H
ailey Tang straightened her posture, determination burning in her eyes. "Whatever it is, tell me. I'll agree to it."
She didn't even glance at the divorce agreement's contents. She didn't care what his demands might be, or what conditions he'd set.
All she wanted was to be free. To finally get that divorce.
Ethan Yu inwardly scoffed at himself. Was this really the right decision? To give in so easily?
But if she was truly set on leaving, then there was no point clinging to pride or stubbornness.
His voice dropped to a low growl as he stated his terms: "The orphanage in North City is old and falling apart. The government is about to rebuild it, and my company just won the contract. The new orphanage needs a full redesign. I'm forming a design team, and you're going to join it. You'll be involved in the entire design process."
Hailey's breath caught. "Me?"
Ethan nodded without hesitation. "Yes, you. You have to participate in every step until the project is done. If you manage to do that, then I'll sign the divorce papers."
She blinked in disbelief. "Why? I don't know anything about design. Why do you want me on this team? Why does this have to happen before you'll agree to the divorce?"
Ethan's eyes hardened. "You don't need to understand the reason. You just need to answer—will you do it or not?"
"But why—?"
Ethan cut her off, pulling the divorce papers back from her hands. "No agreement, no signature."
Hailey's heart raced. "Okay, okay! I'll do it," she blurted, snatching the papers back. "But I'm telling you now—I know nothing about design, so don't blame me if I mess up."
Ethan's expression remained unreadable. "There will be people to guide you. Just learn."
Hailey was still curious, but seeing how resolute Ethan was about not explaining, she dropped the subject. As far as she was concerned, if this meant freedom, she'd play along.
"Can we sign now?"
Ethan pursed his lips, then nodded once. Hailey exhaled in relief and quickly scrawled her name on the last page.
She pushed the papers and pen toward him. "Your turn."
He glanced at her briefly before taking the pen and signing in a slow, heavy stroke.
The weight of the pen felt just as heavy as it had the day they signed the marriage contract.
Who would've thought—signing a divorce would feel just as solemn, just as permanent?
Their names were now side by side, final and irrevocable.
Hailey's lips twitched, barely able to suppress a smile. "Are we going to file the papers tomorrow?"
But Ethan didn't answer. He stood and walked over to the safe, slid open the heavy door, and tossed the signed agreement inside.
Then he shut it with a definitive click.
Hailey stared at him in shock. "What are you doing?"
He turned back, voice low and sharp. "We wait until the project is finished before filing the divorce."
Her eyes widened. "But I already agreed to participate in the design work!"
"This is to make sure you don't quit halfway."
"I won't!"
"Whether you will or not depends on the outcome." Ethan's lips curled into a cold, almost wicked smile. "If you complete the project, the papers are yours. If not…" His voice dropped into a threatening whisper, "then we'll have to reconsider the divorce."
Hailey's mind spiraled. So this was his trick—he wasn't actually willing to let her go easily.
She had suspected it all along—how could he agree to a divorce so quickly without a catch?
Her chest tightened with frustration and a sudden surge of anger. "Ethan Yu, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You don't want a divorce, so you're dragging it out with this ridiculous condition!"
Her voice shook with emotion, but she refused to back down.
"You're being way too much! I don't care what games you're playing—I'm getting a divorce. Even if I have to fight you tooth and nail, I'll get it!"
Ethan's eyes sharpened, cold and unyielding. "Then prove it. Earn that agreement with your own hands. When you do, I won't say a word."
Hailey's heart pounded fiercely. The challenge was clear: succeed, or lose everything.
The once-simple dream of ending their marriage had now become a battleground.
But deep down, despite the frustration and lingering pain, a small spark of something else flickered—was it hope? Or just the stubborn resolve not to be beaten?
Ethan's icy gaze bore into her, daring her to try.
She swallowed hard, gripping the papers tight.
This was far from over.