.
Her car roared forward, quickly pulling ahead, leaving Ethan trailing behind.
Frowning, Ethan noticed her reckless speed.
And then, in a heart-stopping moment, he saw Hailey's car nearly collide with a massive freight truck coming from the opposite direction.
She swerved sharply to avoid it, but the sudden movement sent her crashing into the guardrail.
Ethan's breath caught. His heart pounded in his chest as he slammed on the brakes, pulling over as fast as possible.
He leapt out of his car and rushed over.
"Hailey—!" Ethan yanked open her car door and saw her slumped against the airbag. Panic surged through him.
"Are you okay?" His voice trembled with worry.
Hailey suddenly straightened, her face calm and composed as she met his gaze. "I'm fine."
Ethan's eyes scanned the damage—her vintage Beetle's front was crushed, the two large "frog-eye" headlights shattered beyond repair.
Still, she seemed unhurt.
"Really?" he pressed, not convinced.
"I'm fine," Hailey repeated, stepping out with an unsettling calm.
Ethan exhaled, relieved but still uneasy.
Then his tone sharpened. "Do you know how dangerous it is to speed like that? Why are you driving so recklessly? You're not a child anymore—how can you be so careless with your safety?"
Hailey glanced at him coolly, ignoring the reprimand. "Call the insurance company."
"What, you're not even listening? Will you still drive like this next time?"
"Or maybe call the traffic police."
"Hailey—" Ethan's frustration melted into concern as he noticed her trembling hands and legs.
The tough act she put on shattered in that moment.
He couldn't help but smile softly, a mixture of amusement and tenderness flooding him.
She said she was fine, but she was clearly shaken to the core.
Without a word, Ethan pulled her close into a tight embrace, holding her steady.
His grip was firm yet gentle, like a lifeline.
Deep down, he was just as shaken.
Hailey felt the warmth of his arms around her, and slowly, the panic inside her began to ebb away.
Ethan called for assistance to handle the accident.
Once the tow trucks and officials arrived, he gently guided Hailey away from the scene.
During the drive back, Hailey stayed quiet, lost in thought.
Ethan glanced at her, breaking the silence. "You really can't drive like that. You could have been seriously hurt."
Expecting no response, he was surprised when Hailey nodded quietly. "I know."
Her obedience caught him off guard, making it difficult to continue the lecture.
He softened his tone. "Don't dwell on it too much. What's done is done. As long as you're okay, that's what matters."
Hailey met his eyes, her expression unreadable but sincere.
The atmosphere between them was fragile, charged with unspoken emotions—fear, regret, and something deeper still.
For the first time in a long while, Ethan's protective instinct surged beyond duty or pride. It was raw, real, and utterly human.
And for Hailey, despite everything, his embrace was the one place where the chaos quieted, if only for a moment.